By Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff | Published on June 9, 2026
Serves 4
20 min
Green Chile Beef Empanadas
Recipe GLPR7ffb4d9f7c6ced
Golden, crispy pastry pockets filled with seasoned shredded beef, melty Monterey Jack cheese, and roasted green chiles. These handheld empanadas make a satisfying main course or appetizer, with a savory filling that combines tender meat with mild, earthy chiles and creamy cheese.
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Ingredients
2 (9-inch) refrigerated pie crusts
2 cups cooked shredded beef
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 (4-ounce) can diced roasted green chiles
Directions
Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
Carefully unroll the two pie crusts and lay them flat on a clean work surface. Divide each crust into four equal quadrants by lightly scoring or imagining an X across the circle.
On each of the four quadrants, layer 1/2 cup of shredded beef, 1/4 cup of shredded Monterey Jack cheese, and about 1 tablespoon of the diced green chiles. Distribute the ingredients evenly, keeping everything 1/2-inch away from the edges of the crust.
Place the second pie crust on top of the first one to cover all the filled quadrants.
Using a sharp knife or pastry cutter, cut an X through both layers of crust to divide it into 4 equal triangular sections.
Seal each empanada by pressing the edges firmly with the tines of a fork, creating a decorative pattern and ensuring the filling cannot escape during baking.
Transfer the four empanadas to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Make 2–3 small slits in the top of each empanada to vent steam.
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown and crispy. Remove from the oven and let cool for 1–2 minutes before serving.
Comments
The 20-minute total time is misleading—pie crust alone takes 10–15 minutes to thaw if frozen, and browning beef plus assembling and baking empanadas realistically needs 35–40 minutes. Green chiles (roasted poblanos or canned) are not a standard Charlotte grocery stock item; you'll need a special trip to a specialty market or Mexican grocer like Centro, or rely on canned at Harris Teeter, which changes the flavor considerably. Monterey Jack and ground beef are budget-friendly and widely available, keeping cost around $2–3 per serving. The dish itself is forgiving and reheats well, suiting a family dinner, but the time caveat and ingredient sourcing make this a plan-ahead rather than weeknight impulse.
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