Pastel (Brazilian Savory Pastry)

Crispy, golden, and stuffed with rich, savory goodness, Brazilian Pastel is the ultimate street food treat you can now recreate at home! This iconic snack features a homemade pastry dough—made tender and flaky with a touch of cachaça or vinegar—wrapped around a flavorful filling of perfectly seasoned ground beef, sautéed onions, garlic, tomato paste, tangy green olives, and fresh parsley. Deep-fried to perfection, these irresistible pockets of flavor deliver crunch in every bite. Perfect for parties, appetizers, or a quick comfort food fix, these pastéis are best served piping hot, making them a crowd-pleasing addition to any occasion. Bring a taste of Brazil's vibrant culinary culture to your kitchen with this easy and authentic recipe!

Nutriscore Rating: 51/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons cachaça or white vinegar
• 1 cup warm water
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 0.25 cup green olives, chopped
• 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
• 4 cups vegetable oil (for frying)
• 1 teaspoon salt (for seasoning filling)
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper (for seasoning filling)

Directions

Step 1

In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. Mix well.

Step 2

Add vegetable oil and cachaça or vinegar to the flour mixture. Gradually add the warm water while mixing until a dough forms.

Step 3

Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface until it is smooth and elastic, about 5-7 minutes. Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rest for at least 30 minutes.

Step 4

In the meantime, prepare the filling: In a skillet over medium heat, add a small amount of oil and sauté the onions until translucent.

Step 5

Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for another minute until fragrant.

Step 6

Add ground beef to the skillet, cooking until it is browned and fully cooked, breaking up any lumps with a spoon.

Step 7

Stir in tomato paste, olives, parsley, salt, and black pepper. Cook for another 5-7 minutes, allowing the flavors to blend. Remove from heat and let the filling cool completely.

Step 8

Roll out the rested dough on a floured surface to about 1/8 inch thickness. Cut the dough into squares or rectangles, about 4 inches in size.

Step 9

Place about 1-2 tablespoons of the filling in the center of each cut dough piece.

Step 10

Fold the dough over to create a filled rectangle or square and press the edges firmly with a fork to seal.

Step 11

In a deep, heavy-bottomed pot, heat the vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C). Fry the pastel in batches, ensuring they are golden brown and crisp on both sides, about 2-3 minutes per side.

Step 12

Remove from oil and drain on paper towels. Serve hot, and enjoy your homemade pastel!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2313.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	11252.3

Total Fat 1102.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 180.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 33.6g
Cholesterol 313.1mg	0%
Sodium 5845.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 298.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 15.7g	0%
Total Sugars 9.6g
Protein 117.6g	0%

Vitamin D 28.1IU	0%
Calcium 232.7mg	0%
Iron 28.3mg	0%
Potassium 1815.5mg	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: 85.6%

Protein: 4.1%

Carbs: 10.3%