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Empanadas Mendocinas (Argentinian Beef Empanadas)

Empanadas Mendocinas (Argentinian Beef Empanadas)

Empanadas Mendocinas are traditional Argentine meat empanadas filled with beef, onions, and spices.
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 25 minutes
Chilling Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Course Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine Argentina, Latin
Servings 20 medium empanadas
Calories 250 kcal

Equipment

  • Food processor
  • frying pan
  • Oven

Ingredients
  

Dough for empanadas

  • 3 cups flour
  • 0.5 cup grasa (lard or butter) or mix of both
  • 0.75-1 cup warm milk
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt

Beef picadillo filling

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 2 white onions diced about 3 cups
  • 0.5 cup lard or butter
  • 2 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 2 teaspoon chili powder or any ground hot pepper, adjust to taste
  • 1 tablespoon fresh oregano finely chopped
  • 0.5 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 bunch green onions finely chopped
  • 3 hard boiled eggs sliced
  • 0.25 cup green olives sliced
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 egg white and yolk separated and lightly whisked

Dipping sauce options

  • Classic chimichurri See recipe link
  • Balsamic chimichurri sauce See recipe link
  • Quick chimichurri sauce See recipe link
  • Aji criollo sauce See recipe link
  • Tree tomato hot sauce See recipe link

Instructions
 

Empanada dough

  • Mix the flour and salt in a food processor, pulse until well combined.
  • Add the lard or butter, blend well.
  • Add the egg yolk and the milk in small amounts, pulse until small dough clumps start to form.
  • Make a couple of balls, flatten into disks and chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
  • On a lightly floured surface roll out the dough into a thin sheet and cut out round disc shapes for empanadas.
  • Use the empanada discs immediately or store in the refrigerator or freezer until ready to use.

Beef picadillo filling and empanada assembly

  • Combine the ground beef, paprika, red pepper, cumin, salt, and pepper in a large bowl, mix all the ingredients together and chill until ready to use.
  • Melt the lard in a large frying pan or sauté pan, add the onions and salt, cook until the onions are soft, about 8 minutes.
  • Add the meat mixture to the onions and cook on medium heat until the meat is done, stir frequently.
  • Let the meat mixture cool down, and then mix in the chopped green onions and chopped oregano.
  • To assemble the empanadas, add a spoonful of the meat mixture to the center of each empanada disc, add a slice of egg and sliced olive.
  • Brush the edges of the empanada discs with the egg whites to help seal them.
  • Fold the empanada discs and seal the edges gently, twist and fold the edges, using a fork to press down and finish sealing the empanadas.
  • Lightly brush the top of the empanadas with the egg yolk; this will give them a nice golden color when baked.
  • Let the empanadas rest in the fridge for about 30 minutes or until ready to bake.
  • Pre-heat the oven to 400 F and bake for about 20-25 minutes, until golden on top.
  • Serve warm with chimichurri sauce or other dipping sauces.

Notes

These empanadas can also be made with different fillings and sauces as per your preference.

Nutrition

Serving: 1empanadaCalories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 12gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 75mgSodium: 300mgPotassium: 200mgFiber: 2gVitamin A: 2IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 2mgIron: 15mg
Keyword Argentinean Empanadas, Beef empanadas, Empanadas
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