Savory Beef & Cheese Empanadas Recipe: Homemade Golden Pockets

Crispy pastry pockets filled with savory beef and melted cheese promise a delightful culinary adventure.

The golden-brown crescents burst with robust flavors that dance across your palate.

Mexican and Argentine traditions inspire these handheld delicacies that blend comfort and excitement.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of tender meat and gooey cheese nestled in flaky dough.

Homemade empanadas mean you control the spice and texture, making them uniquely yours.

Simple ingredients come together to create something extraordinary that will impress everyone at the table.

This recipe transforms ordinary ingredients into an irresistible treat that keeps people coming back for more.

What Makes Beef & Cheese Empanadas Good

• Perfect for busy weeknights, these beef & cheese empanadas deliver deliciousness in minimal time.
• Mix up the cheese type or spice level to match your family's taste preferences, making this recipe super adaptable.
• Kids and adults alike will love the handheld, cheesy goodness packed with robust beef and warming spices.
• Prepare empanadas ahead of time, freeze, and bake later for an instant homemade meal solution that saves precious cooking time.

Everything You’ll Need for Beef & Cheese Empanadas

• Ground Beef: Rich protein base with deep savory flavor, lean beef works best for less grease.

• Onion, Garlic: Classic flavor builders that add depth and complexity to the filling.
• Cumin, Smoked Paprika, Chili Powder: Warm spices that create a robust and slightly spicy profile.
• Tomato Paste: Provides concentrated tomato flavor and helps thicken the filling.

• Shredded Cheese: Creamy element that melts beautifully and adds richness to the empanada filling, sharp cheddar or Mexican blend recommended.

Making Beef & Cheese Empanadas Without Fuss

Step 1: Brown The Beef

Cook ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat until completely browned. Carefully drain any excess grease from the pan to keep the filling light and delicious.

Step 2: Enhance Beef Flavor

• Chopped onion
• Minced garlic

Saute these ingredients until they become soft and fragrant, releasing their delightful aromas, which should take around 3-4 minutes.

Step 3: Build Robust Filling

• Ground cumin
• Smoked paprika
• Chili powder
• Tomato paste
• Water

Stir these spices and liquid together, allowing the mixture to simmer and thicken for approximately 2-3 minutes. This process will develop deep, rich flavors.

Step 4: Create Creamy Filling

Remove skillet from heat and let the mixture cool slightly. Gently fold in shredded cheese, which will melt into the warm beef and create a luxurious, creamy texture. Allow the filling to rest and develop its complex flavors before proceeding to empanada assembly.

Pro Tips for Tasty Beef & Cheese Empanadas

• Drain Thoroughly: Remove all excess grease from ground beef to prevent soggy empanadas and ensure a crisp, flaky pastry.
• Spice It Up: Experiment with different spice combinations like adding oregano or a pinch of cayenne for extra flavor depth and personal twist.
• Cheese Selection Matters: Use melting cheeses like cheddar or Monterey Jack for best texture and gooey, delicious filling.
• Seal Perfectly: Crimp empanada edges tightly with a fork to prevent filling from leaking during baking or frying.
• Prep Ahead: Make filling a day in advance to allow flavors to meld and streamline cooking process when ready to assemble.

Save and Reheat Beef & Cheese Empanadas Easily

• Seal cooled empanadas in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor preservation.
• Wrap individual empanadas tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Store frozen for up to 2 months without losing taste quality.
• Preheat oven to 350°F, place empanadas on a baking sheet, and warm for 10-12 minutes until crispy and heated through. Avoid microwave to maintain pastry's crunchiness.
• If pressed for time, reheat empanadas on a microwave-safe plate for 30-45 seconds, checking midway to prevent sogginess and ensure even heating.

Great Pairings for Beef & Cheese Empanadas

• Complement the rich, savory empanadas with a refreshing Spanish-style red wine sangria loaded with fresh citrus fruits and a hint of brandy.
• Create a tangy, crunchy side dish with shredded cabbage, lime juice, cilantro, and a touch of jalapeño to cut through the empanadas' richness.
• Drizzle a vibrant green herb sauce made with parsley, garlic, red wine vinegar, and olive oil to enhance the beef's deep flavors and add brightness.
• Select a light, crisp lager like Modelo Especial or Corona to balance the spices and provide a refreshing counterpoint to the hearty empanadas.

Creative Twists on Beef & Cheese Empanadas

• Vegetarian Empanadas: Replace ground beef with black beans, lentils, or plant-based crumbles for a protein-packed meatless version. Add diced bell peppers for extra texture and flavor.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free empanada dough made from corn flour or almond flour. Ensure all spices and ingredients are certified gluten-free for those with sensitivities.
• Spicy Southwest Style: Amp up the heat by adding jalapeños, cayenne pepper, or chipotle powder to the filling. Mix in some roasted green chiles for a smoky kick.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Swap traditional dough for lettuce wraps or use cauliflower-based dough. Replace regular cheese with low-fat or dairy-free cheese alternatives to reduce carbohydrate content.

Beef & Cheese Empanadas Recipe

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4.5 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 14 1x

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Description

Savory beef & cheese empanadas blend Argentine culinary traditions with rich, flaky pastry and spiced meat filling. Crisp golden edges and melted cheese inside promise a delightful journey through flavor that will excite your taste buds.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Cheese:

• 1 pound (450 grams) ground beef
• ½ cup shredded cheddar or monterey jack cheese

Spices and Aromatics:

• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon chili powder (optional, for heat)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Dough and Liquid Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• ½ cup ice-cold water
• ¼ cup tomato paste
• ¼ cup water
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

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Instructions

1. Heat a spacious skillet over medium temperature and thoroughly brown the ground beef, ensuring complete rendering of fat by carefully draining excess grease.
2. Introduce finely chopped onions and minced garlic into the skillet, gently sautéing until vegetables transform into a translucent, tender consistency, approximately 3-4 minutes.
3. Incorporate aromatic spices including cumin, smoked paprika, and optional chili powder, blending seamlessly with tomato paste and a modest splash of water to create a rich, concentrated filling.
4. Allow the meat mixture to simmer and thicken, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching and develop deep, complex flavors for 2-3 minutes.
5. Remove skillet from heat source and permit the savory mixture to cool slightly, preventing cheese from immediately melting when added.
6. Fold shredded cheese into the warm beef mixture, ensuring even distribution and creating a creamy, cohesive filling that will meld perfectly within empanada pastry.
7. Transfer the prepared filling to a holding container, allowing it to reach a workable temperature for subsequent empanada assembly.

Notes

• Drain ground beef thoroughly to prevent soggy empanada filling and ensure a crispy texture when baking or frying.
• Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles for a vegetarian version that maintains the rich, spicy flavor profile of the original recipe.
• Use pre-made pie dough or empanada wrappers to save time, cutting them into circles for easy folding and sealing.
• Experiment with different cheese blends like pepper jack or queso fresco to add unique taste variations and customize the filling’s complexity.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Latin American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 14
• Calories: 205
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 35 mg