Low Fat Classic Beef Empanadas

Delight in the irresistible flavors of **Low Fat Classic Beef Empanadas**, a lighter twist on a timeless favorite! Crafted with lean ground beef, vibrant veggies like red bell peppers and peas, and seasoned with aromatic cumin and smoked paprika, this recipe delivers all the taste with less guilt. Encased in wholesome whole wheat empanada dough, these golden-baked hand pies are brushed with a simple egg wash for a perfectly crisp finish. Ideal for meal prepping, entertaining, or a quick snack, this recipe is easy to make and ready in just over an hour. Perfectly portioned and packed with protein, these empanadas strike the perfect balance between indulgence and nutrition.

Nutriscore Rating: 75/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:70 mins

Servings: 10

Ingredients

• 1 pound Lean ground beef
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil
• 1 medium Onion, finely chopped
• 0.5 medium Red bell pepper, finely chopped
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
• 0.5 cup Beef broth, low sodium
• 0.5 cup Frozen peas
• 10 pieces Whole wheat empanada dough (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 large Egg white
• 1 tablespoon Water

Directions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and red bell pepper and sauté for 3-4 minutes until they start to soften.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic, ground cumin, and smoked paprika to the skillet and sauté for an additional minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the lean ground beef to the skillet. Cook until browned, breaking up any large chunks with a wooden spoon, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 5

Stir in the salt, black pepper, tomato paste, and beef broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for 5 minutes or until most of the liquid has evaporated.

Step 6

Mix in the frozen peas and cook for another 2 minutes. Remove the beef mixture from heat and let it cool slightly.

Step 7

On a clean, flat surface, roll out the whole wheat empanada dough if needed.

Step 8

Place about 2 tablespoons of the beef filling onto the center of each piece of dough.

Step 9

In a small bowl, whisk together the egg white and water to make an egg wash.

Step 10

Brush the edges of the dough rounds with the egg wash. Fold the dough over the filling to form a half-moon shape.

Step 11

Seal the edges by pressing with a fork. Place the sealed empanadas onto the prepared baking sheet.

Step 12

Brush the tops of the empanadas with the remaining egg wash.

Step 13

Bake for 20 minutes or until the empanadas are golden brown.

Step 14

Remove from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1452.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2224.9

Total Fat 78.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 21.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 281.1mg	0%
Sodium 3146.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 238.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 30.3g	0%
Total Sugars 27.2g
Protein 146.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 210.9mg	0%
Iron 26.2mg	0%
Potassium 1612.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 31.4%

Protein: 26.1%

Carbs: 42.5%