Pork Empanada Recipe (2024)

Pork Empanada is a type of pastry that has been stuffed with pork. In this pork empanada recipe, we’ll be making pork picadillo, which be stuffed into our homemade empanada dough. Isn’t that interesting? Here’s the good news, making empanada dough does not need to be all-manual and labor intensive. We can use a food…

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By: Vanjo Merano 7 Comments Updated: 9/2/18

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Pork Empanada is a type of pastry that has been stuffed with pork. In this pork empanada recipe, we’ll be making pork picadillo, which be stuffed into our homemade empanada dough. Isn’t that interesting? Here’s the good news, making empanada dough does not need to be all-manual and labor intensive. We can use a food processor to speed-up the process.

Pork Empanada Recipe (1)

Let’s talk about the pork picadillo first, or what I call pork giniling with carrot, green peas, and potato. The way I call it sums up the components of the dish. It is simply made-up of ground pork cooked with the vegetables mentioned, along with raisins and Worcestershire sauce. The filling can be a main dish by itself. I often have it with rice and fried egg. However, we will be using it as an empanada filling,or stuffing, for this recipe.

The idea of making your homemade empanada dough is always interesting, especially if you have not made one before. Although it can be challenging at first, your hard work and perseverance will be rewarded with a feeling of accomplishment. This pork empanada recipe is all about making quality empanadas in the easiest and most convenient way possible.

Pork Empanada Recipe (2)

What are kitchen equipment for if we won’t utilize them? For this reason, I will be using a food processor as my assistant to make the empanada dough. This will eliminate the hard labor needed to blend the pastry, which is what we used in ourchicken empanada recipe. Instead of manually blending the flour and other components using a pastry blender, we only need to add the ingredients inside the equipment, one after the other, and let it pulse until all are well blended. There is a bit of manual work needed in flattening the dough, which requires the use of a rolling pin – but that’s it.

Pork Empanada Recipe (3)

I suggest that you watch the video below to see how I quickly secure the stuffing in the empanadas. There is no fancy technique involved, only a straightforward method that requires the tip of a fork.

Pork Empanada Recipe (4)

For questions, suggestions, and feedback, feel free to drop me a comment.

Try this Pork Empanada Recipe. Let me know what you think.

Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag us on Instagram at @panlasangpinoy or hashtag #panlasangpinoy so we can see your creations!

Pork Empanada Recipe (5)

Pork Empanada Recipe

This is a recipe for Pork Empanada Recipe

Prep: 30 minutes minutes

Cook: 45 minutes minutes

Total: 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes

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Ingredients

  • 1 lb. ground pork
  • 1 small carrot cubed
  • 1/2 cup green peas
  • 1 small baking potato cubed
  • 1 medium yellow onion chopped
  • 1/2 cup raisins
  • 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1/2 to 3/4 cups beef broth
  • 3 tablespoons cooking oil
  • Salt and ground black pepper to taste

Empanada Dough

  • 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 egg
  • 10 tablespoons fresh milk

Eggwash

  • 1 Egg egg white only
  • 2 tablespoons fresh milk

Instructions

  • Prepare the pork filling by heating oil in a cooking pot. Add ground pork and cook until light brown.

  • Add the chopped onions. Stir and continue to cook until the onion becomes soft.

  • Add raisins, Worcestershire sauce, and beef broth. Cover the pot, adjust the heat to medium, cook for 10 to 12 minutes.

  • Add peas, carrots, and potato. Cover and cook for 5 to 8 minutes Note: Add more beef broth or water, if needed

  • Put the brown sugar into the pot and season with salt and ground black pepper. Stir and cook for 1 minute. Set aside.

  • Preheat oven to 400F.

  • Meanwhile, prepare the dough using a food processor. Put flour in a food processor and then add salt. Pulse until both ingredients are blended.

  • Slice the butter into small pieces. Add into the food processor. Continue to pulse until the butter blends well with the flour mixture.

  • Add egg and gradually pour the milk 2 to 3 tablespoons at a time, while pulsing. Continue to process the mixture until all the ingredients are well blended.

  • Transfer the dough into a flat surface. Mold a large sphere out of it. Separate in half, and then create a disk shaped figure on each piece of dough. Chill the dough for at least 20 minutes.

  • Flatten one piece of dough on a flat surface using a rolling pin. Note: Watch video below for more information.

  • Cut a part of the flatten dough using a circular mold, or anything with a circular tip such as a bowl. Remove the circular dough and set aside.

  • Assemble the pork empanada by placing 1 to 2 tablespoons of the pork filling in the center of the circular dough.Secure it by folding both sides of the dough towards each other. Use your thumb and index finger to pinch the sides for it to cling to each other. Secure it even more by pressing the tip of a fork on the sides of the empanada.

  • Arrange the empanadas on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Bake for 15 minutes and then remove from the oven.

  • Prepare the egg wash by combining egg white and milk in a bowl. Beat the mixture until blended. Brush the egg wash all over the empanadas.

  • Put the pork empanada back into the oven. Continue to bake for 5 to 7 minutes or until it turns medium brown.

  • Remove from the oven. Let it cool down.

  • Serve. Share and enjoy!

Nutrition Information

Serving: 6g

© copyright: Vanjo Merano

Watch the Video on How to Cook Pork Empanada

Pork Empanada Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the pork empanada story all about? ›

This is a story about a less fortunate young man who strived to reach his goal to buy the famous pork empanada in Frankie's Steaks and Burger. Bototoy was the name of the main character of the story.

How do you keep empanadas from cracking? ›

Once all the dough has been folded and crimped, pop the almost-ready empanadas in the refrigerator. Let them cool for about 25 minutes to toughen up the dough, so it's easier to handle and less susceptible to breaking.

How do you keep fried empanadas crispy? ›

The best way to keep fried foods crispy? Just place them on a cooling rack set over a baking sheet. If you're frying multiple batches, throw the whole setup into a low oven to keep everything warm as you keep frying and adding to the rack.

Why does my empanada dough crack? ›

The main ingredients are water and corn flour. If you don't work quickly, the dough will dry out and start to crack.

What was the original empanada? ›

Since empanadas appeared around the time of the Moorish invasion of the area, it is believed that they came about as a modified version of samosas – Arabic meat-filled pies that are still made and eaten today. The name “empanada” comes from the Galician verb empanar – to wrap or coat in bread.

Is empanada a junk food? ›

While it's quite tasty, it isn't the healthiest meal you can consume. The great news is you can still get your empanada fix with all the flavor, but less calories, fat, and more nutrition with healthier versions.

Is it better to fry or bake empanadas? ›

Both cooking methods produce delicious empanadas. If you want a healthier merienda, bake them in the oven. If you're working with less time, frying them is the way to go. Try both and ask your loved ones to vote on their favorite.

Why put vinegar in empanada dough? ›

Adding a little vinegar to your dough will result in a tender, pliable, and flaky crust because it slightly inhibits gluten development, leading to a crust that is flakier and easier to work with. The great thing about vinegar is that you really only need a little bit of it to help your pie/empanada dough.

What do you seal empanadas with? ›

Brush with egg wash along the exposed edges (this is your “glue”) and fold the dough over. Seal the empanadas! Use a fork to firmly press the edges of the dough together to seal the beef filling inside of the empanada.

What oil is best for frying empanadas? ›

Oil that is too cool will make your fried empanadas greasy and sad. I normally use canola oil for fried empanadas because it's flavorless and has a high smoke point. Lard tastes better, but you end up frying very close to lard's smoke point, which is tricky; when oil gets too hot it will taste acrid.

Should you thaw empanadas before frying? ›

Pro tip: after buying our Minnesota frozen empanadas, you don't even need to thaw them before cooking them! Our packaging offers instructions for cooking our empanadas, but here's a more in-depth look at how to create a perfectly crisped and golden snack.

Why are my empanadas falling apart? ›

Always cool your filling before assembling your empanada. The steam from a hot or warm filling may cause your pastry to become soggy and it may cause this to fall apart.

Can I leave empanada dough overnight? ›

DAY BEFORE: Cream butter and cream cheese together until smoothly blended. Beat in the flour. Shape dough into a smooth ball, wrap in foil or cling wrap, and refrigerate overnight or up to a week. AT BAKING TIME: Remove dough from refrigerator 30 minutes before using.

How to keep empanadas from getting soggy? ›

As you fold your empanadas they may become warm in the heat of your kitchen, so be sure they are cold before baking or frying. Chilling both the filling and the dough will keep the liquid inside where it belongs and keep the edge sealed, preventing bursting and that dreaded soggy bottom.

What is the story about empanadas? ›

"Empanada" comes from "empanar" which means "to wrap or coat in bread" in Spanish. The earliest mention of empanadas by name is in a 1520's cookbook in Catalan! The original empanadas resembled pies that were sliced into single pieces, but the basic concept has been the same ever since.

What is the concept of empanada? ›

An empanada is a stuffed bread or pastry baked or fried in many countries of Latin America and the south of Europe. The name comes from the verb empanar, meaning to wrap or coat in bread. Empanada is made by folding a dough or bread patty around the stuffing.

What is special about empanadas? ›

Empanadas are a traditional South American dish that have been around for centuries. They can be filled with a variety of different ingredients, including meats, cheeses, fruits, and vegetables. Empanadas are a popular choice for both casual and formal occasions, and can be found at restaurants all over the world.

What is the history of empanadas de pino? ›

Mapuche cooks started making these empanadas during the Spanish conquest,with the introduction of wheat and beef. By the 1600s empanadas were already mainstreamed into the cuisine of both Spanish and Indigenous communities.

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