This is going to be the EASIEST Savory Flaky Empanada & SALSA VERDE Recipe you will find!

butter

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Olive oil reduces saturated fat and adds a different flavor.

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Ground turkey is leaner, while ground pork is often cheaper.

black olives

🥗Healthier: green olives

💰Cheaper: capers

Green olives offer a similar briny flavor, while capers are less expensive.

hard-boiled eggs

🥗Healthier: tofu

💰Cheaper: chickpeas

Tofu provides protein while chickpeas can add texture.

Set a pan over medium heat and add a little oil to heat up.

Add half of the onion and sauté for a couple of minutes.

Add 1 minced garlic clove and sauté for 30 seconds.

Add ground beef and break it down, seasoning with spices and cooking for 7 minutes.

Drain the meat to remove excess fat.

Add chopped serrano peppers to the meat mixture and taste for salt, adjusting if necessary.

Set the meat mixture aside to cool down.

Roast 4 tomatillos and 4 serrano peppers in the pan for about 5 minutes, flipping them after 5 minutes to roast the other side for another 5 minutes.

Transfer the roasted tomatillos and peppers to a blender.

Add 1 clove of minced garlic, 1/4 chopped onion, a handful of cilantro, and salt to the blender and blend until smooth.

Transfer the salsa to a bowl or jar and taste for salt, adjusting if needed.

In a large bowl, combine flour and 1 teaspoon of salt, mixing well.

Add 1 cup of shortening and crumble it with your hands into the flour.

Slowly pour in hot water, mixing until the flour is hydrated.

Knead the dough for 5 minutes until smooth.

Divide the dough into small balls and let them rest for 20 minutes.

Roll out each ball of dough into a flat disc.

Add cheese and the cooled ground beef mixture to one side of the disc.

Wet the edges of the dough with water, fold over, and seal the empanada by pressing the edges together.

Set the shaped empanadas aside and repeat the process with the remaining dough.

Heat oil in a pan to 350°F for frying the empanadas.

Fry the empanadas until golden brown on both sides, then remove and drain on paper towels.

Serve the empanadas with sour cream and salsa verde.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens