Empanadas de Carne (Traditional Argentine Meat Empanadas)
Classic Argentine savory pastries with juicy beef filling
Empanadas are one of the most iconic dishes of Argentine cuisine. Crispy on the outside, juicy and aromatic on the inside, they are served everywhere — from family kitchens to street markets and celebrations. This traditional version comes from Argentina and is made with finely chopped beef, onions, spices, and olives.
🕒 Recipe Information Prep
time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 20–25 minutes
Total time: ~55 minutes
Servings: 12 empanadas
Difficulty: Easy–Medium
🥩 Ingredients
For the filling:
- 500 g (1 lb) beef (chuck or sirloin), finely chopped 2 medium onions,
- finely chopped 2 tbsp vegetable oil or beef fat 1 tsp sweet paprika
- ½ tsp ground cumin ½ tsp chili flakes
- (optional) Salt and black pepper, to taste 2 hard-boiled eggs,
- chopped 50 g green olives, sliced
For assembling:
- 12 empanada dough discs (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 egg, beaten (for brushing)
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Prepare the filling
Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the onions and cook slowly until soft and translucent — do not brown. Add the chopped beef, paprika, cumin, chili flakes, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring gently, until the meat is just cooked. Remove from heat and let the mixture cool completely. Once cooled, stir in chopped eggs and olives. Cooling the filling is essential — it keeps the empanadas juicy.
2. Assemble the empanadas
Preheat oven to 200°C / 390°F. Place a spoonful of filling in the center of each dough disc. Fold in half, seal the edges by pressing or making the traditional repulgue (crimp). Brush lightly with beaten egg.
3. Bake
Place empanadas on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Bake for 20–25 minutes, until golden and crisp. Serve warm.
🌿 Tips & Variations
- For extra juiciness,
- add 2–3 tbsp beef broth to the filling
- Some regions add raisins for a sweet contrast
- Empanadas can also be fried instead of baked
- Serve with chimichurri for a true Argentine experience
🍽️ How Argentinians Serve Them
Empanadas are often enjoyed:
- as a starter
- during family gatherings
- at football matches
- or as street food