07/25/2026
🥟 6 HOMEMADE EMPANADAS WITH YUCA, GREEN PLANTAIN & RIPE PLANTAIN
Basic Yuca Dough
Ingredients:
• 1 kg yuca, peeled and boiled
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 egg, optional
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2–4 tbsp cornstarch or flour, if needed
Instructions:
Boil the yuca until soft. Remove the hard center. Mash while hot with butter and salt.
Add egg if desired and a little cornstarch if the dough feels too sticky.
Let it cool slightly before shaping.
Basic Green Plantain Dough
Ingredients:
• 4 green plantains
• 1 tbsp butter or oil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2–4 tbsp cornstarch or flour, if needed
Instructions:
Boil the peeled green plantains until soft. Mash with butter and salt.
Add a little cornstarch if needed to help shape the dough.
Flatten portions between plastic wrap before filling.
Basic Ripe Plantain Dough
Ingredients:
• 4 very ripe plantains
• 1 tbsp butter
• Pinch of salt
• 2–4 tbsp cornstarch or flour, if needed
Instructions:
Boil or bake the ripe plantains until soft. Mash with butter and a pinch of salt.
Add cornstarch only if the dough is too soft.
Let it cool before shaping so it is easier to handle.
1. Yuca Empanadas with Ground Beef
Ingredients:
• Yuca dough
• 400 g ground beef
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 bell pepper, chopped
• 1/2 cup tomato sauce
• Salt, black pepper, oregano, and paprika
• Oil for frying
Instructions:
Cook onion, garlic, and bell pepper in a pan.
Add ground beef, salt, pepper, oregano, and paprika.
Pour in tomato sauce and cook until juicy but not watery.
Flatten portions of yuca dough, add beef filling, fold, and seal.
Fry until golden and crispy.
2. Yuca Empanadas with Chicken and Cheese
Ingredients:
• Yuca dough
• 350 g cooked shredded chicken
• 120 g mozzarella cheese
• 2 tbsp cream cheese or heavy cream
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• Salt, black pepper, and oregano
Instructions:
Sauté onion and garlic.
Add shredded chicken, salt, pepper, and oregano.
Mix in cream cheese or heavy cream to keep the filling juicy.
Let it cool slightly, then add mozzarella.
Fill the yuca dough, seal, and fry until golden.
3. Green Plantain Empanadas with Pork
Ingredients:
• Green plantain dough
• 400 g cooked pork, shredded or chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• Salt and black pepper
• Oil for frying
Instructions:
Cook onion and garlic in a pan.
Add pork, oregano, salt, pepper, and lime juice.
Cook until the pork is flavorful and slightly juicy.
Flatten the green plantain dough, fill with pork, fold, and seal.
Fry until crispy and golden.
4. Green Plantain Empanadas with Cheese
Ingredients:
• Green plantain dough
• 180 g mozzarella, queso de freír, or white cheese
• 2 tbsp cream cheese, optional
• Garlic sauce for serving
• Oil for frying
Instructions:
Flatten small portions of green plantain dough.
Place cheese in the center and add a little cream cheese if desired.
Fold carefully and seal the edges well.
Fry until golden and crispy.
Serve with garlic sauce.
5. Ripe Plantain Empanadas with Beef and Cheese
Ingredients:
• Ripe plantain dough
• 350 g ground beef
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 cup tomato sauce
• 120 g mozzarella cheese
• Salt, black pepper, oregano, and paprika
• Oil for frying
Instructions:
Cook onion and garlic in a pan.
Add ground beef, seasonings, and tomato sauce.
Cook until the filling is juicy and flavorful.
Let it cool, then mix in mozzarella.
Fill the ripe plantain dough, seal gently, and fry until golden and caramelized.
6. Ripe Plantain Empanadas with Chicken and Creamy Cheese
Ingredients:
• Ripe plantain dough
• 350 g cooked shredded chicken
• 120 g mozzarella cheese
• 2 tbsp cream cheese
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• Salt, black pepper, and oregano
Instructions:
Sauté onion and garlic.
Add shredded chicken, salt, pepper, and oregano.
Mix in cream cheese to make the filling creamy.
Let it cool and add mozzarella.
Fill the ripe plantain dough, seal carefully, and fry until golden.