spanish empanadas recipe.

 

🥟 Spanish Empanadas Recipe (Empanadas Españolas)

Try these authentic Spanish empanadas — golden, flaky pastry filled with savory beef, onions, peppers, and spices. Perfect for snacks, parties, or family dinners!

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🧄 Ingredients

For the Dough:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup cold butter (cubed)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup cold water
• 1 tbsp olive oil

For the Filling:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (or chicken/tuna)
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup tomato sauce
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp cumin powder
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp chopped green olives (optional)
• 1 beaten egg (for brushing)

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🍳 Instructions

1. Prepare the Dough:

   • In a bowl, mix flour and salt.
   • Add butter and combine until crumbly.
   • Add egg, olive oil, and cold water gradually until a smooth dough forms.
   • Wrap and chill for 30 minutes.

2. Make the Filling:

   • Heat olive oil in a pan.
   • Add onion, garlic, and bell pepper; sauté until soft.
   • Add ground beef, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper.
   • Stir in tomato sauce and simmer until thick.
   • Mix in olives and cool completely.

3. Assemble the Empanadas:

   • Roll out the dough and cut into circles (about 5 inches wide).
   • Place a spoonful of filling in the center.
   • Fold in half and press edges with a fork to seal.
   • Brush with beaten egg.

4. Bake:

   • Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
   • Bake empanadas for 20–25 minutes until golden brown.

💡 Tip: You can also fry the empanadas in oil until golden for extra crispiness.

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🍽️ Serving Suggestions

• Serve warm with aioli, tomato salsa, or spicy dipping sauce.
• Pair with a Spanish salad or gazpacho for a full meal.
• Perfect for parties, picnics, or as tapas with sangria!

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🧊 Storage Tips

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until crisp again.
• To freeze: freeze unbaked empanadas for up to 2 months and bake directly from frozen.

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❓ FAQs

Q1: What are Spanish empanadas made of?
Spanish empanadas are savory pastries filled with meats, vegetables, or seafood, encased in flaky dough and baked or fried.

Q2: Can I use puff pastry instead of homemade dough?
Yes, puff pastry is a great shortcut for quick empanadas!

Q3: What fillings are traditional in Spain?
Beef, tuna, chicken, or chorizo with peppers and tomato are traditional Spanish fillings.

Q4: Can empanadas be served cold?
Yes! They taste great both warm and at room temperature — ideal for lunchboxes or picnics.

Q5: How can I make them vegetarian?
Replace meat with sautéed mushrooms, spinach, cheese, or lentils for a vegetarian version.

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