CHILEAN MEAT EMPANADAS WITH MERQUEN
Chilean Meat Empanadas are a flavorful and savory treat, filled with tender ribeye, onions, olives, and boiled eggs, all wrapped in a flaky homemade dough. The unique touch of merquén seasoning adds a smoky and slightly spicy note, making these empanadas a delightful fusion of traditional and gourmet flavors.
- Total Time: 1 hour 18 minutes
- Yield: 7–8 empanadas 1x
Ingredients
Scale
Dough:
- 4 cups flour
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 egg
- 1 ½ cups boiling water
- ⅓ cup melted shortening
Filling:
- 2 to 2 ½ pounds ribeye meat, cut into small ½”x ½” pieces
- 2 large onions, washed and diced into small pieces
- ½ cup water (or more, if needed)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch, diluted in ½ cup water
- 3 boiled eggs, cut into wedges
- Black or green olives (traditional recipes call for black, but green olives add a gourmet touch)
Merquén Seasoning:
- 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
- 1 smoked chili pod
- 1 chili pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt (or more if needed)
Additional Seasoning:
- 1 teaspoon paprika (or more if needed)
- 1 teaspoon cumin (or more if needed)
Egg Wash:
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
Dough Preparation:
- In a large bowl, mix together flour, salt, and egg.
- Add the melted shortening to the mixture and stir well.
- Gradually pour in the boiling water, mixing until a smooth dough forms.
- Divide the dough into 7-8 equal pieces.
- Roll out each piece on a floured surface into a 7″x9″ rectangle.
- Trim any excess dough and set aside on a plate, dusting with flour to prevent sticking.
Filling Preparation:
- In a large skillet, sauté the diced onions with paprika, cumin, and a pinch of salt until softened.
- Add the ribeye meat and cook until well done. Incorporate the merquén seasoning.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with more cumin, paprika, or salt as needed.
- Let the mixture cool, then refrigerate overnight.
Assembling the Empanadas:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Oil a baking sheet and sprinkle with flour to prevent sticking.
- On a floured surface, place a piece of rolled dough.
- Add 2-3 tablespoons of the meat mixture, a wedge of boiled egg, and one olive to the center of the dough.
- Fold the dough over the filling and seal the edges with the egg wash mixture.
- Brush the tops of the empanadas with more egg wash.
- Place the empanadas on the prepared baking sheet.
Baking:
- Bake the empanadas for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and allow them to cool slightly before serving.
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 18 minutes