Our Argentinian Beef Tenderloin Empanadas are the perfect finger food for your South American dinner. Filled with tender filet mignon steak, salty green olives, and sweet raisins, we dare you to find a better finger food.
In a large skillet or frying pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. When warm, stir in the diced beef tenderloin and cook until browned, but not fully cooked. Then remove the beef to a pan with a slotted spoon.
Add the onion and pepper to the pan and cook until soft then add the garlic and cook for about 1 minute.
Add the spices, oregano, salt and pepper and cook for 1 minute while stirring. Add in the chicken broth, reserved beef and the green onion.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Continue cooking until most of the liquid is gone, stirring occasionally. This typically takes 45 minutes to 1:15 minutes.
Remove from the heat and let cool for about 5 minutes, then stir in the olives and raisins. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but it is better overnight.
Empanada Dough
Combine the flour and salt in a food processor. You can use the dough blade, but a regular blade tends to work better because the dough blade does not reach the sides of the bowl. You can also mix the dough by hand if you do not have a food processor.
Cut the butter and lard into the flour, about a tablespoon at a time.
Mix the egg yolk and the milk then slowly add it to the flour, pulsing to mix after each addition. The dough should begin to form small balls when you are getting close. To get the proper consistency you may not use all of the milk or may need up to an additional ¼ cup of warm milk.
Remove the dough from the bowl and form into 2 equal sized balls. The dough should not be sticky or form cracks when you form into a ball. If it is sticky add a very small amount of flour until you get the right consistency. If it is cracking, you may need to add a very small amount of warm milk or water.
Place the dough balls on a cookie sheet and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or until ready to make the empanadas.
Forming and Cooking the Empanadas
Preheat your oven or smoker to 400 degrees.
Roll out one of the dough balls to about ⅙ of an inch. Then use a large cup or cookie cutter to cut the dough into about 4-inch diameter circles. Pull up the scrap dough, form a ball and roll it out again, repeating the process until you have used all of the dough. Repeat the process with the 2nd dough ball.When done, you should have roughly 20, 4-inch circles.
Place a scant 2 tablespoons of the meat mixture in the middle of each circle. Fold over and press the edges with a fork to seal.
Before baking, lightly brush the top of the empanadas with the egg wash.
Bake the empanadas for about 15-20 minutes, until nice and golden brown.