Shrimp Empanadas (Empanadas de Camarones)

Written by
Hector Rodriguez
A Puerto Rico native and former food service professional, Hector Rodriguez develops recipes inspired by the Caribbean and Latin America.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Hector Rodriguez
Updated 07/28/19
Homemade empanadas
Mariha-kitchen / Getty Images
  • Total: 45 mins
  • Prep: 30 mins
  • Cook: 15 mins
  • Yield: 10 empanadas
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
268 Calories
17g Fat
9g Carbs
20g Protein
See Full Nutritional Guidelines Hide Full Nutritional Guidelines
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 10 empanadas
Amount per serving
Calories 268
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 17g 21%
Saturated Fat 7g 37%
Cholesterol 172mg 57%
Sodium 602mg 26%
Total Carbohydrate 9g 3%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Protein 20g
Calcium 260mg 20%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

This recipe for empanadas is made with a delicious filling of shrimp, cheese, and Spanish-style tomato sauce.

Feel free to change up this recipe with different flavored tomato sauces, Italian for instance, and by using different cheese blends, such as a Mexican four-cheese blend.

Directions are given for a homemade empanada dough, but it can be purchased in specialty markets in the form of frozen discs, usually 10 discs per pack.

Empanadas are ideal for appetizers, finger foods, lunches and meals on the go.

Ingredients

  • For the Empanada Dough:
  • 1/2 cup cold water
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 large egg white
  • 1 teaspoon vinegar
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour (plus little more for kneading)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3 tablespoons shortening
  • For the Shrimp Filling:
  • 8 ounces tomato sauce
  • 3 tablespoons sofrito
  • 10 ounces medium raw shrimp (peeled and cleaned)
  • Salt to taste
  • Pepper to taste
  • 2 cups Colby Jack cheese (shredded)

Steps to Make It

Make the Dough

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. In a medium bowl, beat the water, egg, egg white, and vinegar together. Set aside.

  3. In a separate large bowl, whisk together 3 cups of flour and salt.

  4. Cut the shortening into the flour mix with a pastry blender or two butter knives. Make a well in the center of the flour mix and pour the liquid ingredients from the first bowl into the center.

  5. Mix the wet and dry ingredients with a fork until it becomes stiff.

  6. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead it just until all the flour is incorporated and the dough is smooth.

  7. Wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, but never more than 24 hours. If you want to keep the dough longer than 24 hours, you can freeze it.

Make the Shrimp Filling

  1. In a saucepan, bring the tomato sauce and sofrito to a simmer over medium heat.

  2. Pat the shrimp dry. Salt and pepper to taste.

  3. Place the shrimp into the saucepan with the tomato sauce mix. Add the cheese and stir thoroughly.

  4. Cook the shrimp until it turns pink, about 3 to 5 minutes. Do not overcook the shrimp because it will become rubbery.

  5. Remove the pan from the heat and allow to cool before filling the empanadas.

Filling and Frying the Empanadas

  1. Place the empanada dough on a floured counter top. Roll the dough out 1/8-inch thick. Cut the dough into circles with round cookie cutters or biscuit cutters. For large empanadas use 6-inch cutters for smaller ones use 3-inch cutters.

  2. Place the filling by the spoonful into the center of the circles. Fold the dough over the filling into a half-circle shape and crimp the edges with a fork. If the edges won't stay sealed you can dip the fork in water before crimping or use an egg wash. Do not overfill the empanadas. They will burst and you will lose your filling in the oil.

  3. Fry the filled empanadas at 375 F for 1 to 2 minutes per side. They should be lightly golden. Drain on paper towels. Cool slightly before serving.

Tip

  • Instead of frying, the empanadas can be baked in a 375 F oven for 15 to 20 minutes until lightly golden.

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