Homemade Honduran Empanadas | Pastelitos Hondureños

ground beef

🥗Healthier: lean turkey

💰Cheaper: ground chicken

Lean turkey reduces fat content while ground chicken is often less expensive.

butter

🥗Healthier: coconut oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Coconut oil is a healthier fat alternative, while margarine can be more affordable.

cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: processed cheese

Nutritional yeast provides a cheesy flavor with fewer calories, while processed cheese is often cheaper.

vegetable oil

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Olive oil is a healthier fat choice, while canola oil is generally cheaper.

Chop the garlic, potatoes, onion, green pepper, tomato, and cilantro. Set aside.

In a hot pan with oil, sauté garlic, onion, and green pepper. Add tomatoes and ground beef, breaking it down well. Season with salt, pepper, oregano, paprika, and onion powder. Once mixed, add potatoes, Sazón, and cilantro. Let simmer over medium heat until fully cooked and most liquid evaporates. Set aside.

In a bowl, combine flour, paprika, Sazón, adobo, and baking soda. Slowly add 2 cups of water, mixing until a smooth, workable dough forms.

Slightly wet your hands to prevent sticking. Roll dough into balls and flatten into tortillas. Place tortilla on plastic wrap and press evenly. Add a generous scoop of beef filling. Fold and seal using fingers or a fork.

Heat oil to medium-high heat. Fry empanadas until golden brown on both sides. Remove and drain.

Serve topped with shredded cabbage, tomato sauce, Honduran/Salvadoran cheese, and pickled jalapeño red onions.

Cooking Techniques

Spice Level:

Allergens