Best 6 Colombian Empanadas Recipes

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Are you craving a taste of traditional Colombian cuisine? Look no further than the empanada, a delightful pastry that is a beloved staple in Colombian kitchens. With its crispy exterior and flavorful fillings, the empanada is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a snack or as a main course. Whether you prefer classic fillings like beef or chicken, or more innovative variations like cheese or vegetables, there's an empanada recipe out there to satisfy every palate. In this article, we'll take you on a culinary journey through the world of Colombian empanadas, exploring the different types of fillings, dough recipes, and cooking methods that make this dish so special. So, grab your apron and get ready to discover the secrets of making the perfect Colombian empanada!

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

COLOMBIAN EMPANADAS



Colombian Empanadas image

Colombian Empanadas are a popular appetizer in Colombia and are served by most Colombian restaurants in the USA, best when served with aji salsa for dipping but they are still great just the way they are !

Provided by Jalynn8

Categories     Steak

Time 2h30m

Yield 40 empanadas, 10 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 22

3 tablespoons olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tomatoes, finely chopped
1/2 cup red bell pepper, finely chopped
6 green onions, finely chopped
1 small onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup cilantro leaf, chopped
salt and pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 (1 1/2 ounce) package sazon goya with azafran (saffron)
1/2 lb yellow potatoes or 1/2 lb white potato
1 lb flank steak
3 beef bouillon cubes
1 head garlic, smashed
1 whole onion, peeled and cut in half
1 tomatoes, cut in half
3 cups yellow masarepa (precooked cornmeal or harina de maiz)
2 teaspoons sugar
salt and pepper
1 tablespoon softened butter
1 cup reserved broth
2 1/4 cups hot water

Steps:

  • Prepare the vegetables:.Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large stock pot. Add 3 minced cloves of garlic, chopped tomato, chopped green onions, chopped onion, chopped red bell pepper, chopped cilantro leaves, ½ teaspoon of ground cumin, 1 package Sazón Goya con azafran. Sautee over medium heat, stirring until onion is very soft (about 12-15 minutes). Season with salt and pepper to taste. When done remove all contents from pot and set aside in a separate bowl.
  • Prepare steak and potatoes:.In the large stock pot (or can use a slow cooker) add 1 whole head of garlic (smashed), 1 whole onion peeled and cut in half, 1 whole tomato cut in half,(sounds weird but is necessary for the broth) 3 beef bouillon cubes, flank steak and cover with water. Bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer the steak until very tender (about an hour). Peel and quarter potatoes and add to the pot, adding more water if necessary to cover the potatoes. Simmer until potatoes are very tender (about 25 minutes). Remove pot from heat and let the meat and potatoes cool in the broth.
  • Remove the meat from the broth and slice into 1" cubes, then put cut up steak into a food processor and pulse it until it looks like ground beef *DO NOT OVER PROCESS, YOU DO NOT WANT TO MAKE BABY FOOD OUT OF THE STEAK*.
  • Remove potatoes from the broth and set aside in a separate bowl, strain the broth and reserve it.
  • Add the potatoes, the meat and vegetables into the same bowl. Add a little of the beef broth to the mixture and mix well, mashing the potatoes in the process.
  • Prepare the dough:.Place 3 cups yellow masarepa (pre-cooked cornmeal) into a large bowl, add 2 teaspoons of sugar and salt and pepper to taste, incorporate the dry ingredients well before adding the liquid.
  • Combine 1 cup of reserved broth, 2 ¼ cups of hot water and 1 tablespoon of softened butter.
  • Slowly add the cornmeal to the water and stir with a big spoon. When all of the corn meal has been added, work the dough with your hands until it becomes soft. Let rest for 20 minutes.
  • Making the empanadas:.To make the empanadas, put a small ball of dough (about the size of a golf ball) in the center of a tortilla press covered with plastic and press to flatten it. You can also put the small ball of dough between two pieces of plastic and flatten it with a small saucepan.
  • Add a tablespoon or so of the filling. Fold the circle of dough in half to form a half moon.
  • Cut off the edge of the half moon with a cup or drinking glass. This will shape your empanada and seal it at the same time. Another way to make them is pressing the edge with your fingers and folding the extra dough inwards, this will prevent the filling from coming out during frying.
  • you can fry them in a deep frier at 350ºF. You can also fry them on the stove at medium high temperature. Fry the empanadas for 5-7 minutes or until golden brown. Then put them on a paper towels to drain them.
  • *Note: You can shape the empanadas a day ahead, and chill them until you are ready to fry. Once empanadas are cooked, keep them warm in a 200 degree oven until ready to serve.

EMPANADAS COLOMBIANAS (COLOMBIAN MEAT PIES)



Empanadas Colombianas (Colombian Meat Pies) image

Just about every culture has a variation of a meat pie. For example, Jamaican Beef Patties, Cornish Pasties, Chinese Pork Buns, Mediterranean Pide (Pita), and in the US Pot Pie. Even within a region or country the ingredients vary widely. This recipe is one version that my husband likes.

Provided by threeovens

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 1h30m

Yield 20 meat pies

Number Of Ingredients 18

2 cups precooked yellow cornmeal (masarepa)
3 cups hot water (almost boiling)
1 tablespoon sazon goya with azafran (3 packets) (optional)
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups white potatoes, peeled and cut into very small dice
1 chicken bouillon cubes (Vegeta) or 1 vegetable bouillon cube (Vegeta)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup white onion, chopped
1 cup chopped tomato
1/4 cup green onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
2 tablespoons red bell peppers, chopped
1 lb ground beef
salt & freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon cumin
1 teaspoon sazon goya (1 packet)
oil (for deep frying)

Steps:

  • Measure the masarepa into a large bowl, add the sazon, if using, and salt and mix well; add the water and mix to form a dough (it will be a little wet and rubbery); let stand while filling is prepared.
  • Meanwhile, cook the potatoes with water and the bouillon until tender, about 10 minutes; drain, mash slightly and set aside.
  • In a large, heavy skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil; add onion, tomatoes, green onions, garlic, bell pepper, and cilantro.
  • Cook, stirring occasionally until tomatoes break down, about 15 minutes.
  • Add ground beef, season with salt, pepper, cumin, and sazon; cook, breaking up with a wooden spoon, until browned and fairly dry.
  • Stir in potatoes and mix well.
  • Heat oil (at least 2 inches) over medium high heat.
  • Break off golf ball sized sections of dough (1.5 oz) and roll in your hands into a ball; place between plastic wrap and flatten with the heel of your palm into a 6 inch disc.
  • Peel away plastic from top only and scoop plastic and disc into your palm; place a heaping tablespoon of filling in center then fold disc and pinch closed; slightly flatten to distribute filling.
  • With a slotted spoon, gently lower empanada into hot oil and cook 2 minutes, turning about halfway through (you'll need to cook in batches); drain on paper toweling.
  • Serve warm or at room temperature with recipe Aji (recipe #377331) or Avocado Sauce (recipe #411639) and/or lime wedges.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 118.3, Fat 4.7, SaturatedFat 1.5, Cholesterol 15.4, Sodium 154.1, Carbohydrate 13.7, Fiber 1.5, Sugar 0.7, Protein 5.8

EMAPANDAS COLOMBIANAS- COLOMBIAN EMPANADAS



EMAPANDAS COLOMBIANAS- COLOMBIAN EMPANADAS image

Categories     Hominy/Cornmeal/Masa

Number Of Ingredients 6

5 Cups- Extra Fine Corn Meal- I use corn meal made by Goya
6 Cups- of hot water
2 1/2 Tbsp of salt
A large piece of Plastic Wrap (Saran Wrap)
A Coffee cup for shaping Empanadas
A rolling pin

Steps:

  • Combine the corn meal, salt and the hot water. As soon as the ingredients are combined, begin to stir the mixture until all of the water is well combined into the flour, then set aside and let the mixture cool. Once the mixture is cool enough to handle, turn the mixture out onto a board and lightly knead the mixture (for about 1 minute) and then separate mixture into 4 large balls. Take one of the balls place between a piece of plastic wrap and flatten with a rolling pin. Roll mixture out into a thin to medium thin thickness. On the end closest to you, go up about 1 1/2 inches and place your choice of filling. After placing the filling, take the plastic and fold it over the filling, then take your cup and cut out a crescent shaped Empanada. Note** The crescent shaped cutting is done on top of the plastic wrap. Remove the wrap from the top and remove the Empanada and set aside. Once all of your Empanadas are completed, you can fry immediately or place in the refrigerator. I like to place them in the fridge for at least 30 minutes just to allow the corn meal to set a little better. Do not be scared of the instructions. Once you make one empanada you will see that it is very simple.

COLOMBIAN EMPANADAS



Colombian Empanadas image

Just about every culture has a variation of a meat pie. For example, Jamaican Beef Patties, Cornish Pasties, Chinese Pork Buns, Mediterranean Pide (Pita), and in the US Pot Pie. Even within a region or country the ingredients vary widely. This recipe is one version that my husband likes.

Provided by Lucy Selvaggio-Diaz

Categories     Meat Appetizers

Time 1h10m

Number Of Ingredients 20

DOUGH
2 c precooked yellow cornmeal (masarepa)
3 c hot water
1 Tbsp sazon goya with azafran (3 packets), optional
1/2 tsp salt
FILLING
2 c white potatoes, peeled and cut into small dice
1 chicken bouillon cube
1 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 c white onion, chopped
1 c chopped tomato
1/4 c chopped green onions
1 clove garlic, minced
2 Tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
2 Tbsp chopped red bell pepper
1 lb ground beef
1 pinch salt, to taste
1 pinch freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 Tbsp ground cumin
1 tsp sazon goya (1 packet)

Steps:

  • 1. Measure the masarepa into a large bowl, add the sazon, if using, and salt, and mix well. Add water and mix to form a dough (it will be a bit wet and rubbery). Let stand while preparing the filling.
  • 2. Meanwhile, cook the potatoes with water and the bouillon until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain, mash lightly, and set aside.
  • 3. In a large, heavy skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil; add onion, tomatoes, green onions, garlic, bell pepper, and cilantro. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes break down, about 15 minutes. Add ground beef, season with salt, pepper, cumin, and sazon. Cook, breaking up the beef with a wooden spoon, until browned and fairly dry.
  • 4. Stir in the potatoes and mix well.
  • 5. Heat at least 2-inches of oil over medium high heat.
  • 6. Break off a golf ball sized section of the dough (1.5 ounces) and with your hands, roll it into a ball. Place between plastic wrap and flatten, with the heel of your palm, into a 6-inch disc. Peel away the plastic from the top only and scoop the bottom plastic and the disc into your palm. Place a heaping tablespoon of the filling in the center, then fold the disc and pinch the ends closed. Slighly flatten to distribute filling. Do the same with the remaining dough and filling.
  • 7. With a slotted spoon, gently lower the empanada into the hot oil and cook 2 minutes, turning about halfway through. Drain on paper toweling. You'll need to cook these in batches.
  • 8. Serve warm or at room temperature with Aji or Avocado Sauce, and/or lime wedges.

COLOMBIAN FRIED EMPANADAS - WITH BEEF & POTATOE



Colombian Fried Empanadas - with Beef & Potatoe image

Posted here for play in Culinary Quest - South America. Recipe posted by Marian Blazes. Fried Empanadas with Beef and Potato Filling. These tasty empanadas have an outer crust made with masarepa, the precooked cornmeal that is used to make arepas. The filling is usually stewed beef or pork and potatoes seasoned with hogao....

Provided by Baby Kato

Categories     Meat Appetizers

Time 2h30m

Number Of Ingredients 15

2 Tbsp olive oil
3 clove garlic, minced
1 tomato, finely chopped
6 green onions, finely chopped
1 small onion, finely chopped
1/2 tsp cumin
2 tsp sazón (saffron)
1/4 c coarsely chopped cilantro leaves
1 lb top round or skirt steak (or similar cut of pork)
3 beef bouillon cubes
1/2 lb yellow or white potatoes
3 c yellow masarepa (precooked cornmeal or harina de maiz)
2 tsp sugar
salt and pepper to taste
vegetable oil for frying

Steps:

  • 1. Prepare hogao: Heat olive oil in a large stockpot. Add garlic, tomato, onions, cumin, goya seasoning, and cilantro and sauté over medium heat, stirring, until onion is very soft (about 12-15 minutes). Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • 2. Remove hogao from pot and set aside in a separate bowl. Add the beef bouillon cubes to the pot.
  • 3. Slice the beef into strips and add to the pot. Cover the meat with water, and bring to a boil.
  • 4. Simmer beef until very tender when pierced with a fork, about an hour
  • 5. Peel and quarter potatoes and add to the beef, adding more water if necessary to cover the potatoes. Simmer until potatoes are very tender. Remove pot from heat and let the meat and potatoes cool in the broth.
  • 6. Remove meat and potatoes into a separate bowl and set aside. Strain the broth into a large measuring cup and reserve.
  • 7. Place the masarepa into a large bowl. Stir 1 cup of the reserved broth into the masarepa, along with 2 1/4 cups of hot water and the 2 teaspoons sugar.
  • 8. Season mixture with salt and pepper and set aside for 10 minutes.
  • 9. Finely chop the meat and potatoes. Stir the reserved hogao into the meat and potatoes and mix thoroughly, adding a little of the beef broth and slightly mashing the potatoes.
  • 10. Roll the masarepa dough into about 40 golfball-size balls.
  • 11. Working with one ball of dough at a time, flatten each ball into a 4 inch circle between 2 sheets of plastic wrap. Place a teaspoon or so of filling in the middle of the dough circle, and fold the circle in half to make a half moon shape that encloses the filling. Seal the edges with your fingers. Repeat with all of the balls of dough.
  • 12. Preheat vegetable oil to 350 degrees. Fry empanadas in batches until they are golden brown (about 5 minutes). Drain on paper towels. Serve empanadas warm with aji sauce.

COLOMBIAN EMPANADAS WITH HOT SAUCE RECIPE - (4.1/5)



Colombian Empanadas with Hot Sauce Recipe - (4.1/5) image

Provided by á-25087

Number Of Ingredients 33

FILLING:
2 large brown potatoes
Water to cover potatoes
1 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 cup tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and chopped
1 tablespoon onion powder or 1/2 cup green onion, chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1 pound ground beef
DOUGH:
3 cups hot water
1 chicken bouillon
1 envelope Sazón Goya with Achiote or Azafrán or 1/2 tablespoon Triguisar for
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon softened butter
3 cups pre-cooked white corn meal
HOT SAUCE:
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup white vinegar
1 to 2 habanero peppers, chopped and seeded
1 to 2 green onions, chopped
1 teaspoon sugar
2 tablespoons oil
1 tablespoon lime juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
1/2 cup red bell pepper, chopped
2 medium tomatoes, peeled and seeded
Oil for frying

Steps:

  • Peel and cut the potatoes into small cubes. Put them in a pot, cover them with enough water and add salt. Cook for about 20 to 25 minutes on medium heat or until soft. When the potatoes are cooked, drain them and roughly mash them. To make the dough, add hot water to a large bowl, add the chicken bouillon, Sazón Goya, salt and butter. Stir well to mix all of the ingredients. Slowly add the cornmeal to the water and stir with a big spoon. When all of the corn meal has been added, work the dough with your hands until it becomes soft. Let rest for 20 minutes. Add oil to a large pan on medium heat. Add the garlic, red bell pepper, tomatoes, onion powder, salt, cilantro, and cumin. Cook this guiso (sauce) for about 5 minutes. Add the beef to the guiso and cook it thoroughly. Add the mashed potatoes and mix well to make the filling. To make the empanadas, put a small ball of dough in the center of a tortilla press covered with plastic and press to flatten it. You can also put the small ball of dough between two pieces of plastic and flatten it with a small saucepan. Add a tablespoon of the filling. Fold the circle of dough in half to form a half moon. Cut off the edge of the half moon with a cup or drinking glass. This will shape your empanada and seal it at the same time. Another way to make them is pressing the edge with your fingers and folding the extra dough inwards, this will prevent the filling from coming out during frying. Once you have all of your empanadas ready, you can fry them in a deep frier with enough oil at 350ºF. You can also fry them on the stove at medium high temperature. Fry the empanadas for 6 to 7 minutes or until golden brown. Then put them on a paper towels to drain them. Serve them hot with Colombian hot sauce and lime wedges. HOT SAUCE: Add water, vinegar, habanero peppers, onion, sugar, oil, lime juice and salt to a blender and blend well. Add cilantro, red bell pepper and tomatoes. Pulse once or twice to mix the ingredients without blending. If you wish to have a stronger onion flavor you can add the green onion in this step instead of the previous one.

Tips:

  • Use high-quality cornmeal for the masa dough. Freshly ground cornmeal will give the empanadas the best flavor.
  • If you don't have achiote paste, you can use paprika or turmeric as a substitute.
  • Be careful not to overwork the masa dough, or it will become tough.
  • When filling the empanadas, be sure to leave a little space at the top so that they can be sealed properly.
  • 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:

Colombian empanadas are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as an appetizer, main course, or snack. With a variety of fillings to choose from, there is sure to be an empanada that everyone will love. So next time you're looking for a new and exciting dish to try, give Colombian empanadas a try. You won't be disappointed!

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