For Professionals

Beef and Red Pepper Empanadas

Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 40 min

These crispy baked empanadas are filled with beef, bell peppers, and herbs to make a flavorful meal or snack. This kidney-friendly version helps keep sodium and phosphorus in check  

Makes

10 servings

Serving size

2 empanadas

Ingredients

3 large eggs

½ pound ground beef

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 small (60 grams) onion, sliced

1 medium (114 grams) red bell pepper, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

¼ cup cilantro, chopped

1 tablespoon oregano, chopped (or ½ teaspoon dried oregano)

⅓ cup raisins

⅓ cup (119 grams) goat cheese, crumbled

20 small empanada discos, frozen and thawed

Pinch of salt (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 415°F. 
  2. Bring 1 small saucepan ¾ full of water to boil. Cook 2 of the eggs for 10 minutes. Plunge in cold water and peel.  
  3. Dice eggs and set aside in a medium mixing bowl. 
  4. Heat a medium sized skillet on medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until it is browned through. Remove from skillet and add to egg mixture. 
  5. Heat the olive oil and butter in the same skillet. Sauté the onions over low heat until they are softened (about 7 minutes). 
  6. Add the red bell pepper to the onions and cook for 3-4 minutes, until softened.  
  7. Add the garlic and cook for 1 additional minute. Remove from pan and add to mixing bowl and cool.  
  8. Add the chopped herbs and raisins. Mix well. 
  9. Add crumbled goat cheese to the bowl and gently stir to combine.  
  10. Place the thawed empanada discos on a clean cutting board.  
  11. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of filling into the center of each empanada disc, being careful not to overfill.  
  12. Crack the 3rd egg into a ramekin, add 1 tablespoon water and beat to incorporate. 
  13. Brush the inside edges of each empanada disc with the egg wash to ensure a tight seal and prevent the filling from leaking. 
  14. Fold the empanada discs and seal the edges by pinching or with a fork, crimping the edges. 
  15. Brush the top of the empanadas with the egg wash. 
  16. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden. 
  17. Allow the empanadas to cool for 5 minutes before serving. 

Cooking Tip

For vegetarian empanadas, you can swap the meat with grains such as quinoa or rice.

Recipe Contributed by FamilyCook Productions

Nutrition Info

Nutrition Info

Makes: 10 servings  Serving size: 2 empanadas

Calories

461

Fat

22 g

Saturated Fat

10 g

Trans Fat

<1 g

Cholesterol

94 mg

Carbohydrates

48 g

Sugar

8 g

Fiber

3 g

Protein

20 g

Sodium

336 mg

Calcium

135 mg

Phosphorus

218 mg

Potassium

236 mg