Name: Crispy Ground Beef Empanadas with Olives and Pepper Jack Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: Latin American
Ingredients: ½ cup flour; 1 unit pizza dough; Cooking oil (for frying); 10 ounce organic ground beef; 1 unit onion; 1 unit tomato; 1 ounce golden raisins; 1 unit green olives; ½ cup pepper jack cheese; 1 tablespoon fajita spice blend; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 unit beef stock concentrate; Salt, to taste; Pepper, to taste; 1 unit baby lettuce; 1 unit mini cucumber; 1.5 ounce southwest dressing; Salt, to taste; Pepper, to taste

If you’re craving something that’s both crispy and packed with flavor, you’re going to love this Crispy Ground Beef Empanadas with Olives and Pepper Jack Recipe. It’s the perfect blend of savory ground beef, briny olives, and melty pepper jack cheese wrapped up in flaky pizza dough—trust me, once you try these, you’ll want to make them again and again.

Four golden brown pastries lie on a white plate lined with a white paper towel. Each pastry is half-moon shaped with a crimped edge, showing small bubbles on the surface that give a textured look. The plate is set on a white marbled surface, visible around the edges. The pastries are arranged in a loose circle, evenly spaced. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Crispy Ground Beef Empanadas with Olives and Pepper Jack Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Crispy Ground Beef Empanadas with Olives and Pepper Jack Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Crispy Ground Beef Empanadas with Olives and Pepper Jack Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I absolutely adore how these empanadas marry unexpected flavors—the golden raisins bring a subtle sweetness that perfectly balances the savory meat and spicy cheese. Plus, frying them up in oil gets them irresistibly crispy on the outside while keeping the filling juicy and melted inside. It’s like a little handheld party for your taste buds.

Flavor Explosion: The combination of organic ground beef, green olives, golden raisins, and pepper jack creates a unique savory-sweet-spicy filling.
Simple Ingredients: You can find everything you need at your local grocery store—no exotic items needed!
Versatile Cooking: Whether you prefer frying, baking, or air-frying, this recipe has you covered with instructions for all methods.
Perfect Meal: Served alongside a fresh baby lettuce and cucumber salad with southwest dressing, it’s a balanced and satisfying plate.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Before you start, here are a few key things to keep in mind about the ingredients. Opting for organic ground beef gives you a richer, cleaner flavor, and using pizza dough instead of traditional pastry dough makes the empanadas wonderfully flaky without any fuss. Fresh produce and quality cheese tie everything together in this fun fusion recipe.

Flat lay of a peeled small white onion, a handful of green olives, a mini cucumber sliced into rounds, a ripe red tomato, a small white bowl of rich brown beef stock concentrate, a small white bowl filled with finely shredded creamy pepper jack cheese, a white ceramic dish holding a golden heap of golden raisins, a few bright green baby lettuce leaves, a small white bowl with smooth Southwest dressing, a smooth round pizza dough disk dusted lightly with flour, a mound of fresh organic ground beef, a small white bowl of plain white flour, two whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white bowl holding coarse salt, a small white bowl filled with ground black pepper, a small white bowl with golden cooking oil placed symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Flour: Sprinkled to prevent sticking and help shape the dough easily.
Pizza Dough: This versatile dough crisps up beautifully and adds a lovely texture that’s easier to handle than traditional empanada dough.
Cooking Oil: Essential for frying to get that beloved crispy exterior.
Organic Ground Beef: The hearty, savory base of the filling—organic adds quality and depth.
Onion: Adds sweetness and moisture when sautéed.
Tomato: Brings freshness and balances the richness of the meat.
Golden Raisins: A surprising touch of sweetness that makes these empanadas unique.
Green Olives: For that briny, salty kick that brightens the filling.
Pepper Jack Cheese: Melts into gooey, spicy goodness inside every empanada.
Fajita Spice Blend: Packs a smoky, bold punch without overwhelming the other flavors.
Garlic Powder: Adds depth and warmth.
Beef Stock Concentrate: Gives extra meaty richness to the filling.
Salt & Pepper: To season perfectly and bring all components together.
Baby Lettuce: Fresh and tender for the accompanying salad.
Mini Cucumber: Adds a crisp, cool contrast in the salad.
Southwest Dressing: Brings zesty, tangy flavor that complements the empanadas beautifully.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about this Crispy Ground Beef Empanadas with Olives and Pepper Jack Recipe is how easy it is to customize. Whether you want to switch up the filling, experiment with cooking methods, or tweak the spices, it’s all about making these empanadas your own delicious creation.

Variation: For a lighter option, I’ve swapped out the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken before, and it works wonderfully with the sweet and savory balance. I adjusted the fajita spice a bit to keep the bold flavor without overpowering the leaner meat. It’s perfect for a weeknight meal that still feels special.
Dietary twist: If gluten is a concern, try using a gluten-free dough alternative and dust with gluten-free flour. Just make sure to adjust the resting times as gluten-free dough often behaves differently but still rolls and seals nicely.
Seasonal update: When in season, swap the tomato for roasted red peppers for a smoky twist or add a handful of fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley into the filling for a bright pop.
Cooking method switch: I love the crispy texture from frying, but baking and air frying are fabulous healthier alternatives. I’ve air-fried these empanadas many times for a quick cleanup and they come out wonderfully golden and crisp with less oil.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Crispy Ground Beef Empanadas with Olives and Pepper Jack Recipe

Four uncooked dumplings are placed on a white marbled surface, each dumpling shaped like a half-moon with a braided edge that is neatly pinched. The dough is pale and smooth with a light dusting of flour, giving a slightly powdery look. The dumplings are arranged in a square formation, with two on top and two below, all evenly spaced. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Get Your Dough Ready and Resting

Start by sprinkling 3 tablespoons of flour on a clean surface. Take your pizza dough out of the package and cut it into four equal portions (or eight if you’re making four servings). Lightly coat each piece in flour, shaking off any excess. Cover them with a clean kitchen towel and let them rest for 15 minutes at room temperature. This resting step is key—it makes the dough easier to roll without tearing and helps develop that perfect flaky texture once fried.

Step 2: Chop Your Fresh Produce

While the dough rests, wash and dry your produce thoroughly. Dice the onion and tomato into small ¼-inch pieces—this ensures they blend nicely into the filling. Roughly chop the golden raisins and green olives to distribute their sweet and briny flavors evenly throughout the beef mixture.

Step 3: Sauté Onions and Brown the Beef

Heat a drizzle of cooking oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the diced onions, seasoning them with salt and pepper, and cook until they soften, about 2-3 minutes. Then add your organic ground beef, breaking it apart as you go, and cook until it’s nicely browned, around 3-4 minutes. This step builds the savory base of your filling, so keep that pan hot but avoid burning the onions.

Step 4: Build Savory-Sweet Flavor with Spices and Add-Ins

Stir in the diced tomato, chopped golden raisins, fajita spice blend, garlic powder, and beef stock concentrate. Cook everything together, stirring occasionally, for 1-2 minutes until the beef is fully cooked and all those fantastic flavors meld beautifully. If there’s excess grease, drain it to keep your empanadas from getting soggy. Transfer the filling to a bowl and give your pan a good wipe to prepare for frying later.

Step 5: Roll Out and Rest Your Dough Circles

After the initial rest, sprinkle 1-2 tablespoons of flour on a clean surface. Using a rolling pin, gently roll each dough piece into a rough circle—no need to be perfect here! The goal is about 6 inches in diameter. Let the dough rest for another 10 minutes so it relaxes and stretches easily when you fill it.

Step 6: Prepare the Fresh Salad

While the dough takes its second rest, trim the root end off the baby lettuce and chop the leaves into bite-sized pieces. Thinly slice the mini cucumber into rounds. This fresh southwest salad adds a crisp, cool balance to the warm, savory empanadas.

Step 7: Finish the Filling Mixture

Once your beef mixture has cooled just enough to handle safely, stir in the chopped green olives and pepper jack cheese. The olives provide a salty depth, while the pepper jack adds creamy, spicy melty goodness inside each empanada.

Step 8: Shape and Seal Your Empanadas

Stretch each dough circle gently to about a 6-inch diameter if needed. Spoon about ⅓ cup of the beef filling onto the bottom half, leaving a ½-inch border around the edge. Moisten the border with water using your finger or a brush. Fold the dough over the filling and press the edges together, careful not to trap air pockets. Use a fork to crimp and seal the edges tightly — this helps keep all that delicious filling sealed during cooking.

Step 9: Fry for Crispy, Golden Perfection

Pour about a ⅓-inch layer of cooking oil into your cleaned pan and heat over medium heat. To test if the oil is ready, sprinkle a pinch of flour in—the oil should sizzle immediately. Using a slotted spoon, carefully add two empanadas at a time. Fry each side for 1-2 minutes or until a gorgeous golden brown forms. Adjust the heat if they’re browning too quickly to avoid burning. Once fried, place them on paper towels to drain excess oil.

Step 10: Try Baking or Air Frying for a Healthier Touch

If you want to skip frying, here’s the scoop: To bake, place empanadas on a baking sheet and bake on the top rack in a preheated 450°F oven for 13-18 minutes until golden and cooked through. For air frying, lightly spray empanadas with nonstick spray, arrange in the basket (don’t overcrowd), and air fry at 375°F for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway for even crispness.

Step 11: Toss and Serve Your Southwest Salad

In a large bowl, combine the chopped lettuce, cucumber rounds, southwest dressing, plus a pinch of salt and pepper. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat every leaf and slice in that tangy, flavorful dressing. This salad is the perfect, refreshing companion to your warm empanadas.

Step 12: Plate Up and Enjoy Immediately

Divide your crispy, cheesy empanadas and fresh salad between plates and dig in. For best taste and texture, enjoy these hot and fresh from the pan or oven. And don’t forget the safety tip: make sure your ground beef is cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F to ensure it’s perfect and safe.

Top Tip

Mastering the art of the Crispy Ground Beef Empanadas with Olives and Pepper Jack Recipe is all about attention to detail. These tips will help you achieve the perfect balance of crispy crust, flavorful filling, and foolproof assembly.

Rest Your Dough: Letting the dough rest twice—first after dividing and again after rolling—gives it the elasticity needed to stretch without tearing, making shaping much easier.
Drain Filling Grease: Removing excess grease after cooking the beef mixture keeps the empanadas from becoming soggy and greasy on the outside.
Seal Edges Thoroughly: Use water to moisten the dough border and press firmly with a fork to seal tightly, avoiding any air pockets that cause filling to leak during frying.
Control Oil Temperature: Test your frying oil by sprinkling a pinch of flour—if it sizzles immediately, you're good to go. This helps you get that golden, crispy crust without burning.

How to Serve Crispy Ground Beef Empanadas with Olives and Pepper Jack Recipe

A white plate holds three golden brown fried turnovers with a crispy texture, one of which is opened showing a mix of cooked ground meat with red and yellow bits inside. Next to them is a fresh green salad made of leafy lettuce and cucumber slices lightly sprinkled with black pepper. A small white bowl of pale yellow creamy dressing sits at the edge of the plate. The plate is set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

Add a touch of fresh brightness by sprinkling chopped fresh cilantro or a dollop of sour cream or guacamole alongside your empanadas. A wedge of lime on the side also pairs beautifully, enhancing the savory and sweet flavors of the filling.

Side Dishes

This recipe naturally comes with a fresh baby lettuce and cucumber salad tossed in southwest dressing, which balances the richness perfectly. Additionally, consider serving a tangy black bean salsa or a light corn and tomato salad for an extra burst of Latin American flair.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled to room temperature, store your leftover empanadas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This keeps them fresh and ready to reheat without losing their delightful texture.

Freezing

For longer storage, freeze uncooked empanadas by placing them on a parchment-lined tray so they don’t touch, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag once firm. They’ll keep well for up to 1 month. To cook, bake or fry directly from frozen, just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

Reheating

Reheat refrigerated empanadas in a preheated oven at 375°F for 8-10 minutes or in an air fryer at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to refresh that crispy exterior. Avoid microwaving as it can make the dough soggy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I bake these empanadas instead of frying?

Absolutely! Baking at 450 degrees Fahrenheit for 13-18 minutes will achieve a delicious golden, crispy crust with less oil. Just be sure to preheat your oven and use the top rack for best results.

How do I ensure the filling is fully cooked and safe?

The ground beef should reach an internal temperature of 160°F. Cooking the filling thoroughly before assembling the empanadas not only ensures safety but also improves flavor development.

Can I make these empanadas gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute the pizza dough with a gluten-free dough alternative that can be rolled and folded similarly. You might need to adjust the flour quantity for dusting and rolling accordingly.

What’s the best way to avoid filling leakage?

Make sure to moisten the dough edges with water and press firmly with a fork to create a tight seal. Avoid sealing air pockets inside, as they can expand during cooking and cause bursting.

Final Thoughts

Making Crispy Ground Beef Empanadas with Olives and Pepper Jack Recipe is such a rewarding experience—the golden crust, the savory-sweet picadillo, and the melty cheese inside all come together in a delightful bite. Whether you fry, bake, or air fry, these empanadas make for a wonderful meal that feels both comforting and festive. I hope these tips and serving ideas inspire you to bring a taste of Latin American warmth to your dinner table soon!