Puerto Rican empanadas are one of the best comfort foods in the country. They provide a blend of flavors and carry different fillings, giving you options. Additionally, people love them because of their versatility, portability, and convenience, plus they can be eaten at any time of day.
When it comes to naming, these pastries are referred to as empanadas or pastelillos, and other Latin countries also refer to them as empanadas.
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The main traditional filling is ground beef or picadillo, but you can use other ingredients, such as chicken or pork, or a mix of both. As for the dough, you can buy premade from the store or make it yourself, so let’s learn how to make Puerto Rican empanadas recipe.
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How to Make the Perfect Puerto Rican Empanadas
Ingredients
For the Empanada Dough
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- ½ tablespoon of salt
- ½ cup of melted butter
- 2 egg yolks
- ½ cup of water
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For the filling (picadillo)
- 3 bay leafs
- 1 diced red bell pepper
- 1 can of tomato sauce
- ⅓ cup of sofrito
- ⅓ cup pimento-stuffed olives, sliced in half
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 tbsp sazon seasoning
- Cilantro to garnish
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon adobo seasoning
- 1 diced yellow onion
- ¼ cup of water
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Instructions
How to Make the Dough
- Combine all the ingredients in a bowl until a ball starts to form.
- Knead on a flour-dusted surface until it becomes smooth and non-sticky.
- Set aside 30 minutes to rest.
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How to Make the Fillings
- Heat the pan on medium heat. Pour oil into it and add pepper and onions later.
- Add sofrito once the onions are golden brown, and let it cook for a minute.
- When it’s ready, add the ground beef and break it down as it cooks.
- Add the seasoning, adobo, tomato sauce, water, bay leaves, and olives. Bring to a boil and simmer for about 10 minutes.
How to Make the Empanadillas
- Dust your surface with flour, roll the dough to about ¼ inches and cut it into circular shapes.
- Place the picadillo over one side of the dough, close in with the empty side, and pinch both ends with a fork.
- Heat the oil to 350 degrees and then deep fry the empanadas for 3 to 4 minutes until golden brown.
Puerto Rican Empanadas
Ingredients
For the Empanada Dough
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- ½ tablespoon of salt
- ½ cup of melted butter
- 2 egg yolks
- ½ cup of water
For the filling (picadillo):
- 3 bay leafs
- 1 diced red bell pepper
- 1 can of tomato sauce
- ⅓ cup of sofrito
- ⅓ cup pimento-stuffed olives sliced in half
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 tbsp sazon seasoning
- Cilantro to garnish
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon adobo seasoning
- 1 diced yellow onion
- ¼ cup of water
Instructions
How to Make the Dough
- Combine all the ingredients in a bowl until a ball starts to form.
- Knead on a flour-dusted surface until it becomes smooth and non-sticky.
- Set aside 30 minutes to rest.
How to Make the Fillings
- Heat the pan on medium heat. Pour oil into it and add pepper and onions later.
- Add sofrito once the onions are golden brown, and let it cook for a minute.
- When ready, add the ground beef and break it down as it cooks.
- Add the seasoning, adobo, tomato sauce, water, bay leaves, and olives. Bring to a boil and simmer for about 10 minutes.
How to Make the Empanadillas
- Dust your surface with flour, roll the dough to about ¼ inches and cut it into circular shapes.
- Place the picadillo over one side of the dough, close in with the empty side, and pinch both ends with a fork.
- Heat the oil to 350 degrees and deep fry the empanadas for 3 to 4 minutes until golden brown.
Video
Nutrition
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