How To Cook Nopales (No Sticky Texture!)
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
15 mins
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Total Time
30 mins
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Servings
2 servings
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Calories
16 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Mexican
How To Cook Nopales (No Sticky Texture!)
Description
How To Cook Nopales (No Sticky Texture!) first requires carefully cleaning the cactus paddles by trimming edges and removing thorns while preserving as much flesh as possible. After rinsing, the nopales are cut into strips or squares suitable for cooking. They are then simmered in a pot with quartered onion, a garlic clove, cilantro stems, and salt over medium heat for about 13 to 15 minutes. This process cooks out the slimy juice, leaving behind tender nopales ready for use in other recipes or direct consumption.
The flavor of nopales is mild and slightly tangy, and when cooked properly they have a tender, slightly crisp texture without the usual mucilaginous feel. By cooking with aromatics like garlic and onion, the nopales absorb some subtle savory notes while losing their sliminess.
The cooked nopales can be cooled and stored in an airtight container for later use or incorporated immediately into dishes such as salads, tacos, or stews. This method ensures a pleasant texture that avoids the common complaint about nopales being sticky or slimy.
Ingredients
- 5 to 6 Nopales small to medium paddles
- ¼ onion
- 1 garlic peeled, clove
- cilantro with stems, about a handful
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt or ¼ tsp table salt
Instructions
Clean the cactus paddles
- Using a sharp knife, carefully hold the nopales by its stem with kitchen tongs or a kitchen towel and trim the edges off.
- With the tip of the knife, scrape off its thorns. Then turn it to the other side and scrape down its stem until you get to the soft part.
- Rinse under cold water.
- Sliced nopales into strips or squares depending on how you’re going to prepare them.
- Tip: make sure you leave as much flesh as possible. That will make the nopales less slimy when cooking them.
To cook the cactus
- In a medium pot, add the cut nopales with the onion, garlic, salt and cilantro. Heat over medium and cook until the slimy juice has disappeared. About 13 to 15 minutes.
- Cool and store in an airtight container or use in your planned recipe.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 2servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 16 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 100grams | |
| Calories | 16kcal | 1% |
| Carbohydrates | 3.33g | 1% |
| Protein | 1.32g | 3% |
| Sodium | 21mg | 1% |
| Potassium | 257mg | 5% |
| Fiber | 2.2g | 9% |
| Vitamin A | 457IU | 9% |
| Vitamin C | 9.3mg | 10% |
| Calcium | 164mg | 16% |
| Iron | 0.59mg | 3% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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