Honey Free Easy Empanadas
Golden, flaky, and packed with a boldly spiced beef filling, these baked empanadas are the kind of hand-held meal that disappears fast at any table. The buttery homemade dough comes together with just flour, cold butter, egg, and a splash of white vinegar — that last ingredient is the quiet trick that keeps the crust tender and easy to work with. Inside, ground beef gets layered with smoked paprika, cumin, sautéed onion and red bell pepper, briny green olives, and chopped hard-boiled egg for a filling that's rich, savory, and deeply satisfying. Many store-bought or restaurant versions sneak in sweeteners you might not expect, but every ingredient here is straightforward and easy to verify — no hidden sweeteners anywhere in the dough or filling. Crimping the edges and brushing with egg wash before baking gives you that gorgeous deep-golden crust that looks like you spent way more effort than you actually did. These are equally at home as a weeknight dinner, a party appetizer, or something you make on Sunday and look forward to all week.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the dough
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold and cut into small cubes
- ½ cup cold water
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 1 tbsp white vinegar
For the filling
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ⅓ cup green olives, pitted and roughly chopped
- 2 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and roughly chopped
For assembly
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
Instructions
- 1
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Add the cold butter cubes and use your fingertips to work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces remaining. In a small bowl, stir together the cold water, beaten egg, and white vinegar, then pour over the flour mixture. Stir with a fork until the dough just comes together — it should be shaggy but hold when pressed. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface, knead 3–4 times until smooth, then flatten into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- 2
While the dough chills, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned throughout with no pink remaining, about 6–8 minutes. Drain off excess fat, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!