These delicious taco empanadas are a unique fusion of Latin cuisines. A crispy, flaky dough encases a savory mixture of turkey and spices, making these empanadas irresistible. This recipe is perfect for dinner parties or family meals, and can be prepared in advance and baked just before serving. Enjoy a little taste of culinary adventure with these flavorful bites.
Most of the ingredients for this recipe are common and easy to find. However, you might need to look for the unbleached all-purpose flour and part-skim shredded Mexican cheese blend. The flour is often located in the baking aisle and the cheese blend can typically be found in the dairy aisle. If you can't find the cheese blend, you can create your own by combining part-skim shredded cheese with Mexican spices.
Essential Ingredients for Taco Empanadas
Ground turkey: Lean protein that forms the base of the filling.
Garlic powder: Adds a subtle, savory flavor.
Cumin: Provides an earthy, warm flavor.
Kosher salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
Chili powder: Provides a bit of heat.
Paprika: Gives a sweet-peppery taste.
Oregano: Brings a hint of sweetness and earthiness.
Onion: Adds texture and sweetness to the filling.
Bell pepper: Adds a crunchy texture and fresh flavor.
Water: Used to simmer the filling.
Tomato sauce: Adds tanginess to the filling.
Shredded Mexican cheese blend: Gives a tangy and creamy flavor.
All purpose flour: Main ingredient for the dough.
Baking powder: Helps the dough rise.
Non-fat greek yogurt: Adds moisture to the dough.
Egg: Used for egg wash to give the empanadas a golden color.
One reader, Happy Varner says:
This taco empanadas recipe is a game-changer! The flavors are incredible, and the dough is so light and crispy. It's a fun twist on traditional tacos and perfect for a family dinner or a party. I love how easy it is to make and how delicious the end result is. Highly recommend!
Key Techniques for Making Taco Empanadas Recipe
How to brown turkey: In a large skillet, cook the ground turkey over medium heat, breaking it into smaller pieces as it cooks until no longer pink.
How to mix dry seasoning: Combine garlic powder, cumin, kosher salt, chili powder, paprika, and oregano in a small bowl and mix well.
How to simmer meat mixture: After adding the onion, pepper, water, and tomato sauce to the browned turkey, cover the skillet and simmer on low heat for about 15 minutes. Then uncover and continue to simmer for an additional 8 to 12 minutes until the mixture is dry.
How to preheat oven: Set the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and allow it to preheat.
How to prepare baking sheet: Place parchment paper or a silpat on a baking sheet. If using parchment paper, spray it with oil to prevent sticking.
How to make dough: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisk well, then add the yogurt and mix with a fork or spatula until well combined.
How to knead dough: Lightly dust flour on a work surface, remove the dough from the bowl, and knead it a few times until it is tacky but not sticky, about 15 turns.
How to roll out dough: Place the dough on a floured work surface and roll it out until it is very thin. Cut circles about 4¾ inches in diameter, and repeat with the remaining dough.
How to assemble empanadas: Place 2 tablespoons of the meat mixture on each dough round, then top with ½ tablespoon of cheese. Brush the edges with egg wash, fold the dough over the filling, and crimp the edges with a fork.
How to brush tops with egg wash: After assembling the empanadas, brush the tops with egg wash before baking.
How to bake empanadas: Place the empanadas on the prepared baking sheet and bake in the center of the oven for about 22 minutes, or until golden brown.
How To Make Taco Empanadas
Level up your tacos and turn them into taco empanadas with this recipe. Put the ground turkey meat filling into an empanada disc and there you have it!
Serves:
Ingredients
- ½lb93% ground turkey
- ½tspgarlic powder
- ½tspcumin
- ½tspkosher salt
- ¼tspchili powder
- ¼tsppaprika
- ¼tsporegano
- ¼small onion,minced
- 1tbspbell pepper,minced
- 2tbspwater
- 2canned tomato sauce,¼ can
- 5tbsppart-skim shredded Mexican cheese blend
For Dough:
- 5ozunbleached all purpose,or whole wheat flour
- 1½tspbaking powder
- ¾tspkosher salt,use less if using table salt
- 1cupnon-fat Greek yogurt
- 1whole egg,beaten
Instructions
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Brown turkey in a large skillet, breaking it into smaller pieces as it cooks.
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When no longer pink, add dry seasoning and mix well.
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Add the onion, pepper, water, and tomato sauce. Cover.
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Simmer on Low for about 15 minutes, uncover. Simmer for about 8 to 12 minutes until dry.
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Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
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Place parchment paper or a silpat on a baking sheet. If using parchment paper, spray with oil to avoid sticking.
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In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisk well.
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Add the yogurt and mix with a fork or spatula until well combined.
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Lightly dust flour on a work surface and remove dough from the bowl. Knead the dough a few times until dough is tacky, but not sticky, about 15 turns. It should not leave the dough on your hand when you pull away.
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Place on a floured work surface and roll the dough out until it’s very thin. Cut circles about 4¾ inches; cut out as many rounds as you can.
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With the remaining dough, roll out and form into more rounds.
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Place 2 tablespoons of the meat mixture on each round topped with ½ tablespoon of cheese.
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Brush the edges with egg. Wash then fold the edge over and crimp with a fork.
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Transfer to the baking sheet and brush the tops with egg wash.
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Bake in the center of the oven for about 22 minutes, or until golden
Nutrition
- Calories: 94.73kcal
- Fat: 4.96g
- Saturated Fat: 2.13g
- Trans Fat: 0.12g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 1.44g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.73g
- Carbohydrates: 2.64g
- Fiber: 0.58g
- Sugar: 1.73g
- Protein: 10.14g
- Cholesterol: 40.95mg
- Sodium: 219.58mg
- Calcium: 152.04mg
- Potassium: 163.24mg
- Iron: 0.69mg
- Vitamin A: 40.54µg
- Vitamin C: 4.28mg
Crucial Technique Tip for Taco Empanadas Recipe
When rolling out the dough for your empanadas, ensure that it's thin but not too thin that it tears when you're filling it. A good thickness is about 1/8th of an inch. Also, when crimping the edges, make sure to seal them tightly to prevent the filling from spilling out during baking. If you're having trouble sealing the edges, you can dip your finger in water and run it along the edge of the dough before crimping. The water acts as a glue, helping to seal the empanada.
Time-Saving Tips for Making Taco Empanadas
Prepare the filling: Prepare the taco empanada filling in advance and store it in the refrigerator. This will save time when assembling the empanadas.
Use store-bought dough: To save time, consider using store-bought empanada dough instead of making it from scratch.
Batch cooking: Make a larger batch of taco empanadas and freeze the extras for a quick and convenient meal option in the future.
Prep ingredients in advance: Chop and prepare all the ingredients ahead of time to streamline the cooking process when making the empanadas.
Organize your workspace: Before you start assembling the empanadas, organize your workspace with all the necessary ingredients and tools to work efficiently.
Substitute Ingredients For Taco Empanadas Recipe
ground turkey - Substitute with ground chicken: Ground chicken can be used as a lean alternative to ground turkey, providing a similar texture and flavor profile.
garlic powder - Substitute with minced garlic: Fresh minced garlic can be used in place of garlic powder for a more intense and aromatic garlic flavor.
cumin - Substitute with coriander: Coriander can be used as a substitute for cumin, providing a similar earthy and warm flavor to the dish.
kosher salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used as a substitute for kosher salt, providing a similar level of salinity to the dish.
chili powder - Substitute with paprika and cayenne mix: A combination of paprika and cayenne pepper can be used to replicate the flavor and heat of chili powder.
paprika - Substitute with smoked paprika: Smoked paprika can be used to add a deeper, smokier flavor to the dish compared to regular paprika.
oregano - Substitute with thyme: Thyme can be used as a substitute for oregano, providing a similar earthy and slightly floral flavor to the dish.
onion - Substitute with shallot: Shallots can be used as a substitute for onions, providing a milder and sweeter flavor to the dish.
bell pepper - Substitute with poblano pepper: Poblano peppers can be used as a substitute for bell peppers, providing a mild heat and slightly smoky flavor to the dish.
canned tomato sauce - Substitute with diced tomatoes: Diced tomatoes can be used as a substitute for canned tomato sauce, providing a chunkier texture and fresher flavor to the dish.
part-skim shredded mexican cheese blend - Substitute with monterey jack cheese: Monterey Jack cheese can be used as a substitute for Mexican cheese blend, providing a creamy and mild flavor to the dish.
unbleached all purpose - Substitute with whole wheat flour: Whole wheat flour can be used as a substitute for unbleached all-purpose flour, providing a nuttier flavor and added nutritional value to the dough.
baking powder - Substitute with baking soda and cream of tartar mix: A combination of baking soda and cream of tartar can be used as a substitute for baking powder, providing leavening properties to the dough.
How to Beautifully Present Taco Empanadas
Elevate the empanadas with a stunning plating: Arrange the empanadas on a sleek, modern plate, ensuring they are evenly spaced and presented with finesse.
Incorporate vibrant garnishes: Introduce a pop of color with a sprinkle of freshly chopped cilantro or a drizzle of vibrant, homemade salsa.
Create a visually appealing sauce drizzle: Use a squeeze bottle to create an artistic drizzle of a complementary sauce, adding a touch of elegance to the dish.
Utilize unique serving vessels: Consider serving the empanadas in individual ceramic ramekins or on custom-made wooden serving boards to add a touch of sophistication to the presentation.
Incorporate edible flowers: Introduce delicate, edible flowers such as nasturtiums or pansies to add a touch of elegance and a subtle floral note to the dish.
Add a touch of gold leaf: Elevate the empanadas by delicately placing a small piece of edible gold leaf on each, adding a luxurious and visually stunning element to the presentation.
Consider the use of microgreens: Sprinkle a few carefully placed microgreens on the plate to add a burst of freshness and a visually appealing element to the dish.
Incorporate a unique serving platter: Present the empanadas on a marble serving platter or a slate board to create a striking contrast and a sophisticated presentation.
Highlight the empanadas with a side of homemade guacamole: Serve a small dollop of vibrant, freshly made guacamole on the side to add a burst of color and a complementary flavor to the dish.
Add a touch of flair with a dusting of smoked paprika: Sprinkle a pinch of smoked paprika over the empanadas to add a subtle smoky flavor and a visually striking element to the presentation.
Essential Tools for Making Taco Empanadas
- Skillet: A skillet is a flat-bottomed pan used for frying, searing, and browning foods. It usually has low sides and a long handle, making it perfect for cooking the ground turkey for the taco empanadas recipe.
- Baking sheet: A baking sheet is a flat, rectangular metal pan used for baking in the oven. It's essential for baking the taco empanadas to a golden perfection.
- Parchment paper or Silpat: Parchment paper or a Silpat is used to line the baking sheet to prevent the empanadas from sticking to the pan while baking.
- Medium bowl: A medium-sized bowl is used for mixing the dry ingredients for the empanada dough.
- Fork or spatula: A fork or spatula is used to mix the dough for the empanadas until well combined.
- Work surface: A clean work surface is needed for rolling out the empanada dough and assembling the empanadas.
- Rolling pin: A rolling pin is used to roll out the empanada dough until it's very thin and can be cut into rounds.
- Biscuit cutter or round cutter: A biscuit cutter or round cutter is used to cut the empanada dough into circles for assembling the empanadas.
- Brush: A brush is used to apply the egg wash on top of the assembled empanadas before baking.
- Food processor (optional): A food processor can be used to make the empanada dough by pulsing the ingredients until a dough forms.
- Mixing bowl: A mixing bowl is used for combining the flour, baking powder, and salt for the empanada dough.
- Knife: A knife is used for chopping the onion and bell pepper for the taco empanadas filling.
Storing and Freezing Taco Empanadas
- Allow the empanadas to cool completely before storing or freezing.
- To store in the refrigerator, place the cooled empanadas in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. They will keep in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
- To freeze, wrap each empanada individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag. Label the container or bag with the date and contents. Frozen empanadas will keep for up to 2-3 months.
- To reheat refrigerated empanadas, place them on a baking sheet and warm in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through.
- For frozen empanadas, there's no need to thaw them first. Simply place the frozen empanadas on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 20-25 minutes, or until heated through and the crust is crispy.
- Alternatively, you can reheat the empanadas in the microwave, but the crust may become soft. Place the empanada on a microwave-safe plate and heat on high for 30-60 seconds, or until heated through.
How To Reheat Leftover Taco Empanadas
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the leftover taco empanadas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until they are heated through and the crust is crispy again. This method will help restore the original texture of the empanadas and ensure they are evenly heated.
If you have an air fryer, you can use it to reheat your leftover taco empanadas. Set the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and place the empanadas in the basket, making sure they are not touching each other. Cook for 3-5 minutes, or until they are heated through and the crust is crispy. This method is quick and will give you a result similar to when they were freshly baked.
For a quick and easy method, you can use the microwave to reheat your leftover taco empanadas. Place them on a microwave-safe plate and heat them on high power for 30-60 seconds, or until they are heated through. However, keep in mind that the microwave may cause the crust to become soft and lose its crispiness. To help mitigate this, you can place a damp paper towel over the empanadas while microwaving to help retain some moisture.
If you want to add a little extra flavor to your leftover taco empanadas, you can reheat them on a skillet or griddle. Heat a small amount of olive oil or butter in the skillet over medium heat. Place the empanadas in the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they are heated through and the crust is crispy. This method will give your empanadas a slightly different flavor profile and a crispy exterior.
Interesting Fact About Taco Empanadas
The taco empanadas recipe is a fusion of Mexican and Spanish cuisines, combining the flavors of a taco with the convenience of an empanada. This dish is a versatile and portable option for a meal or snack, perfect for on-the-go eating. Empanadas are a popular street food in many Latin American countries and are enjoyed in various forms and flavors. They can be filled with a variety of ingredients, making them a customizable and delicious option for any occasion. Whether served as an appetizer, main course, or snack, taco empanadas are sure to be a hit with anyone who enjoys Mexican cuisine.
Is Making Taco Empanadas at Home Cost-Effective?
This taco empanadas recipe is quite cost-effective for a household. Ground turkey is an affordable and lean protein, while the spices and vegetables are commonly found in most kitchens. The use of Greek yogurt in the dough is a budget-friendly alternative to traditional empanada dough. The total cost for a household of 4 people is approximately $15, making it an economical choice. Overall, I would rate this recipe an 8 for its affordability, flavor, and versatility.
Are Taco Empanadas Healthy or Unhealthy?
The taco empanadas recipe is a healthier twist on traditional empanadas, incorporating lean ground turkey, vegetables, and whole wheat flour. Here's an analysis of the recipe's healthiness:
Positives:
- Using lean ground turkey reduces the overall fat content compared to ground beef
- Incorporating onions and bell peppers adds fiber, vitamins, and minerals
- Whole wheat flour increases the fiber content of the dough
- Greek yogurt is used instead of butter or lard, reducing saturated fat
- Baking instead of frying reduces the calorie and fat content
Negatives:
- The recipe still contains a considerable amount of sodium from the added salt and tomato sauce
- The cheese adds additional saturated fat and calories
- The dough, while made with whole wheat flour, is still a refined carbohydrate
To further enhance the healthiness of this recipe, consider the following suggestions:
- Reduce the amount of added salt and opt for low-sodium tomato sauce to decrease the overall sodium content
- Increase the amount of vegetables in the filling, such as adding diced tomatoes, corn, or chopped spinach, to boost the fiber and nutrient content
- Use a reduced-fat cheese or decrease the amount of cheese used to lower the saturated fat content
- Experiment with alternative whole grain flours, such as spelt or oat flour, to increase the nutritional value of the dough
- Serve the empanadas with a side salad or fresh salsa to add more vegetables and balance the meal
Editor's Opinion on Taco Empanadas Recipe
The taco empanadas recipe is a delightful fusion of Mexican and Latin flavors. The use of ground turkey and a blend of aromatic spices creates a savory and satisfying filling. The homemade dough, made with Greek yogurt, yields a light and flaky crust. The cooking process is straightforward, and the end result is a delicious handheld treat that is perfect for a quick meal or a fun appetizer. This recipe offers a wonderful twist on traditional empanadas and is sure to be a hit with anyone who loves bold and zesty flavors.
Enhance Your Taco Empanadas Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:
Delicious Alternatives to Taco Empanadas Recipe
Appetizers and Desserts That Complement Taco Empanadas Recipe
Why trust this Taco Empanadas Recipe:
This taco empanadas recipe offers a delicious fusion of Mexican and Spanish flavors, making it a must-try for any food enthusiast. The use of ground turkey and Greek yogurt provides a healthier twist without compromising on taste. The carefully selected blend of spices and herbs ensures a burst of authentic flavors in every bite. Additionally, the step-by-step instructions guarantee a seamless cooking experience, making it suitable for both novice and experienced chefs. Trust in this recipe to elevate your culinary skills and impress your guests with a delightful appetizer or main course.
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