Fried Pastéis with Ground Beef and Seasoned Vegetables

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Golden, crispy Brazilian pastries filled with a savory mixture of ground beef, onions, and spices, perfect for street-style snacking. This brazilian-inspired street food ready in about 35 minutes pairs sheets pastel dough sheets, ground beef, small, finely chopped yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 210 calories and feeds 10, 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.

★ 4.5 (11 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 15 min Serves 10 Brazilian cuisine 210 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat a skillet over medium heat and add 12 oz ground beef, cooking until browned and crumbly, about 5 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 finely chopped yellow onion and 1 minced garlic clove to the beef, sauté for 3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1 diced small tomato, 1/4 cup chopped green olives, 1/2 tsp cumin powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper, cooking for another 4 minutes until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and let cool.
  4. Step 4: Place a spoonful (about 2 tbsp) of the cooled filling onto the center of each of the 10 pastel dough sheets.
  5. Step 5: Fold the dough over the filling to form a half-moon shape and seal the edges tightly by pressing with a fork.
  6. Step 6: In a deep pot, heat 4 cups vegetable oil to 350°F. Fry the pastéis in batches for 3-4 minutes each until golden and crisp, turning once.
  7. Step 7: Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels before serving warm.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Fried Pastéis with Ground Beef and Seasoned Vegetables take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (20 min prep + 15 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 Fried Pastéis with Ground Beef and Seasoned Vegetables?

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 sheets pastel dough sheets from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Fried Pastéis with Ground Beef and Seasoned Vegetables?

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 Fried Pastéis with Ground Beef and Seasoned Vegetables for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 10 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 10). 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 Fried Pastéis with Ground Beef and Seasoned Vegetables?

Brazilian street food 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.

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