How to Make Corned Beef Empanada
Corned beef empanada is a savory Filipino pastry with a golden, flaky crust encasing a hearty filling of corned beef, vegetables, and cheese, perfect for any occasion.
Prep Time12 minutes mins
Cook Time5 minutes mins
Total Time17 minutes mins
Course: Beef Recipe
Cuisine: Filipino
Keyword: corned beef empanada, empanada recipe, Filipino empanada
Servings: 15 pcs
Calories: 260kcal
Author: Manny
Empanada Filling:
- 400 gram canned corned beef
- 3 medium potatoes diced
- 1 Tbsp. cooking oil
- 1 small onion chopped
- 1 cup cabbage shredded
- 3 Tbsp. butter melted
- 2 Tbsp. spring onion chopped
- salt and pepper to taste
- chili pepper flakes optional
- 1/4 cup carrots cubed
- 1/4 cup cheddar cheese grated
- 1/4 cup water
Empanada Dough Ingredients:
- 3 cups All-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 1/2 tsp. baking powder
- 1/2 tsp. fine salt
- 3 Tbsp. shortening or butter
- 1/2 cup cold water
- cooking oil for frying
How to make filling of Corned Beef Empanada:
In a large pan, heat oil and saute onion and garlic until the onion are soft. Then add in the the corned beef, carrot, water and potatoes then stir.
Simmer for at least 5 minutes then add the cabbage and season with salt and pepper. Simmer again for another 2 minutes and turn off heat.
In a bowl, put the corned beef mixture and add in grated cheese and spring onions. Mix well until well blended. You can also add in the chili pepper flakes to make it spicy. Set aside and let it cool.
To make the empanada dough:
Combine flour, white sugar, baking powder and salt. Mix the dry ingredients using a wire whisk.
Add in the butter to the dry ingredients and mix them until the butter is well blended with the flour mixture.
Add in the water and knead until the mixture turns into a smooth dough.
Grab about 4 tablespoon of dough and form it into a ball. Do the same for the rest of the dough.
Put in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes. In the meantime prepare a clean surface, like a chopping board, and dust with flour.
To make the Corned beef empanada:
Get a piece of dough and press it on the surface of the chopping board until it become flat.
Using a rolling pin, flatten it further until thickness become at least half a centimeter thick.
Place 4 tablespoon of filling on the center of the flattened dough.
Fold the dough and seal the round edges by crimping or folding it.
You can also seal the edges by pressing a fork. Do the same for the rest of the dough and filling.
In a deep frying pan, heat oil about 3 cups and deep fry the empanadas for 3 to 5 minutes or until the empanadas turns golden brown.
Place the empanadas in a plate lined with paper towels or wire rack to drain excess oil, Then transfer to a plate and serve.
Cooking Tips:
Chill the Dough for a Flakier Crust
To achieve a light and flaky crust, always chill the dough before rolling it out. Refrigerating for at least 20 minutes helps firm up the butter, which creates air pockets as it cooks. This technique ensures a tender yet crisp bite that perfectly complements the savory filling.
Don’t Overfill the Empanada
While it’s tempting to pack in as much filling as possible, overfilling can cause the dough to tear or the empanada to burst during frying. Stick to about 3-4 tablespoons of filling to maintain the right balance. This makes sealing the edges easier and helps the empanada keep its shape while cooking.
Use Medium Heat for Even Frying
Deep frying requires careful temperature control to achieve the perfect golden crust. Medium heat ensures that the empanadas cook evenly, avoiding raw dough inside or burnt edges. To test the oil, drop a small piece of dough into the pan—if it sizzles steadily, it’s ready to go!