Puerto Rican Fried Meat Pies Empanadas

Golden, crispy, and bursting with Puerto Rican flavors, these Fried Meat Pies, or Empanadas, are a delightful handheld treat that will transport your taste buds straight to the Caribbean. Filled with a savory mix of seasoned ground beef, sofrito, and tangy Spanish olives, these empanadas pack bold spices like adobo and sazón with achiote for a flavor explosion in every bite. Wrapped in flaky, golden-brown dough and fried to perfection, they make a perfect appetizer, snack, or main dish. Whether you use store-bought or homemade empanada discs, this recipe is simple yet authentic, with every step carefully designed to capture the essence of Puerto Rican cuisine. Serve warm alongside a dipping sauce or enjoy them on their own for a truly satisfying experience! Keywords: Puerto Rican empanadas, fried meat pies, sofrito recipes, Caribbean appetizers, authentic empanada recipe.

Nutriscore Rating: 52/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 10

Ingredients

• 1 pound Ground beef
• 0.25 cup Sofrito (Puerto Rican cooking base)
• 0.25 cup Tomato sauce
• 2 teaspoons Adobo seasoning
• 1 packet Sazón seasoning with achiote
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
• 0.25 cup Spanish olives (pitted and sliced)
• 10 pieces Empanada dough discs (store-bought or homemade)
• 3 cups Vegetable oil (for frying)
• 2 tablespoons Water

Directions

Step 1

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the ground beef. Cook for 5-7 minutes, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until browned and fully cooked.

Step 2

Add the sofrito, tomato sauce, adobo seasoning, sazón packet, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir well to combine and let the mixture cook for an additional 5 minutes.

Step 3

Mix in the sliced Spanish olives, and cook for another 2-3 minutes, ensuring all ingredients are well incorporated. Once the filling is done, remove it from heat and let it cool to room temperature.

Step 4

If using store-bought empanada dough discs, make sure they are thawed. Place one disc on a clean surface and add 1-2 tablespoons of the meat filling to the center. Be sure not to overfill.

Step 5

Lightly brush the edges of the dough with water, then fold it in half to create a half-moon shape. Press the edges together firmly and use a fork to crimp and seal the edges. Repeat with the remaining dough discs and filling.

Step 6

Heat the vegetable oil in a deep skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C). If you don't have a thermometer, test by dropping a small piece of dough into the oil—it should sizzle immediately.

Step 7

Carefully fry 2-3 empanadas at a time for 2-3 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown and crispy. Use tongs or a slotted spoon to transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.

Step 8

Repeat with the remaining empanadas. Serve warm and enjoy your Puerto Rican Fried Meat Pies!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1888.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	8778.8

Total Fat 862.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 155.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 321.1mg	0%
Sodium 4435.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 220.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 15.8g	0%
Total Sugars 13.0g
Protein 109.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 220.4mg	0%
Iron 19.6mg	0%
Potassium 1539.0mg	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: 85.5%

Protein: 4.8%

Carbs: 9.7%