Pan-Seared Empanada Dough Turnovers with Spiced Beef Filling

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Golden pan-seared turnovers filled with a savory, spiced ground beef mixture reminiscent of Camden’s celebrated empanadas. This latin american-inspired snacks ready in about 35 minutes turns (5-inch diameter) empanada dough discs, ground beef, medium, finely diced onion 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 270 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: 20 min Cook: 15 min Serves 6 Latin American cuisine 270 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 medium finely diced onion and 3 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 3-4 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 pound ground beef, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Cook, breaking up the meat, for 8-10 minutes until browned and cooked through.
  3. Step 3: Remove from heat and stir in 1 chopped hard-boiled egg and 1/4 cup chopped green olives if using, mixing until combined. Let the filling cool slightly.
  4. Step 4: Place a heaping tablespoon of filling onto the center of each of the 12 empanada dough discs. Fold the dough over to create a half-moon shape and press the edges firmly, crimping with a fork to seal.
  5. Step 5: Heat remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook the turnovers in batches for about 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and crisp. Drain on paper towels and serve warm.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Empanada Dough Turnovers with Spiced Beef Filling take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (20 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 Pan-Seared Empanada Dough Turnovers 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 Pan-Seared Empanada Dough Turnovers 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 Pan-Seared Empanada Dough Turnovers 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 Pan-Seared Empanada Dough Turnovers 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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