Spiced Alcapurrias
Crispy fritters filled with seasoned beef and shrimp, served with tangy mango sauce for a vibrant Puerto Rican twist. This puerto rican-inspired quick meals ready in about 55 minutes pairs plantain flour, water, salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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
- 2 cups plantain flour
- 1.5 cups water
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground annatto
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb shrimp
- 1 onion
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1 tsp oregano
- 3 cups vegetable oil
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, whisk 2 cups plantain flour, 1.5 cups water, 1 tsp salt, and 1 tsp ground annatto until smooth. Let rest for 30 minutes.
- Step 2: In a skillet, heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil over medium heat. Add 1 lb ground beef, 1 lb shrimp (peeled and deveined), 1 chopped onion, and 3 minced garlic cloves. Cook for 8-10 minutes until meat is browned and shrimp is opaque.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 tsp oregano and season with salt to taste. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Step 4: Heat remaining 2.5 cups vegetable oil in a deep fryer or heavy pot to 375°F. Drop 1/4 cup dough into hot oil, shaping into 4-inch rounds. Fry for 2-3 minutes until golden and crispy, then drain on paper towels.
- Step 5: Fill each fritter with beef-shrimp mixture and serve with fresh mango slices or a squeeze of lime.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Alcapurrias take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (30 min prep + 25 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 Spiced Alcapurrias?
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 plantain flour from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Alcapurrias?
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 Spiced Alcapurrias 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 Spiced Alcapurrias?
Puerto Rican quick meals 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
- ★★★★★
The aroma while cooking this was absolutely heavenly.
- ★★★★★
Doubled the garlic (as one does) and it was amazing.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
