Crispy Beef Empanadas with Chunky Avocado Salsa
These Crispy Beef Empanadas with Avocado Salsa are the ultimate Latin-inspired comfort food!
Stuffed with seasoned ground beef, tender potatoes, and veggies, each bite delivers bold, savory flavor.
The golden-fried empanada shells pair perfectly with a spicy, creamy avocado salsa made with fresh jalapeños and tomatillos.
Perfect for parties, snacks, or dinner, these handheld delights are both satisfying and easy to make.
Serve with your favorite hot sauce or extra cilantro for a flavorful, authentic finish!
Ingredients:
For the Beef Empanadas:
1 lb ground beef
1 medium potato, finely diced
1 carrot, finely diced
1 jalapeño, finely chopped
½ small onion, finely chopped
Salt, black pepper, and ground cumin to taste
Goya discos (empanada dough rounds) available at Target or Latin markets
Oil for frying
For the Avocado Salsa:
3 jalapeños, chopped
4 serrano chiles, chopped
2–3 tomatillos, husked and chopped
2–3 garlic cloves
2 ripe avocados
1 bunch fresh cilantro
Salt to taste
9 oz water (add more for a thinner salsa)
Optional: 1 jigger of jalapeño juice + avocado pits to preserve freshness
Instructions:
How to Make the Beef Empanadas:
1. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with diced potato, carrot, jalapeño, and onion until beef is browned and vegetables are tender. Season generously with salt, pepper, and cumin.
2. Lay out Goya discos and lightly flour each side.
3. Spoon a generous amount of the beef mixture into the center of each dough round.
4. Fold the dough over to create a half-moon shape, and seal the edges with a fork.
5. Heat about 1 inch of oil in a deep pan over medium heat. Gently lower each empanada into the oil with a spatula. Fry until golden brown on each side, flipping once.
6. Transfer to paper towels to drain excess oil.
How to Make the Chunky Avocado Salsa:
1. In a blender, combine jalapeños, serrano chiles, tomatillos, garlic, avocados, cilantro, salt, and water. Blend until desired consistency is reached.
2. To preserve color and freshness, pour salsa into a glass container, add a splash of jalapeño juice and avocado pits.
3. For a chunkier texture, stir in additional chopped avocado and cilantro after blending.
Top Benefits of Beef Empanadas with Avocado Salsa
1. High in Protein and Iron
Thanks to the ground beef, these empanadas are rich in protein essential for muscle repair and energy and iron, which supports healthy red blood cells.
2. Loaded with Vitamins and Fiber
The addition of carrots, potatoes, and onions offers fiber, vitamin A (great for vision and skin), and other antioxidants to support immune health.
3. Healthy Fats from Avocados
Avocados are packed with heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, potassium, and fiber. These fats support brain health and help keep you full longer.
4. Spicy Salsa Boosts Metabolism
Jalapeños and serranos in the avocado salsa contain capsaicin, a natural compound that may help boost metabolism and support fat burning.
5. Fresh, Homemade & Customizable
Homemade empanadas and salsa let you control ingredients cut down on sodium, adjust spice levels, and avoid preservatives often found in store-bought versions.
6. Perfect for Meal Prep and Freezing
Beef empanadas freeze well make a big batch and store them for quick lunches, dinners, or entertaining guests.
7. Authentic Latin Flavor
This recipe brings a taste of Latin America to your kitchen comforting, flavorful, and perfect for sharing with family and friends.
8. Great Party or Snack Food
Crispy on the outside and savory inside, beef empanadas are crowd-pleasers especially when paired with creamy, spicy avocado salsa.
