Fried Taco Empanadas
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey
- 1/2 yellow onion diced
- 1/3 cup your favorite salsa
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 1/2 cup Monterrey jack cheese
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp Chile powder
- salt + pepper to taste
- 1/2 tsp beef bouillon powder optional
- 1-2 tbsp of water
- flour tortillas
- 1-2 cups oil for frying
- 3 tbsp all purpose flour
Topping ideas
- shredded lettuce
- pico de gallo
- guacamole
- queso fresco or Cotija cheese
- sour cream
- salsa verde
- hot sauce
Instructions
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef. When it’s almost cooked through, drain some of the excess oil. Add the onions and season with onion powder, garlic powder, beef bouillon, chorizo seasoning, and cumin. Stir well, taste, and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Pour in 1/3 cup of jarred salsa and mix until combined. Add the cream cheese and shredded cheese, stirring until fully incorporated. If needed, add a splash of water to help everything mix together, but the mixture should be thick enough to hold together.
- To assemble- mix together 2-3 tbsp of all purpose flour and 2 tbsp of water to create a thick paste.
- Lay out a tortilla and place two small scoops of the meat mixture in the center. Brush a little flour paste along the edges, then fold the tortilla in half. Use a fork to crimp the sides and seal. Repeat with the remaining tortillas and filling until all the meat mixture is used.
- In a pan over medium heat, fry the empanadas until golden and crispy. This part moves fast so don't turn your back.
- Serve with shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, sour cream and salsa and enjoy!
Notes
Pico de gallo
- 2 roma tomatoes, diced
- 1/2 white onion, diced
- 1/4 cup Cilantro, diced
- 1/2 Jalapeño, diced
- 2 limes
- salt and pepper to taste