When comfort food meets handheld perfection, you get the Turkey Bacon Sloppy Joe Empanada Inferno. These golden-baked empanadas are packed with rich, savory ground beef, melted cheddar, smoky spices, and crispy turkey bacon—then sealed in flaky pastry and baked until crisp.
They’re everything you love about Sloppy Joes—sweet, tangy, messy—but reimagined with an empanada twist and a touch of spicy inferno flair. Serve them at game day, taco night, or your next potluck and watch them disappear in a flash.
💥 Why I Love This Recipe
- Portable & crowd-pleasing: All the messy magic of a Sloppy Joe, without the mess.
- Savory meets spicy: Smoky paprika, chili flakes, and turkey bacon create layers of flavor.
- Baked, not fried: Golden, crispy crusts with less oil.
- Easy to prep ahead: Filling can be made in advance for party-ready assembly.
🛒 Ingredients
Sloppy Joe Filling:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb ground beef
- ¾ cup tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire substitute (soy sauce + vinegar)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon chili flakes (optional but recommended)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 cup cooked turkey bacon, chopped
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Assembly:
- 10–12 empanada dough discs (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- Optional: Hot sauce or jalapeños for serving
👨🍳 Instructions
1. Prepare the Sloppy Joe Filling
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onions and sauté until translucent.
- Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Stir in ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess fat.
- Add tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire substitute, brown sugar, paprika, chili flakes, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer for 5–7 minutes until thickened.
- Stir in turkey bacon and let the mixture cool slightly before assembling.
2. Fill and Seal the Empanadas
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Spoon about 1½–2 tablespoons of filling into the center of each empanada disc. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese.
- Fold the dough over and crimp edges with a fork to seal tightly.
- Place empanadas on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
3. Bake to Golden Perfection
- Beat the egg and brush the tops of each empanada with egg wash.
- Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp.
4. Serve the Inferno
- Let cool slightly before serving.
- Serve with hot sauce, jalapeños, or extra turkey bacon for maximum firepower.
💡 Tips for Success
- Don’t overfill the empanadas—leave space to seal edges cleanly.
- Let filling cool slightly before filling to prevent soggy dough.
- Freeze unbaked empanadas for later—bake straight from frozen, adding 5 extra minutes.
- For extra heat, mix some chopped jalapeños or hot sauce directly into the filling.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions & Pairings
These empanadas pair perfectly with party-ready sides and cooling drinks:
- Pair with a cheesy dip like This Crockpot Nacho Dip for snacking glory.
- Need more hands-off crowd-pleasers? Try Sheet Pan Quesadillas.
- Turn it into a taco-themed feast with This Walking Taco Bar.
- Cool it all down with Blueberry Lemonade—sweet, tangy, and refreshing.
- Finish the night with easy, bite-sized desserts like No-Bake Monster Cookie Energy Balls.
🧊 Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
- Fridge: Store cooked empanadas in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: Freeze baked or unbaked empanadas for up to 2 months.
- Reheat in a toaster oven or air fryer to restore crispiness—avoid the microwave for best texture.
🔗 More Recipes You’ll Love
- This Crockpot Nacho Dip – The gooey dip every party craves.
- Sheet Pan Quesadillas – A fast favorite for feeding a crowd.
- Walking Taco Bar – Interactive, fun, and perfect with empanadas.
- Blueberry Lemonade – Sweet relief for a spicy bite.
- No-Bake Monster Cookie Energy Balls – A wholesome way to end the spice parade.
📝 Final Thoughts
The Turkey Bacon Sloppy Joe Empanada Inferno delivers bold flavor and flaky crunch in one irresistibly spicy, cheesy bite. Whether you’re prepping for a party, game day, or a weeknight dinner with flair, these empanadas are the ultimate flavor bomb.
Tried it with your own twist? Tag @ChefManiac and show us your inferno! For more spicy spins and bold bakes, follow along and turn every meal into a mic drop.
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