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Beef Empanadas
BeefUruguayan

Beef Empanadas

Beef Empanadas is a classic Uruguayan dish that holds a distinguished place in traditional cooking. Celebrated for its wholesome ingredients and time-honored preparation, this dish brings authentic regional character to the home kitchen.

Carefully prepared featuring Lard, All purpose flour, Tomato, Garlic, Red Onions, Spring Onions, Sirloin steak, Dried Oregano, Paprika, Red Pepper Flakes, Parsley, Pepper, Egg, Egg Wash and Chimichurri sauce, the ingredients are simmered and seasoned to achieve a satisfying depth of flavor. The cooking process allows natural aromas to develop, ensuring each portion is both hearty and flavorful.

Serve hot alongside fresh bread, steamed grains, or a crisp seasonal salad for a well-rounded dining experience.

If you enjoy authentic Uruguayan cooking, be sure to also explore our recipe for Chivito Sandwich.

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Ingredients

  • Lard60g
  • Water340g
  • Salt1 tsp
  • All purpose flour600g
  • Tomato3
  • Garlic1 clove
  • Red Onions1 large
  • Spring OnionsBunch
  • Sirloin steak750g
  • Dried Oregano1 tablespoon
  • Paprika1 tsp
  • Red Pepper Flakes1 tsp
  • Parsley1 tsp
  • SaltTo taste
  • PepperTo taste
  • Egg3
  • Egg WashSplash
  • Chimichurri sauceDrizzle

Step-by-Step Instructions

23 steps

Interactive Cook Mode: Click any step or circle to check it off as you cook.

Step 1šŸ„„ Mix

For the dough place lard, warm water and salt in a large kneading bowl and stir.

Step 2

Add flour and oregano and either knead five miutes by hand or with the kneading function of your machine.

Step 3

Let rest covered for at least half an hour or overnight in the fridge.

Step 4

2

Step 5

For the filling place tomatoes for about 30 seconds in boiling water, then cool with cold water and peel of skin and cut into cubes.

Step 6

Press garlic through garlic press, cut onions into cubes.

Step 7šŸ² Simmer

Simmer garlic and onions in some olive oil until translucent.

Step 8

Take out onions and garlic and brown the meat at high heat from all sides.

Step 9

Season with all herbs and add the onions, garlic and tomatoes.

Step 10šŸ² Simmer

Let simmer for a few minutes, add salt, pepper and additional spices to taste.

Step 11

You can prepare the meat the night before, chill in fridge if doing so.

Step 12ā™Øļø Boil

Boil eggs and also cut into cubes and mix with prepared meat.

Step 13

3

Step 14

Cut dough into half and roll out one half thinnly on floured surface.

Step 15

Cut out circles about 12-15cm in diameter.

Step 16

Mine have a diameter of 12.5 cm.

Step 17

Place about 2-4 teaspoons of filling on one circle, put a bit of water all around the edges and fold over the other half so that you get half moons.

Step 18

Be sure to seal the edges with a fork.

Step 19

Repeat until you have no dough and filling left.

Step 20

4

Step 21šŸ”„ Preheat

Meanwhile preheat oven to 200 degrees Celsius.

Step 22🄧 Bakeā±ļø 25min

Brush empanadas with egg wash and bake about 8 empanadas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for about 25min or until golden.

Step 23✨ Serve

Serve warm with chimichurri sauce.

šŸ‘Øā€šŸ³ Chef's Culinary Notes

Cultural Heritage

Beef Empanadas carries a rich culinary tradition rooted in regional home cooking. Developed over generations, the recipe highlights wholesome local ingredients prepared with time-honored kitchen techniques.

Dietary Substitutions

If using instant dry yeast instead of active dry yeast, you can mix it directly into the dry ingredients without proofing first, reducing wait time by 15 minutes.

Chef Technique Tips

Always ensure liquids used to activate the yeast are comfortably lukewarm (around 38°C–42°C / 100°F–108°F); liquid that is too hot will kill the yeast, while cold liquid delays proofing. Keep the dough in a warm, draft-free spot to rise.

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