Empanadas de Puerco
Flaky pastry pockets filled with spiced pork, a classic Puerto Rican snack. This puerto rican-inspired chicken ready in about 55 minutes pairs sheet (12 oz) pastry dough, pork shoulder, small onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 240 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 sheet (12 oz) pastry dough
- 1 lb pork shoulder
- 1 small onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 small tomato
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1/4 tsp cumin
Instructions
- Step 1: Roll out dough on a floured surface. Cut into 4 equal squares.
- Step 2: In a skillet, sauté onion, garlic, tomato, and bell pepper in 1 tbsp olive oil until softened, 5 minutes.
- Step 3: Add pork, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper, and cumin. Cook until pork is browned, 6 minutes. Let cool.
- Step 4: Place filling in dough squares, fold into triangles, and seal edges. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes until golden.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Empanadas de Puerco take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (25 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Empanadas de Puerco?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep sheet (12 oz) pastry dough from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Empanadas de Puerco?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Empanadas de Puerco for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Empanadas de Puerco?
Puerto Rican chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
I've tried many chicken recipes and this is hands down the best.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
