Best 3 Venezuelan Empanada Filling Recipes

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**Discover the Delights of Venezuelan Empanadas: A Culinary Journey Through Diverse Flavors**

Empanadas, golden pockets of savory goodness, are a cherished tradition in Venezuela, a country known for its vibrant cuisine. These delectable treats are made with a soft, pliable dough that embraces a symphony of fillings, ranging from the classic shredded beef to the unique black beans and salty cheese. Embark on a culinary adventure as we explore the diverse recipes featured in this article, each offering a distinct taste of Venezuela's culinary heritage. From the classic carne mechada, a tender and flavorful shredded beef filling, to the vegetarian delight of black beans and cheese, these recipes cater to a variety of preferences. Get ready to tantalize your taste buds and experience the captivating flavors of Venezuelan empanadas, a true testament to the country's rich culinary tapestry.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

VENEZUELAN TURNOVERS - EMPANADAS



Venezuelan Turnovers - Empanadas image

These delicious Venezuelan Turnovers - Empanadas are another yummy treat you won't want to miss making at home. To ensure success, always count on GOYA® Masarepa - Pre-Cooked Yellow Corn Meal along with ground beef, onions, GOYA® Tomato Sauce, peppers, GOYA® Alcaparrado, and a few other ingredients to make these empanadas your favorites.

Time 1h

Yield 24

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 lb. ground beef
GOYA® Adobo-All Purpose Seasoning with Cumin, to taste
2 tbsp. GOYA® Corn Oil
1 cup onions, finely chopped
½ cup green pepper, finely diced
½ cup red bell pepper, finely chopped
1 tbsp. GOYA® Minced Garlic or 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
⅛ cup GOYA® Alcaparrado - Pitted Manzanilla Olives with Pimientos and Capers, finely chopped
1 can (8 oz.) GOYA® Tomato Sauce
1 packet GOYA® Sazón without Annatto
2 batches of GOYA® Masarepa - Pre-Cooked Yellow Corn Meal, prepared according to package directions
GOYA® Corn Oil for frying

Steps:

  • Step 1 Season meat with Adobo. In skillet, heat oil on medium high. Cook meat until pink is gone. Stir in onion, pepper, garlic, Alcaparrado, tomato sauce and Sazón. Cook, stirring often until most of the liquid has evaporated (about 20 minutes). Cool. Step 2 Prepared dough should be moist and should hold together, but it should not stick to your fingers. Start with about ½ cup of dough and roll into a ball between palms of your hands. Working on a sheet of non-stick parchment paper, form the ball into a 5-inch circle about ⅛ inch thick. Place a generous tbsp. of filling on one half of circle and using parchment paper close dough over to form a semi-circle. To seal and trim edges of the empanada, press lip of inverted bowl over semi-circle shaped patty. Repeat for all the Empanadas. Step 3 In large skillet on medium high, heat ½ inch of oil until hot but not smoking. Cook empanadas in batches, turning once or twice until lightly browned. Drain on paper towel. Do not over crowd skillet or let oil get too hot.

BEEF EMPANADAS



Beef Empanadas image

This authentic recipe was given to me by a visiting Argentinean professor while I was studying Spanish in college. They have become a staple food in my household as they are both simple to make, and delicious.

Provided by slatkasamrica

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     Latin American     South American     Argentinian

Time 2h25m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound yellow onions, chopped
6 scallions, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 pounds ground beef
2 tablespoons dried oregano
1 ½ tablespoons salt
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
1 tablespoon butter, or as needed
36 empanada pastry discs
1 egg white, beaten

Steps:

  • Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onions, scallions, and bell pepper. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are translucent, 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Add ground beef, oregano, salt, cayenne pepper, and cumin to the onion mixture. Cook and stir beef until no longer pink, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly, then cover and place in the refrigerator until meat is completely cooled, about 1 hour.
  • Remove filling from the refrigerator and transfer into a colander to drain. Return filling to the Dutch oven.
  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Liberally grease a baking sheet with butter.
  • Place about 2 tablespoons filling into the center of an empanada disc. Fold empanada in half into a crescent shape, press the edges of the dough together with a fork or your fingers to seal, and place onto the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining empanadas and filling. Brush tops with egg white.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 20 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 534.6 calories, Carbohydrate 65.6 g, Cholesterol 49 mg, Fat 21.7 g, Fiber 4.5 g, Protein 22.6 g, SaturatedFat 7 g, Sodium 1472.2 mg, Sugar 2.1 g

INSTANT POT PORK EMPANADAS



Instant Pot Pork Empanadas image

This is one of my favorite ways to cook shredded or pulled pork. The fall-apart tender and juicy meat is great on its own, but it's also one of my favorite empanada fillings. The fresh acidity of guasacaca, a creamy avocado-based Venezuelan sauce, is the perfect complement.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h55m

Yield 20 empanadas

Number Of Ingredients 21

1 tablespoon ground annatto, optional
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
3/4 teaspoon curry powder
3 to 5 chiles de arbol
10 cloves garlic, smashed
1/4 cup Abuela Chabe's Seasoning (see Cook's Note)
Kosher salt
2 1/2 pounds boneless pork shoulder, cut into 4 equal pieces
Two 14-ounce packages frozen empanada wrappers, thawed in the refrigerator (20 wrappers)
1 large egg, beaten
Nonstick cooking spray
1/2 cup white vinegar
3 cloves garlic
1 to 2 jalapeños, quartered and seeded, optional
1 avocado, seeded, peeled and cut into eighths
1 small bunch fresh cilantro, chopped (about 1 cup packed)
1/2 white onion, chopped
Pinch sugar, honey or agave
Kosher salt

Steps:

  • For Abuela Chabe's Seasoning: Stir together the annatto (if using), cumin, garlic powder, onion powder and curry powder in a small bowl (see Cook's Note).
  • For the empanadas: Put the chiles de arbol, garlic and 1 cup water in a 6- or 8-quart Instant Pot® multi-cooker and set to high saute (see Cook's Note). Stir 2 tablespoons salt into Abuela Chabe's Seasoning, then roll the pork into the mixture, packing it into all the crevices. Set the Instant Pot® trivet in the bottom of the multi-cooker and place the pork on top. Set to pressure cook on high for 1 hour. After the pressure cook cycle is complete, follow the manufacturer's guide for natural release and wait until the natural release cycle is complete, about 10 minutes. Be careful of any remaining steam and unlock and remove the lid.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Transfer the pork to a cutting board and cut against the grain into 1/2-inch slices. Transfer the slices to a medium bowl. Remove the trivet from the Instant Pot® and transfer the garlic cloves to the bowl with the pork. Discard the chiles and set the liquid aside. Shred the pork and garlic, then add 3/4 cup of the liquid and stir to combine. Taste, adding more liquid if necessary. Let the pulled pork cool to room temperature.
  • Spray 2 baking sheets with nonstick cooking spray. Brush the bottom half edge of an empanada disc with beaten egg, then place 1/4 cup pulled pork in the center. Bring together the bottom and top edges of the disc to form a half moon shape, then place the empanada on a flat surface. Use a fork to press and seal the edges closed, then brush the top with beaten egg. Repeat with the remaining empanada discs and pulled pork and transfer to the prepared baking sheets. Bake until the empanadas are dark golden brown, 17 to 20 minutes.
  • For the guasacaca: Put the vinegar, garlic, jalapeños, avocado, cilantro, onions, sugar and a pinch of salt in a blender and process until smooth. Taste for seasoning and add more salt or sugar, if necessary. The guasacaca can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Makes 1 3/4 cups (see Cook's Note).
  • Serve the empanadas with the guasacaca if desired.

Tips:

  • Use ripe plantains for a sweeter empanada filling.
  • Soak the cornmeal in water for at least 30 minutes before using to soften it and make it easier to work with.
  • Season the filling generously with salt, pepper, and cumin. The spices will help to bring out the flavors of the other ingredients.
  • Use a variety of meats and vegetables in your empanada filling. This will give the empanadas a more complex and interesting flavor.
  • Be careful not to overfill the empanadas, or they will be difficult to seal and may burst open during frying.
  • Fry the empanadas in hot oil until they are golden brown and crispy.
  • Serve the empanadas with your favorite dipping sauce, such as salsa, guacamole, or sour cream.

Conclusion:

Empanadas are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. They are perfect for parties, potlucks, or a quick and easy weeknight meal. With so many different filling options to choose from, there is sure to be an empanada recipe that everyone will love.

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