National Empanada Day | Beef Empanadas
I’m not known for my empanadas. However, I’m lucky enough to have a best friend whose family is known for them. I know how to pick ’em and then use them for their food. It’s all okay though because Jackie uses me for my food sometimes too and this reciprocal relationship is completely acceptable to the both of us.
When it comes to these food holidays, I’d be a fool to think I could do it alone, especially with everything else I have going on at any given moment. Not only is it a relief, but it’s also so much fun, to have friends and family participating with me. Jackie’s sister Virginia makes some stellar empanadas and this recipe is ultimately hers, but Jackie and I stole it for the day. Thanks, Virginia!
The food holidays are wonderful, even though they can be stressful at times. They are equal parts meal planner and learning tool, but there are still parts of the national food holidays I just don’t understand. Like, why are there two national empanada days? Same goes for National Pecan Day and some others. There are a number of repeats.
This is definitely not a complaint from me. Having repeat food holidays is pretty awesome.
This first empanada day I’m sharing a Beef Empanada recipe. Next time, on May 8th, you can find a recipe for Guava Empanadas. Mmm!
Beef Empanadas
A baked version of your favorite stuffed food!
Ingredients
- Frozen empanada dough, thawed
- 1 lb ground beef (we used organic lean)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1/2 green pepper, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh chopped cilantro
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 2 boiled eggs, chopped
- 10 green olives, sliced
- Egg white
- Oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Brown beef and drain. Add onion, green pepper and garlic. Add salt and pepper, cooking through until vegetables are completely sauteed. Add tomato paste and stir to combine. If the mixture is a little dry, add some oil.
- Add cumin and cilantro to the mixture. Let this cook for 20 minutes. When you are ready to put empanadas together, add egg and olives.
- Spoon some of the meat mixture onto the center of each empanada disc, then fold into half-moon shapes. Seal edges by pressing with your fingers or crimping with a fork.
- Bake on an aluminum foil lined baking sheet for 20 minutes, or until empanada crust is golden brown.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 430 Total Fat: 26g Saturated Fat: 8g Trans Fat: 1g Unsaturated Fat: 14g Cholesterol: 104mg Sodium: 386mg Carbohydrates: 27g Fiber: 2g Sugar: 2g Protein: 22g
Those look really yummy! Thanks for sharing.
Every single recipe that you share makes my mouth water! I’m going to share your Blog with my readers today! It’s all so easy and looks so good! -Christine
I have never tried following the national food holidays! That is a new one for me. Those look delicious!! You have me interested in looking up the food holidays and trying it for myself!!
Yeah, why not try?? I am glad I’m over a 1/4 through- it’s been hard and exhausting, but also fun! You can find the food holidays I’m doing here: . I am following TheNibble and verifying with CNN’s blog, Eatocracy.
Wow, I haven’t had an empanada in FOREVER! My son would love for me to make them–thanks for the recipe~!
Oh wow! I am salivating!! There’s nothing better than empanadas!
Can someone come make me that pronto???
I’ll have them delivered. 😉
Oh yum! I have never tried making these myself.. PROBABLY because I have a mum who is good at this kind of thing but perhaps I should take a stab at it. Thanks for the recipe 🙂
I never heard of National Empanada Day and I never have eaten one before. Looks like they would taste good, I’ll need to try them out one day.
Oh my gosh, yes, you have to! They are so delicious. You can make all different kinds- beef, or any other protein, vegetarian, sweet ones, etc. It’s really just a matter of preference.
I love you right now. I actually had my first beef empanada last year at a little Mexican restaurant in San Diego and I have been hooked ever since. I was actually mad at myself for not having one sooner because I felt like I missed out on something really good for all those years.
Haha, you obviously have good taste. And, bonus that these are so easy to make and also, you can switch up what kind they are!
those look so good. I’ll have to try them this weekend.
I didn’t know such a day existed. i haven’t have an empanada in a long time
I’m continuously surprised by the food holidays I would have never guess existed!
These look yummy! I had no idea there was a national empanada day but it makes me want to go celebrate with Taco Bell’s caramel apple empanada’s. So good!
I didn’t know about the majority of these food holidays until I started cooking through them. It can be confusing and intense, lol.
We called these Spanish Hot Pockets! They look yummy, but I’m still a budding cook.
I’ve never made empanadas or even tried them, other than the caramel apple ones at taco bell! These look really good though. I’d love to try some.
They really look delicious and I’m going to try to make some too. I’ve never tried one in a restaurant either!
I’ve never made them, but I have a house full of people who would love them, so maybe I should re-consider. Or get a friend who’s great at it. 😉 They do look delicious.
I’ve not made empanadas before bit boy do I want to. Yum. They sound fabulous
You have the best best friend. 🙂 Seriously, these look so good. I don’t know if I could perfect them myself, so I would need a really great friend to cook for me.
Exactly! That’s the secret. 😉
I’ve never had an empanada! They look delicious though!
I can’t wait to make these. They are such a versatile dish. You can stuff them with anything and they come out great. Thanks
I have never tried a EMPANADA . They are kind of like a pastie from upper Michigan. They sound tasty!
I love empanadas! They sound like they’re delicious!
A girl I used to work with made empanadas that everyone went crazy for. I liked them, but she didn’t put any cumin or any spice in the ones she made for the office.
I love empanadas! Though I haven’t tried cooking it yet.. and I love it with pork. Will try this recipe one of these days 🙂
YUM! These look so good! I have never had an empanada and I think that needs to change!
Yum! We love empanadas! We normally have fruit in our but adding meat is awesome b/c it’s a meal then! 🙂
Those look delicious. I have never made Empandas.
I had not heard of empanada day until recently. It seems like a fun holiday.
It’s amazing how many food holidays I learn about in cooking through them this year!
These look soooooo good, wow. I seriously want some in front of me right this minute!!
I did not even know what they were until this post, but they look and sound great! I will add this to a must try list! Happy Empanda day 🙂
I love a good beef empanada! The crust looks so flaky!
Those look great. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
I love that these look like little pies, but are stuffed with savory filling. I totally want to try these out!
They remind me of Jamaican beef patties. They look very delicious. I love the name of your blog by the way
Thanks, Veronica! My husband actually came up with the name. 🙂
I never thought of empanadas as a savory option. This looks fantastic! Can’t wait to see the next recipe!
I love Latin food, but can you believe I’ve never had an empanada?!
These look absolutely delicious. I know that the family would enjoy them.
Gosh I love empanadas. This looks like a super simple recipe, can’t wait to try it.
I have never had an empanada and I have never seen empanada frozen dough. However, your recipe has intrigued me and I will be on the lookout for the dough to make some…thanks for sharing!
I love empanda’s, but I’ve never made them at home- this recipe looks like it is right up my alley!
Those looks so good. I am a big fan of empanadas, but never really make them.
I don’t think I’ve ever had an empanada before! I’m not sure how that happened but this looks super easy and delicious!
Those look delicious! I’ve never made empanadas but would love to try!
Who knew there was an Empanada day? Empanadas are great to make. You can fill them with so many yummy things and eat easily.
I’ve never heard of this but I would so love to give it a try! Thanks for sharing!
I’ve never made empanadas but I would love to! They look delicious.
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