These Argentinian Empanadas are golden, crispy, and filled with flavorful seasoned beef. The filling is a perfect blend of ground beef, onions, green olives, and hard-boiled eggs, wrapped in a flaky homemade dough. Served with a vibrant, garlicky chimichurri sauce, these empanadas are great as an appetizer, snack, or even a main course.
Makes 12 Empanadas
For the Empanada Dough
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ tsp salt
½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
1 egg
½ cup cold water (or as needed)
For the Beef Filling
1 tbsp olive oil
½ lb ground beef
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 small red bell pepper, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
½ tsp cumin
½ tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp oregano
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
¼ cup green olives, chopped
1 hard-boiled egg, chopped (optional)
For the Chimichurri Sauce
½ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp red pepper flakes
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
½ cup olive oil
Salt and black pepper, to taste
For Egg Wash
1 egg yolk
1 tbsp water
Make the Chimichurri Sauce
1
- In a bowl, combine parsley, garlic, red pepper flakes, vinegar, and olive oil.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Let it sit for at least 15 minutes to develop the flavors.
Make the Empanada Dough
2
- In a large bowl, mix flour and salt.
- Add cold butter and mix with your hands until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add egg and gradually add cold water until the dough comes together.
- Knead for 3-5 minutes, then wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Prepare the Beef Filling
3
- Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Sauté onion, garlic, and red bell pepper for 2 minutes.
- Add ground beef, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Season with cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper.
- Once cooked, stir in chopped olives and hard-boiled egg.
- Remove from heat and let it cool.
Assemble the Empanadas
4
- Roll out the dough and cut into 4-inch circles.
- Place 1-2 tbsp of filling in the center of each circle.
- Fold the dough over the filling and press the edges to seal.
- Use a fork to crimp the edges or fold them decoratively.
Bake the Empanadas
5
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Brush the empanadas with egg wash for a golden crust.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
Serve and Enjoy!
6
- Let the empanadas cool slightly before serving.
- Serve warm with chimichurri sauce on the side for dipping.
Pro Tips
7
- For extra crispiness, fry the empanadas in hot oil instead of baking.
- You can substitute beef with chicken, cheese, or vegetables.
- Make extra dough and freeze it for later use!
CategoryAppetizers, Beef, Bites/Snacks, Meat
Ingredients
Makes 12 Empanadas
For the Empanada Dough
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ tsp salt
½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
1 egg
½ cup cold water (or as needed)
For the Beef Filling
1 tbsp olive oil
½ lb ground beef
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 small red bell pepper, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
½ tsp cumin
½ tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp oregano
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
¼ cup green olives, chopped
1 hard-boiled egg, chopped (optional)
For the Chimichurri Sauce
½ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp red pepper flakes
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
½ cup olive oil
Salt and black pepper, to taste
For Egg Wash
1 egg yolk
1 tbsp water
Directions
Make the Chimichurri Sauce
1
- In a bowl, combine parsley, garlic, red pepper flakes, vinegar, and olive oil.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Let it sit for at least 15 minutes to develop the flavors.
Make the Empanada Dough
2
- In a large bowl, mix flour and salt.
- Add cold butter and mix with your hands until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add egg and gradually add cold water until the dough comes together.
- Knead for 3-5 minutes, then wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Prepare the Beef Filling
3
- Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Sauté onion, garlic, and red bell pepper for 2 minutes.
- Add ground beef, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Season with cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper.
- Once cooked, stir in chopped olives and hard-boiled egg.
- Remove from heat and let it cool.
Assemble the Empanadas
4
- Roll out the dough and cut into 4-inch circles.
- Place 1-2 tbsp of filling in the center of each circle.
- Fold the dough over the filling and press the edges to seal.
- Use a fork to crimp the edges or fold them decoratively.
Bake the Empanadas
5
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Brush the empanadas with egg wash for a golden crust.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
Serve and Enjoy!
6
- Let the empanadas cool slightly before serving.
- Serve warm with chimichurri sauce on the side for dipping.
Pro Tips
7
- For extra crispiness, fry the empanadas in hot oil instead of baking.
- You can substitute beef with chicken, cheese, or vegetables.
- Make extra dough and freeze it for later use!
Notes
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