Empanadas de Frijol Negro y Quesillo con Salsa Macha (Fried Masa Bean Turnovers)
Golden corn masa turnovers filled with black bean paste and stringy cheese, served with a spoonful of salsa macha.
Made with Salsa macha and Mexican black beans. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time50 min
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £0.81 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Mix the masa harina, salt and warm water into a soft dough. Cover and rest for 15 minutes.
15 min - 2
Fry the onion in 1 tablespoon oil for 4 minutes, add your ready made frijoles negros (see the base recipe) and mash and cook for 8 minutes until a dry, thick paste. Cool.
12 min - 3
Divide the dough into 8 balls. Press each between two sheets of cling film into a 12 cm circle.
- 4
Put a spoonful of bean paste and some cheese on one half, fold over and press the edges to seal, trimming with a cutter if you like.
- 5
Heat the frying oil in a frying pan to medium hot and fry the empanadas, 3 or 4 at a time, for 3 minutes per side until golden and puffed. Drain on kitchen paper.
6 min - 6
Serve hot with a spoonful of your ready made salsa macha (see the base recipe).
Tips
- Make the filling thick and cool. A wet filling steams and splits the dough.
- Dough that cracks at the edges needs a little more water. Keep it covered while you work.
- Keep the oil at a steady medium heat so the centre warms and the cheese melts before the outside browns.
Storing and freezing
Best eaten fresh. Cool and keep in the fridge for up to 2 days, reheating in a hot oven until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Can I bake them instead?
Yes. Brush with oil and bake at 200 degrees for 25 minutes, turning halfway. The shell will be drier and less rich.
Is salsa macha spicy?
It is medium hot, with a toasty chilli taste. Use a small spoonful and add more to taste.
Can I use frozen masa dough?
Yes, but masa harina is easier to find. Fresh masa dough should be soft and play dough like.
More made with salsa macha
Tacos de Champiñones al Ajillo con Salsa Macha (Garlic Mushroom Tacos)
DFEFNFPescado a la Plancha con Salsa Macha (Seared Fish with Chilli Crunch)
GFDFEFPollo Asado con Papas y Salsa Macha (Roast Chicken and Potatoes with Chilli Crunch)
GFDFEFTostadas de Ceviche de Pescado con Salsa Macha (Fish Ceviche Tostadas)
GFDFEFDouble check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.