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Empanadas Mexicanas

Golden, crispy pastries filled with seasoned ground beef, onions, and spices, wrapped in a tender homemade dough and fried until perfectly crisp.

Ingredients
  

For the Dough

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup butter or lard cold
  • ½ cup warm water

For the Filling

  • ½ lb ground beef
  • ¼ cup diced onion
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • ¼ cup tomato sauce
  • 1 tablespoon oil

Instructions
 

  • Mix flour and salt, cut in cold butter until crumbly, add warm water to form a soft dough, then knead 2–3 minutes until smooth.
  • Cover and let the dough rest for 10 minutes.
  • Heat oil, cook diced onion 3–4 minutes until soft, then add garlic and cook until fragrant.
  • Add ground beef and cook 6–8 minutes until browned, breaking it apart, then drain excess fat.
  • Stir in spices, salt, pepper, and tomato sauce, simmer 5 minutes until thickened, then let cool slightly.
  • Roll dough on a floured surface and cut into 4–5 inch circles.
  • Place filling on each circle, fold into half-moon shapes, and seal edges with a fork.
  • Heat oil to 350°F and fry in batches 3–4 minutes per side until golden and crispy.
  • Remove, drain on paper towels, and serve warm.