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:mpanadas with beef and cheese on a red plate.

BEEF AND CHEESE EMPANADAS

Keesha
Beef Empanadas are a delight in every bite of these flaky pastries, brimming with savory ground beef, fresh cilantro, parsley, thyme, and garlic. Paired with delicious cheese. They are a perfect appetizer or hearty meal, combining rich flavors and homemade goodness.
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 8
Calories 311 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

FOR THE DOUGH:

  • 2 ½ cups Flour
  • ½ tsp Salt
  • ¼ tsp Baking powder
  • 6 Tbsp Cold butter
  • ½ cup Water or milk
  • 1 Egg

FOR THE BEEF:

  • 1 Large white onion, finely diced diced
  • 8 oz Ground beef
  • 1 tsp Smoked paprika
  • 2 Cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ pint Cherry tomatoes, quartered sliced lengthwise
  • 2 Tbsp Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
  • 2 Tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp Fresh thyme leaves
  • ½ tsp Salt
  • ½ tsp Black pepper

FOR THE ASSEMBLING EMPANADAS

  • ½ cup Cheese
  • 1 Egg yolk

Instructions
 

BEEF FILLING

  • Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté the onion until translucent and slightly caramelized, about 3-5 minutes, to enhance the sweetness. Then add the minced garlic and sauté for 2 more minutes.
  • Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef. Cook until browned and crumbly, about 8-10 minutes. Drain excess grease if necessary.
  • Stir in smoked paprika, quartered cherry tomatoes, cilantro, parsley, thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes until the tomatoes are just softened.
  • Remove from heat and let the mixture cool to room temperature.

DOUGH

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
  • In a food processor, combine the flour, salt, and baking powder. Pulse briefly.
  • Add the cubed cold butter. Pulse until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
  • Add the egg and cold water or milk to the flour mixture and pulse until a rough dough forms.
  • Turn out onto a floured surface and knead gently. Divide into 4 portions and roll each to ¼-inch thickness.
  • Roll out each portion of empanada dough until it is ¼-inch thick, then cut 2 rounds with a large cookie cutter.

Assembling Empanadas:

  • Add 1 or 2 spoonfuls of ground beef mixture to the center of each empanada round, then add a tablespoon of cheese, leaving a ½-inch border around the center of the dough.
  • Dab the edges of the empanada dough with water, fold one half over the filling, press to seal it, then create a border either with a fork's prongs or by twisting and rolling the dough.
  • Arrange the empanadas on a parchment-lined cookie sheet, then whisk the egg yolk in a bowl and brush it over the empanadas.
  • Bake the empanadas for 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown.
  • Serve and enjoy!

Notes

To make the empanada dough by hand, follow the same instruction but use your hands to mix the ingredients together.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 portionCalories: 311kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 12gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 95mgSodium: 458mgPotassium: 240mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 775IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 90mgIron: 3mg
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