Spicy Beef and Cheese Empanadas: Your Ultimate Guide to Crispy, Flavorful Perfection

Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with these incredible spicy beef and cheese empanadas! Each golden-fried pastry is generously stuffed with a rich, savory, and perfectly spiced beef filling, complemented by gooey melted cheese. Whether you enjoy them with a fiery hot sauce or savor them on their own, these empanadas are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. This recipe brings the authentic flavors of a classic Cuban picadillo, enhanced with a delightful kick of chili, all wrapped in a conveniently store-bought empanada dough for an effortlessly delicious experience.

If you’re already a fan of delicious homemade empanadas, then you’re truly going to adore this recipe for spicy beef and cheese empanadas. What makes them even more appealing is how remarkably easy they are to prepare! For this particular version, we’re taking a smart shortcut by using store-bought empanada dough, and we have absolutely zero regrets about it. This simple choice drastically cuts down on preparation time, allowing you to enjoy these crispy, flavorful pockets much sooner without sacrificing any of the authentic taste or satisfying texture. It’s the perfect recipe for a quick weeknight meal or a hassle-free party appetizer!

Why These Spicy Beef and Cheese Empanadas Will Be Your New Go-To Recipe

There are countless reasons to fall in love with this spicy beef empanada recipe. It’s more than just a dish; it’s an experience that brings together convenience, flavor, and satisfaction. Here’s why these cheesy, crispy pockets of goodness stand out from the rest:

• Economical and Perfect for Large Gatherings: Made with readily available and affordable ingredients, these empanadas are incredibly budget-friendly. They yield a generous amount, making them an ideal choice for feeding a large crowd without straining your wallet. Whether it’s a family dinner, a casual get-together, or a festive party, these treats are a reliable and delicious solution.
• Irresistibly Crispy, Flavorful, Cheesy, and Spicy: Each empanada offers a symphony of textures and tastes. The exterior, deep-fried to perfection, is wonderfully crispy and golden. Inside, you’ll discover a rich, savory ground beef filling, perfectly seasoned and wonderfully flavorful, complemented by luscious, melted cheese, all finished with an exciting kick of spice. It’s a truly addictive combination!
• Amazingly Versatile Filling Options: While this recipe highlights the robust flavor of ground beef, the filling is incredibly versatile. Feel free to substitute with ground turkey or ground chicken if you prefer a lighter meat option. The rich spice blend and savory base of the picadillo ensure that any ground meat will taste fantastic, allowing you to customize the recipe to your dietary needs or preferences.
• A Classic with a Modern, Spicy Twist: This recipe builds upon my grandmother’s beloved Cuban picadillo, a time-honored family recipe. To give it a contemporary edge and a burst of flavor, we’ve incorporated chili powder and the unique, vibrant heat of Calabrian chili peppers. This addition elevates the traditional savory notes with a delightful and unexpected spicy dimension, creating a truly memorable dish.

Essential Ingredient Insights for Flavorful Empanadas

Crafting the perfect spicy beef and cheese empanadas starts with understanding the role of each ingredient. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need and some helpful tips for substitutions and considerations:

• Goya Empanada Discs: These ready-to-use, refrigerated dough discs are an absolute game-changer for simplifying the empanada-making process. You’ll typically find them in the Hispanic refrigerated section of your local supermarket. They offer convenience without compromising on the flaky, crispy texture essential for perfect empanadas. If Goya isn’t available, look for other brands of empanada pastry discs, or even puff pastry for a slightly different, yet equally delicious, result.
• Cheese (Mozzarella, Cheddar, Colby Jack, or Provolone): We’ve opted for classic mozzarella cheese for its excellent melt and mild flavor, which allows the spicy beef to shine. However, feel free to get creative with your cheese choice! Cheddar will add a sharper, tangier note, Colby Jack offers a creamy, slightly sweet profile, and provolone provides a smooth, nutty complement. A blend of cheeses can also introduce a more complex and rich flavor.
• Calabrian Chili Peppers: Although not traditionally authentic in Cuban cuisine, Calabrian chili peppers are my secret ingredient for adding a wonderfully nuanced heat and fruity, smoky depth to these empanadas. Their balanced spice level and rich flavor are simply irresistible. If you can’t find them, you can substitute with a good quality chili paste, a dash of your favorite hot sauce, or finely minced jalapeños, adjusting the quantity to achieve your desired level of spice.
• Sofrito: This aromatic blend is the flavorful foundation of many Latin American dishes, including our picadillo. It typically consists of finely diced onions, garlic, peppers, and herbs, slow-cooked to create a deeply savory base. While homemade sofrito offers the freshest taste, a good quality store-bought version is a convenient and perfectly acceptable alternative for saving time.
• Ground Beef: For the best balance of flavor and texture, I recommend using ground beef with an 80/20 or 85/15 lean-to-fat ratio. This ensures the filling remains juicy and flavorful without being overly greasy. You can drain any excess fat after browning the meat.
• Tomato Sauce: A standard 16-ounce can of tomato sauce provides a tangy and slightly sweet base for the picadillo, contributing to its rich, saucy texture and binding all the delicious flavors together.
• Small Onion & Garlic Cloves: These fundamental aromatics are essential for building the foundational flavor of the picadillo. Finely dicing the onion ensures it integrates seamlessly into the filling, while minced garlic provides its signature pungent warmth.
• Dry White Wine (Optional): A splash of dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, adds a layer of acidity and complexity, helping to deglaze the pan and enhance the savory notes of the beef. The alcohol cooks off, leaving only its delicious essence. If you prefer not to use wine, a little beef broth or a touch of apple cider vinegar can be used as a substitute.
• Spices (Sazon, Chili Powder, Cumin, Oregano): This carefully selected blend of spices is crucial for creating the distinctive taste of the picadillo. Sazon provides a classic Latin American flavor profile, chili powder adds a warm, earthy heat, while cumin and oregano contribute aromatic and savory depth. Adjust these amounts to suit your personal preference.
• Bay Leaf: A single bay leaf adds a subtle, almost woodsy aroma to the simmering beef, enhancing its overall richness. Remember to remove it before assembling the empanadas.
• Olives: Green olives, often pimento-stuffed, are a traditional and delightful addition to Cuban picadillo, offering a briny, tangy contrast that brightens the rich meat. If olives aren’t to your taste, you can simply omit them or swap them for capers, which provide a similar salty punch.
• Salt and Pepper: These are your foundational seasonings. Always taste your filling and adjust the salt and pepper as needed to bring out the best in all the other ingredients.
• Oil for Frying: A neutral-flavored oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable, canola, or peanut oil, is ideal for deep frying. Ensure you use enough oil to submerge the empanadas completely for even cooking and a perfectly crispy crust.

Expert Tips for Crafting Flawless Spicy Beef and Cheese Empanadas

Achieving perfectly crispy and delicious empanadas is simple with these expert tips. Follow these guidelines to ensure your spicy beef and cheese empanadas turn out beautifully every time:

• Customize the Spice Level: These empanadas are designed to have a pleasant kick, but you’re in control of the heat! If you prefer a milder flavor, or are preparing them for those who are sensitive to spice, simply omit the chili powder and Calabrian chili peppers from the beef mixture. The picadillo base is incredibly flavorful even without the extra heat. You can always offer hot sauce on the side for those who crave more fire.
• Embrace Sweet and Savory Notes: For a delightful and somewhat traditional Latin American twist, consider adding a small handful of golden raisins to your beef mixture. Their natural sweetness provides a wonderful contrast to the savory and spicy elements, creating a complex and incredibly satisfying flavor profile that’s truly unique.
• Olive Alternatives and Preferences: While green olives are a classic ingredient in Cuban picadillo, they are not universally loved. If you’re not a fan of their briny taste, feel free to simply omit them from the recipe. Alternatively, a tablespoon or two of capers can provide a similar salty, tangy burst without the texture of olives.
• Cooking Wine Substitutions: The dry white wine adds a subtle depth of flavor and acidity to the beef filling. However, if you don’t have it on hand or prefer to avoid alcohol, you can easily omit it without drastically altering the final taste. A splash of beef broth, chicken broth, or even a squeeze of lime juice can offer a similar slight tang if you wish.
• Critical Cooling Step for the Filling: This is a crucial tip for successful empanada assembly! It is absolutely essential to let the cooked beef mixture cool completely to room temperature before you begin filling the empanada discs. If the filling is still warm or hot, it will soften and tear the delicate dough, making it sticky, difficult to work with, and prone to falling apart during frying. Chilled filling ensures easy handling and perfectly sealed empanadas.
• Avoid Overfilling: It’s tempting to pack your empanadas with as much delicious filling as possible, but resist the urge to overfill. Approximately 2 tablespoons of beef mixture and 1 tablespoon of cheese per disc is usually the ideal amount. Overfilling will make it difficult to seal the edges properly, leading to the filling oozing out during cooking and creating a messy situation in your frying oil.
• Achieve a Perfect Seal: After placing the filling and folding the dough into a half-moon shape, firmly press the edges together with your fingers. Then, use the tines of a fork to crimp the edges all around. This not only creates a beautiful, rustic pattern but also ensures a tight, secure seal, preventing any filling from escaping as the empanadas cook. For extra security, you can lightly moisten the inner edge of the dough with a little water before crimping.
• Embrace Homemade Charm: Don’t be discouraged if your first few empanadas don’t look perfectly uniform or restaurant-quality. The beauty of homemade food often lies in its unique, imperfect charm. Focus on getting a good seal and enjoying the process. With a little practice, you’ll find your rhythm and become an empanada-making pro in no time!

Baked vs. Fried Empanadas: Achieving Your Desired Crispiness

The choice between baking and frying your empanadas primarily depends on the texture you’re aiming for and your preferred cooking method. Both options yield delicious results, but they offer distinct culinary experiences:

• For Unrivaled Crispy Perfection (Frying): If your ultimate goal is an irresistibly golden, profoundly crispy exterior that gives way to a tender, juicy interior, deep frying is undeniably the superior method. The rapid, even heat of the hot oil creates that iconic crunch and a beautifully uniform golden-brown color that defines classic empanadas. To achieve the best results, maintain your frying oil at approximately 375°F (190°C). This temperature ensures the empanadas cook quickly and thoroughly without becoming greasy. Fry for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until they reach a deep golden hue.
• For a Lighter Alternative (Baking): While deep frying delivers the crispiest experience, baking offers a lighter, less indulgent alternative without sacrificing flavor. Baked empanadas will typically have a softer, more pastry-like crust with a satisfying chew, rather than the profound crunch of a fried empanada. To bake, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the assembled empanadas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. A crucial step for baked empanadas is to brush the tops generously with an egg wash (one egg beaten with a tablespoon of water). This egg wash helps create a beautiful golden sheen and contributes to a slightly crisper finish. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until they are puffed and golden brown.
• The Best of Both Worlds (Air Frying): If you own an air fryer, this appliance offers an excellent middle-ground option. Air frying can produce a wonderfully crispy result with significantly less oil than traditional deep frying. To air fry, lightly brush or spray your assembled empanadas with a little oil. Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 10-15 minutes, making sure to flip them halfway through, until they are golden and crispy. Keep in mind that results can vary slightly depending on your specific air fryer model, so it’s always a good idea to monitor them closely.

To Cheese or Not to Cheese? Your Empanada, Your Choice!

Absolutely not! While the combination of savory spicy beef and gooey, melted cheese is undeniably a match made in culinary heaven, you are completely welcome to omit the cheese entirely if you prefer. Many traditional Cuban picadillo empanadas are actually made without cheese, focusing solely on the rich, seasoned meat filling. By leaving out the cheese, you’ll be leaning closer to a more classic and authentic preparation. The beef filling itself is so incredibly rich, flavorful, and satisfying that these empanadas are still a phenomenal treat for those who are dairy-free, have dietary restrictions, or simply prefer a pure meat-filled pastry.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips for Empanada Lovers

Empanadas are wonderfully versatile, making them perfect for meal prepping or enjoying as delicious leftovers. Proper storage ensures they remain fresh and flavorful. Here’s how to manage them:

• Storing Cooked Empanadas: Any leftover cooked empanadas should be placed in an airtight container to maintain their freshness. They can be kept at room temperature for up to 2 days, or stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For the best texture when reheating, avoid the microwave if possible; an oven, toaster oven, or air fryer will bring back their delightful crispiness.
• Making the Beef Filling Ahead: The spiced beef mixture is an excellent component to prepare in advance. Cook the filling as directed, allow it to cool completely, and then transfer it to an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This significantly reduces prep time on the day you plan to assemble and cook the empanadas, making it ideal for busy weeknights or entertaining.
• Freezing Uncooked Empanadas for Later: To enjoy freshly cooked empanadas whenever the craving strikes, you can freeze them before they are cooked. Assemble the empanadas according to the instructions, but do not fry or bake them. Place the uncooked empanadas in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze them until they are solid (this usually takes about 1-2 hours). Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container, using parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. They will keep beautifully in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to cook, you can fry or bake them directly from frozen, simply adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
• Reheating Tips for Optimal Crispiness: To revive the delightful crispiness of fried empanadas, reheat them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, or in an air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes. This method will bring back their crunchy exterior far better than a microwave, which tends to make them soft and sometimes soggy.
• Best Results Recommendation: While the make-ahead options offer fantastic convenience, for the absolute best texture and freshness, I highly recommend frying or baking these empanadas the same day you plan to serve them. The crispy exterior is truly at its peak immediately after cooking.

Elevate Your Empanada Experience: Perfect Pairings and Dipping Sauces

While these spicy beef and cheese empanadas are undoubtedly delicious on their own, pairing them with the right accompaniments can elevate your culinary experience even further. Here are some fantastic ideas to complete your meal or appetizer spread:

• Dynamic Dipping Sauces: Empanadas are fantastic with a variety of dipping sauces. Beyond a classic hot sauce, consider serving them with a vibrant and herbaceous chimichurri, a cooling and creamy cilantro-lime crema, a tangy salsa roja, or even a simple garlicky aioli. Each sauce offers a unique flavor contrast that can highlight different aspects of the empanada’s rich filling.
• Fresh and Light Sides: Balance the savory richness of the empanadas with fresh, light side dishes. A crisp green salad dressed with a bright vinaigrette, a refreshing Cuban cucumber salad, or a simple coleslaw would provide a refreshing counterpoint.
• Hearty Rice and Beans: For a more substantial and authentic Cuban meal, serve your empanadas alongside classic rice and beans. Options like fluffy white rice with a side of savory Instant Pot Cuban Black Beans or a comforting bowl of Congri (black beans and rice cooked together) would be perfect complements.
• Refreshing Beverages: Pair your empanadas with a classic Cuban soda like Materva or Jupiña, or for adult palates, a perfectly mixed mojito or a crisp Cuba Libre.

Explore More Authentic Cuban Flavors

If you’ve savored the vibrant and rich flavors of these spicy beef and cheese empanadas, you’re undoubtedly ready to dive deeper into the world of Cuban cuisine. My kitchen is a treasure trove of traditional recipes, many of which have been lovingly passed down through generations, ensuring you get an authentic taste of Cuba. Explore these other popular dishes that perfectly capture the essence of Cuban home cooking:

• Cuban Shrimp Creole (Camarones Enchilados): A zesty and aromatic shrimp dish simmered to perfection in a rich, flavorful tomato-based sauce, bursting with classic Cuban spices. It’s a delightful seafood experience.
• Instant Pot Cuban Black Beans: Discover how to create perfectly tender and incredibly flavorful black beans effortlessly using your Instant Pot – a quintessential side dish that accompanies almost every Cuban meal.
• Congri (Cuban Black Beans and Rice): A hearty and comforting one-pot wonder where fluffy white rice is cooked directly with black beans, infusing every grain with deep, savory, and aromatic flavors. A true staple!
• Arroz Con Pollo Cubano (Cuban Chicken and Rice): A celebrated Cuban classic, this vibrant and aromatic dish features tender chicken pieces cooked with seasoned rice, savory sofrito, and a medley of spices, resulting in a flavorful and colorful family-favorite meal.

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