Dominican Pastelitos Savory Pasties
Flaky, golden, and irresistibly savory, Dominican Pastelitos are the ultimate handheld treat for any occasion! These traditional Latin American pastries feature a buttery, homemade dough wrapped around a flavorful filling of seasoned ground beef, accented with garlic, cilantro, and the subtle sweetness of tomato paste. Each pastelito is carefully crimped for a crisp, decorative edge and fried to perfection for a satisfyingly crunchy bite. Perfect as an appetizer, snack, or party dish, these savory pasties are a celebration of Dominican culinary tradition. Pair them with your favorite dipping sauce or enjoy them as they are—warm, delicious, and bursting with authentic flavor.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 0.5 cups unsalted butter
- 0.75 cups cold water
- 0.75 teaspoons salt (for dough)
- 1 pound ground beef
- 0.5 cup green bell pepper (diced)
- 0.5 cup onion (diced)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons cilantro (chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon salt (for filling)
- 0.5 teaspoons ground black pepper
- 3 cups cooking oil (for frying)
- 1 large egg (beaten, for sealing)
Instructions
In a large bowl, whisk together flour and 0.75 teaspoons of salt. Add cold butter and use a pastry cutter or your hands to mix until the dough resembles coarse crumbs.
Gradually add cold water, mixing with your hands until the dough comes together. Knead the dough gently, shape it into a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
While the dough chills, prepare the filling. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and green bell pepper, stirring until softened (about 3 minutes).
Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Then, stir in ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until beef is no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes.
Stir in tomato paste, cilantro, salt, and pepper. Mix well and let it cook for another 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and allow the filling to cool.
After chilling, roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/8-inch thickness. Use a 4-inch round cutter to cut out circles from the dough.
To assemble, place 1-2 tablespoons of the cooled beef filling in the center of each dough circle. Brush the edges with beaten egg, fold the dough over into a half-moon shape, and press to seal. Crimp the edges with a fork for a decorative finish.
In a deep skillet or pot, heat the cooking oil to 350°F (175°C). Fry the pastelitos in batches, cooking each for 3-4 minutes or until golden brown, turning occasionally.
Transfer the fried pastelitos to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Allow them to cool slightly before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
816 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 75.6 g | 97% | |
| Saturated Fat | 16.6 g | 83% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 62 mg | 21% | |
| Sodium | 341 mg | 15% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 25.4 g | 9% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.2 g | 4% | |
| Total Sugars | 0.9 g | ||
| Protein | 10.4 g | 21% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.3 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 19 mg | 1% | |
| Iron | 2.1 mg | 12% | |
| Potassium | 150 mg | 3% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
