Puerto Rican Fried Meat Pies Empanadas
Golden, crispy, and bursting with Puerto Rican flavors, these Fried Meat Pies, or Empanadas, are a delightful handheld treat that will transport your taste buds straight to the Caribbean. Filled with a savory mix of seasoned ground beef, sofrito, and tangy Spanish olives, these empanadas pack bold spices like adobo and sazón with achiote for a flavor explosion in every bite. Wrapped in flaky, golden-brown dough and fried to perfection, they make a perfect appetizer, snack, or main dish. Whether you use store-bought or homemade empanada discs, this recipe is simple yet authentic, with every step carefully designed to capture the essence of Puerto Rican cuisine. Serve warm alongside a dipping sauce or enjoy them on their own for a truly satisfying experience! Keywords: Puerto Rican empanadas, fried meat pies, sofrito recipes, Caribbean appetizers, authentic empanada recipe.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound Ground beef
- 0.25 cup Sofrito (Puerto Rican cooking base)
- 0.25 cup Tomato sauce
- 2 teaspoons Adobo seasoning
- 1 packet Sazón seasoning with achiote
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
- 0.25 cup Spanish olives (pitted and sliced)
- 10 pieces Empanada dough discs (store-bought or homemade)
- 3 cups Vegetable oil (for frying)
- 2 tablespoons Water
Instructions
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the ground beef. Cook for 5-7 minutes, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until browned and fully cooked.
Add the sofrito, tomato sauce, adobo seasoning, sazón packet, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir well to combine and let the mixture cook for an additional 5 minutes.
Mix in the sliced Spanish olives, and cook for another 2-3 minutes, ensuring all ingredients are well incorporated. Once the filling is done, remove it from heat and let it cool to room temperature.
If using store-bought empanada dough discs, make sure they are thawed. Place one disc on a clean surface and add 1-2 tablespoons of the meat filling to the center. Be sure not to overfill.
Lightly brush the edges of the dough with water, then fold it in half to create a half-moon shape. Press the edges together firmly and use a fork to crimp and seal the edges. Repeat with the remaining dough discs and filling.
Heat the vegetable oil in a deep skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C). If you don't have a thermometer, test by dropping a small piece of dough into the oil—it should sizzle immediately.
Carefully fry 2-3 empanadas at a time for 2-3 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown and crispy. Use tongs or a slotted spoon to transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
Repeat with the remaining empanadas. Serve warm and enjoy your Puerto Rican Fried Meat Pies!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
827 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 84.6 g | 108% | |
| Saturated Fat | 15.0 g | 75% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 31 mg | 10% | |
| Sodium | 313 mg | 14% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 13.6 g | 5% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.0 g | 4% | |
| Total Sugars | 1.0 g | ||
| Protein | 9.6 g | 19% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 19 mg | 1% | |
| Iron | 1.7 mg | 9% | |
| Potassium | 142 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.
