Salvadoran Pupusas Recipe

5 from 11 ratings

Learn how to make pupusas, the national dish of El Salvador, delicious corn corn cakes stuffed with beans, cheese, or meats, served with cabbage slaw.

Prep Time10

Cook Time10

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: how to make pupusas, pupusas, pupusas recipe, Salvadoran pupusas

Keyword: masa

Servings: pupusas

Calories: 150kcal

Author: Mike Hultquist

Ingredients

2 cups masa harina corn flour
1-1/2 to 1-3/4 cups warm water (as needed)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon neutral oil (optional, for softer dough)
1 cup shredded cheese (quesillo/Oaxaca, mozzarella, or white cheddar), for filling
neutral oil for lightly greasing the pan

Optional Fillings

Refried Beans
Cooked, seasoned ground pork, beef, or chicken (finely crumbled)

For Serving

Curtido (Pickled Cabbage Slaw)
Salsa roja (optional, but traditional)

Instructions

In a mixing bowl, combine masa harina and salt. Stir in warm water (and optional oil) until a dough forms. Knead 2-3 minutes until smooth and pliable. If dry or cracking, add a little more water. If sticky, add a bit more masa harina.
Divide into 8 equal portions (about small lemon-sized). Keep covered with a damp cloth to prevent drying.
With lightly oiled or damp hands, flatten one dough ball into a thick disc, then shape into a cup. Add 1-2 tablespoons filling to the center.
Pinch the top closed to seal, then gently pat flat into a thick tortilla (about ¼ inch thick).
Heat a lightly oiled skillet, comal, or griddle over medium to medium-high heat. Cook pupusas 2-4 minutes per side, until lightly golden in spots and cooked through.
Serve warm with curtido (pickled cabbage slaw) and salsa roja.

Notes

Dough Feel/Consistency. When you mix the dough, it should feel like soft play-dough. If it feels like stiff clay, add more water. It should almost stick to your hands but not quite.
Oil Your Hands. This is the biggest "cheat code." Keep a small bowl of oil and water nearby. Dip your fingers in it before shaping each pupusa to keep the dough from sticking to you or cracking.

Nutritional information estimated with cheese only.

Nutrition