A traditional Puerto Rican dish — Empanadillas are the golden half-moon turnovers that rule island snack counters, their annatto-tinted dough fried around a juicy beef picadillo. Unlike their Latin cousins, the Puerto Rican version uses a richer wheat dough colored with achiote oil. Crisp, savory and endlessly portable, they are street food perfection.
Empanadillas
A traditional Puerto Rican dish — Empanadillas are the golden half-moon turnovers that rule island snack counters, their annatto-tinted dough fried around a juicy beef picadillo.

Step by stepInstructions
- Brown the beef with the sofrito, tomato sauce, adobo, capers and olives until dry and flavorful, about 10 minutes; cool completely.
- Rub the shortening and annatto oil into the flour and salt until crumbly, then add the warm water and knead into a smooth, supple dough. Rest 20 minutes.
- Roll the dough out to 1/8 inch (3 mm) thick and cut into 5-inch (13 cm) rounds.
- Fill each round with a heaping tablespoon of picadillo, fold into a half-moon, and press the edges with a fork to seal.
- Heat the oil to 350°F (175°C) and fry in batches until puffed and golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Drain and serve hot.
💡 Chef tips & storage
Keep the dough covered while working so it does not dry out and crack. Crab empanadillas are a classic variation: sauté lump crabmeat with sofrito and a little tomato sauce instead of beef.

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