Pupusa Recipe

Pupusa Recipe

from thealmondeater.com
50 min
14 servings

This easy Pupusa Recipe will teach you how to make these bean and cheese-filled tortillas. The pupusas are easy to customize, and are typically paired with curtido for a tasty lunch, dinner or snack.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups masa harina
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 2 3/4 cups warm water
  • 2 tbsp avocado oil (or oil of choice; for frying)
  • 15 oz. refried beans
  • 1 packet chicken seasoning ((preferably Goya))
  • 1 cups mozzarella cheese (shredded)
  • 1/2 head green cabbage (sliced)
  • 1 large carrot (peeled and sliced thinly (or use 1/2 cup pre-shredded carrots))
  • 1/2 onion (thinly sliced)
  • salt to taste
  • 1/2 cup white vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
  • 1/2 cup boiling water (or more)

Directions

  1. 1

    Start by making the curtido: bring a large pot of water to a boil, then add the cabbage and boil it until soft; reserve 1/2 cup of the water, then drain the rest. Transfer the cabbage to a bowl and add the carrot, onion, salt, vinegar, and the reserved hot water. Allow the mixture to sit while you prepare the pupusas.

  2. 2

    Next, make the filling: stir the refried beans, chicken seasoning and cheese together in a bowl; set aside.

  3. 3

    Next, make the dough: add the masa and salt to a large mixing bowl, then add the water in 1 cup at a time, using your hands to stir everything together to form the dough. Once all of the water has been added, the dough should feel similar to play-doh.

  4. 4

    Now, it's time to assemble the pupusas! Grab a small handful of the dough and use your palms to flatten it into a disc. Use your fingers to lift the edges up a bit so it resembles a shallow cup, then add 1-2 tablespoons of the bean mixture into the center. Fold the sides up so that the dough forms a ball, then use your palms to flatten it back out into a disc. It's ok if it isn't perfect! This process takes several tries to get right. Repeat this process until all of the bean mixture is used up.

  5. 5

    Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a cast iron skillet (or heavy bottomed skillet) over medium heat. Add 3 pupusas and cook them for 2-3 minutes, then use a spatula to flip them over and cook for 1-2 minutes until they're golden on the outside. Repeat this process with all of the pupusas.

  6. 6

    Serve pupusas with curtido on top (and salsa roja, if available) and enjoy!