The Best Colombian Papas Rellenas (Beef Stuffed Potatoes) Recipe
Traditional Colombian Papas Rellenas are delicious beef-stuffed potatoes coated in a light batter and fried until golden and crispy. This comforting dish features tender mashed potatoes filled with a savory ground beef mixture, making it perfect as an appetizer or snack for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Colombian
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes
- 8 Russet Potatoes
- Salt To Taste
- Water For Boiling the Potatoes
Filling
- 1 lb Ground Beef
- 1 bunch Scallions or Green Onions
- 4 Campari Tomatoes
- 1 tsp Ground Cumin
- 1 tsp Sazon
Batter
- 2 tbsp Flour
- ⅓ cup Heavy Cream
- 2 Eggs
- ⅛ tsp Salt
- Panko Crumbs (Optional)
Garnish
- ¼ bunch Fresh Parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Peel and Boil Potatoes: Peel the potatoes and dice them into medium pieces. Place them in a large pot filled with salted water and boil until tender, about 15 minutes.
- Mash Potatoes: Drain the cooked potatoes, then mash them in the pot while still warm to remove excess moisture. Use a whisk to mix thoroughly, season with salt to taste, and set aside.
- Prepare Filling: Dice the tomatoes and scallions. Heat a skillet over medium heat with a pinch of avocado oil. Add the scallions and tomatoes, cooking until caramelized. Add ground beef, ground cumin, sazon, and salt to taste. Stir and cook until the beef is browned and caramelized.
- Form and Fill Potatoes: Divide the mashed potatoes evenly into portions about 1/3 to 1/2 cup each. Shape each portion into a disc, place about two tablespoons of the beef filling in the center, then close and form into a sealed ball, ensuring no gaps.
- Prepare Batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, heavy cream, eggs, and salt until smooth. Optional: Prepare panko crumbs if using.
- Batter and Coat Potatoes: Dip each stuffed potato ball into the batter, fully coating it. Optionally, roll them in panko crumbs for extra crispiness.
- Fry Papas Rellenas: Heat vegetable or avocado oil in a deep pan or skillet to a steady temperature suitable for frying. Fry the coated potato balls in batches to avoid overcrowding, cooking each for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Transfer to a cooking rack to drain excess oil.
Notes
- Make sure the mashed potatoes are not watery; draining and whisking them while warm helps achieve the right consistency for shaping.
- Seal the potato balls tightly to prevent filling from leaking during frying.
- Maintain consistent oil temperature when frying to ensure even cooking and crispy texture.
- Panko crumbs add extra crunch but are optional.
- Serve warm and garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Keywords: papas rellenas, Colombian stuffed potatoes, beef stuffed potatoes, fried potatoes, Latin American appetizer
