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Papas Rellenas (Colombian Meat Stuffed Potatoes) Recipe

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3.9 from 90 reviews

Papas rellenas are a classic Colombian dish featuring fluffy mashed potatoes stuffed with a flavorful ground meat mixture, then breaded and fried to golden perfection. This comforting recipe combines tender potatoes with a savory beef filling seasoned with cumin, oregano, and thyme, offering a delicious and satisfying meal or snack.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes plus 1 hour chilling
  • Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

For the Meat Stuffing:

  • 400 gr (14 oz) ground meat
  • 1 onion, cut into cubes
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 hard-boiled egg, optional
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • ½ tsp thyme
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Potatoes:

  • 5 big potatoes (500 gr)
  • 2 eggs
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • Salt, to taste
  • Oil to fry (canola oil recommended)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Potatoes: Peel and cut the potatoes into cubes. Boil them in salted water for 20 minutes until they are soft but not mushy. Drain and let them chill completely.
  2. Cook Meat Filling: Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook for about a minute. Stir in the tomato paste. Add the ground meat and season with cumin, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook for about 10 minutes until the meat is fully cooked. Finally, crumble in the hard-boiled egg if using, and mix.
  3. Mash Potatoes: Using a potato masher or fork, mash the potatoes until smooth, leaving some small clumps for texture.
  4. Assemble Papas Rellenas: Using plastic wrap, form flat circles of mashed potato with about 4 tablespoons each. Add about 2 tablespoons of the meat filling in the center, then seal the potato around the filling to form a ball, using the plastic wrap to help shape and close it. Repeat for all potatoes. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
  5. Bread the Balls: In a bowl, beat the eggs. Add the flour and mix well to create a batter. Dip each potato ball into the batter, coating evenly.
  6. Fry Papas Rellenas: Pour enough oil into a saucepan or deep fryer to cover the balls. Heat the oil to medium-high and fry the potato balls until golden and crispy on all sides. Remove and place on paper towels to absorb excess oil. Serve warm.

Notes

  • Ensure potatoes are cooled completely before forming the balls to prevent them from breaking.
  • Refrigerating the stuffed potatoes helps the shape hold during frying.
  • Use a thermometer if possible to maintain oil temperature around 350°F (175°C) for even frying.
  • Hard-boiled egg in the filling is optional but adds texture and flavor.
  • Canola oil is recommended for frying due to its neutral flavor and high smoke point.
  • Serve with aji sauce or your favorite dipping sauce for added flavor.
  • Author: Adeline
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Snack
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Colombian

Find it online: https://flavorhug.com/papas-rellenas-colombian-meat-stuffed-potatoes-recipe/