Puerto Rican Empanadas Recipe
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
1 hr
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Total Time
1 hr 15 mins
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Servings
24 servings
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Calories
102 kcal
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Course
Appetizer
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Cuisine
South American
Puerto Rican Empanadas Recipe
Description
The Puerto Rican Empanadas Recipe brings together a well-spiced beef and vegetable filling, featuring ground beef cooked with onions, garlic, sofrito, diced potatoes, olives, and optional raisins for a subtle sweetness. Tomato paste and bay leaves enrich the sauce, which is simmered to develop robust flavors and a thick consistency. The filling is chilled briefly before being enclosed in empanada wrappers that are sealed and then cooked until golden and crisp, either by baking or frying.
This recipe focuses on layering spices characteristic of Puerto Rican cuisine, such as adobo and sofrito, which impart essential depth and aroma. The potatoes add body and texture to the filling, while the olives provide a slightly tangy, savory note. The balance of these ingredients creates a hearty filling encased in a flaky exterior.
Empanadas like these can be served as handheld snacks or part of a larger meal. They pair well with fresh garnishes like cilantro and lime wedges, which help brighten the rich filling. Their portability makes them suitable for parties, lunches, or casual occasions.
For best results, the filling should be cooled before assembly to prevent the dough from becoming soggy. The empanadas can be stored refrigerated for a few days or frozen for longer preservation, reheated in the oven to maintain crispness.
Ingredients
For The Filling
- 3 Tablespoons olive oil divided
- 1 onion small diced, large sweet yellow
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 cup sofrito
- 1 pound ground beef 80/20 ratio
- 1/2 teaspoon adobo seasoning dry
- 1 potato small diced, large
- 10 olives cut in half, stuffed with pimiento
- 2 bay leaf
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 empanada wrappers package of 12, for baking or frying
- 1/2 cup raisins optional
For the Egg Wash
- 4 egg
- 4 Tablespoons water
For Cooking
- cooking spray
Garnishes (Optional)
- cilantro leaves
- lime wedges
Instructions
- Heat a large pan over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil, then add the onions, garlic, and sofrito. Sauté until the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the beef to the pan and pour the remaining tablespoon of olive oil over the beef. Then, sprinkle the 1/2 tsp dry adobo on top. Stir and break up the beef into crumbles until well combined.
- Add the potatoes, olives, bay leaves, raisins (if using), water, and 2 tbsp tomato paste to the pan. Stir until well combined.
- Increase the heat to high to bring the beef mixture to a boil. Lower the heat to a simmer. Cover and let cook for 10 minutes.
- Uncover and let simmer for another 10 minutes or until the sauce thickens. Remove the bay leaves and transfer the beef mixture to a bowl. Let the mixture cool for 5 minutes.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Place 1 to 2 tablespoons of beef filling in the middle of each empanada wrapper.
- Brush water around half of the outer edge of each wrapper. Fold the wrapper over the filling and pinch the edges to seal.
- Using a fork, crimp the edges. Repeat this process with the remaining wrappers and filling.
- Beat 4 eggs and 4 tablespoons of water together in a bowl to form an egg wash. Brush each empanada with the egg wash and then spray with cooking spray.
- Place the empanadas in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 5 minutes. Flip the empanadas over and continue cooking until light golden brown, about 5 minutes more. Repeat with the remaining empanadas.
Notes
- Store cooked empanadas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days to maintain freshness and texture.
- For longer storage, freeze empanadas in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to three months; thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheat frozen or refrigerated empanadas in a preheated oven at 350°F (180°C) for about 10 minutes to preserve their crisp exterior rather than using a microwave.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 24servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 102 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 102kcal | 5% |
| Carbohydrates | 6g | 2% |
| Protein | 5g | 10% |
| Fat | 7g | 11% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.5g | 3% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Trans Fat | 0.2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 41mg | 14% |
| Sodium | 83mg | 3% |
| Potassium | 162mg | 3% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 82IU | 2% |
| Vitamin C | 3mg | 3% |
| Calcium | 15mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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