Salvadoran Stuffed Pupusa

Name: Salvadoran Stuffed Pupusa
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 360 ml Warm water; 5 g Salt; 30 ml Vegetable oil (for cooking and hands); 200 g Shredded mozzarella or Monterey Jack cheese; 400 g Canned refried beans

Difficulty

medium

Time

50m

Price Category

cheap

Calories

Medium

Pupusa is a traditional Salvadoran dish, a thick, handmade corn tortilla typically stuffed with cheese, refried beans, chicharrón, or a combination thereof. This recipe introduces the classic cheese and bean version, which is crispy on the outside and soft and flavorful on the inside. It's a perfect choice for a quick dinner or a special weekend lunch, guaranteed to transport you to the flavors of El Salvador.

ingredients

4 Servings

360 ml Warm water5 g Salt30 ml Vegetable oil (for cooking and hands)200 g Shredded mozzarella or Monterey Jack cheese400 g Canned refried beans

Steps

Dough and Filling Prep

In a large bowl, combine the Masa Harina with salt. Gradually add warm water, kneading until you get a soft, pliable dough. If too dry, add a little more water; if too sticky, add a little more Masa Harina. Cover with a damp cloth and let rest for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare your fillings: place shredded cheese and refried beans in separate bowls.

Form Pupusas

Lightly oil your hands with vegetable oil. Take a golf-ball sized piece of dough and roll it into a ball. Flatten it in your palm to form a thick disc. Place about 1-2 tablespoons of filling (cheese, beans, or both) in the center. Carefully bring the edges of the dough up and around the filling, sealing it to form a ball again. Then, gently flatten it into a disc about 1 cm thick and 10-12 cm in diameter. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling.

Cook Pupusas

Heat a skillet or flat griddle (comal) over medium heat and lightly grease it with oil. Place the pupusas on the hot surface and cook for 3-5 minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is melted and bubbling. Remove cooked pupusas and keep warm while you cook the rest.

Serve

Serve the warm pupusas immediately, traditionally with curtido (pickled cabbage slaw) and salsa roja (tomato sauce).

Extra Tips

► Keep your hands slightly oiled or wet when forming the pupusas to prevent the dough from sticking.

► Do not overfill the pupusas, as they may burst during cooking.

► Serve pupusas with traditional Salvadoran cabbage slaw (curtido) and tomato sauce (salsa roja) for the authentic experience.

Nutrition

	Per 100g	Per Serving 150g
Calories	280 kcal	420 kcal
Protein	10g	15g
Fat	12g	18g
Carbohydrate	32g	48g
Fiber	5g	7.5g
Sugar	1g	1.5g