5.0 from 6 votes
Pupusas Recipe (+ VIDEO)
Thick and chewy corn tortillas are filled with beans and cheese, pan fried, and topped with a fresh cabbage slaw. This easy pupusa recipe is perfect for a snack or casual dinner!
Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
1 hr
Servings: 21 pupusas
Calories: 108 kcal
Course:
Main Course , Appetizer , Snacks
Cuisine:
South American , Mexican , Tex-Mex
Ingredients
For the Curtido Slaw –
- 2 cups cabbage slaw mix
- 1 lime juiced
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the Pupusa Dough –
- 4 cups masa harina
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 3 cups water
- For the Fillings -
- ½ cup refried black beans
- 1 cup shredded Monterey jack cheese
- 4 tablespoons oli avocado, olive, canola
- Optional fillings: stewed chicken carnitas, ground beef, chopped pickled jalapeno, roasted squash, pico de gallo
Instructions
- For the slaw: Set out a medium mixing bowl. Combine the cabbage slaw mix with the lime juice and ½ teaspoon of salt. Mix well. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- For the Pupusa dough: Set out a large mixing bowl. Combine the masa harina, salt, and water. Mix by hand until the mixture is very soft and smooth. Set aside.
- Set a large cast-iron skillet on the stovetop. Set the refried beans, shredded Monterey jack cheese, and any other fillings you would like to use on a clean work surface.
- Use a scoop to measure out 3-4 tablespoon balls of pupusa dough. They should be slightly larger than golf balls. Rub your hands with additional masa to keep them dry. One at a time, press the masa balls into flat disks about 5 inches wide, or the width of your palm. Place 1 teaspoon of refried beans in the center then cover with 1 tablespoon of shredded cheese. Add a scant amount of any other filling you would like. Be careful not to overfill the pupusas or they will be hard to seal.
- Gently fold the sides of the dough up over the fillings and pinch. Then pinch along the sides of the dough creating a clam shell shape. Rotate the closed pupusa in your hands to create a ball. Then gently flatten into a thin disk, about 4 inches across. Check the sides and pinch to seal any areas where filling might be coming out. It’s ok to see a little bit of black beans peeking out here and there, but you don’t want fully open areas.
- Heat the skillet over medium and add 1 tablespoon of oil. Once the oil is hot add 4 to 6 pupusas to the skillet at a time. Fry for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden. Repeat the filling, shaping, and frying until you have used all the pupusa dough. Add oil to the skillet as needed.
- Serve immediately, or keep warm in a low heat oven, until all the pupusas are cooked.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Serve the pupusas warm with a side of slaw to top them. You can also top them with salsa and sour cream if you like!
Nutrition Information
Serving
1pc
Calories
108kcal
(5%)
Carbohydrates
18g
(6%)
Protein
4g
(8%)
Fat
3g
(5%)
Saturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.5g
Monounsaturated Fat
1g
Cholesterol
5mg
(2%)
Sodium
353mg
(15%)
Potassium
89mg
(3%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
0.3g
(1%)
Vitamin A
102IU
(2%)
Vitamin C
3mg
(3%)
Calcium
77mg
(8%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 21pupusas
Amount Per Serving
Calories 108
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1pc | |
| Calories | 108kcal | 5% |
| Carbohydrates | 18g | 6% |
| Protein | 4g | 8% |
| Fat | 3g | 5% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.5g | 3% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 5mg | 2% |
| Sodium | 353mg | 15% |
| Potassium | 89mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 0.3g | 1% |
| Vitamin A | 102IU | 2% |
| Vitamin C | 3mg | 3% |
| Calcium | 77mg | 8% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.