Description
These Spicy Argentinian Beef Empanadas combine a flavorful blend of ground beef, aromatic spices, green olives, raisins, and hard-boiled eggs wrapped in tender dough and baked to golden perfection. Perfect as a main course, they offer a satisfying mix of savory and spicy flavors with a hint of sweetness, embodying traditional Argentinian cuisine.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup green olives, chopped
- 1/4 cup raisins
- 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1/4 cup beef broth or water
Dough and Topping
- 12 empanada dough discs (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and garlic, and sauté until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes, building the flavor base for the filling.
- Cook Ground Beef: Add ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon to ensure even cooking and texture.
- Add Spices and Mix-ins: Stir in smoked paprika, ground cumin, chili flakes, oregano, salt, and ground black pepper. Incorporate tomato paste, chopped green olives, raisins, and beef broth, then cook for another 5 minutes until the mixture thickens and flavors meld.
- Finish Filling: Remove the skillet from heat and gently stir in the chopped hard-boiled eggs. Let the filling cool completely to ensure easy handling and prevent dough from becoming soggy.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) in preparation for baking the empanadas.
- Assemble Empanadas: Lay out empanada dough discs on a flat surface. Place about 2 tablespoons of the cooled beef filling in the center of each disc. Fold the dough over to form a half-moon shape and seal the edges securely by pressing with a fork or crimping for a decorative finish.
- Apply Egg Wash: Brush the tops of the empanadas with beaten egg to achieve a golden, shiny crust when baked.
- Bake: Arrange the empanadas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them evenly. Bake for 20–25 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve warm as a delicious main course or appetizer, enjoying the spicy and rich flavors.
Notes
- For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chopped fresh chili to the beef filling.
- These empanadas can be frozen before baking; just add a few extra minutes to the bake time when cooking from frozen.
- Ensure the filling is completely cooled before assembling empanadas to prevent dough from getting soggy.
- Use beaten egg wash to give empanadas a beautiful golden-brown finish.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Argentinian
