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plate of beef empanadas with one broken in half.
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4.75 from 4 votes

Argentine Beef Empanadas

The only beef empanadas recipe you'll need! This easy and delicious Argentine recipe comes from Buenos Aires, and makes a tasty meal, appetizer, or snack anytime.
Prep Time45 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time1 hour 10 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Argentine
Servings: 24 servings
Calories: 77.97kcal

Ingredients

For the Filling

  • olive oil
  • 1 medium onion
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder or hot paprika increase for extra heat
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ cup green manzanilla olives chopped
  • cup walnuts toasted and chopped
  • cup raisins
  • 1 hard-boiled egg chopped

For the Pastry

  • 4-5 pie crusts or empanada dough
  • 1 raw egg yolk

Instructions

Making the Filling

  • Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two large baking trays with parchment paper.
  • Toast the chopped walnuts in the oven until golden brown, about 8-10 minutes. Watch them carefully to prevent burning.
  • Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat, then add the onion and garlic and sauté until they're soft and aromatic.
  • Add the ground beef to the pan and season generously with the spices. Cook until the beef is browned through, but don't overcook.
  • Mix the toasted walnuts, chopped olives, hard-boiled egg, and raisins into the beef. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.

Assembling & Baking the Empanadas

  • Roll out the empanada dough or pastry and cut into discs approximately 6 inches (15 cm) in diameter.
  • Place a spoonful or two of the beef mixture in the center of each disc. Dab a little water around the edge of the disc to help it stick, then fold it in half and press the edges together to seal. Use a fork or stamp to crimp the seal, or fold it to create a rope-like design.
  • Place the empanadas on the prepared trays and brush them with the egg yolk.
  • Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until the empanadas are a light golden brown.
  • Let them cool for at least 15 minutes before serving, then enjoy warm.

Notes

  • Use homemade pastry or empanada dough if you can for the best flavor and texture.
  • Use a leaner cut of ground beef for less grease and a wonderful flavor.
  • Seal the empanadas with a damp finger and crimp them well to prevent them from bursting open or leaking in the oven.

Nutrition

Serving: 1empanada | Calories: 77.97kcal | Carbohydrates: 2.68g | Protein: 4.06g | Fat: 5.78g | Saturated Fat: 1.77g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.98g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2.33g | Trans Fat: 0.23g | Cholesterol: 29.29mg | Sodium: 158.72mg | Potassium: 90.81mg | Fiber: 0.48g | Sugar: 0.29g | Vitamin A: 47.07IU | Vitamin C: 0.55mg | Calcium: 12.12mg | Iron: 0.62mg