Relleno De Papa (Potato and Ground Beef Fritters) Recipe

Introduction

Relleno De Papa is a delicious Puerto Rican comfort food featuring creamy mashed potato balls stuffed with savory seasoned ground beef. Fried to golden perfection, these crispy treats make for a satisfying snack or appetizer that’s sure to impress family and friends.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds potatoes (peeled and cubed)
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 large egg
• 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch (plus more for coating)
• Olive oil (as needed)
• 2 tablespoons sofrito
• 1 small onion (chopped)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/3 cup tomato sauce
• 1 tablespoon adobo seasoning
• 3/4 teaspoon sazón seasoning
• Breadcrumbs (optional, for coating)
• Oil for frying
• Preferred dipping sauce

Instructions

1. Step 1: Boil the peeled and cubed potatoes in salted water until fork-tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and mash them until smooth.
2. Step 2: Add butter, egg, and cornstarch to the mashed potatoes and mix until well combined. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature.
3. Step 3: In a skillet over medium heat, coat with olive oil and sauté sofrito, chopped onion, and minced garlic until the onions are translucent.
4. Step 4: Add ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned. Stir in tomato sauce, adobo seasoning, and sazón seasoning. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
5. Step 5: Shape the cooled potato mixture into balls. Make an indentation in each ball and fill with the cooled beef mixture. Seal and reshape into balls.
6. Step 6: Roll each ball in cornstarch to coat thoroughly. You may use breadcrumbs instead if you prefer a different texture.
7. Step 7: Heat oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 375°F (190°C). Fry the stuffed potato balls until golden brown and crispy, about 3 to 5 minutes per side.
8. Step 8: Drain the fried balls on paper towels and serve warm with your preferred dipping sauce.

Tips & Variations

• For extra crispiness, coat the balls with breadcrumbs instead of cornstarch before frying.
• You can customize the filling by adding olives, raisins, or diced peppers for additional flavor.
• Use a kitchen thermometer to ensure the oil stays at the right temperature for perfect frying.
• If you want a lighter version, bake the balls in the oven at 400°F (200°C) until golden instead of frying.

Storage

Store leftover Relleno De Papa in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes to restore their crispiness. Avoid microwaving as it can make them soggy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare the potato mixture and filling ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare both the mashed potatoes and beef filling a day in advance. Keep them refrigerated separately and assemble just before frying.

What dipping sauces work best with Relleno De Papa?

Traditional options include garlic aioli, salsa roja, or a simple spicy mayo. Choose your favorite dipping sauce to complement the flavors.

Relleno De Papa (Potato and Ground Beef Fritters) Recipe

---

★★★★★

4.5 from 88 reviews

• Author: lilan
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: Approximately 12–15 stuffed potato balls 1x

Pin Recipe

Print Recipe

Description

Relleno De Papa is a delicious Latin-inspired dish featuring mashed potatoes stuffed with a flavorful ground beef filling, coated and fried to golden perfection. This recipe combines a creamy potato dough with a savory sofrito and seasoned beef center, making it a satisfying snack or appetizer ideal for sharing.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Potato Dough

• 2 pounds potatoes (peeled and cubed)
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 large egg
• 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch (plus more for coating)

Beef Filling

• Olive oil (as needed)
• 2 tablespoons sofrito
• 1 small onion (chopped)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/3 cup tomato sauce
• 1 tablespoon adobo seasoning
• 3/4 teaspoon sazón seasoning

For Frying & Serving

• Breadcrumbs (optional, for coating)
• Oil for frying
• Preferred dipping sauce

---

Instructions

1. Mash Potatoes: Boil the peeled and cubed potatoes in salted water until fork-tender, approximately 20 minutes. Drain well and mash the potatoes until smooth and free of lumps.
2. Mix Dough: To the mashed potatoes, add the butter, large egg, and 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined into a smooth dough. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature before handling further.
3. Cook Filling: Heat a skillet over medium heat and add enough olive oil to coat the surface. Add the sofrito, chopped onion, and minced garlic, cooking until the onions become translucent and fragrant. Add the ground beef and cook thoroughly until browned. Stir in tomato sauce, adobo seasoning, and sazón seasoning. Mix well and then set aside to cool completely.
4. Stuff Potatoes: Shape the cooled potato mixture into small balls. Using your thumb or finger, create an indentation in each ball and fill it with the cooled beef mixture. Carefully seal the filling inside by pinching the dough closed and reshape into balls. Roll each ball in cornstarch or breadcrumbs if preferred for an extra crispy coating.
5. Fry: Heat oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 375°F (190°C). Fry the stuffed potato balls in batches, turning occasionally, until they are golden brown and crispy, about 3 to 5 minutes per batch. Transfer the fried balls to paper towels to drain excess oil.
6. Serve: Serve the Relleno De Papa warm with your preferred dipping sauce for a flavorful appetizer or side dish.

Notes

• Ensure the potato mixture is completely cool before stuffing to prevent it from breaking apart.
• Use enough oil for deep frying to allow the balls to cook evenly and achieve the right crispiness.
• Breadcrumbs can be used instead of cornstarch for coating if you prefer a thicker, crunchier crust.
• Sofrito adds a lot of flavor, but you can adjust the quantity based on your taste preferences.
• Serve immediately after frying for the best texture and flavor.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Latin American

Keywords: Relleno De Papa, stuffed potatoes, Latin American appetizer, fried potato balls, ground beef filling, sofrito