African Meat Pies (Beef Empanada)

African meat pies (beef empanadas) are slightly sweet, flaky, and crusty with a succulently savory beef filling. They come together quickly and fly off the table. Simply delicious!!

Don’t you think there’s something irresistible about spicy minced meat stuffed in a crunchy shortcrust pastry? I do. So far, everyone I’ve had the pleasure of encountering has whispered ever so diligently a secret passion for a hot, filled, crusty, hand-held pie loaded with all of your secret pleasures. Mmmmm hmmm! So good.

Believe me when I say it tastes divine. The joy of this recipe is the variety of versatile fillings around the world. Meat pies are an ethnic success that can turn any novice chef into a sought-after caterer! Trust me. With the flaky, crispy, savory crust coupled with sweet, succulent spices, count me in.

My love for meat pies means you better believe I’m always looking for alternate recipes. The best ones all have the same traits.

What Makes an Empanada Great

The melt-in-your-mouth flaky crust is essential. Admittedly, I have nibbled on the pie crust and thrown away the pie filling. For me, the crust rules!

Now, let’s talk about what makes these meat pies different. First, empanada lovers, you won’t be disappointed. Out of all the recipes I’ve sampled, this recipe is closest to the Argentine empanada, but with a slight twist. In addition to the traditional butter and flour, we add milk and eggs for a smooth and tender dough.

Keep in mind that there are no hard or fast rules about what goes in the filling. Every family and street vendor has their own secret ingredient. Now I share my secret: it’s the tasty filling of ground meat, onions, tomatoes, parsley, and green onions, which makes for a flavorful, moist, and tender pie.

How to Make African Meat Pies

Pie Dough

1. Dough – In a food processor or by hand, mix the salt, sugar, and butter, and blend well. Add the egg and milk in small amounts, pulsing until combined and the dough holds together in a soft ball. (Photos 1-5)

1. Roll – Place the dough on a well-floured surface. Divide it in half and roll one half out. (Photo 6)
2. Cut – Using a large mouth glass or bowl (4-5 inches), cut circles out by gently pressing down on the dough and releasing it, shaping the meat pie dough. Continue cutting out the circles until the dough is used up. Repeat with the other half. (Photo 7)
3. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or until ready to use. (Photo 8)

Meat Filling

1. Flavor – Drizzle 2 tablespoons of oil into a saucepan, then follow with the onions, garlic, chicken bouillon, tomato sauce, and paprika. Simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning. Add about ½ cup of water if needed. (Photo 9)
2. Meat – Then, add ground meat and continue cooking for 10 or more minutes. (Photo 10)
3. Adjust – Finally, add the green onions, parsley, white pepper, and salt to taste. Taste it and adjust seasonings to taste. Remove it from the stovetop and let it cool. (Photo 11)

1. Assembly – Scoop a heaping tablespoon of filling into each circle, top with a slice of boiled egg, and brush egg white around half of the circle. Fold over, twist, and press with your fingers gently to seal the edges. (Another way of sealing is by pressing the tines of a fork along the edges of the dough.) (Photos 12-14)
2. Bake – Carefully place each meat pie on a baking sheet or freeze them for later. Set oven temperature to 350℉ (178 ℃), and bake for about 30 minutes or until golden brown. (Photo 14)

Tips and Tricks

• Make sure to cook the filling until it’s not quite dry, but not too juicy either. You don’t want soggy meat pies. Breadcrumbs will soak up excess liquid in an emergency.
• Shredded cheese is fantastic in the filling. Stir it in after the filling cools and before assembling.
• A friend told me she replaced the meat with minced mushrooms and used vegetable broth instead of the chicken for a vegetarian version. She saved me one, and it was fabulous.

Make Ahead and Storage Instructions

If you’ve baked pies, you know the work involved with kneading and rolling the dough. That said, you can make a double or triple batch of dough and freeze it for future usage. That makes this meal a 30-minute adventure after defrosting. If you look in my freezer, you’ll see a stack of unbaked pies, and my son loves coming home from school and popping one in the oven or air fryer.

What to Enjoy Beef Empanadas With

These guys go great with African pepper sauce, Caribbean coleslaw, and pickled onions (resurrecting post), which are classic sides.

More Delicious Meat Pies to Try

Watch How to Make It

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This blog post was originally published in July 2013 and has been updated with additional tips, new photos, and a video.