Description
Discover El Salvador’s national dish — pupusas stuffed with cheese, beans, and pork, served with tangy curtido. A soul-warming classic that brings tradition to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups masa harina (corn flour)
- 1 ½ cups warm water, plus more as needed
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup refried beans
- ½ cup grated mozzarella or queso fresco
- ¼ cup finely chopped cooked pork (optional)
- Vegetable oil for cooking
- Quick Curtido (slaw)
- 2 cups shredded cabbage
- ½ cup shredded carrot
- ¼ cup white vinegar + 2 tbsp water
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Make the dough: Mix masa and salt. Add warm water gradually until a soft, pliable (not sticky) dough forms. Rest 5–10 minutes.
- Shape: Divide into 8 balls. Flatten each into a thick disk, add beans + cheese (+ pork), pinch to seal, then gently flatten again.
- Cook: Lightly oil a skillet or griddle. Cook over medium heat for 3–4 minutes per side, until golden with a light char.
- Curtido: Toss all slaw ingredients. Chill 1 hour if possible for best flavor.
- Serve: Hot pupusas + curtido + salsa roja. Enjoy immediately!
Notes
Chef’s Tip: Keep a small bowl of water or a few drops of oil for your fingertips. Lightly damp hands prevent sticking and cracking while you shape the pupusas.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Griddle
- Cuisine: Salvadoran
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pupusa with curtido
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 290mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: pupusas, curtido, Salvadoran food, masa, cheese, traditional recipe