What is a pupusa?
Similar to Venezuelan “arepas” or Mexican “gorditas” a pupusa is a traditional Salvadoran dish, often served as an appetizer. It is made with a thick corn tortilla that is usually stuffed with a savory filling. For this pupusas recipe, we are stuffing our corn cakes with a cheese and bean mixture that is combined in a blender and then cooked over the stove. We love that the filling can be changed up to fit your favorite flavor profiles. Plus, you’ll be surprised how easy they are to make.
ingredients
PREP TIME: 45 minutes COOK TIME: 15 minutes Filling
¼ cup vegetable oil ½ white onion, cut in half and split into layers 1 (15-ounce) can of Central American red beans or red kidney beans – Refried beans can also be used ½ teaspoon salt 4 ounces grated queso Oaxaca or mozzarella cheese
Dough
3 cups instant corn masa flour – this type of flour is the same as masa harina which is made from finely ground corn kernels that have been cooked and soaked in limewater. (We use Maseca brand masa flour, which I found easily at my grocery store in the Mexican aisle). 2 teaspoons salt 2⅔ cups hot water
How to Make Pupusas Recipe
Form a golf ball-sized piece of dough and then flatten it between the palm of your hands. If the edges split or crack, then add a little more water. If the dough feels sticky, then add a little more corn flour. Keep dough from sticking to your hands by coating your hands with a bit of cooking oil. The pupusas should be about ½ inch thick. You will only be using about 1-2 tablespoons of filling in each pupusa.
Recipe Video Recipe Video Recipe Video
