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Cheeseburger Empanadas

These hand-held bites have all of the classic flavors of a cheeseburger, wrapped up in crispy puff pastry and dipped in "special sauce." They're perfect to put out for a sports-loving crowd or at a potluck.
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Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course lunch/dinner
Cuisine south american
Servings 18 people
Calories 2814.8 kcal

Equipment

  • 2 Large Baking Sheets
  • 1 Large Skillet
  • 1 4-inch Round Cookie Cutter
  • 1 Wooden Spoon or Heatproof Spatula
  • 1 Set of mixing bowls various sizes

Ingredients
  

Main

  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped dill pickle chips plus 18 whole dill pickle chips
  • 1/4 cup yellow mustard
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • 8 ounces ground beef chuck
  • 1/2 small red onion finely chopped
  • 4 slices American cheese roughly chopped
  • 1 large egg
  • One 1.1-pound package frozen puff pastry 2 sheets, thawed
  • All-purpose flour for dusting

Instructions
 

  • Position 2 racks in the middle of the oven and preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment.
  • Stir together the ketchup, mayonnaise, chopped pickles and mustard in a medium bowl. Season with salt and set the sauce aside.
  • Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When it starts to shimmer, add the ground beef, a pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cook, breaking the meat apart with a wooden spoon or heatproof spatula, until lightly browned in spots and just cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the onion and cook, stirring constantly, until crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Use a large slotted spoon to scoop the meat mixture into a medium bowl and stir in 1/3 cup of the sauce. Allow to cool slightly. Fold the American cheese into the cooled mixture.
  • Lightly beat the egg with 1 tablespoon of water in a small bowl for the egg wash and set aside.
  • Unfold 1 puff pastry sheet onto a lightly floured surface. Roll out into a 12-inch square. Cut out 9 rounds with a 4-inch round cookie cutter. Spoon 1 leveled tablespoon of the meat filling just off center on each round. Top the filling with 1 whole pickle chip. Brush the edge of each round with the egg wash and fold the puff pastry over the filling, slightly stretching if necessary. Press the edges together and crimp the edges with a fork. Transfer to one of the prepared baking sheets and brush each empanada with more egg wash. Repeat this process with the remaining sheet of puff pastry and filling. Bake until puffed and golden brown, about 15 minutes. Serve hot with the remaining sauce for dipping.

Notes

To ensure perfectly puffed and golden empanadas, ensure your puff pastry remains as cold as possible until just before shaping; this helps create distinct layers. When browning the ground beef, avoid overcrowding the skillet to achieve a good sear rather than steaming. It's crucial to drain any excess fat from the beef mixture before mixing with the cheese and sauce to prevent soggy empanadas. For a richer flavor profile, consider adding a touch of Worcestershire sauce to the beef mixture. Don't skip the egg wash—it's key for that beautiful golden-brown crust and professional finish. Serve immediately for best texture.