Pastelitos De Carne Central American Meat Pies

Delight your taste buds with these irresistible **Pastelitos de Carne**, a beloved Central American staple packed with bold flavors and a satisfying crunch. These golden, crispy meat pies feature a savory filling of seasoned ground beef, tender diced potatoes, and a hint of sweetness from shredded carrots, all enhanced by aromatic spices like cumin and paprika. Encased in a flaky, handmade dough and fried to perfection, these pastelitos offer the perfect balance of texture and flavor. Perfect as a snack, appetizer, or main course, they’re best enjoyed warm with tangy curtido (pickled cabbage slaw) or your favorite dipping sauce. With simple ingredients and a taste of tradition in every bite, this recipe is a must-try for fans of authentic Latin American cuisine!

Nutriscore Rating: 59/100

Prep Time:40 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:70 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 1 pound Ground beef
• 1 medium, finely chopped Onion
• 2 cloves, minced Garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
• 1 medium, peeled and finely diced Potato
• 1 medium, finely shredded Carrot
• 1 teaspoon Cumin
• 1 teaspoon Paprika
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoons Black pepper
• 2.5 cups All-purpose flour
• 0.5 cup Shortening or butter
• 0.75 cup Cold water
• 2 cups (for frying) Vegetable oil

Directions

Step 1

In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef and cook until browned. Break the beef apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks.

Step 2

Add the onion and garlic to the skillet. Sauté until the onion is translucent, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 3

Stir in tomato paste, diced potato, and shredded carrot. Mix well to combine.

Step 4

Season the mixture with cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cover and cook for 8-10 minutes, or until the potato is tender. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.

Step 5

In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and a pinch of salt. Cut in the shortening or butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Step 6

Gradually add the cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, kneading gently until the dough comes together into a smooth ball. Cover and let rest for 15 minutes.

Step 7

Divide the dough into 12 equal portions. Roll each portion into a circle about 4-5 inches in diameter.

Step 8

Place 2 tablespoons of the meat mixture in the center of each dough circle. Fold the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Press the edges together and crimp with a fork to seal.

Step 9

Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or pot over medium heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C).

Step 10

Carefully fry the pastelitos in batches, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crispy, about 3-4 minutes per side.

Step 11

Remove the pastelitos with a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Step 12

Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce or a side of curtido (pickled cabbage slaw).

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1909.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	7058.0

Total Fat 627.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 123.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 270.7g
Cholesterol 325.6mg	0%
Sodium 2987.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 290.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 17.1g	0%
Total Sugars 16.6g
Protein 115.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 198.9mg	0%
Iron 25.5mg	0%
Potassium 2818.8mg	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: 77.7%

Protein: 6.3%

Carbs: 16.0%