Dominican Beef Empanadas | Pastelitos de Carne | Homemade Empanadas | Chef Zee Cooks

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Ground turkey is leaner, while ground pork is often less expensive.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: vegetable oil

Avocado oil offers health benefits, while vegetable oil is budget-friendly.

flour

🥗Healthier: whole wheat flour

💰Cheaper: all-purpose flour

Whole wheat flour adds fiber, while all-purpose is more economical.

egg

🥗Healthier: flaxseed meal

💰Cheaper: applesauce

Flaxseed meal serves as a binding agent, while applesauce is a cost-effective alternative.

Season ground beef with chopped onion, bell pepper, cilantro, garlic, chicken bouillon cube, Dominican oregano, sausage, cumin, and black pepper; mix well and let sit for an hour.

Heat oil in a skillet and cook the seasoned ground beef, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon until browned.

Add water to the skillet and slow cook the beef for about 30 minutes, adding more water if necessary until tender.

Stir in tomato paste until well combined with the beef.

Flour the cutting board and place the empanada dough disc on it; roll it out.

Add the beef filling to the center of the dough disc, being careful not to overfill.

Moisten the edges with water, fold the dough over the filling, and seal with fingers and fork marks.

Trim the edges with a pizza cutter for a neat finish.

Heat oil in a deep pan and fry the empanadas in batches of three or four until golden brown, flipping occasionally.

Drain the empanadas on paper towels before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens