Starters & Snacks

Pastéis de massa tenra

Deep-fried pastries with a thin, tender dough and a juicy meat filling.

RegionNationwide
DifficultyHard
Total time1 h 30 min
Yield20 units
Photo of Pastéis de massa tenra — traditional Portuguese recipe
Photo of the traditional Portuguese recipe.

Editorial content from Empório Portugal. Traditional recipes may vary by region, family and cook.

About the recipe

Pastéis de massa tenra have a thin pastry shell, moist filling and traditional Portuguese savoury flavour.

The dough should be elastic and delicate, unlike a heavy pie dough.

Ingredients

  • Homemade tender dough
  • 400 g cooked and minced meat
  • 1 chopped onion
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 2 tablespoons of olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • 150 ml of broth
  • Parsley, salt and pepper
  • Oil for frying

Method

  1. Make the filling by sautéing onion, garlic and meat.
  2. Add the flour and broth to bind the filling.
  3. Cook until the filling is moist but not runny, then let it cool.
  4. Roll out the dough thinly.
  5. Add the filling, fold the dough, seal the edges and cut out the pastries.
  6. Fry in hot oil until golden.

Tips from Empório Portugal

  • The filling must be moist but not runny.
  • Roll the dough thinly for a delicate pastry.
  • Seal the edges well.

Possible substitutions in Brazil

  • Use shredded roast beef as filling.
  • Homemade dough can be made with flour, fat and warm water.

Pairing

Vinho Verde, a light beer or sparkling water. Content intended for people over 18 years of age. Drink in moderation.

Editorial note from Empório Portugal

This recipe is part of the editorial curation of Empório Portugal, developed from Portuguese culinary tradition. Like every traditional recipe, it may vary by region, family and cook.

Do you have a Portuguese family recipe?

Send it to the Empório Portugal community. Submitted recipes are reviewed before any publication.

Submit my recipe

Quick facts

Prep
1 h
Cooking
30 min
Total time
1 h 30 min
Yield
20 units
Difficulty
Hard
Occasion
Portuguese snack, afternoon snack, parties

Pairing

Vinho Verde, a light beer or sparkling water. Content intended for people over 18 years of age. Drink in moderation.

Empório tip

The filling must be moist but not runny.

Carta de Portugal

Receive Portuguese recipes, guides and stories.

An editorial selection from Empório Portugal, without exaggerated promises and with respect for your privacy.

Subscribe to the newsletter