By: Author Nicole Johnson
Posted on - Last updated:
Categories Beef, Main Dish, Recipes
Beef and Avocado Arepas are flavorful Venezuelan sandwiches that are made with homemade arepa dough.
Beef and Avocado Arepa
Have you ever had an arepa before? I hadn’t, and I cannot believe I’ve never been exposed to these little pockets of awesome. I LOVE sandwiches, so finding a kind I’ve not only never tried, but have never even heard of? That’s a good day. This beef and avocado arepa made a good day really great.
Arepas are Venezuelan breads made with cornmeal. I used P.A.N. Cornmeal. Make sure you are using a similar variety or your results may not match what you see here. You need precookedwhite cornmeal in order for this to work.
These were like a cheesy taco sandwich, and the arepas were the perfect enclosure. Crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside, full of avocado and beef and cheese.
Try this Arepa Con Queso from Always Delicious too!
I love having a little change up from the norm that usually happens with taco night, and the kids loved this neat little twist.
Well – MOST of the kids. Can’t win them all. 😉
These are kind of fool proof, to be honest. The dough is simple to mix together, and you can fry it up in a flash. There are so many fillings that these would be perfect for. Just make sure you’ve got the right kind of cornmeal. The stuff on a lot of US shelves won’t cut it!
Don’t confuseMasarepa (such as P.A.N. pre-cooked cornmeal) with Masa Harina. Masa Harina is used to make things like tortillas and cornbread. Masarepa is used for this, and they can not be substituted for each other.
Want a dessert to go with these arepas?
- Apple Crumble Pie
- Homemade Marble Pound Cake
- Triple Berry Trifle
- Blueberry Pudding Lemon Cake
I’d eat them plain, they were so great. I love it when simple things can be so delicious. Let this be a starting point for you! I hope I can inspire you to create your own arepas. What flavor will you come up with? These versatile breads are quick and easy and delicious.
More great recipes to love
- Spatchco*ck Turkey
- Smoked Pork Chops
- Juicy Lucy
- Sweet Chili Chicken Leg Quarters
- Grilled London Broil
- Poor Man’s Burnt Ends
- Chashu Pork Belly
- Gyro Sandwich
- Smoked Mac and Cheese
- Traeger Salmon
- Blackstone Tomahawk Ribeye
- Smoked Brisket
- Cioppino (Seafood Soup)
Yield: 8 servings
These crispy, tender arepas are made fresh and filled with a super flavorful ground beef mixture.
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Total Time1 hour 10 minutes
Ingredients
Arepa:
- 2 cups cornmeal
- 2 - 2 1/2 cups lukewarm water
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 4-5 tablespoons avocado oil
Meat:
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon dried minced onions
- 1 tablespoon beef Better Than Bouillon
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 1/2 - 2 cups shredded Mexican Blend cheese
Garnish:
- Lettuce
- Avocado
- taco sauce
Instructions
- Mix together the cornmeal, warm water, salt, and butter. Mix until fully combined, and knead for a few minutes until smooth. Let rest while you cook the beef.
- Brown the ground beef with the salt, onion powder, and dried onions. Drain off excess fat, and add in Better Than Bouillon, water, cumin, and chili powder. Simmer over medium to low heat for 15 -20 minutes. Remove mixture from heat and slowly incorporate cheese, mixing frequently, until its fully melted and has tightened up the sauce. Keep warm over low heat while frying your arepas.
- Once the beef is being held over low heat, preheat a cast iron pan over medium heat with a teaspoon or two of oil inside. Roll out the arepa dough into balls, press into flat 1/2 inch thick discs, and place into hot pan. Fry 6-7 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove to a paper towel and repeat with the rest of the dough.
- Once cooled enough to handle, slice the arepas through the middle, and fill with beef and garnish with avocado, lettuce, and taco sauce. Enjoy hot!
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 750Total Fat: 52gSaturated Fat: 22gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 24gCholesterol: 153mgSodium: 1193mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 4gSugar: 1gProtein: 43g
Nutrition data provided here is only an estimate. If you are tracking these things for medical purposes please consult an outside, trusted source. Thanks!
Nicole Johnson
Website
Nicole Johnson, a self-taught expert in grilling and outdoor cooking, launched Or Whatever You Do in 2010. Her blog, renowned for its comprehensive and creative outdoor cooking recipes, has garnered a vast audience of millions. Nicole's hands-on experience and passion for grilling shine through her work. Her husband, Jeremiah Johnson, also plays a pivotal role in recipe development, adding his culinary flair to the mix. Together, they form a dynamic duo, offering a rich and varied outdoor cooking experience to their followers.
