Crispy Pan-Fried Empanadas with Spiced Beef Filling

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Golden pan-fried empanadas stuffed with a robust spiced beef mixture, perfect as a flavorful snack or appetizer inspired by popular Camden specialties. This latin american-inspired snacks ready in about 40 minutes turns ground beef, small, finely chopped onion, minced garlic cloves into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 300 calories and feeds 6, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 25 min Cook: 15 min Serves 6 Latin American cuisine 300 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat a skillet over medium heat and add 1 lb ground beef, 1 small finely chopped onion, and 2 minced garlic cloves. Cook for 6-7 minutes, breaking up the meat until browned and fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Stir in 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook for 2 more minutes until spices bloom.
  3. Step 3: Remove from heat and fold in 1/4 cup chopped green olives, 2 tbsp raisins, and 1 chopped hard-boiled egg. Let the filling cool slightly.
  4. Step 4: Place 2 tbsp of filling in the center of each empanada dough disc. Moisten edges with water, fold over, and press edges firmly with a fork to seal.
  5. Step 5: Heat 1 cup vegetable oil in a deep skillet to 350°F. Fry empanadas in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and crisp. Drain on paper towels and serve warm.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Crispy Pan-Fried Empanadas with Spiced Beef Filling take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (25 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Crispy Pan-Fried Empanadas with Spiced Beef Filling?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.

Can I substitute ingredients in Crispy Pan-Fried Empanadas with Spiced Beef Filling?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Crispy Pan-Fried Empanadas with Spiced Beef Filling for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Crispy Pan-Fried Empanadas with Spiced Beef Filling?

Latin American snacks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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