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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 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.

Equipment for this recipe

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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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