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Beef Empanadas

Makes 15 empanadas
A medley of warm spices, fresh vegetables, and juicy ground beef are packed inside the flaky, deep-fried crust of our traditional Beef Empanadas. Serve with tangy sour cream, fresh pico de gallo, lime wedges, and cilantro for a delicious meal.

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
  • ¼ cup (35 grams) finely chopped white onion
  • 2 cloves garlic (7 grams), minced
  • teaspoons (7.5 grams) kosher salt
  • teaspoons (3 grams) ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon (2 grams) ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon (2 grams) paprika
  • ¼ cup (84 grams) diced tomato
  • 2 tablespoons (4 grams) finely chopped fresh cilantro
  • 2 teaspoons (10 grams) fresh lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon (8 grams) all-purpose flour
  • Masa Empanada Dough (recipe follows)
  • Vegetable oil, for frying
  • Sour cream, pico de gallo, lime wedges, and chopped fresh cilantro, to serve

Instructions

  • In a large skillet, cook beef, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, cumin, and paprika over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until beef is browned and crumbly, 10 to 13 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in tomato, cilantro, and lime juice. Stir in flour until well combined. Let cool completely.
  • Line a tortilla press with plastic wrap. (See Note if you do not have a tortilla press.)
  • Divide Masa Empanada Dough into 15 portions (about ¼ cup or 64 grams each). Using prepared tortilla press, press each portion flat. Spoon about 3 tablespoons (42 grams) beef mixture into center of each dough piece; fold dough in half until edges meet. Crimp edges as desired. Cover and refrigerate.
  • In a large Dutch oven, pour oil to a depth of 3 inches, and heat over medium-high heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 350°F (180°C) to 360°F (182°C).
  • Working in batches, carefully add empanadas to hot oil. Fry, turning occasionally, until golden and crisp, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove using a slotted spoon or spider strainer, and let drain on paper towels. Serve with sour cream, pico de gallo, lime, and cilantro.

Notes

Note: If you do not have a tortilla press, cover dough piece with plastic wrap, and use a baking sheet to flatten the dough to an even thickness.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!