These empanadas are a popular snack in Colombia and are served by most Colombian restaurants in the USA. Traditionally, these delicious fritters are made with shredded pork and beef, but in my family we always make them with ground meat. Serve them with ají and lime wedges on the side.
In Colombia, empanadas are also sold outside of the churches. They are usually small and just have potato filling, a great alternative for vegetarians and absolutely delicious. For the vegetarian version of this empanadas recipe, follow all the directions just omitting the beef and pork.
Ingredients
(About twenty, 3 inch empanadas)
Vegetable oil for frying
Lime and ají for serving
Dough or Masa
1 ½ cups precooked yellow cornmeal (masarepa)
2 cups water
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
½ tablespoon sazon Goya with azafran
½ teaspoon Salt
Filling
2 cups peeled and diced white potatoes
1 chicken or vegetable bouillon tablet
1 tablespoon olive oil
¼ cup chopped white onions
1 cup chopped tomato
½ teaspoon salt
¼ cup chopped green onions
1 chopped garlic clove
2 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoon chopped red bell pepper
¼ teaspoon black pepper
½ pound ground pork and beef
Directions to prepare the dough:
1. Place the masarepa in a large bowl. Add the sazon Goya and salt and stir to mix well. Add the water and oil and mix to form dough. Pat the dough into a ball and knead for 2 minutes or until smooth. Cover with plastic and set aside for 20 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, to make the filling, cook the potatoes in a pot with water and the bouillon tablet for 20-25 minutes or until tender. Drain and gently mash the potatoes. Set aside.
3. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large, heavy skillet. Add the onion and cook over medium-low heat stirring frequently, for 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, green onions, garlic, bell pepper, cilantro, salt and black pepper. Cook for about 15 minutes.
4. Add the ground pork and beef. Cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, for 10 to 15 minutes or until the mixture is fairly dry.
5. Transfer the meat mixture to the mashed potatoes bowl and mix well to combine.
6. Break small portions of the dough, about 1 ½ tablespoons each one, and form each portion into a ball by rolling between the palms of your hands.
7. Place the balls of dough between two pieces of plastic and roll each out very thinly to form a circle. Remove the top plastic and place 1 tablespoon of the filling in the center of each.
8. Then using the plastic underneath, fold the dough over to enclose the filling, forming a half circle. Tightly seal the edges by crimping with the tines of a fork.
9. Fill a large pot with vegetable oil and heat over medium heat to 360° F.
10. Carefully place 3 or 4 empanadas at the time in the heated oil and fry for about 2 minutes until golden on all sides.
11. Using a slotted spoon transfer the empanadas to a plate lined with paper towels. Serve with ají and lime wedges on the side.
Related posts:
Carolina
on Jul 14th, 2009
@ 5:24 PM:
Erica,
You are my Hero! Thank you for sharing your recipes. Since I found this blog, I have been making delicius Colombian dishes for my husband and son…We love it. No hay nada como el sabor de COLOMBIA. Sigue compartiendo tus recetas…no sabes cuanto lo apreciamos
Erica
on Jul 14th, 2009
@ 6:23 PM:
Hi Carolina,
Thank you so much for the nice comment! I am glad you like the blog.
momgateway
on Jul 14th, 2009
@ 6:56 PM:
…been wanting to try out Colombian recipes. Empanadas are my favorite!
Oysterculture
on Jul 14th, 2009
@ 6:57 PM:
When we were lived in DC, there was a local chain called Julie’s Empanadas and I loved going there, I thought they were the perfect snack – nice and contained. Now I can try my own.
Velva
on Jul 14th, 2009
@ 7:18 PM:
Those empanadas look wonderful!!!
Monica Wong
on Jul 14th, 2009
@ 8:30 PM:
Hi Erica,
This is a delicious snack!
Cathy
on Jul 14th, 2009
@ 10:05 PM:
I love empanadas! Yours look delicious – high time I tried making some.
Felisha
on Jul 15th, 2009
@ 1:04 AM:
I have made several empanada recipes. I will def. have to try yours. These look amazing
Since they are so much work, I usually make a lot, and freeze the others for a quick snack 
I love how you have a pic of each dish for the imagination!!
Pilar-Lechuza
on Jul 15th, 2009
@ 1:14 AM:
En España les llamamos empanadillas( las empanadas son más grandes) pero se llamen como se llamen nos encantan en casa. Probaré tu receta y ya te contaré el resultado.
un abrazo
Sophie
on Jul 15th, 2009
@ 4:47 AM:
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM,…your empanada’s look so tasty & colourful!!
I so digg them!
I will try them tomorrow, so Thanks for this yummie recipe, Erica!
Erica
on Jul 15th, 2009
@ 7:11 AM:
Thank you for visiting!
Kim
on Jul 15th, 2009
@ 8:00 AM:
Yum- they looks perfectly crispy and delicious. I wish I could come by and have some : )
Hélène
on Jul 15th, 2009
@ 12:17 PM:
How delicious they look. I have never eaten Empanadas before.
Cynthia
on Jul 15th, 2009
@ 12:46 PM:
I can never get enough of these goodies!
John
on Jul 15th, 2009
@ 12:51 PM:
Those look fantastic–so perfectly golden brown!!
My Carolina Kitchen
on Jul 15th, 2009
@ 4:08 PM:
I haven’t had Empanatas since we lived in Texas way back when. My favorite was stuffed with beef, English peas and flavored with rosemary. I can still taste it but I’ve never been able to re-create it. Think I’ll have to give your recipe a try. Thanks for bringing back wonderful memories.
Sam
zerrin
on Jul 15th, 2009
@ 5:57 PM:
Fantastic empanadas! I want to squeeze lemon on that halved piece. Erica, I think you’ll make me a fan of Colombian dishes. Your recipes are definitely appealing to my appetite!
nora@ffr
on Jul 16th, 2009
@ 12:13 PM:
finally my kids are loving columbian dishes.. taste rili good.. thanx erica
Soma
on Jul 16th, 2009
@ 3:23 PM:
I like empanadas tho i have never ventured to make these at home.. thanks for the recipe. I had once had pineapple filled ones. & loved it..are the sweet once traditional too?
Nellson Najar
on Jul 16th, 2009
@ 9:17 PM:
Is a pleasure to have new recipes. I am very please to find your page, my wife now (she is american) is preparing a lot of your recipes. Thanks.
lisa (dandysugar)
on Jul 18th, 2009
@ 10:09 AM:
Thanks for sharing this delicious recipe. I love columbian empanadas but I have not tried making them yet. These sounds perfect, can’t wait to try your recipe!
Scott
on Jul 19th, 2009
@ 11:43 AM:
A lifesaver! I have two Colombian boys staying the summer with me and they miss their empanadas. I cook a lot of Colombian meals, but have never found a good recipe for the dough! Muchas gracias!
Erica
on Jul 24th, 2009
@ 5:18 PM:
Thank you everyone for the comments!
Viviana
on Jul 25th, 2009
@ 12:55 PM:
Thank you so much for publishing traditional Colombian recipes. I’m Colombian, also from Medellin but born & raised in NJ. Unfortunately I really don’t have the patience for cooking. But as a mother of two boys I am now desperate that they know about their mothers food & culture (their father is american). Yours is the only website that has the great pictures to describe the food. They totally remind me of my mothers cooking!!!!! Great job Paisa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ps: would you be able to in the future to put the recipes in printable format?
Erica
on Jul 25th, 2009
@ 1:36 PM:
Hi Viviana,
Thank you so much for the nice comment! That is my next step.
sandra g
on Aug 25th, 2009
@ 2:21 PM:
Hola!, made your empanadas last night, they were awosome, by the way I’m dominican and my husband is peruvian, he said they’re great, I’ll will try making more of your foods, they all look yummy. Love sandra.
Erica
on Aug 25th, 2009
@ 6:19 PM:
Hola Sandra,
Thank you for your feedback!
Elisa
on Sep 9th, 2009
@ 10:52 PM:
Erika, super buena la página tuya, cada vez nos sorprendés más. Por lo menos tengo una prima que heredó el talento culinario de la familia por el lado de la mamita y mi mamá. Podrias incluir la receta de las empanadas de iglesia que aunque son más sencillas son deliciosas para los que no nos gusta la carne. Felicitaciones por todos los comentarios
Erica
on Sep 10th, 2009
@ 7:17 AM:
Hola Elisa,
Ojala algun dia pueda ser tan buena en la cocina como tu mamá y la mamita. La verdad es que lo disfruto mucho. La receta de las empanadas de iglesia esta incluida en ese post.
Gracias por tu mensaje….Parece que lo tengo en la sangre
Gracias de nuevo significa mucho para mi recibir mensajes bonitos de mis amigos y familia, por que todas esas memorias son las que escribo en este blog.
Las recuerdo mucho.
Melanie
on Oct 17th, 2009
@ 11:19 AM:
It is now cold in NYC and these empanadas give warmth to a cold day. Thanks.
Susan at SGCC
on Oct 17th, 2009
@ 12:02 PM:
I just recently discovered your blog and I love it! Your recipes are fantastic! I look forward to trying some of them out.
Erica
on Oct 17th, 2009
@ 3:34 PM:
Hi Susan,
Thank you for the wonderful comment!
Erica
on Oct 17th, 2009
@ 3:34 PM:
Thank you, Melanie.
Roberto
on Nov 11th, 2009
@ 1:13 PM:
Hola soy Puertorriqueño (casado con una Caleña) y me encanta la comida colombiana. Te felicito por tu blog, por fin encuentro un lugar de recetas colombianas con ingredientes que se pueden conseguir en usa. En la forma que explicas las recetas es excelente (sencillo y al punto), ademas el incluir fotos de los ingredientes ayuda a la hora de buscarlos en el supermercado…
Cuando publicas la receta de la torta negra? Mi esposa a cada rato me menciona que se comeria una torta negra pero en Atlanta es dificil conseguir un lugar que la hagan, ademas me encantaria darle la sorpresa un dia y prepararsela…muchas gracias y muchas felicitaciones nuevamente..tu blog esta brutal!!!
R
Erica
on Nov 11th, 2009
@ 2:17 PM:
Hola Roberto,
Gracias por tu comentario! La receta de la torta negra es algo que voy a publicar pronto, no se cuando pero estoy trabajando en eso.
Keri
on Nov 12th, 2009
@ 3:36 PM:
All of your recipes sound delicious! My husband is from Cucuta, Colombia and misses Colombian food. These all sound relatively easy to make. Can’t wait to try them!!
Respondon
on Nov 17th, 2009
@ 10:26 PM:
I probably won’t be able to make them like Empanadas Colombianas of Calle 53 in Galerias, if they’re still there, but this recipe looks like my best shot!
Respondon
on Nov 19th, 2009
@ 9:32 PM:
By the way, if you live in Washington you can get real colombian empanadas at La Calena bakery in Montgomery Village MD:
They’ll even give you little aji containers. You’re on your own for the lime, though. Their real business is roscones and other Colombian baked goods, which I’m not especially fond of, but the empanadas are very good and they don’t freeze too badly if you blot them first.
Vanessa
on Nov 25th, 2009
@ 4:49 PM:
This recipe is perfect, they came out delicious, I would recommend to anyone to follow your recipe.
Erica
on Nov 25th, 2009
@ 7:15 PM:
Vanessa-Thank you so much for your feedback!
Martha
on Nov 30th, 2009
@ 3:51 PM:
Tu blog esta super chevere. Podrias poner unos Buñuelitos? Para navidad.
Gracias
Caroline
on Dec 11th, 2009
@ 7:24 PM:
I am Filipina, and my husband is Mexican. Empanadas are eaten in both of our cultures, and its neat to see (and eat!) different variations. Mexican empanadas are filled with fruit; Filipino empanadas are filled with ground beef, potatoes, and other vegetables.
I ate Colombian empanadas at a Hispanic heritage festival (many years ago), and I’ve been looking for the recipe since. I bought masarepa the other day, and I can’t wait to try this. Thank you so much for sharing!
Nancy
on Dec 14th, 2009
@ 7:43 AM:
Por fin, durante a;os trate de prepararlas, pero solo con tu receta fue posible que mis hijos las comieran y me dijeran, estas si son empanadas Colombianas mami. Gracias mil !!!!!!!!!
Erica
on Dec 14th, 2009
@ 8:14 AM:
Nancy- Muchas gracias por tu comentario! Me alegra que te gustaron
Caroline
on Dec 15th, 2009
@ 6:54 PM:
Hi Erica, this is Caroline (the author of the comment posted on December 11). I finally made empanadas con aji last night, and we loved it! My husband was very happy. Thanks again.
Rob
on Dec 21st, 2009
@ 5:58 AM:
Question ?
Added 2 cups of water to the Dough or Masa and it was very soft.I mean kinda like oameal soft. Let it stand 20 minutes but still very soft. Paniced and added more precooked yellow cornmeal (masarepa) to make it thicker. Was i wrong by adding more cormeal or did i worry for no reason ?
Thanks
Erica
on Dec 21st, 2009
@ 7:57 AM:
Rob-That was perfect!I do the same thing with my masa when is thin.
Rob
on Dec 22nd, 2009
@ 5:50 AM:
Thanks for the reply Erica !
My main concern was when i tried to fold the meat in the masa it seemed like the masa would rip and tear and not hold the meat inside.
Will try it again like you suggest.
Have a Merry Christmas !
Milena McComas
on Dec 23rd, 2009
@ 12:40 AM:
Dear Erica,
Just wanted to share with you that thanks to this recipe “quede como una reina”. As you know, these days we Colombians celebrate the “novena”, it was at my house today and I made the empanadas and the rice pudding… everyone was literally licking their fingers!!!
Thank you ver much for these wonderful recipes!
Hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas and a Wonderful Happy New Year!!
Erica
on Dec 23rd, 2009
@ 9:06 AM:
Milena-Thank you so much for the feedback and the wonderful comment!
Dulce Maria
on Jan 8th, 2010
@ 10:39 AM:
I just found out your recipe in this web very exicited to know that our Empanadas are well recognized.
I lived in Miami starting a minicompany that making empanadas of meat and chiken just to find some information, if you let me know if you by any chance know any restaurants or private company want to get involved with me for large orders, at the presente time I have only few merchants wants to expand.
thanks very much.
Dulce
Carmen
on Jan 21st, 2010
@ 11:52 AM:
Wow, I am so glad I just found your website. I have searched high and low to find the real deal Colombian empanadas like the ones I have had with my mother’s family in Colombia. These look almost identical to the favorites I come back to when I am in Medellin. I watched them being in made in Medellin at my mother’s house and they did not use bell pepper, so might omit that. Thank you so much!
C
on Jan 27th, 2010
@ 12:57 PM:
Hi Erika, great recipe. I do have a question though. Can you bake the empanadas instead of deep fried them? if yes, then at what temperature oand and for how long? Thanks!
Erica
on Jan 27th, 2010
@ 2:08 PM:
C- You can try baking them. In Colombia we always fry them.
Torie
on Feb 6th, 2010
@ 1:00 PM:
Yum! Thanks for a great recipe! I made these for a party, and they were a hit. Best empanadas I’ve ever made!
Erica
on Feb 6th, 2010
@ 2:07 PM:
Torie- Thank you so much for your feedback! I really appreciate it.
Claire
on Feb 24th, 2010
@ 12:39 PM:
I made these last night and we loved them! They were crispy and perfect!
connie caballero
on Feb 24th, 2010
@ 12:48 PM:
Would you recommend a certain oil as mine we very oily but delicious.My son loved them
Erica
on Feb 24th, 2010
@ 2:18 PM:
Connie- Just vegetable oil, but it has to be at the right temperature. Drain them on paper towel.
Enith
on Mar 5th, 2010
@ 6:32 PM:
Hola Erica, yo soy Cartagenera Y me encanta que tengas estas resetas en Ingles para todos los estrangeros gue les gustan nuestra comida Colombiana.FELICITACIONES!!!!
Kimberly
on Mar 16th, 2010
@ 9:05 PM:
Hi, my son loves empanadas de pollo. Shall I replace the beef with 1/2 pound of cooked shredded chicken? Thanks. I’m looking forward to making these. La Casona can be greasy.
Erica
on Mar 16th, 2010
@ 9:13 PM:
Kimberly- You can replace the beef for chicken!!!
Marisol
on Mar 17th, 2010
@ 3:02 PM:
Finally the recipe I’ve been looking for! Empanadas encased in arepas. My husband and kids will eat these up so fast. And if they don’t, I will!!!
Muchisimas Gracias!
LA COLOMBIANA
on Mar 17th, 2010
@ 11:42 PM:
LAS EMPANAADAS COLOMBIANA’S SON LAS MEJORES DEL MUNDOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Q VIVA COLOMBIA.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Silvia
on Mar 20th, 2010
@ 11:14 AM:
I made this recipe and it was perfect!
Trisha
on Mar 23rd, 2010
@ 6:11 PM:
Where can I buy the MASAREPA and the sazon Goya with azafran????
Erica
on Mar 23rd, 2010
@ 6:16 PM:
Trisha- You can find them at a Latin market or at your local supermarket. Online check my ingredients for info http://www.mycolombianrecipes.com/masarepa
http://www.mycolombianrecipes.com/sazon-goya-with-azafran
Anonymous
on Mar 30th, 2010
@ 5:24 PM:
We made these empanadas for a party last week and everyone loved them,they were perfect, crispy and delicious. Thank you.
David
on Apr 5th, 2010
@ 9:34 PM:
Wonderful empanadas! I made them for my wife and she loved them…..they were easy to make and delicious!
Jennifer
on Apr 7th, 2010
@ 12:01 PM:
Q vaina tan ricaaaaaaaa. Me encantan las empanadas. Chevere por ti.
I seriously love your webpage, It’s very useful.
Leah
on Apr 7th, 2010
@ 3:41 PM:
Wow! I can’t wait to make these for my spanish project. Colombia is my country and these will be perfect based on the comments I read above!!!!!! Gracias.
Anonymous
on Apr 15th, 2010
@ 11:05 AM:
Wow! Thank you so much……We made them for some American friends and they were in love with them. The aji was delicious, too.
We made papas rellenas, too and they were perfect.
christina
on Apr 19th, 2010
@ 7:40 PM:
I love Love love empanadas! My father is from Uruguay and my mother is from Puerto Rico and this one dish that I learned to master that pleases both of them! Thank you for sharing and I can’t wait to try your version….
Liliana
on Apr 23rd, 2010
@ 9:05 PM:
Erica,
Estoy super feliz de haber encontrado este sitio. Mi pareja tambien es americano y estoy super entusiasmada de cocinarle las maravillas de nuestro pais.
Gracias
Anonymous
on May 2nd, 2010
@ 7:55 PM:
I made your empanadas and they were delicious! My son loved them.
Anonymous
on May 4th, 2010
@ 11:25 AM:
I am from Medellin-Colombia and I made this empanadas and they were perfect. Easy to follow steps and delicious.
Anonymous
on May 7th, 2010
@ 10:14 AM:
We made them for a party last weekend! They were perfect….
I made the papas rellenas, too and we loved both recipes. Perfect. Thank you so much for all the wonderful recipes.
Alexandra
on May 10th, 2010
@ 3:12 PM:
These empanadas are wonderful and easy to make. The recipe is perfect!
DIANA
on Jun 1st, 2010
@ 2:11 PM:
hola muchas gracias por poner todas estas recetas en la red mm soy colombiana y pues igual que ud ya no vivo en el pais creo que como muchos de los que visitamos esta pagina hoy fui realmente feliz de encontrarla porque muchas veces quiero cocinar y pues no se como hacerlo me refiero a platos tipicos pero ahoraaa si que voy a estar un poquito mas cerca de colombia , lo unico es que aca en Belgica algunos ingredientes son dificiles de encontrar pero bueno tratare… de nuevo muchas gracias!!
Anonymous
on Jun 2nd, 2010
@ 11:11 AM:
I made these empanadas for Memorial day and they were a hit! I had Amarican friends and they were crazy with these delicious and crispy empanadas. Full of flavor an easy to make. Your food is wonderful, every recipe I made from your site is a hit. Thank you.
vsanch01
on Jun 2nd, 2010
@ 7:25 PM:
Made these the other day and were great! thanks so much for your recipes…
Chiot's Run
on Jun 3rd, 2010
@ 11:20 PM:
I grew up in Colombia (American parents) and I love empanadas. They’re my favorite. I’ve been making empanadas for my friends for quite a while, they all love them as well. (they also love bocadillo & cheese). I posted about it once on my blog as well, I’ll have to link here to this recipe, mine’s different each time depending on what I have in the fridge.
Do glad to see you’re making properly with areparina and not pastry
Tiy
on Jun 15th, 2010
@ 10:48 AM:
Ola Erica,
Estoy francesa y vivo en Belgica.
Tu blog es fantastico, a mi me gusta mucho la cocina y la cultura de america latina, y la cocina en general. Voy a hacer muchas de tus recetas!
Pero tenga algunas preguntas… No pienso que hay harina de maiz precocida en belgica, est possible hacer la receta con harina de maiz classica?
Y que es exactamente el sazon goya con azafran? Puedo utilizar otra cosa?
Muchas gracias por sus respuestas!
Erica
on Jun 15th, 2010
@ 11:50 AM:
Tiy- Gracias por tu comentario!!! sazon goya es condimento con color para comida, tu puedes utilizar otra clase como achiote or triguisar. tu puedes hacer tu propia masa con maiz peto.
Anonymous
on Jun 17th, 2010
@ 2:43 PM:
We made this for a party last weekend and all my friends were crazy about them!!!! These are delicious and your recipe is easy to follow. Thanks.
Kimberly
on Jul 7th, 2010
@ 8:48 AM:
Hola Erica traté tu receta de empanadas y me quedaron espectaculares
mi novio es americano y le encanta la comida colombiana especialmente las empanadas pero trate el ají y es un pokito picante. Es posible de que me dez la receta para preparar el ají dulce? De todas formas gracias por todas esas recetas tan espectaculares
Anonymous
on Jul 7th, 2010
@ 7:31 PM:
I made these and they were sooooo good. Thank you!
Samantha
on Jul 21st, 2010
@ 2:33 PM:
This is honestly the best empanadas I’ve ever had! I have tried so many different empanadas and this one beats them all! My next goal: ground chicken, onions, bell pepper and pepper jack cheese! (of course with the cilantro, potatoes, ect.) I think it will be great! Thanks again Erica!
norma
on Jul 21st, 2010
@ 4:45 PM:
Thanks Erica…i will post them on my blog when I make them
cristina c.c.
on Jul 23rd, 2010
@ 11:36 PM:
Your recipes are wonderful and really easy to follow; I am so lucky I found out your blog recently. Thank you so much.
Frances
on Jul 25th, 2010
@ 4:50 PM:
I tested your recipe last night and it has become an instant hit my household. I made another batch today just to freeze them for future snacks! Beautiful!
Michelle
on Jul 29th, 2010
@ 8:30 PM:
Love your website. Just wanted to know if you can make the dough a day ahead, keep it refrigerated and then roll it out and stuff them the next day? I have a big party on saturday and am trying to prep as much as possible ahead of time. Have you ever made the dough ahead?
Erica
on Jul 30th, 2010
@ 8:10 AM:
Michelle- I always make my dough the same day, but you can make the filling one day before.
Bil
on Aug 4th, 2010
@ 6:42 AM:
Gracias Erica,
En el verano pasado vivo en Santa Marta por un rato y cada manana compro empanadas en la calle para desuyunar. Nunca puedo copia el sabor. Tengo una novia alli y esperamos hasta puedes llegar en EEUU, entonces puedo disfruta la comida. Mil gracias por tu sitio porque vamos a poder preparar la comida tradicional para ella cuando llega. Gracias.
Bil
Jeannie
on Aug 23rd, 2010
@ 8:36 PM:
Wow! These empanadas looks scrumptious and tasty…would love to try these!
Velva
on Aug 31st, 2010
@ 3:52 PM:
Love empanadas! Beautiful. Growing-up in South Florida, I ate them often for lunch from food carts.