I absolutely love making homemade empanadas! There’s something so satisfying about creating a delicious, savory snack from scratch. One of my favorite variations is the classic beef and cheese empanada.
I’ll walk you through all the steps, from making the dough to filling and baking the empanadas. Trust me, once you try these empanadas, you’ll never want to go back to store-bought again.
Beef And Cheese Empanadas
Say goodbye to store-bought snacks and hello to the savory goodness of homemade beef and cheese empanadas!
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 1/2 tsp garlic salt
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp Slap Ya Mama seasoning, or similar
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 8 oz can tomato sauce
- 1/4 tsp chili powder
- 1 Tbsp diced jalapeños, optional
- 1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- 2 boxes Pillsbury Refrigerated Pie Crust or similar
- Flour
- 1 egg
Ingredient Substitutions
Who says you have to stick to the original recipe? Get creative! Swap ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
Want a vegetarian version? Try adding sautéed mushrooms, spinach, and black beans for a delicious twist.
You can also switch up the cheese—cheddar, mozzarella, or pepper jack work great! The possibilities are endless, so don’t be afraid to experiment!
Baking Tools: What You’ll Need
To make these empanadas, a few key tools will make your life a whole lot easier! A cast-iron skillet or heavy frying pan is perfect for browning your beef evenly.
A basting brush is essential for adding that beautiful egg wash to ensure golden, crispy edges.
Lastly, a round cutter or small bowl helps create perfect empanada circles. These simple tools make all the difference in creating a perfect empanada every time!
Instructions
To make homemade beef & cheese empanadas, follow these simple steps:
1. Heat It Up: Start by heating a large frying pan or cast iron skillet over medium heat. You want to get the pan nice and hot to ensure the beef cooks evenly, without burning. A good preheat helps seal in the juices and gives the beef that perfect brown color, creating a flavorful base for your filling.
2. Brown the Beef: Add the ground beef, chopped onions, and minced garlic to the pan. Cook everything together, stirring occasionally, until the beef is browned and the onions become soft and translucent.
This is the crucial step to get that deep, savory flavor. Once browned, drain off any excess grease to keep things moist but not greasy.
3. Spice It Up: Now it’s time to bring on the flavor! Sprinkle in the ground cumin, garlic salt, Slap Ya Mama seasoning, pepper, oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, and chili powder.
Stir everything together, then add the tomato sauce and diced jalapeños. Let it simmer for 15 minutes, allowing the spices and sauce to meld together perfectly.
4. Preheat the Oven: While your beef mixture is simmering and absorbing all those delicious flavors, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
This is the temperature that will give your empanadas a perfectly crispy, golden crust when they bake. It’s the last step before assembly—get ready for the fun part!
5. Prepare the Dough Circles: On a lightly floured surface, unroll the pie crusts. Use a 4-inch bowl (turned upside down) to cut out circles from the dough.
You should get about four circles per pie crust. These will be the perfect size for filling, folding, and baking into your empanada pockets of deliciousness!
6. Dampen the Edges: Next, take a small amount of water and dampen the edges of each dough circle. This step helps the dough seal properly when folded.
The damp edges make sure the filling stays inside, so you get that perfect, sealed empanada that won’t leak while baking. It’s a small step with big results!
7. Add the Filling: Place a small amount of grated cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese in the center of each dough circle, followed by about 1/4 cup of the beef mixture.
Don’t overstuff them—just enough to make them flavorful but not too much to prevent sealing. Fold the dough over to create a half-moon shape, then press the edges with a fork to seal tightly.
8. Arrange on the Baking Sheet: Once your empanadas are filled and sealed, place them on a baking sheet.
9. Egg Wash for That Golden Finish: In a small bowl, whisk together one egg and a tablespoon of water.
Use a basting brush to lightly coat the tops of each empanada with the egg wash, ensuring they turn a beautiful golden-brown in the oven.
10. Bake to Perfection: Now, it’s time to bake! Place your empanadas in the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy.
The egg wash will give them a lovely, golden sheen, while the filling inside gets wonderfully hot and delicious. Keep an eye on them to avoid burning—crispy and golden is the goal!
11. Almost Ready: Once baked, let the empanadas cool slightly before serving.
Storage Tips
Once your empanadas are baked, let them cool completely before storing.
If you’re not eating them all right away (though we bet you will!), store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
For longer storage, freeze them! Wrap the empanadas tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze for up to 3 months.
To reheat, bake them straight from the freezer for 15-20 minutes. Deliciousness, guaranteed!
Enjoy these tasty Beef & Cheese Empanadas on their own or with your favorite dipping sauce. Happy eating!