See All Recipes
Ground Beef Empanadas (Picadillo)
By Chef Maria Cummins
Course
entree
Cuisine
latin-american
Servings
10
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 1.5 pounds ground beef
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- 2 tablespoon aji panca (see note below)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ small yellow or white onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons water
- 10 Empanada flour discs for baking (La Saltena see note below)
- 1 egg (for washing)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
- Heat the oil in a sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, about 7 minutes. Season with the salt and pepper. Add the onions and sauté for just a couple minutes, until softened. Add the garlic, cook for 30 seconds, followed by the aji panca and water, stir and simmer for 10 minutes. Turn the heat off and cool to room temperature before filling the empanadas.
- Top the dough with the beef mixture, fold in half and seal the edges using a fork. Place on the prepared baking sheet brush with egg wash on top side only and bake until golden, (for 11-12 minutes).
Egg Wash: Whisk the egg and the water and set aside until use.
What is aji panca paste?
Aji Panca is a type of chile pepper that is commonly grown in Peru and frequently used in Peruvian cuisine. It is dark red, mild pepper with a smokey, fruity taste. It's often sold dried or prepared into a paste. You can find the dried peppers and jarred paste in Latin food stores. Find it on Amazon.com
Quick Substitutions for this recipe Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon paprika
Mix and apply to the ground beef
What can I use to substitute empanada dough?
If you're looking for a shortcut, store-bought puff pastry can be used to make empanadas. You may need to roll the dough out slightly thinner—it will produce a flakier result than typical empanada dough and is better for baking than frying.
Chef Maria Cummins
Born in Venezuela, Maria Cummins discovered her deep-rooted passion for food from an early age. Her culinary journey led her to Lima, Peru, where she immersed herself in the rich secrets of Peruvian gastronomy during part of her childhood. In her early twenties, she embarked on a new chapter by coming to the United States and delving into the Hospitality Industry in Boston, Massachusetts.
Maria's culinary adventure continued as she relocated to San Diego, California, where she made her mark by opening the renowned El Tucan Restaurant. Her extensive travels and diverse experiences greatly influenced her innovative culinary style, shaping the unique approach she is celebrated for today.
During her time in San Diego, Chef Maria not only honed her culinary skills but also gained a profound understanding of the importance of nutrition, particularly through the use of organic and unprocessed ingredients.
Today, Maria Cummins is the proud owner, founder, and head chef of the Real Food Academy, a culinary haven nestled in the vibrant city of Miami. Here, both kids and adults come together every week to share the joy of connecting through the power of Real Food and Real Fun!
More Recipes
See More From Our Catalog
Special Announcements
Summer Camp Registration Now Open!
Sign up today for fun, hands-on cooking adventures! Kids will learn culinary skills, make new friends, and have fun creating delicious dishes. Spots are limited—reserve your child's place now!
Rave Reviews for The Real Food Academy
proud to have a 4.9 star rating & 700+ reviews
Real Food Blog
5 Must-Try Healthy Holiday Recipes from The Real Food Academy Miami
Are you looking for delicious and nutritious meals to serve this holiday season? The Real Food Academy team has put together a list of 5 recipes that you can follow step-by-step or use as inspiration for your own holiday creations!
Real Food FAQs
No. All Payments and Deposits are non-refundable: When a payment or deposit is made, that day and time is no longer available to other customers on our calendar. For that reason, all payments and deposits are non-refundable.
In the case of a cooking class, the ingredients are shopped for and prepped in advance. Staff is also scheduled according to the number of people on the roster.
See our Wine and Beer list for your in-house kids party options. Optionally, you can bring your own wine or beer and page a corkage fee.
Corkage Fees
- $15 per 750 ml bottle of wine
- $30 per 1.5 L bottle of wine
Bring outside beer: $40 for beer (any quantity)
We love it when our customers decorate our place. That said, you have no idea how difficult it is to clean these types of things up. As far as noisemakers go......you will be glad you left them at home as well. So please do not bring any of those things.
Newsletter Sign-up
Get Class & Menu Updates
From Beginner to Gourment
Your Culinary Adventure Awaits at The Real Food Academy
