Argentine Empanadas

Argentine Empanadas Recipe

Argentine empanadas are a classic of homemade cuisine in Latin America, especially in Argentina. This dish is characterized by its crispy dough and a juicy, well-seasoned minced meat filling that wins everyone over. Perfect for sharing with family or friends, they are a practical and delicious option for any occasion.

Preparation time

Organizing your time well will help you enjoy this recipe without stress.

• Preparation: 40 minutes
• Cooking: 25 minutes
• Total: 1 hour 5 minutes (not including dough resting time and filling cooling)
• Servings: 12 empanadas
• Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

For the dough

• ¾ cup warm water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 cups wheat flour
• 7 tablespoons lard or unsalted butter, melted and warm

For the meat filling

• 2 tablespoons olive or vegetable oil
• 900 grams ground beef, with 15-20% fat
• 450 grams chopped yellow onion
• 225 grams chopped green onion
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped
• 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped (optional)
• ⅓ cup pitted green olives, chopped
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
• 1 egg (for brushing)

If you don't have access to beef suet, unsalted butter is the best substitute to achieve a tender and flavorful dough. If you don't have olives, you can increase the amount of hard-boiled eggs or omit them.

Utensils we will use

• Large frying pan
• Deep pot for frying
• Large mixing bowl
• Knife and cutting board
• Spoon or spatula for mixing
• Rolling pin to flatten the dough
• Oven dish or tray

If you don't have a rolling pin, a clean, smooth bottle can be used to roll out the dough. For the empanada mold, you can use a glass or a cup to cut perfectly round discs.

Preparation

1. Filling preparation

1. Pan and oil: Heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium heat in a large skillet.
2. Yellow onion: Add the chopped yellow onion and sauté until transparent and soft, approximately 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
3. Green onion and garlic: Add the chopped green onion and garlic, cooking for 2 more minutes to integrate flavors.
4. Meat: Add the ground meat and cook until well browned and cooked through, stirring to break up clumps and achieve even cooking.
5. Seasonings: Season with salt, cumin, and sweet paprika. Mix well and remove from heat.
6. Extras at the end: Add the chopped olives and hard-boiled eggs, mix gently to distribute evenly.
7. Cool: Let the filling reach room temperature and then refrigerate it for at least 1 hour to facilitate the assembly of the empanadas.

2. Dough preparation

1. Mix water, salt, and lard: In a small bowl, dissolve the salt in the warm water. Add the melted lard and mix well.
2. Incorporate flour: Place the flour in a large bowl and gradually add the warm liquid while mixing from the center outwards until a dough forms.
3. Knead: Transfer the dough to a clean surface and knead with your hands for 3-4 minutes until achieving a homogeneous and non-sticky texture.
4. Rest: Cover the dough with a cloth or plastic and let it rest at room temperature for 30 minutes to 2 hours to relax the gluten and facilitate rolling.
5. Form discs: Divide the dough into 30-gram portions and roll out each ball with a rolling pin until obtaining discs 12-15 cm in diameter.

3. Assembling and cooking the empanadas

1. Moisten edges: Lightly moisten the edge of each dough disc with water to help seal.
2. Filling: Place a heaping tablespoon of the cold filling in the center of each disc.
3. Close: Fold the disc to form a half-moon and press the edges well to seal, preventing the filling from escaping.
4. Repulgue: You can make a traditional crimp with your fingers or use a fork to mark the edges.
5. Rest before cooking: Refrigerate the assembled empanadas for 20-30 minutes so they better maintain their shape.
6. Cook: Preheat the oven to 200°C. Place the empanadas on a baking sheet with non-stick paper and brush with beaten egg for a golden finish.
7. Bake: Cook for 15-25 minutes or until golden and the dough is cooked.

To finish and serve

Once ready, remove the empanadas from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. You can accompany them with a chimichurri sauce or a fresh salad to provide contrast. They are perfect for enjoying with friends and at informal gatherings, conveying that Argentine tradition genuine.

Nutritional Information

• Calories: 285 kcal
• Proteins: 10 g
• Fats: 14 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 2 g

These values are approximate and correspond to one serving (one medium empanada).

5 keys to making your Argentine empanadas perfect

• Use meat with enough fat: Meat with 15-20% fat ensures a juicy filling.
• Don't skimp on the onion: The generous amount of onion is what provides moisture and deep flavor.
• Always cool the filling before assembling: This facilitates sealing and prevents the dough from breaking or becoming too wet.
• Moisten the edges to seal well: Water makes the dough stick better, preventing leaks during cooking.
• Avoid overfilling the empanadas: Too much filling will make them open up when cooking and lose juiciness.

When is it ideal to enjoy Argentine empanadas?

Argentine empanadas are ideal for informal gatherings, such as dinners with friends or watching a game. They are also an excellent option on weekends when you're looking for something delicious and quick without complications. And if you make smaller versions, they work perfectly as an appetizer at parties or family gatherings. Their ease of being made in batches and frozen also makes them a practical resource for impromptu celebrations.

Comparison of Argentine empanadas with other similar recipes

Related recipes of interest

• Meatloaf – A similar homemade option where meat and spices are the protagonists.
• Tuna empanadas – For those who prefer the mild flavor of fish in their empanada.
• Spinach empanadas – Nutritious and delicious vegetarian alternative.
• Pineapple pastries – For those who enjoy sweet and fruity empanadas.
• Poblano Chicken Pie – Another version filled with chicken and Mexican chilies.

Step-by-step videos for Argentine empanadas

This tutorial shows everything from preparing the dough to the filling and the traditional sealing, perfect for beginners.

In this video you will find tricks to achieve the perfect golden dough and prevent the filling from escaping.