Slow-Cooked Beef Salteñas with Spiced Potato Filling

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Traditional Bolivian salteñas featuring a slow-cooked beef and spiced potato filling wrapped in a flaky pastry, perfect for an indulgent snack. This latin american-inspired beef ready in about 440 minutes pairs cut into 1-inch cubes beef chuck, large, finely chopped onion, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 6, 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 420 min Serves 6 Latin American cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb beef chuck cubes and sear for 5-7 minutes until browned on all sides. Transfer beef to a slow cooker.
  2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 large finely chopped onion and 3 minced garlic cloves. Sauté over medium heat for 4 minutes until translucent and fragrant. Transfer to the slow cooker.
  3. Step 3: Add 2 diced medium potatoes, 1/2 cup frozen green peas, 1 tsp cumin powder, 1 tsp paprika, 1 1/2 cups beef broth, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to the slow cooker. Stir to combine.
  4. Step 4: Cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until beef is tender and potatoes are soft.
  5. Step 5: Preheat oven to 375°F. Spoon about 3 tbsp of the beef and potato filling onto the center of each 4-inch pastry dough circle. Brush edges with beaten egg to seal, then crimp edges to form a half-moon shape.
  6. Step 6: Place salteñas on a parchment-lined baking sheet, brush tops with remaining beaten egg, and bake for 25 minutes until golden brown. Serve warm.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Beef Salteñas with Spiced Potato Filling take to make?

Total time is about 440 minutes (20 min prep + 420 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 Slow-Cooked Beef Salteñas with Spiced Potato Filling?

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 large, finely chopped onion from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Beef Salteñas with Spiced Potato Filling?

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 Slow-Cooked Beef Salteñas with Spiced Potato Filling for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Slow-Cooked Beef Salteñas with Spiced Potato Filling?

Latin American beef 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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