Beef Empanadas with Spicy Dipping Sauce

Beef Empanadas are a beloved Latin American classic — golden, flaky pastry pockets filled with a savory, flavorful beef mixture and baked or fried to perfection. These little hand pies are incredibly versatile, easy to eat, and full of comforting warmth.

The filling combines ground beef, onions, garlic, peppers, and spices, wrapped in buttery pastry dough that crisps beautifully. Paired with a spicy dipping sauce, they make for a satisfying snack, appetizer, or even a main dish.

Empanadas are popular across Latin America — from Argentina and Mexico to Spain and the Caribbean — each region offering its unique twist. This version balances spiced beef filling and flaky crust, with a tangy kick from the homemade spicy sauce.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it’s the perfect combination of comfort and excitement. Every bite gives you a burst of flavor — the rich, savory beef, the slightly smoky spices, and the crunchy pastry that melts in your mouth.

They’re fun to make, easy to hold, and even easier to love. You can serve them as a snack at parties, pack them for picnics, or enjoy them as a hearty meal with salad or rice.

Plus, the spicy dipping sauce elevates them to a whole new level. It’s creamy, tangy, and perfectly complements the empanadas’ richness.

Why It’s a Must-Try Dish

• A classic Latin-inspired favorite that never disappoints.
• Crispy, golden, and flavorful – everything you want in a pastry.
• Make-ahead and freezer-friendly – great for meal prep or parties.
• The spicy dipping sauce adds an irresistible finishing touch.
• It’s both family-friendly and impressive enough for entertaining.

Recipe Overview

• Preparation Time: 25 minutes
• Cooking Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Servings: 10–12 empanadas (about 4 servings)
• Calories: ~350 kcal per empanada

Cuisine

Latin American / Spanish

Course

Appetizer / Snack / Main Course

Ingredients

For the Empanada Dough:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cubed
• 1 large egg
• ⅓ cup cold water (plus 1–2 tbsp if needed)
• 1 tbsp white vinegar

For the Beef Filling:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp chili powder
• ½ tsp oregano
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• ¼ cup beef broth
• 2 tbsp chopped green olives (optional, for authentic flavor)
• 1 boiled egg, chopped (optional, for traditional touch)

For the Spicy Dipping Sauce:

• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp hot sauce (like Sriracha or Tabasco)
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tsp honey or sugar (optional, for balance)
• 1 small clove garlic, minced
• Salt to taste

For Assembly:

• 1 egg (beaten, for egg wash)
• Flour, for dusting
• Oil, for frying (if frying instead of baking)

Simple Cooking Directions

1. Prepare the dough and let it rest.
2. Cook the beef filling with spices and vegetables.
3. Roll out dough, fill, and seal the empanadas.
4. Bake or fry until golden brown.
5. Mix spicy dipping sauce and serve warm.

Step-by-Step Recipe Preparation

Step 1: Make the Empanada Dough

1. In a large bowl, whisk together flour and salt.
2. Add cold butter and cut it in using a pastry cutter or fingers until crumbly.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk egg, water, and vinegar together.
4. Pour into the flour mixture and mix just until dough comes together.
5. Form into a ball, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Step 2: Prepare the Beef Filling

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Add onions and bell pepper; sauté until soft (about 4 minutes).
3. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Add ground beef, breaking it up as it cooks.
5. Stir in cumin, paprika, chili powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.
6. Add tomato paste and beef broth, then simmer for 5 minutes until thickened.
7. Stir in olives and boiled egg, if using.
8. Let filling cool completely before assembling.

Step 3: Assemble the Empanadas

1. Roll out dough on a floured surface to about ⅛-inch thickness.
2. Cut circles (4–5 inches in diameter) using a cutter or small bowl.
3. Place 1–2 tablespoons of beef filling in the center of each circle.
4. Fold dough over to form a half-moon shape and seal edges with a fork.
5. Brush with egg wash.

Step 4: Bake or Fry

To Bake:

• Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
• Place empanadas on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
• Brush tops with egg wash.
• Bake for 20–25 minutes, until golden brown.

To Fry:

• Heat oil to 350°F (175°C) in a deep pan.
• Fry empanadas 2–3 at a time until golden brown (about 3–4 minutes per side).
• Drain on paper towels.

Step 5: Make the Spicy Dipping Sauce

• In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, hot sauce, lime juice, honey, and garlic.
• Adjust salt and spice level to taste.
• Chill until ready to serve.

How to Serve

Serve Beef Empanadas hot with the spicy dipping sauce on the side.

They pair wonderfully with:

• A fresh avocado salad
• Mexican rice or corn salad
• A cold beer or margarita for a festive touch

You can also serve them as an appetizer platter for parties or as a main dish with sides.

Additional Recipe Tips

• Chill the dough before rolling for flakier texture.
• Don’t overfill — it can cause empanadas to burst while cooking.
• For extra crispiness, brush baked empanadas with melted butter after removing from oven.
• Make the filling a day ahead to save time.
• Add cheese (like mozzarella or cheddar) for extra richness.

Recipe Variations

1. Cheesy Beef Empanadas: Add shredded cheese to the filling before sealing.
2. Chicken Empanadas: Replace beef with shredded cooked chicken.
3. Vegetarian Version: Use beans, corn, and sautéed veggies.
4. Sweet-Spicy Version: Add a pinch of cinnamon or raisins to the beef filling.
5. Mini Empanadas: Make bite-sized ones for parties.

Freezing and Storage

To Store:

• Keep leftover empanadas in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warm and crispy.

To Freeze:

• Freeze uncooked empanadas on a baking tray until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag.
• Store for up to 2 months.
• Bake directly from frozen (add 5 minutes to cooking time).

Special Equipment Needed

• Mixing bowls
• Rolling pin
• Pastry cutter or round mold
• Fork (for sealing edges)
• Skillet for cooking beef
• Baking sheet or frying pan
• Pastry brush

Conclusion

Beef Empanadas with Spicy Dipping Sauce are the perfect combination of crisp pastry and savory goodness. The juicy beef filling, aromatic spices, and buttery crust create a mouthwatering experience that’s impossible to resist.

They’re ideal for any occasion — from game nights and family dinners to festive gatherings. The spicy dipping sauce adds that extra zing, making every bite unforgettable.

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Beef Empanadas with Spicy Dipping Sauce

Author: Anna Williams Cuisine: American Courses: Dinner

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 25 mins Cook Time 25 mins Total Time 50 mins

Servings: 10 Calories: 350 kcal per empanada

Description

Beef Empanadas are a beloved Latin American classic — golden, flaky pastry pockets filled with a savory, flavorful beef mixture and baked or fried to perfection. These little hand pies are incredibly versatile, easy to eat, and full of comforting warmth.

Ingredients

Scale

1/2x 1x 2x 3x

For the Empanada Dough:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ cup (1 stick)
• 1 large egg
• ⅓ cup cold water (plus 1–2 tbsp if needed)
• 1 tbsp white vinegar

For the Beef Filling:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb (450 g)
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp chili powder
• ½ tsp oregano
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• ¼ cup beef broth
• 2 tbsp chopped green olives (optional, for authentic flavor)
• 1 boiled egg, chopped (optional, for traditional touch)

For the Spicy Dipping Sauce:

• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp hot sauce (like Sriracha or Tabasco)
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tsp honey or sugar (optional, for balance)
• 1 small clove garlic, minced
• Salt to taste

For Assembly:

• 1 egg (beaten, for egg wash)
• Flour, for dusting
• Oil, for frying (if frying instead of baking)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Make the Empanada Dough : In a large bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Add cold butter and cut it in using a pastry cutter or fingers until crumbly. In a separate bowl, whisk egg, water, and vinegar together. Pour into the flour mixture and mix just until dough comes together. Form into a ball, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
2. Step 2: Prepare the Beef Filling : Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onions and bell pepper; sauté until soft (about 4 minutes). Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant. Add ground beef, breaking it up as it cooks. Stir in cumin, paprika, chili powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Add tomato paste and beef broth, then simmer for 5 minutes until thickened. Stir in olives and boiled egg, if using. Let filling cool completely before assembling.
3. Step 3: Assemble the Empanadas : Roll out dough on a floured surface to about ⅛-inch thickness. Cut circles (4–5 inches in diameter) using a cutter or small bowl. Place 1–2 tablespoons of beef filling in the center of each circle. Fold dough over to form a half-moon shape and seal edges with a fork. Brush with egg wash.
4. Step 4: Bake or Fry : To Bake: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place empanadas on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush tops with egg wash. Bake for 20–25 minutes, until golden brown. To Fry: Heat oil to 350°F (175°C) in a deep pan. Fry empanadas 2–3 at a time until golden brown (about 3–4 minutes per side). Drain on paper towels.
5. Step 5: Make the Spicy Dipping Sauce : In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, hot sauce, lime juice, honey, and garlic. Adjust salt and spice level to taste. Chill until ready to serve.

Keywords: Beef Empanadas with Spicy Dipping Sauce