Cheeseburger Empanadas Recipe (Easy Beef & Cheese Empanadas)

These Cheeseburger Empanadas combine everything you love about a juicy cheeseburger with a crispy, golden empanada. They’re stuffed with seasoned ground beef, onions, dill pickles, cheddar and melty American cheese, then baked until perfectly golden brown.

And because no cheeseburger is complete without the sauce, we’re serving these beef and cheese empanadas with a homemade burger sauce for dipping.

If you love this recipe, then you’ll definitely want to check out my Spinach Dip with Jumbo Lump Crab & Seafood Rotel Dip for even more great appetizers.

If you’re looking for an easy appetizer for game day, a party snack, or just a fun way to switch up burger night, this Cheeseburger Empanadas recipe needs to be next on your list.

What Are Cheeseburger Empanadas?

Cheeseburger empanadas are a mashup of two comfort-food favorites: cheeseburgers and empanadas.

Instead of putting seasoned ground beef and cheese between hamburger buns, we’re wrapping everything inside empanada dough and baking it until crisp and golden.

The filling has all those classic cheeseburger flavors—ground beef, onions, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, mustard, dill pickles and plenty of cheese.

Think of them as handheld cheeseburgers with a crispy crust instead of a bun.

Why You’ll Love This Cheeseburger Empanadas Recipe

Easy to make. Using store-bought empanada discs cuts down on prep time without sacrificing that crispy, flaky exterior.

Loaded with cheeseburger flavor. Beef, cheddar, American cheese, pickles, ketchup and mustard give you classic burger flavor in every bite.

Perfect party food. These handheld empanadas are great for game day, cookouts, birthday parties and holiday gatherings.

Make-ahead friendly. Assemble the empanadas ahead of time and keep them refrigerated until you’re ready to bake.

That cheese pull! Combining cheddar with American cheese gives the filling plenty of flavor while still creating that gooey cheeseburger-style melt.

Cheeseburger Empanadas Ingredients

Ground Beef

I recommend 80/20 or 85/15 ground beef. You want enough fat to keep the filling juicy and flavorful without making the empanadas greasy.

Onion & Garlic

Finely chopped yellow onion and fresh garlic build the savory base of the cheeseburger filling.

Worcestershire Sauce

A little Worcestershire sauce gives the beef a deeper, savory flavor.

Ketchup & Mustard

These aren’t just dipping sauces. Adding ketchup and yellow mustard directly to the beef gives the filling that unmistakable cheeseburger flavor.

Seasonings

I’m using Bayou City All Purpose Seasoning and Bayou City Garlic Pepper along with smoked paprika and granulated onion.

Dill Pickles

Don’t skip these! Finely chopped dill pickles add acidity and crunch that balances the richness of the beef and cheese.

Cheese

I like a combination of sharp cheddar and American cheese. Cheddar brings the flavor while American cheese gives you that classic cheeseburger melt.

Empanada Dough

Refrigerated or frozen empanada discs make this recipe incredibly easy. If frozen, thaw them according to the package directions before assembling.

How to Make Cheeseburger Empanadas

1. Brown the Ground Beef

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it into small crumbles as it browns.

2. Add the Aromatics

Add the finely diced onion and cook for 3–4 minutes, or until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.

3. Season the Cheeseburger Filling

Season the beef with Bayou City All Purpose Seasoning, Bayou City Garlic Pepper, smoked paprika and granulated onion.

Stir in Worcestershire sauce, ketchup and yellow mustard.

Continue cooking until the beef is completely browned and most of the excess moisture has cooked away.

4. Add the Pickles

Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the finely chopped dill pickles.

Allow the beef mixture to cool for about 10–15 minutes.

Pro Tip: Don’t put piping-hot beef onto your empanada dough. Cooling the filling makes the empanadas easier to assemble and prevents the cheese from completely melting before they reach the oven.

5. Fill the Empanadas

Preheat the oven to 400°F.

Place an empanada disc on a clean work surface. Add about 2 tablespoons of the beef mixture to the center, followed by cheddar and American cheese.

Don’t overfill them! You need enough room around the edges to create a good seal.

6. Fold and Seal

Fold the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape.

Press the edges together and then use the tines of a fork to firmly crimp the edges closed.

7. Brush with Egg Wash

Whisk together one egg and one tablespoon of water.

Arrange the cheeseburger empanadas on a parchment-lined baking sheet and brush the tops with egg wash.

Cut a very small vent in the top of each empanada.

8. Bake

Bake at 400°F for 15–18 minutes, or until the empanadas are crisp and beautifully golden brown.

Let them cool for about 5 minutes before serving.

Easy Burger Sauce for Empanadas

The burger sauce takes these Cheeseburger Empanadas over the top.

Combine mayonnaise, ketchup, yellow mustard, finely chopped dill pickles or relish, pickle juice, garlic powder, smoked paprika and a little Bayou City Garlic Pepper.

Mix everything together and refrigerate until you’re ready to serve.

That creamy, tangy sauce is perfect for dipping the hot beef and cheese empanadas.

Pro Tips for the Best Cheeseburger Empanadas

Cool your filling. Warm is fine, but you don’t want the beef piping hot when assembling the empanadas.

Don’t overfill. About 2 tablespoons of filling is plenty for most standard empanada discs.

Seal the edges well. Press the edges together before crimping with a fork to keep the cheese inside as it melts.

Use two cheeses. Sharp cheddar provides flavor while American cheese gives you that creamy, gooey cheeseburger texture.

Drain excess grease. If your ground beef releases a lot of fat, drain some before adding the sauces.

Give the filling texture. Don’t pulverize the beef. Small crumbles make the filling much more satisfying.

Cheeseburger Empanada Variations

Bacon Cheeseburger Empanadas

Add about ½ cup of cooked, crumbled bacon to the beef mixture.

Jalapeño Cheeseburger Empanadas

Add finely diced fresh or pickled jalapeños to the filling for a little heat.

BBQ Cheeseburger Empanadas

Replace the ketchup with your favorite BBQ sauce and use cheddar or smoked Gouda.

Spicy Cheeseburger Empanadas

Add hot sauce or diced jalapeños to the beef and make a spicy burger sauce with a little cayenne.

Big Mac-Inspired Empanadas

Keep the beef, American cheese and pickles, then serve with a Thousand Island-style burger sauce. Sprinkle sesame seeds over the egg wash before baking for even more burger flavor.

What to Serve with Cheeseburger Empanadas

These are filling enough to enjoy on their own, but they’re also perfect as part of a game-day or party spread.

Serve them with:

• Burger sauce
• Ketchup
• Spicy mayo
• French fries
• Sweet potato fries
• Onion rings
• Pickles
• Side salad
• Coleslaw

For a party, I like piling the cheeseburger empanadas onto a platter with plenty of burger sauce in the center for dipping.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make cheeseburger empanadas ahead of time?

Yes. Assemble the empanadas, cover them tightly and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake. For longer storage, freeze the unbaked empanadas.

Can cheeseburger empanadas be air fried?

Yes. Air fry them at 375°F for approximately 8–10 minutes or until crisp, golden and heated through.

How do I keep empanadas from opening while baking?

Avoid overfilling them and leave a clean border around the filling. Firmly press the dough together before crimping the edges with a fork.

Can I fry cheeseburger empanadas instead?

Yes. You can fry them in neutral oil until the exterior is golden brown and crisp. Work in batches so you don’t overcrowd the pot.

More Easy Appetizers

If this cheeseburger empanada recipe is for vibe try these other appetizers

• Cajun Shrimp Garlic Bread
• Cheeseburger Sliders
• Southwestern Eggrolls: Chili’s Copycat Recipe
• Creole Crawfish Boudin Balls
• Fried Lobster Tail Corn Dog

Try another nostalgic favorite or one of my Southern-inspired appetizers recipes next.

And if you make this recipe, be sure to leave a rating and let me know: what was your favorite school cafeteria lunch growing up? Make sure to tag me on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook !