Venezuelan Beef Empanadas Recipe

101 Shares

These Venezuelan beef empanadas are crispy on the outside and filled with a flavorful, juicy beef filling. Made with corn dough, they are naturally gluten-free and perfect for any meal.

Venezuelan Beef Empanadas

Updated in 2026: This post has been completely updated with clearer instructions, tips, and FAQs to help you make authentic Venezuelan empanadas at home.

These Venezuelan beef empanadas are crispy, golden, and packed with flavor. If you want an authentic recipe that is easy to follow, this is the one.

If you grew up eating empanadas or have ever visited Venezuela, you know how special they are. Crispy corn dough filled with savory meat and fried until golden, enjoyed any time of day.

This version keeps the traditional flavors while making the process simple enough for home cooks.

In Venezuela, there’s an island called Margarita where you can find empanadas being made right on the beach. Simple tables, a fryer, fresh dough, and a variety of fillings. It does not get any better than that.

Venezuelan empanadas are different from Argentinian or Chilean empanadas because they use corn flour instead of wheat flour, which makes them naturally gluten-free.

The dough is made with just a few simple ingredients: water, salt, and pre-cooked corn flour (masarepa). The texture is soft and pliable, similar to Play-Doh, which makes it easy to shape.

The filling can be made ahead of time, which makes this recipe perfect for meal prep. I like to make a double batch and freeze half for later.

Serve these empanadas with a side of my potato dumpling soup or a fresh salad for a complete meal.

The full recipe is below, but here’s a quick video to show you how easy they are to make:

Print Recipe

No ratings yet

Venezuelan Beef Empanadas

Crispy Venezuelan beef empanadas made with corn dough and a flavorful filling. An authentic, gluten-free recipe that is easy to make at home.

Prep Time20

Cook Time20

Total Time40

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Venezuelan

Keyword: venezuelan empanadas, beef empanadas, gluten free empanadas

Servings: empanadas

Calories: 471kcal

Author: Tiffany bendayan

Ingredients

For the Beef Filling

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 lb ground beef
1 onion chopped
1 red pepper diced
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1/4 cup ketchup
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Optional: pinch of cumin or paprika

For the Dough

1 cup warm water
1 cup pre-cooked corn flour masarepa
1/2 teaspoon salt
Oil for frying

Instructions

Make the Beef Filling

Heat oil in a pan over medium heat
Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart
Add onion and red pepper, cook until soft
Add Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, ketchup, garlic powder, and spices
Cook for 2 to 3 minutes and adjust seasoning

Make the Dough

Place warm water in a bowl
Add salt
Add corn flour and mix until a soft dough forms
Let rest for 2 minutes

Assemble and Cook

Place plastic wrap on the counter
Flatten a portion of dough on top
Add filling to the center
Fold using the plastic wrap
Seal edges well
Trim excess dough if needed
Fry in hot oil for about 3 minutes per side until golden
Drain on paper towels and serve

Notes

Crispy texture comes from frying in hot oil. Do not overcrowd the pan
Seal edges well to prevent filling from leaking
Dough should feel soft and pliable, not dry
You can freeze empanadas before frying and cook from frozen

Nutrition

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Venezuelan empanadas made of?

They are made with corn flour (masarepa), water, and salt, then filled with ingredients like beef, chicken, or cheese and fried until crispy.

Are Venezuelan empanadas gluten-free?

Yes, they are made with corn flour instead of wheat flour, making them naturally gluten-free.

Can I bake Venezuelan empanadas?

Traditionally, they are fried, but they can be baked for a lighter version.

Can I freeze empanadas?

Yes, you can freeze them before frying and cook them directly from frozen.

Venezuelan Beef Empanadas Recipe

Venezuelan Beef Empanadas