argentine empanadas
Recipe: argentine empanadas
Four weeks in Argentina as a field assistant on a GPS campaign is enough to know when you are in love with a cuisine. The Argentines know how to cook (they’re all Italians, for crying out loud) and dance and drink and smoke and drive like maniacs and look beautiful. I have some favorite foods from what we sampled in restaurants, from the grocery stores, and in the homes of so many kind hosts. The best part was the asados – argentine barbecues that literally had 7-8 courses of MEAT. First we start with morcillas (blood sausages) and chinchulines (organ meat sausages) and then various cuts of beef like lomo and bife de chorizo at the end. You work yourself up to the best cuts, but of course by then I was drunk from all of the flowing red wine and probably had colon cancer to boot. I also loved the morning dose of dulce de leche on tortas warmed over the parilla in camp in the morning.
a sliver of the moon
And then there were the empanadas. I know many countries have their versions of empanadas and let me just state right here that I don’t care for the Chilean rendition of an empanada, no matter how nice their people are. Becky and I were driving outside of Mendoza with the picturesque, snowy Andes as our backdrop when we finally came upon a small town. Nothing was open. It was siesta and we were starving with only 30 minutes to stop for food before we had to head to the next site to set up and make camp. Becky walked into a restaurant where two women were quietly talking over the remains of their lunch. She asked if the owner was around and one of them said, “Oh, he’s asleep – I’ll go wake him for you.” The proprieter came out drowsy-eyed and asked what Becky would like. He deep fried some fresh empanadas and tossed a dozen into a brown paper bag.
Un peso.
Becky gave him three. When she hopped into the truck and tossed me the bag, it was burning hot and oily. Those empanadas were pure heaven to eat. Tiny, golden, hot, and delicious. It wasn’t a one time thing either. Everywhere I went in Argentina, the empanadas were sheer pleasure.
I found this recipe in Saveur years ago and held on to the article because it’s all about Argentina. I’ve posted it before for Sheri, but I never tried it myself until today. I wasn’t planning on baking anything, except that when I looked around at all of the sweet things in the house, I had no appetite. I like savory and for some reason I thought of empanadas. I had what I needed.
The recipe is pretty straightforward and simple. I omitted raisins in the filling because I never really liked them and most of the best empanadas I had didn’t have them either (although it is indeed, authentic). I also omitted the bell pepper because I didn’t have one.
an easy buttery dough
filling: beef, potatoes, onions, egg, scallions, olives, spices
mixing the scallions, egg, olives, and potatoes into the cooked beef, onions, and spices
The dough is super easy to make, but requires a couple of hours for refrigeration. You definitely won’t want to skip that step or else you’ll have a gooey mess and, if you’re anything like me, a lot of swearing. The prep for the filling requires a little time to boil the eggs and potato. Just do your mise en place and it will be a lot less hectic. I subbed beef bouillon for the chicken bouillon and instead of diced beef shoulder I used organic ground beef – just what was handy at the time. The recipe said to divvy up the dough into about 12 golf ball sized rounds. I had 26 rounds and still about 20% leftover filling.
roll the rounds into 5-inch discs
add a heaping spoonful of filling
fold the dough over and rope pinch the edges
ready for baking
They baked up very nicely considering they were baked and not deep fried. I alway have this struggle between authentic recipes and slightly more healthy versions. For instance, true empanadas are deep fried in lard. In fact, the recipe calls for lard, but I used butter which in some odd way seems healthier? Maybe not. I just can’t bring myself to purchase a block of lard – not yet anyway. The filling is flavorful and spicy, but not chemical hot spicy because Argentines fear spicy. You should have seen the Argentine grad students during our annual chili cookoff…
argentine empanadas with a fruity shiraz
que rico!
Empanadas
[print recipe]
from Saveur May/June 1999 #35
dough
1 cup water
3/4 cup lard (I used butter)
2 3/4 cups flour
2 tsp salt
pinch paprika
filling
3 tbsp olive oil
1 small yellow onion, peeled and minced
1/2 small red bell pepper, cored, seeded, and finely diced (I omitted)
1/2 chicken bouillon cube (I used beef bouillon paste)
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp ground white pepper
1/2 tsp ground cumin
3/4 lb. boneless beef shoulder, finely diced (I used ground beef)
salt
1 small russet potato, peeled, finely diced, and boiled (I used 2 yukon golds)
1/3 cup raisins (I omitted)
8 green Spanish olives, pitted and chopped
3 scallions, trimmed and chopped
1 hard-boiled egg, peeled and chopped
For the dough: heat water and lard (butter) in a medium saucepan over medium heat until lard (butter) has melted. Mix flour and salt in a large mixing bowl and make a well in the center and sprinkle a pinch of paprika in the well. Pour a little of the warm liquid in and stir with fingertips to make a wet paste. Pour in remaining liquid and work the flour into the dough with your hand until you get a wet, oily dough. Wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
For the filling: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat and cook the onions, bell peppers (omitted), bouillon, paprika, red pepper flakes, white pepper, and cumin, and cook until onions are soft. Add beef, season to taste with salt, and cook until beef is browned. Place filling in a large bowl and when cooled, add potatoes, raisins (omitted), olives, scallions, and egg. Mix.
Preheat oven to 400F. Tear off pieces of dough to roll about 12 (24) golf-sized balls. Using a rolling pin, roll out dough balls on lightly floured surface into 5-inch circles. Place 3 tbsp of filling in the center of each dough circle. Fold over and press edges firmly to seal. Rope pinch the edges tightly. Place empanadas on cookie sheet and bake until golden brown, 15-20 minutes. Makes one or two dozen (depending on the size you make).
October 23rd, 2007 at 1:20 pm
Hi there! First things first: your site is amasing! I love the pictures and I love the food. It just makes me want to go to my kitchen and try your recipes. Congratulations!
Seconds things second: I’m from Buenos Aires, Argentina and I just loved to see that you liked my country and our food (and wines too). Your empanadas turned really good. I do bake them too but I have to admit that deep fryed are better. Hope you can come again soon to discover more of the beautiful places and great food we have here. Saludos, Silvia
October 24th, 2007 at 11:20 am
Silvia – thank you for your sweet comment. So nice to hear from someone in Argentina! I really enjoyed my time there even though it was a “work” trip, we managed to have a lot of fun. I realize I barely saw the country (only BA briefly, Mendoza, and San Juan), so this means I need to return to continue exploring the countryside, meeting wonderful people, and eating more of that awesome cuisine! I still remember having my first taste of membrillo – mmmmm!
December 10th, 2007 at 11:54 am
Jen,
I made the empanadas for the 2nd time using your recipe – it was with a bunch of middle-schoolers that I’m teaching a cooking elective to. I wish I had taken some pictures – they turned out really well. We added a step by brushing the empanadas with egg yolk before baking them. The kids said they tasted amazing – best mini meat pie ever. You gotta love ’em.
December 11th, 2007 at 6:07 pm
HB – hey girlfriend! That is so totally cute that you made these with middle-schoolers! What an awesome idea :) You rock!!!
December 16th, 2007 at 1:22 am
I used another recipe before i found yours…and…MADE A DISASTER! I gave up and went to the market and bought pre made pie crust…BAD IDEA! My mother was born in Argentina…she used to make such great empanadas. She passed away and now I’m tyring to duplicate hers. I got the filling down, now I’m going to try to make this dough. Thank you for posting! :)
Cindy
December 20th, 2007 at 8:38 pm
Cindy – you’re welcome. I hope they worked out for you!
January 27th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Hi Jen! My first encounter with your blog. It’s amazing, I think from now on I’m hooked! With regards to forming the dough and making the rope pinch, I wish you were more specific and did it step-by-step. I’m kinda new to this and I don’t know what you meant when you said to “rope-pinch.” I love, love your photos and recipes.
January 30th, 2008 at 8:37 am
Mel – thanks for your nice words :) Sorry I wasn’t more specific. The whole thing was a tad ad hoc and well – I’m not made of spare time ;) I think any sort of pinch on the dough so the filling doesn’t ooze out is good enough. However you want to gussy it up is up to you!
February 20th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
I am going to brave trying to work with dough again because of this recipe. It is similar to the Polish pierogi, in many ways, though with frying rather than boiling and pan searing. Though i guess I’ll bake mine, too. Frying seems messy. Yours look so perfect in the photo that I feel a little intimidated, but I’ll give it a try! Oh, and you should try rendered leaf lard (pig lard). It is a monounsaturated fat like olive oil, actually, but more heat stable, and it won’t burn the way butter does. It is perfectly healthy as well.
February 20th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
Drink,Memory – don’t be intimidated! it’s so easy to do and you don’t have to get fancy with the dough. just fold it over and press it together, it will work out just fine, I swear! good luck :)
March 7th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
Hi Jen,
First wanted to tell you how much I love your site. You are amazing – pictures, recipes, food – all so great! I spent 6 months in Argentina last year so was interested in this post. I found that most people eat baked (al horno) empanadas instead of fried…and although beef is traditional, there is some pretty good variety in terms of fillings. The “caprese” is everywhere in Buenos Aires – kind of like a mini-calzone with basil, cheese, and tomato. I think my favorites were acelga y ricotta (chard and ricotta) and higo y nueces (figs and nuts with cheese). These were very urban though. In the outer provinces choices are much more limited, and each province has its own distinctive kind of empanada. Oh, and I’ve heard that the best empanadas are the kind that squirt hot oil and meat juice down your chin when you bite into them….yum?
You are so right about the spicy thing – my (American) friend and I happened upon a bottle of Tabasco sauce about 5 months into our stay and doused everything with it because we were so spice-deprived!
March 11th, 2008 at 11:04 pm
Mia – oh wow, now I’m craving empanadas! :) We didn’t get to sample nearly as many varieties as you did, but we were short on time in the towns since we were doing field work. Thanks for sharing!!
April 5th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
i am so glad to found your website…..i am so impressed with you……..finally i found a person who like to show a lot of pictures for everything……….
By the way, thanks a lot because thanks to you i am going to make my rag quilt…..the explination with that detail and pictures step by step is hard to find….( and i am very visual person, i like see the picture and figured out by myself what they mean But no always get it right)……also i am going to make the empanada argentina……..and i will check all the recipes.
Have a good day
your new fan Sonia Trott
April 7th, 2008 at 7:31 am
Sonia – I too like lots of pictures when I’m browsing a recipe :) Thanks for your comment! :)
May 1st, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Nice post. The only curious note is the fork in the final photos. Empanadas are finger food in Argentina!
May 4th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
Dan – yeah, I didn’t want to bite it and then put it back to shoot it ;)
August 21st, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Hello, Jen,
This is a nice post. Just a quick question. How many empanadas does this recipe yield?
–Luka Oasis
August 27th, 2008 at 10:22 am
Luke – it’s been a while since I made these, but I seem to recall at least 2 dozen (if you make them about the size of your palm).
September 3rd, 2008 at 10:17 pm
Found this recipe through a google search, tried it out on my Argentine husband and his cousin, and they loved them. I made over 30 and they didn’t last two days. I must admit, I was surprised as I kept looking at your site that you weren’t some old Argentine grandma but instead are a young Chinese American woman. I am too so the recipe coming from you seemed just right. Thank you for this great site!
September 10th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
Janet – thanks! I got the recipe from Saveur magazine. I spent a month in Argentina ten years ago and fell in love with the food there. LOVE IT :) Good on ya!
September 21st, 2008 at 9:19 pm
I’m Argentinian and hey this empanadas look FANTASTIC!! in fact all the recipes look fantastic, Go Jen you are good!!
September 21st, 2008 at 10:51 pm
Cecilia – thank you :) What I wouldn’t give for a piping hot empanada in Mendoza right now!!
September 28th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
I GOOGLED EMPANADAS DE CHOCLO AND FOUND YOUR SITE. MY MOTHER PASSED 4 YRS AGO AND DONT REMEMBER HOW EXACTLY TO MAKE THEM. I MAKE MY BEEF ONES LIKE YOU,THEY ARE GRREEATT! ! IF POSSIBLE HELP ME OUT…
September 30th, 2008 at 9:38 am
Edie – Hmm, sorry. I have never had an empanada de choclo, so I don’t know how to make them :(
October 16th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
I recently found your blog and I love it. especially your honest writing. I can’t stop reading! I was wandering through your achives and found this recipe. I wanted to make empanadas for a while and yours look so flacky and delicious, I had to make them. I made half the recipe and just loved that dough, so easy to work with. (that warm soft dough feld so nice I just wanted to use it as my pillow!) I have the empanadas in the fridge for tomorrow. But I’m still not sure baking (=”healthier”) or frying (=hmmmm)
October 20th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
Samira – glad that you enjoy the blog and the empanadas :) thanks!
October 21st, 2008 at 9:37 am
Hi Jen your blog is very good, I love cooking, I´m french and I lived in Argentina many years. I live in Mendoza and in La Rioja, and the recipe of the empanadas are from La Rioja, they used the potatos, the Mendocina no. The ones from mendoza are baking and the others are frying in lard. Both are very good.
It was very nice to find the empanadas of my childhood.
thanks
October 22nd, 2008 at 8:04 pm
Carole – you’re very welcome. I hope one day I will return to Argentina for pleasure rather than work. It was delightful.
November 3rd, 2008 at 5:31 am
hello
i went to argentina for a month during the summer
amongst trecking canooing and doing charity work i found a love of empanadas
all at the age of 16!
im going to try your recipy soon as
cant wait
thanks soooooop much :)
November 7th, 2008 at 10:11 am
Mattw – awesome. I hope you find them up to snuff!
December 13th, 2008 at 10:07 am
Muchas gracias por este articulo, mi hija tiene un proyecto en el colegio acerca de comidas en otras partes del mundo y me ayudo mucho imprimir las fotos y receta….ahora mismo voy a prepararla!…
December 16th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Rocio – de nada!! :)
December 29th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
I just got back from Argentina and can’t wait to go back. I am having a dinner party for 12 this Saturday for New Year–all Argentine! Your recipe verifies one that I found in a tourist cookbook. I like that you use butter. I had a spinach or chard and cheese in Calafate and it was great. The fig/nut and cheese sounds good too. Thank you. Happy New Year.
January 1st, 2009 at 11:57 pm
Nina – you’re welcome, and I hope your party was a hit!
March 8th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
OMG! Thank you for the recipe for Argentine empanadas. My husband and I have made 10 trips to Bs As Argentina in the last 4 years. We love the people, the food, the wine (Malbec) and the city!
Now, I am homesick for Argentina. There is no place like Bs As Argentina. And we don’t speak Spanish. My husband would move there in a heart beat. Your website and pictures are amazing.
DON’T CRY FOR ME ARGENTINA!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 9th, 2009 at 8:44 pm
Nancy – thanks :) Argentina is indeed a wonderful place for foodies. I love this recipe!
April 29th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
I just googled this EXact recipe – I’d lost my copy [put it somewhere safe I think :)]. Glad you have it here! I agree – Argentine empanadas beat their Chilean counterpart hands-down :) thanks!
April 30th, 2009 at 11:36 am
Anne – terrific! It’s such a kickass recipe!
May 6th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
I was just in Florida, tasting some Argentinian empanadas at a local hot spot, a native of Venezuela, we make them out of corn flour, I much prefer them like yours, regular flour, flaky and not fried…a variety of fillings were available at the place, I chose spinach and feta cheese my fiance chorizo-provolone & tomates, your filling sounds spectacular, like your photos!!! I will make them as you suggest, quite frankly, I adore your blog!!! Mucha suerte Jen!!!!!!
May 9th, 2009 at 5:48 pm
Ruth – Awesome :) Thank you and I hope they are to your liking.
May 27th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
WOW…I’m go going to have to make this. Yay for your DB Challenge bringing my attention to it.
June 1st, 2009 at 9:12 am
Whitney – the empanadas are way better than the DB Strudel version :)
June 26th, 2009 at 11:36 am
Hi Jen, I just love your site, I always come around and have a look to see what is new. You caught my attention some time ago when you had pic’s from you black lab. But I also love nature, photography, cooking and obviously, dogs.
I am from Argentina too and just loved the idea of you two around Mendoza with a paper bag full of empanadas. I prefer them in the oven, and my favourite ones are chicken, mashrooms and cheese or capresse. I see someone asked about the choclo ones. Those are very easy to do: you get some corn, boil it, take the grains off (or you can buy a can with the grains), you mix it with some onions which you should previously sautee a bit, and then you can mix it in with some bechamel sauce. All of that goes into the empanada. It is great to put some nutmeg.
There are also sweet empanadas, but they haven’t reached success yet… there are some with dulce de leche, and some with membrillo.
You should try the “pastelitos de membrillo” if you liked the taste of that. It is done with the same dough of empanadas… if you want I can pass that one to you.
Big hug from BA,
Romy
June 26th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Romina – thank you! Love to hear from Argentines :) Thanks for the recipe. Mmmm, dulce de leche. I just bought some (made in Argentina, of course). But I haven’t gotten my hands on membrillo in years :(
October 15th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
[…] Often the savory fillings are augmented with potatoes, olives, a bit of boiled egg or one the the most popular and strangest variations, raisins! Again, the possibilities are endless. Included below is a simple recipe in case you would like to try your hand at making this classic Argentine delicacy without a $1000.00 plane ticket. For some great step by step pictures and other empanada recipes visit https://userealbutter.com/2007/08/15/argentine-empanadas-recipe/ […]
December 15th, 2009 at 11:11 am
I went to Argentina 6 months ago and have been craving empanadas since. I can’t wait to try out this recipe!
February 3rd, 2010 at 2:06 pm
I was on your website and saw a picture of the an easy buttery dough and I want to make Apple Fritters
out of it,can you help me. The lady that has a recipe, puts it the butter first and lets the bottom get brown
and then she puts it in the oven and lets the top get brown instead of deep frying it.
Thank you
Kimberly Martin
February 4th, 2010 at 10:27 pm
Kimberly – are you referring to the dough in THIS post? I am completely confused. Maybe if you could explain clearly what it is you want, I can try to help you.
May 26th, 2010 at 9:25 pm
i love your recipe i tried it and its yummy, thanks for sharing.
July 22nd, 2010 at 1:10 am
my family is argentine and whenever i visit my abuela she makes milanesas (breaded and pan fried meat, think carne asada thin) and empanadas. she stopped making the dough herself because she cant taste very well anymore, shes almost 70 and smokes A LOT but her food always ends up perfect. this is what she does:
in her recipe she pan fries them in a little bit of veggie oil and they get wonderfully crispy on the outside without being drowned in greasiness… she browns up some ground meat in a pan with some raisins, diced onions and salt. she sometimes puts a little cinnamon in there if its either earlier or later than usual dinner time(930PM) and tosses in a little of whatever sounds good at the moment..i just stick a little season-all in it cause im lazy lol. after it gets browned up she puts in some whole green olives and stirs in about a tablespoon or two of oil. after thats done she starts to fill up the dough circles with the meat mix and puts one or two pieces of diced hard boiled egg in and rolls up the sides and puts them in the oil. they get nice and golden with lots of crispy air bubbles on the outside. she usually drops them on a paper towel after she takes them out to pop some of the bubbles and get rid of extra oil… soooo good….. she just eyeballs how much of everything to put in..if it smells wonderful, its probably right lol.. you should try making your baked version and serve them with some fried ones as well.. you could also do the baked ones with ham and cheese filling too those are super delicious for breakfast… sorry for taking up so much space i just love to share when i find something good… something of mine for something of yours… happy cooking ;D
November 22nd, 2010 at 9:22 am
just returned from a trip to south america. spent 3 days in Buenos Aires aqnd loved it….buen dia….loved the empanadas and just copied the above recipe….will try after thanksgiving.
February 10th, 2011 at 4:41 am
[…] the ‘meat’ filling: Adapted from Use Real Butter and Saveur, makes about 12 […]
April 9th, 2011 at 10:21 am
[…] Source: Use Real Butter […]
December 12th, 2011 at 7:49 pm
Hey :D
I’m rather new at cooking and I’m little confused about what it means to “make a well” in the center. Can you please explain that step??? Thanks!
December 12th, 2011 at 11:54 pm
Anj – dig a little well or hole in the center of the flour with your hand (make a crater).
January 27th, 2012 at 8:46 pm
These look amazing! I’m usually only cooking for myself, though, and always look for ways to save some of my meals for later. Any thoughts or advice on freezing these? Before baking, after baking? Thanks,
M
January 27th, 2012 at 8:48 pm
Melinda – I have baked them and then frozen them successfully. Just take them out of the freezer and bake to reheat.
January 29th, 2012 at 6:32 pm
I gave these a try today and they turned out great! Thanks for the recipes! I love your site!
February 14th, 2012 at 8:28 am
thanks for posting! you have beautiful photos on this site. i got addicted to empanadas when i went to buenos aires a few years ago. now if you could just post a recipe for medialunas i’d be all set :).
March 19th, 2012 at 2:07 pm
I must say I am humored with your introduction to this recipe. When I was in college we did a group trip to Argentina and Chile. I became an empanada fiend, I ate them every chance. And, like you, I distinctly remember finding that Argentinian empanadas were far superior to Chilean! I’m amazed you made the same discovery!
March 24th, 2012 at 12:41 am
Aleks – ha ha, I think most of the people I know who have had both prefer the empanadas from Argentina ;)
April 4th, 2012 at 5:50 pm
[…] I tried this recipe for empanadas. I planned to use my neat rows of perfectly-formed empanadas as today’s […]
June 20th, 2012 at 11:13 am
Hi. I am an avid baker and cook as well and made my first batch as well. The fillings are endless when you have dough that tastes this good. Thanks so much for the step-by-step guide. I was wondering though if you have tried to make the empanadas (filled and read) and THEN froze them unbaked? I have a big party coming up and I am thinking these would make excellent appetizers if done a bit smaller. IF I can freeze them and then bake them before my guests arrive would be great. Any ideas on this?
Thanks again!
June 24th, 2012 at 11:12 am
Lisa – funny you should ask! I’m making a batch now for a party and it would be so nice to freeze them ahead then bake as needed. I haven’t tried it so I can’t tell you what works or doesn’t. I have baked them through before and then put them in the refrigerator and reheated them to crisp up the dough in the oven. Let me know if your method works out!
November 14th, 2012 at 8:58 am
Hi, I am a homeschool Mom. I just wanted to let you know that we found your website recently while doing a school project. Each November the students in our group give presentations on a country they have chosen and are required to cook a dish from that country. My 14 year old son, Noah, chose Argentina and found your website while doing his research. Your empanada recipe was a hit with the students and our family. It will now become a regular meal in our home. Thanks for sharing.
March 19th, 2013 at 1:27 pm
I made these yesterday and they are amazing! This will certainly be my new go to recipe for empanadas :) thanks for posting!
March 27th, 2013 at 8:15 pm
Hi there I first came to your website after googling lard from heaven recipe. I was actually looking for a recipe that caught my attention. They were talking about argentinian recipes in a public radio that I listen to in Chicago Il. If I recall correctly the recipe is a dessert which sound delicious is made of egg yolk and sugar. The sad thing was I didn’t get the right name for the recipe. tozino del cielo I think is called. Anyway if you can help me find it that would be awesome! I decided to ask you this because of the comments that I read which lead me thinking that you must specialize in argentinian cuisine. Well either way it sounds like this is an awesome empanadas recipe which I will definately try making. Thank you Noemi!
March 27th, 2013 at 8:19 pm
Noemi – Sorry, I haven’t heard of that (nor had it) before. In general, you can search the site (see search field at the top right) or look through the recipes (top menu, click on recipes).
April 16th, 2013 at 12:05 pm
i love u forever cause i use these and then i go hom and force them down my childs throat
May 14th, 2013 at 3:17 pm
[…] (W; R [1], […]
June 7th, 2013 at 7:40 pm
Okay, I’ve lurked around your blog for years now. Always love your pictures, words, recipes…everything you share is wonderful, honest, and real. I get excited every time you post! Made MANY of your recipes with fabulous results and happy bellies.
But seriously, these empanadas are AMAZING! Like, life altering. Granted, I’m 9 months pregnant so that MIGHT have something to do with it!
In all seriousness, these are amazing. Not something I thought I’d ever make at home, nor try at all. I’m hooked. I should have made a double batch…
THANK YOU!
Now I’m going to go demolish a few more…
July 30th, 2013 at 10:26 am
I am Argentinean and I have to say that I laughed so hard when you said that we drive like maniacs. It is SO TRUE! :D
Ridding in a car with an Argentinean is worst that ridding a rollycoster!
Thank you! you brought so many memories about my country. I haven’t been there for 13 years.
August 6th, 2013 at 12:40 pm
Doe is made. Can’t wait to give it a try. I love your presentation.
August 6th, 2013 at 12:42 pm
Let me try this again. Dough is chilling!
September 25th, 2013 at 5:37 pm
I made these this weekend – they were beyond good. I actually used lard instead of butter and the empanadas were awesome. If you haven’t tried it with lard, you should :) and let us know which way is better :)
November 8th, 2013 at 9:43 pm
Thanks for this recipe!! I went to Argentina about 12 years ago and have tried to find a good one for the shell. This seems like it will work great. I want to return with my husband to show him the beautiful places I saw. However, I think I will take a bottle of A-1 and Texas Pete Hot Sauce on my return trip.
March 17th, 2014 at 10:40 am
I lived in Argentina for 18 months 20 years ago. I haven’t had an empanada since. I was recently asked to make something Argentine to bring to an event, so thought I would hunt down a recipe. Yours looked the most authentic. I would agree that they are much better than the Chilean ones (lived there the year before for 4 months). Just made these to try them out in advance and took them to my husband’s office for a taste-test. They were gobbled up in about 2 minutes flat. They have me longing for more yummy Argentine food. I don’t suppose you have tried your hand at humitas (the sweet ones – again, MUCH different than Chilean ones)? Those were my favorite. Hands down.
March 17th, 2014 at 11:01 pm
Becky – I never had the opportunity to try the sweet empanadas, so I don’t have a recipe. I’ll have to look for it some time :)
June 13th, 2014 at 2:01 pm
YUMMY! I’m Cuban our empanadas are made with a sweet dough are smaller and fried- make these with guava. The recipe I love and use most frequently is the one from Saveur ! my ex who is from BA loves them. I don’t always make the dough but when I do I use lard- you can buy very clean from Whole Foods- BIG difference. Otherwise I buy the tapas small ones, made for the oven- the best brand is Saltana- the others are poor quality and taste bad!
I also make a caramelized onion, fresh grilled corn with a small amount of shredded cheese – your choice-( small amount) which are to die for!
June 15th, 2014 at 6:43 pm
[…] EMPANADAS For the dough (via Use Real Butter via Saveur): 1 cup water 3/4 cup lard (I used butter) 2 3/4 c flour 2 tsp salt pinch paprika (I […]
July 17th, 2014 at 11:38 am
Hi.. I want to start off by telling you that your site is fantastic! Im from Mendoza Argentina I also love that you ejoy Argentine foods..
Me being Argentinian I never knew how to make emapanada dough! I know I know, an Argentinian that doesn’t know how to make empanada dough is unheard of lol but I know many many other great Argentine recipe’s.
Again, I absolutely love your website and love your cooking!
Thank you for sharing your gourmet experience with us.
Un beso.
Michelle-
November 18th, 2015 at 9:46 am
Hey Jen; I’m hoping you’re still out there!
So, I’m planning on making many empanadas for a family party. I’m wondering if you’ve had luck freezing them unbaked?
When baked then, do they remain juicy, which, of course, we all know is the most important part of an empanada!!!
Any other tips would be helpful!
Thanks
November 18th, 2015 at 10:10 am
lori – I have not tried freezing empanadas ahead of time. However, The Kitchn says you can freeze them unbaked (don’t let them touch or they’ll stick together) and then bake as usual straight from the freezer, just add a few more minutes to make sure the dough is done (since the filling is cooked). If this is a big production, I suggest you give it a test run on a half or quarter batch to see how it works. Good luck!
January 15th, 2016 at 9:17 pm
Hey Jen – I just tried this today. I upped the spices from 0.5 tsp to 1 tsp and added an egg wash before baking. It tasted pretty good and hopefully lays to rest my empanada cravings so I can move on to some other craving/recipe!
August 8th, 2020 at 9:46 am
Hi Jen, I just found your website and have been greatly entertained. I noted that many emails are several years old. Is this site still active? Much of the communication is several years ago. I really like your humor and pictures, and hope you continue. You have incredible energy.
December 15th, 2020 at 12:03 pm
Jeanette – Still active, just less frequent updates. Go to the main page for the latest posts/recipes!
May 18th, 2022 at 5:08 am
Hi Jen, what a wonderful blog! Love your pics and recipes. I have not tried making these empanadas yet but intend to!
I was wondering if you know of a sauce recipe to accompany these gems? Maybe something with a spicy kick!
May 18th, 2022 at 7:52 am
Theresa – I don’t generally serve empanadas with a sauce, but you could certainly do so! A quick google found a lime-cilantro sauce, and several other varieties that all sound amazingly good. Best of luck! xo