Textual Chef Textual Chef

Tostones Rellenos

Crispy double-fried green plantain cups stuffed with a savory ground beef picadillo filling.

50 minMediumServes 4380 cal/serving

CubanAppetizerStovetopStandardGluten-FreeDairy-FreeNut-FreeEgg-FreeSoy-FreePork-FreeAlcohol-Free

Cook this free in the appFree. No download, no account. The screen stays awake and each step can run its own timer.

Ingredients

  • 4 green plantains, sliced
  • 2 cups vegetable oil
  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1/2 cup yellow onion, diced
  • 1/2 cup green bell pepper, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 cup tomato sauce
  • 2 tbsp pitted green olives, chopped
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions

  1. 1

    Heat a tablespoon of 2 cups vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat, then saute 1/2 cup diced yellow onion, 1/2 cup diced green bell pepper, and 2 minced garlic cloves until softened.

  2. 2

    Add 1 lb lean ground beef and cook until browned, then stir in 1/2 cup tomato sauce, 2 tbsp chopped pitted green olives, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, and 1/2 tsp salt.

  3. 3

    Simmer the meat mixture for 10 minutes until thick and internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F, then set aside.

  4. 4

    Heat remaining 2 cups vegetable oil in a deep skillet to 350 degrees F and fry 4 sliced green plantains for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden.

  5. 5

    Press each fried plantain piece into a cup shape using a wooden press, then fry again for 2 minutes until crisp.

  6. 6

    Drain plantain cups on paper towels and spoon warm meat filling into each cup before serving.

Cook this free in the appCooking it now? The app keeps the screen awake and times each step. Free, nothing to install.

Questions

How hot should the oil be for Tostones Rellenos?

For Tostones Rellenos, the target internal temperature is 160 F (about 70 C), given in step 3. A probe thermometer removes the guesswork. The frying oil is held at 350 F (about 175 C) in step 4. Hotter scorches the outside before the inside cooks, and cooler turns it greasy.

How do I know when Tostones Rellenos is done?

Go by the cues in the method rather than the clock. Step 3: cook until thick and internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F. A reading of 160 F on a thermometer settles it.

Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef in Tostones Rellenos?

Yes. Choose turkey that is not extra-lean and add a tablespoon of oil to the pan, because turkey has less fat and browns more slowly. Season it a little harder than you would beef. As written, the entry for Tostones Rellenos uses 1 lb lean ground beef.

How many calories are in Tostones Rellenos?

One serving (the recipe makes 4) is about 380 calories, with 18 g protein, 32 g carbohydrate and 22 g fat, plus 4 g fiber and 490 mg sodium. The figures are estimates computed from the ingredient list.

How do I store and reheat Tostones Rellenos?

Refrigerate what is left of Tostones Rellenos within two hours and eat it within three days. Reheat uncovered in a 400 F oven (or an air fryer) for a few minutes to bring the crust back; the microwave softens it.

Serve it with

Cook this free in the app

Textual Chef is 4,530 plain-text recipes, free to read and free to cook from. No account, no paywall, no ads, no life stories. Open this one in the app and each quantity sits inside the step that uses it, so you read once and cook.

Every recipe is curated or public-domain sourced, written to one template and checked before it publishes. Nothing here is a scraped blog post.

Cook this free in the appNo download needed. It opens in your browser. The kitchen tools (planner, shopping list, pantry, import) are $5.33 a month billed annually; the first 30 days are free.

More Cuban entries

All Cuban recipes · All Appetizer recipes · All Green Plantains recipes