{"id":"empanada_027ce4cd4b","slug":"classic-latin-american-beef-empanadas","title":"Classic Latin American Beef Empanadas","description":"Golden, flaky pastry crusts filled with a savory, spiced ground beef mixture, traditional olives, and hard-boiled eggs. A perfect portable lunch or appetizer.","serves":6,"time":{"prepMinutes":40,"cookMinutes":30,"totalMinutes":70,"activeMinutes":50},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"3 cups all-purpose flour","name":"All-purpose flour","quantity":375,"unit":"g","usQuantity":3,"usUnit":"cup","form":"all-purpose","notes":"","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed","name":"Butter","quantity":115,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"cubed","notes":"unsalted, chilled","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"1 egg","name":"Egg","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"whole","notes":"","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"1/2 cup cold water","name":"Cold Water","quantity":120,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"cold","notes":"adjust as needed for dough consistency","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"1/2 teaspoon salt","name":"Salt","quantity":3,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"tsp","form":"fine","notes":"","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"1 lb ground beef","name":"Ground Beef","quantity":450,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"lb","form":"raw","notes":"80/20 lean to fat ratio preferred","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"1 large white onion, finely chopped","name":"Onion","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"chopped","notes":"large, white","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"2 cloves garlic, minced","name":"Garlic","quantity":2,"unit":"clove","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"clove","form":"minced","notes":"","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"1 teaspoon ground cumin","name":"Cumin","quantity":2,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"ground","notes":"","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-10","original":"1 teaspoon smoked paprika","name":"Paprika","quantity":2,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"smoked","notes":"","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-11","original":"1/4 cup green olives, pitted and sliced","name":"Green Olives","quantity":40,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/4","usUnit":"cup","form":"sliced","notes":"green, pitted","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-12","original":"2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped","name":"Egg","quantity":2,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"piece","form":"hard-boiled, chopped","notes":"","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-13","original":"2 tablespoons vegetable oil","name":"Vegetable Oil","quantity":30,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"liquid","notes":"for sautéing","group":"Filling","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"In a large bowl, mix the flour and salt. Incorporate the chilled butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.","group":"Dough Prep","title":"Mix the flour and salt","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Dough Prep"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Whisk the egg and cold water together, then gradually add to the flour mixture. Knead gently until a smooth dough forms. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.","group":"Dough Prep","title":"Whisk the egg and cold water together","timerMinutes":30,"sourceTitle":"Dough Prep"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic until translucent.","group":"Filling","title":"Heat oil over medium heat","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Filling"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Season with cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook until the beef is fully browned.","group":"Filling","title":"Add the ground beef, breaking it up","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Filling"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Remove from heat and stir in the sliced olives and chopped hard-boiled eggs. Let the filling cool completely before use.","group":"Filling","title":"Remove from heat","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Filling"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface and cut out 5-inch (12 cm) circles.","group":"Assembly","title":"Preheat your oven","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-7","text":"Place 2 tablespoons of filling in the center of each circle. Fold the dough over to form a half-moon and seal the edges with a fork or by crimping with your fingers.","group":"Assembly","title":"Place 2 tablespoons of filling","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-8","text":"Place empanadas on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush with an egg wash (optional) and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.","group":"Baking","title":"Place empanadas on a parchment-lined baking sheet","timerMinutes":20,"sourceTitle":"Baking"}],"notes":"Ensure the beef filling is completely cool before you start assembling the empanadas; otherwise, the heat will melt the fat in the dough and make it difficult to handle. You can bake these for a lighter version or deep-fry them for extra crunch.","cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Argentinian","Colombian"]},"course":["main","appetizer"],"cookingMethod":["bake","saute"],"equipment":["rolling pin","large skillet","baking sheet","pastry brush","5-inch round cutter"],"diet":["high_protein"],"allergens":["wheat","gluten","eggs","milk"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":12,"unit":"piece","note":"Medium-sized empanadas"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The dough can be made 2 days in advance and kept in the fridge. The beef filling can also be made ahead and stored."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store leftover empanadas in an airtight container.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat in the oven or air fryer at 350°F (177°C) to maintain crispness."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fempanada_027ce4cd4b%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=68456d5c-29d8-42bb-9983-e570aa8d99a5","imageAlt":"Classic Latin American Beef Empanadas — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["beef","pastry","handheld","latin flavor","savory pie"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Classic Latin American Beef Empanadas","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-03T23:33:00.982Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-03T23:33:00.982Z","related":[{"id":"acai_na_tigela_138fbec4aa","slug":"acai-na-tigela","title":"Açaí na Tigela","description":"A refreshing and energizing Brazilian breakfast staple made from frozen açaí palm fruit, blended into a thick smoothie-like consistency and topped with granola and fresh fruit.","serves":1,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":10,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Brazilian"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","dairy_free","high_protein"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Facai_na_tigela_138fbec4aa%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=bcea20c0-f124-4011-87e9-4fdfe51cca58","imageAlt":"Açaí na Tigela — recipe cover","tags":["acai","smoothie bowl","healthy","brazilian","fruit","superfood"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":6,"stepCount":4},{"id":"agua_fresca_de_limon_2a14774356","slug":"agua-fresca-de-limon","title":"Agua Fresca de Limón","description":"A traditional, crisp, and refreshing Latin American lime drink that perfectly balances tangy citrus with a hint of sweetness. Ideal for hot days or as a light accompaniment to spicy meals.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":10,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Mexican"]},"course":["appetizer","dessert"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free","nut_free","egg_free","low_fat","low_sodium"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fagua_fresca_de_limon_2a14774356%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=fe94cf6f-2bf2-4184-ac60-2b5d49ae8160","imageAlt":"Agua Fresca de Limón — recipe cover","tags":["lime","refreshing","summer drink","mexican beverages","easy drinks","agua fresca"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":4,"stepCount":4},{"id":"arepa_de_queso_2d9f12ccb8","slug":"arepa-de-queso","title":"Arepa de Queso","description":"A classic Latin American snack consisting of golden, pan-seared corn cakes made from pre-cooked cornmeal and filled with gooey, melted cheese.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":30},"cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Colombian","Venezuelan"]},"course":["snack","appetizer"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Farepa_de_queso_2d9f12ccb8%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=45319391-0036-45d0-b2a4-cd86df8b987e","imageAlt":"Arepa de Queso — recipe cover","tags":["cheese","cornmeal","gluten-free","street-food","cheesy"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":6,"stepCount":5}]}