Pork empanadas are a delicious and versatile dish enjoyed in various cuisines around the world. These savory pastries are typically made with a flavorful filling of seasoned ground pork, often combined with herbs, spices, and vegetables, all wrapped in a flaky and tender dough. The dough can be made from scratch using simple ingredients like flour, butter, water, and salt, or you can use a pre-made dough to save time. Once filled and sealed, the empanadas are baked or fried until golden brown and crispy. This article provides three delectable recipes for pork empanadas, each with its unique twist on flavors and textures. The first recipe features a classic pork filling made with ground pork, onions, bell peppers, and traditional Mexican spices, wrapped in a homemade dough. The second recipe introduces a unique combination of pork, chorizo, and sweet potatoes, all enveloped in a flaky puff pastry dough. Lastly, the third recipe showcases a delightful fusion of Asian and Latin flavors, using ground pork, shiitake mushrooms, and a tangy hoisin-soy sauce glaze, all wrapped in a wonton wrapper. Whether you prefer classic, spicy, or exotic flavors, these three pork empanada recipes are sure to tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving more.
Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!
PORK EMPANADAS WITH THYME
These savory Pork Empanadas with Thyme patties can be an appetizer or part of a full meal.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Appetizers Finger Food Recipes
Time 1h30m
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Set a steamer basket in a pot with 2 inches boiling water. Add potato, cover, and cook until tender, 10 to 15 minutes. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium. Add onion and garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, until onion softens, 5 to 7 minutes. Raise heat to high and add pork, thyme, and sage; cook, breaking up meat with a spoon, until pork is no longer pink, about 4 minutes. Add flour; cook, stirring, until blended, about 30 seconds. Add raisins (if using) and 2 tablespoons water; cook until thickened, about 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in potato, pine nuts (if using), and vinegar. Season filling with salt and pepper and let cool.
- Preheat oven to 400, with racks in upper and lower thirds. On a floured surface, divide dough in half and roll each piece to an 1/8-inch thickness. Using a 6-inch cookie cutter or plate as a guide, cut out 8 circles. Place 1/4 cup filling on half of each circle, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Brush edge of dough with water; fold top half over filling. Press edges to seal, then crimp firmly with a fork.
- Transfer empanadas to two baking sheets lined with parchment. In a bowl, beat egg with 1 tablespoon water. Brush empanadas with egg wash and top with thyme sprigs. Bake until golden brown, 30 to 40 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 484 g, Fat 25 g, Fiber 2 g, Protein 14 g
DOUGH FOR PORK EMPANADAS WITH THYME
Use this dough to make our Pork Empanadas with Thyme.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Dessert & Treats Recipes Pie & Tarts Recipes
Yield Makes enough dough for 8 empanadas
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- In a food processor, pulse all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled), baking powder, and coarse salt. Add minced fresh sage and thyme; pulse until combined. Add cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces; pulse until mixture is the texture of coarse meal, with a few pea-size pieces butter remaining. Add 1 cup ice water; pulse until dough is crumbly but holds together when squeezed (add up to 1/4 cup water, 1 tablespoon at a time, if needed). Turn dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead just until dough comes together, 4 to 5 times.
PORK EMPANADAS
Tender pork turnovers. Filling can be used for almost anything else, such as taco filling. Can be frozen baked or unbaked. The pork and the empanada dough can be made ahead of time.
Provided by Michele O'Sullivan
Categories World Cuisine Recipes Latin American Mexican
Time 3h45m
Yield 16
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- To make the filling: Place pork in a large pot and cover with water. Add onion, garlic, salt, oregano, cumin and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 1 1/2 hours. While pork is cooking, prepare dough.
- To make the dough: Sift together the flour, masa harina, baking powder and salt. Add the shortening to the dry ingredients and mix well. In a separate bowl, beat together the egg and 1/2 cup milk. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Add the egg mixture and stir with a fork until the dough comes together in a ball. Divide the dough into 16 even pieces and roll each piece into a ball. Place in a container, cover, and refrigerate.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- After the pork has simmered for 1 1/2 hours, remove from liquid. Place pork in a baking dish and bake for 1 hour or until meat shreds easily with fork. Remove from oven (keep oven turned on) and shred into small pieces. Add salsa to shredded pork.
- Lightly grease a baking sheet.
- On lightly floured surface, flatten a piece of dough with the palm of your hand. With a rolling pin, roll out the dough to make a 5-inch circle about 1/8-inch thick. Place 2 to 3 tablespoons of filling in the center of the dough circle. Brush edges of dough with milk. Fold dough over filling. Pinch edges together. Crimp with fork to seal.
- Place on prepared baking sheet and repeat with remaining empanada dough. Leftover filling can be frozen or used in tacos, tamales, or burritos.
- Bake in preheated oven until golden, about 20 minutes. Remove to rack and cool for about 5 minutes. Serve warm.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 209.3 calories, Carbohydrate 15.4 g, Cholesterol 40.6 mg, Fat 12.6 g, Fiber 1.5 g, Protein 8.5 g, SaturatedFat 4.7 g, Sodium 270.2 mg, Sugar 1.2 g
Tips:
- Ensure your pork is well-seasoned: Use a flavorful blend of spices to enhance the taste of the pork filling.
- Pay attention to the dough's consistency: The dough should be pliable and easy to work with, not too dry or sticky.
- Roll the dough thinly: This will ensure that the empanadas are crispy and not doughy.
- Be generous with the filling: Don't skimp on the pork filling; it should be the star of the show.
- Fold the empanadas properly: Make sure the edges are well-sealed to prevent the filling from leaking out.
- Fry the empanadas in hot oil: This will help them achieve a golden-brown color and crispy texture.
- Serve the empanadas with your favorite dipping sauce: Aji verde, chimichurri, or salsa are all great options.
Conclusion:
These pork empanadas with thyme are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as an appetizer, main course, or snack. With their flavorful filling and crispy dough, they are sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them. So next time you're looking for a new recipe to try, give these empanadas a try – you won't be disappointed!
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