Argentine Beef and Olive Empanadas

Method

1. Cook the eggs until firm

   Place 2 large eggs for filling in a saucepan and cover with cold water by 2.5 cm (1 in). Bring to a steady boil over medium-high heat, reduce to a gentle boil, and cook for 10 minutes so the yolks are fully firm. Drain and cool under cold running water for 5 minutes, then peel and chop. Set them on a clean plate.

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2. Mix and rest the dough

   

   Whisk 360 g of all-purpose flour with 5 g of fine salt for dough in a wide bowl. Add 70 g of lard and rub it into the flour with your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Pour in 160 ml of warm water for dough gradually, mixing until a shaggy dough forms. Knead on a lightly floured surface for 5 to 7 minutes, until smooth and supple. Cover the dough and let it rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.

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3. Build the beef and onion filling

   Warm 15 ml of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Chop 300 g of yellow onions and mince 2 garlic cloves, then cook them for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring often, until soft and lightly golden. Add 450 g of 90% lean ground beef and break it into small pieces with a clean spoon. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring, until no pink remains and the center of the meat reaches 71°C/160°F on a food thermometer. After handling the raw beef, wash your hands and wash any contacted utensils or surfaces with hot, soapy water before continuing.

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4. Season and cool the filling

   

   Reduce the heat to low. Stir in 8 g of sweet paprika, 2 g of ground cumin, 1 g of dried oregano, 2 g of fine salt for filling, and 1 g of black pepper, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Scrape the filling onto a wide tray and spread it into a thin layer. Let it stand for about 20 minutes, until no longer steaming and cool enough that it will not soften the dough. Chop 75 g of pitted green olives, then fold them and the chopped eggs from the first step into the beef.

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5. Roll the pastry rounds

   

   Divide the rested dough into evenly sized pieces, using three pieces per serving. Keep unused pieces covered while you work. Roll each piece on a lightly floured surface into a thin 13 cm (5 in) circle, turning it often so it stays round. Keep the edges slightly thinner than the center.

6. Fill and crimp the empanadas

   

   Divide the filling evenly among the dough circles, placing it just off center and leaving a clean 1.5 cm (1/2 in) border. Fold each circle over the filling, press out trapped air, and pinch the edges firmly. Finish with a traditional twisted repulgue or press with a fork. Arrange the empanadas on a parchment-lined baking sheet with space between them.

7. Glaze and bake until deeply golden

   

   Heat the oven to 220°C (425°F) with a rack in the upper-middle position. Whisk 1 large egg with 15 ml of water and brush a thin, even layer over the empanadas. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, rotating the sheet once, until deeply golden with crisp edges. Begin checking at 18 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

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Smart Substitutions

• No lard? Use the same weight of unsalted butter and work it into the flour while cool but pliable; the crust will taste richer and slightly less crisp.
• Prefer prepared wrappers? Use empanada wrappers about 13 cm (5 in) wide, portioning three wrappers per serving, and begin with the filling steps.
• No green olives? Use the same weight of pitted black olives for a milder, less briny filling.
• Skip the egg in the filling? Omit the filling eggs and cook a little extra onion until soft to keep the beef mixture moist and balanced.

Tips and Variations

• Give the onions their full cooking time; their sweetness balances the saltiness of the olives and keeps the beef from tasting dry.
• Keep the pastry border free of filling and grease so the crimp grips clean dough instead of sliding apart.
• Roll the dough from the center outward and turn it often; this keeps the rounds even without overworking the edges.

What Went Wrong?

• Dough shrinks while rolling Cover it and let it rest for 10 more minutes so the gluten relaxes, then roll with light pressure.
• Filling breaks through the seal The filling may be too warm or the rounds too full. Let the mixture cool further, use a little less, and wipe the border clean before crimping.
• Pastry cracks at the fold The dough is slightly dry. Work a few drops of warm water into the next piece and keep the remaining dough covered.
• Empanadas look pale Brush on a complete but thin glaze and keep baking until the ridges and flat surfaces are evenly bronze.

Nutrition Estimate

• Fiber: 5 g per serving
• Sodium: 1110 mg per serving

Nutrition disclaimer:This recipe is provided for general cooking information only. Nutrition values are estimates and may vary by ingredients, brands, preparation methods, and serving sizes. Check ingredient labels and follow appropriate food-safety practices. This content is not medical, dietary, allergy, or professional food-safety advice.

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