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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: 78 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:

  1. In a large bowl, mix together flour, salt, and egg.
  2. Add the melted shortening to the mixture and stir well.
  3. Gradually pour in the boiling water, mixing until a smooth dough forms.
  4. Divide the dough into 7-8 equal pieces.
  5. Roll out each piece on a floured surface into a 7″x9″ rectangle.
  6. Trim any excess dough and set aside on a plate, dusting with flour to prevent sticking.

Filling Preparation:

  1. In a large skillet, sauté the diced onions with paprika, cumin, and a pinch of salt until softened.
  2. Add the ribeye meat and cook until well done. Incorporate the merquén seasoning.
  3. Taste and adjust seasoning with more cumin, paprika, or salt as needed.
  4. Let the mixture cool, then refrigerate overnight.

Assembling the Empanadas:

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Oil a baking sheet and sprinkle with flour to prevent sticking.
  3. On a floured surface, place a piece of rolled dough.
  4. Add 2-3 tablespoons of the meat mixture, a wedge of boiled egg, and one olive to the center of the dough.
  5. Fold the dough over the filling and seal the edges with the egg wash mixture.
  6. Brush the tops of the empanadas with more egg wash.
  7. Place the empanadas on the prepared baking sheet.

Baking:

  1. Bake the empanadas for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown.
  2. Remove from the oven and allow them to cool slightly before serving.
  • Author: admin
  • Prep Time: 1 hour
  • Cook Time: 18 minutes