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Greek Freak Ground Beef Empanadas

Empanadas are one of my favorite types of hand pies, and these Ground Beef Empanadas are a unique take on a traditional meal. Use puff pastry as a shortcut. and get cooking!

Ground Beef Empanadas

Ground Beef Empanadas

Easy dinners are my jam these days. With a full work schedule and a really full house – I just don’t have time to do anything else.

5pm also seems to be the time of the day that the toddlers decide it is “stand at the gate and scream for mom” hour, so the faster I can get dinner done, the better.

Ground Beef Empanadas

My kids, surprisingly enough, all fall on the slightly picky side.

Shocking, right?

It is easy to get discouraged about dinner because no matter what, someone is faced with a plate of food that they don’t like – and I don’t do separate dinners around here. Nope.

Ground Beef Empanadas

So I try and be accommodating, while also letting them experience other flavors. This is a great way to do that. Great big flavors like olives and feta are featured here but packaged in a flaky pastry crust and a familiar ground beef flavor and texture that they all already know and love.

Ground Beef Empanadas

Can I Make My Own Crust?

You can, but you don’t have to. Puff Pastry does really well here, as would pie crust. The Puff Pastry was my favorite, but either of those are really fabulous options.

If you want to make your own, check out this awesome empanada dough recipe on Smitten Kitchen. This is not a thing I’ve made homemade from scratch. One of the few!

Ground Beef Empanadas
Yield: 10 servings

Greek Freak Ground Beef Empanadas

Greek Freak Zaycon Empanadas-14

Shortcut dough in the form of puff pastry encloses seasoned ground beef, olives, feta, and greak freak rub! Awesome dinner, kid-friendly, delicious for any occasion.

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons Spiceology Greek Freak Seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 1 cup of chopped olives – we used a mix of black olives and kalamata
  • 1 package frozen puff pastry – thawed according to package directions
  • 1 tablespoon egg beaten with 1 water

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375.
  2. Place ground beef, onion, garlic, and seasonings in a large frying pan and brown well. After the meat is browned, remove from pan and mix in the olives and feta.
  3. Unfold your puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface, and roll out slightly to enlarge. Cut 3-4? circles out of the sheet, and place a few heaping tablespoons on one side. Brush one half lightly with the egg wash, and fold over and pinch shut. Repeat with the remaining filling and pastry circles. Crimp edges completely shut with a fork. Brush lightly with egg wash.
  4. Bake at 375 for about 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 254Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 74mgSodium: 1067mgCarbohydrates: 5gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 19g

Nutrition data provided here is only an estimate. If you are tracking these things for medical purposes please consult an outside, trusted source. Thanks!

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Nicole Johnson

Nicole Johnson, a self-taught expert in grilling and outdoor cooking, launched Or Whatever You Do in 2010. Her blog, renowned for its comprehensive and creative outdoor cooking recipes, has garnered a vast audience of millions. Nicole's hands-on experience and passion for grilling shine through her work. Her husband, Jeremiah Johnson, also plays a pivotal role in recipe development, adding his culinary flair to the mix. Together, they form a dynamic duo, offering a rich and varied outdoor cooking experience to their followers.

Deni

Monday 6th of November 2023

What diameter of circles for the puff pastry rounds? Do you use a bowl for a template? Can’t wait to try these!

Nicole Johnson

Monday 6th of November 2023

These were about 4-5 inches. I believe I used a large round cookie cutter, but a bowl would be a good template too!

Jessica @ Sprinkle Some Sugar

Sunday 22nd of March 2015

Sounds like you had an awesome time! I love empanadas! Yours look so delicious.

Nicole Johnson

Sunday 22nd of March 2015

Thanks, Jessica!!

Joanie @ ZagLeft

Friday 20th of March 2015

These look and sound wonderful! I know what you mean about traveling on your own, after taking many, many trips with kids it can feel strangely wonderful when you find yourself on a trip without them. Looks like you had a great time!

Tonia from TheGunnySack

Thursday 19th of March 2015

Awesome! Good for you! Sounds like you had fun and your empanadas look delicious!

Medha @ Whisk & Shout

Thursday 19th of March 2015

Sounds like a blast! Empanadas are the best comfort food :)