South Americans

Transport your taste buds straight to South America with this irresistible empanada recipe! These golden, flaky pastry pockets are filled with a savory mix of seasoned ground beef, sautéed onions, minced garlic, and briny green olives, rounded out with the creaminess of diced hard-boiled eggs. The buttery, homemade dough ensures the perfect crisp-tender crust, while a touch of cumin and paprika adds a subtle depth of flavor to the filling. Perfect as a party appetizer, a snack on the go, or even a light meal, these empanadas are a true celebration of South American cuisine. With just 30 minutes of prep time and a short bake, they're as easy as they are delicious—an authentic treat for your next family gathering or cultural culinary adventure! Keywords: South American empanadas, baked empanadas, homemade pastry, beef filling, savory snacks.

Nutriscore Rating: 60/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 cup cold water
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 0.25 cup chopped green olives
• 2 hard-boiled eggs, diced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 egg (for egg wash)
• 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash)

Directions

Step 1

In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Step 2

Gradually add the cold water, mixing with a fork, until the dough begins to come together. Form the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Step 3

While the dough chills, heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and garlic, and sauté until softened and translucent, about 3-5 minutes.

Step 4

Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess fat.

Step 5

Stir in the cumin, paprika, salt (to taste), green olives, and diced hard-boiled eggs. Cook for another 2 minutes to combine flavors, then remove from heat and let the filling cool.

Step 6

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 7

On a floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/8-inch thickness. Use a round cutter (about 4-5 inches in diameter) to cut out circles from the dough.

Step 8

Place a small amount (about 1-2 tablespoons) of the beef filling in the center of each dough circle. Fold the dough over to form a half-moon shape, and press the edges with a fork to seal.

Step 9

Transfer the empanadas to the prepared baking sheets. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and 1 tablespoon of water to create an egg wash. Brush the tops of the empanadas with the egg wash.

Step 10

Bake the empanadas for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed.

Step 11

Let the empanadas cool slightly before serving. Enjoy them warm as a snack, appetizer, or light meal!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1422.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3900.7

Total Fat 244.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 103.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 1127.1mg	0%
Sodium 3830.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 295.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 14.9g	0%
Total Sugars 8.5g
Protein 135.9g	0%

Vitamin D 157.1IU	0%
Calcium 299.9mg	0%
Iron 29.2mg	0%
Potassium 1718.4mg	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: 56.0%

Protein: 13.9%

Carbs: 30.2%