Spicy Dominican-Style Beef Empanadas

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-08 · Updated 2026-07-08

Golden baked empanadas filled with seasoned ground beef, onions, and peppers, delivering a satisfying spicy kick. This latin american-inspired beef ready in about 75 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, divided salt, cold and cubed unsalted butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 300 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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.

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp, divided salt
• 6 tbsp, cold and cubed unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup cold water
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 medium, finely diced yellow onion
• 1/2 cup, finely diced red bell pepper
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1, beaten for egg wash egg

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 3 cups all-purpose flour and 1/2 tsp salt. Cut in 6 tbsp cold unsalted butter with a pastry cutter or fingers until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add 3/4 cup cold water, mixing until a smooth dough forms. Wrap in plastic and chill for 30 minutes.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 medium finely diced yellow onion, 1/2 cup finely diced red bell pepper, and 3 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until vegetables soften and become fragrant.
3. Step 3: Add 1 lb ground beef, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 tsp salt. Cook, breaking up meat with a spoon, for 8-10 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
4. Step 4: Preheat oven to 375°F. Roll chilled dough on a floured surface to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut into 6-inch circles.
5. Step 5: Place 2-3 tbsp beef filling in the center of each dough circle. Fold dough over filling to form half-moons and press edges with a fork to seal.
6. Step 6: Place empanadas on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush tops with 1 beaten egg for a golden crust.
7. Step 7: Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and crisp. Let cool 5 minutes before serving.