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.

Nutriscore Rating: 53/100

Prep Time:40 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:65 mins

Servings: 12

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)

Directions

Step 1

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.

Step 2

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.

Step 3

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).

Step 4

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.

Step 5

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.

Step 6

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.

Step 7

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.

Step 8

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.

Step 9

Transfer the fried pastelitos to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Allow them to cool slightly before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2013.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	9150.8

Total Fat 847.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 161.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 610.1mg	0%
Sodium 4271.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 294.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 14.2g	0%
Total Sugars 10.5g
Protein 123.3g	0%

Vitamin D 40IU	0%
Calcium 182.1mg	0%
Iron 26.7mg	0%
Potassium 2157.1mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 82.0%

Protein: 5.3%

Carbs: 12.7%