Go Back

Puerto Rican Empanadas - Empandillas

Puerto Rican Empanadas, sometimes known as Empanadillas or Pastelillos are turnovers filled with beef, chicken, cheese or even pizza toppings. These crispy empanadas can be fried or oven baked.
5 from 6 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Snacks, Street Food
Cuisine Puerto Rican Cuisine
Servings 12 servings
Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound of lean ground beef
  • 1/3 cup of homemade sofrito
  • 1/3 cup of tomato sauce
  • 1 packet of sazon con achiote
  • 1 tablespoon of adobo all purpose seasoning
  • 2 teaspoons of ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes
  • 2 1/2 cups of small diced potatoes (frozen potatoes work too)
  • 1 package of Goya Brand- Empanada Discos con Achiote

Instructions
 

  • Defrost frozen empanada dough for 2-3 hours.
  • On medium heat cook homemade sofrito with tomato sauce until fragrant. Then add lean ground beef.
  • Crumble the meat and season with sazon, adobo, cumin, dried oregano and red pepper flakes.
  • Once meat is brown add diced potatoes and allow remaining liquid to steam potatoes until tender. Cool your mixture.
  • On a flat surface, sprinkle some all purpose flour and lay out your empanada dough.
  • Add a tablespoon of the meat mixture in the center of the dough. Fold over the dough and firmly press with your thumbs. To properly seal the seam, crimp the edges with a fork.
  • In hot oil, fry the empanadas for 1 minute on each side. Let them rest on a paper-towel and enjoy!

Video