Empanadillas de Camarones (Shrimp Turnovers)

Name: Empanadillas de Camarones (Shrimp Turnovers)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 1 lb 🦐 shrimp (peeled, deveined, chopped); 2 tbsp olive oil 🫒; 2 tbsp sofrito (homemade or store-bought); 1 small onion, finely diced 🧅; 2 cloves garlic, minced 🧄; 1/2 tsp paprika 🌶️; Salt and pepper to taste 🧂; 1/4 cup tomato sauce 🍅; 1 tbsp chopped cilantro 🌿 (optional); 10 empanadilla discs (can use Goya or homemade) 🥟; Oil for frying (vegetable or canola)

Prep: 20 minutesCook: 15 minutesTotal: 35 minutes

Story

There’s a special kind of magic in the air when shrimp hit the skillet with garlic and sofrito 🧄🔥. Don Luis remembers his mamá folding empanadillas with her hands moving like waves—fast and gentle, like they were dancing. Whenever there were leftover shrimp from a family gathering, these crispy, golden turnovers became the next-day heroes 🌅. One time, Don Luis made these for a neighborhood party. A curious little boy asked him, “Why are they called *empanadillas*?” Don Luis smiled, lifted his apron proudly (the one with *Don Luis* stitched across the leather strap), and said, “Because *empanadilla* means a hug for your taste buds.” 😋 Time, Calories & Cost

Ingredients

1 lb 🦐 shrimp (peeled, deveined, chopped)
2 tbsp olive oil 🫒
2 tbsp sofrito (homemade or store-bought)
1 small onion, finely diced 🧅
2 cloves garlic, minced 🧄
0.5 tsp paprika 🌶️
Salt and pepper to taste 🧂
0.25 cup tomato sauce 🍅
1 tbsp chopped cilantro 🌿 (optional)
10 empanadilla discs (can use Goya or homemade) 🥟
Oil for frying (vegetable or canola)

Instructions

1Prep the filling: In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, and sofrito. Cook until fragrant (about 2–3 minutes).
2Add shrimp: Stir in chopped shrimp, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook until shrimp turn pink (about 3–4 minutes).
3Sauce it up: Add tomato sauce and cook for 2 more minutes. Let it thicken slightly. Add cilantro if using. Remove from heat and let it cool.
4Fill and seal: Place 1 to 1½ tbsp of filling in each empanadilla disc. Fold over and seal edges with a fork 🔱.
5Fry to golden: Heat oil in a pan and fry each empanadilla until golden brown and crispy (2–3 minutes per side). Drain on paper towels.
6Cool and enjoy: Let them rest for 2 minutes before serving. Serve with a dipping sauce of your choice (mayo-ketchup is 🔥).

About the narrator

Don Luis · A character for three generations

Don Luis is the brand character and narrator for this catalog: a warm voice for Puerto Rican family recipes tested by the real creator behind the brand. The project carries three generations of flavor and writes each recipe step by step so any kid can follow it.

Read our mission →