5.0 from 93 votes
Beef Empanadas Recipe
Beef empanadas are crispy, airy tacos made from dough and filled with shredded beef. They are a favorite Mexican dish!
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Let dough set
4 hrs
Total Time
4 hrs 20 mins
Servings: 12
Calories: 245 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Mexican
Ingredients
Dough
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 tablespoon salt
- ½ cup lard, or shortening
- 1¼ cups warm water, 110-115 degrees F
Filling
- 2½ pounds roast beef, cooked and shredded (store-bought or homemade)
- 1-2 cups red enchilada sauce, to taste (store bought or homemade)
- ½ cup sliced black olives
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: In a medium bowl, mix all ingredients for the dough together with a wooden spoon until well combined and a little sticky. Pinch away golf ball–sized pieces of dough and roll each one into a ball. Place dough balls on a glass or ceramic plate and cover with plastic wrap. Let rest at room temperature for 4–6 hours (we usually make ours in the morning to be ready for dinner).
- Prepare the filling: In a medium bowl, combine meat, red enchilada sauce, and sliced olives. Mix and set aside.
- When dough is ready, fill a medium saucepan with ¾ inch oil. Heat over medium heat to 365 degrees F.
- Roll out each dough ball on a floured surface into a 5–6-inch round.
- Add ¼ cup of roast beef mixture to one side of each dough circle. Fold the other half over and pinch around the entire edge.
- Working in batches, fry empanadas in oil for 2–3 minutes on each side until golden brown.
- Transfer to a paper towel–lined plate to drain. Serve warm.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Make Ahead: We don’t suggest making any fried foods ahead of time, but you can make the filling in advance. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours.
- Variations: We love to change it up and make pork or chicken empanadas.
- o Pork: Use Pulled Pork and mix with your favorite green chile sauce.
- o Chicken: Use the chicken mixture from our Flautas recipe in place of the beef.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1empanada
Calories
245kcal
(12%)
Carbohydrates
27g
(9%)
Protein
24g
(48%)
Fat
4g
(6%)
Saturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.4g
Monounsaturated Fat
2g
Cholesterol
54mg
(18%)
Sodium
2268mg
(95%)
Potassium
405mg
(12%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
1g
(2%)
Vitamin A
231IU
(5%)
Vitamin C
43mg
(48%)
Calcium
320mg
(32%)
Iron
4mg
(22%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 12Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 245
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1empanada | |
| Calories | 245kcal | 12% |
| Carbohydrates | 27g | 9% |
| Protein | 24g | 48% |
| Fat | 4g | 6% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.4g | 2% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 54mg | 18% |
| Sodium | 2268mg | 95% |
| Potassium | 405mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 231IU | 5% |
| Vitamin C | 43mg | 48% |
| Calcium | 320mg | 32% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.