πŸ‡ΈπŸ‡» Salvadoran Cuisine

Pastelitos de Carne

Fried Beef Turnovers

Prep Time 1 hour
Servings 8
Difficulty Medium
Calories 310 kcal

Crispy fried turnovers filled with seasoned ground beef, potatoes, and vegetables, wrapped in a thin corn masa shell. Classic street food.

Ingredients

  • 500g masa harina
  • Warm water as needed
  • 500g ground beef
  • 2 potatoes, finely diced and boiled
  • 1 onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tomato, diced
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • Vegetable oil for frying
  • Salt and pepper
  • Curtido for serving

Instructions

  1. 1 Make masa dough by mixing masa harina with warm water and salt until pliable. Let rest fifteen minutes covered with a damp cloth.
  2. 2 Brown ground beef with onion and garlic. Add tomato, cumin, salt, and pepper. Stir in diced potatoes. Cook until well combined and dry.
  3. 3 Flatten a ball of masa into a thin circle using a tortilla press or rolling pin. Place a spoonful of filling in the center.
  4. 4 Fold masa over the filling and press edges firmly to seal. The shape should be a half-moon. Ensure no gaps for frying.
  5. 5 Fry in hot oil at 175C until golden and crispy, about four minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.
  6. 6 Serve hot with curtido and tomato salsa on the side.

Did You Know?

Pastelitos are the essential party food in El Salvador and no birthday celebration or gathering is complete without a tray of these golden turnovers.

From The Culinary Codex — http://theculinarycodex.com/dish/salvadoran/pastelitos-de-carne/