Pupusas are an easy recipe to make at home.
These homemade Central American inspired Pupusas have a thick corn tortilla stuffed flavorful red beans. I share my easy step by step instructions for this delicious recipe.
How have I never experienced Pupusas before? It's like my life is now complete now that I've made and enjoyed this recipe.
I really don't know how to describe what a pupusa is other than to call it an inside out not-crispy tostada almost-burrito. Okay, maybe not the best description. Let's just say they're super tasty, kids love them, and when served with homemade salsa roja and Curtido they are a complete and satisfying meal.
What is a pupusa?
A traditional Pupusa is a Salvadoran dish of a thick corn tortilla stuffed with a savory filling. Instead of using a pre-made tortilla, I made the dough using masa flour and shaped it with my hands. I have lots of photos of the process in the recipe below.
The filling is typically some kind of cheese, refried red beans, and sometimes pork. I chose to make my pupusas with just cheese and refried red beans. I opted to use the shredded pork I had in my homemade tamales.
Pupusas are typically accompanied by curtido and salsa roja.
What kind of flour do you use for pupusas?
Pupusas are made with corn masa flour. I use Bob's Red Mill and it's pretty easy to find at most grocery stores.
To make the tortilla portion of the pupusa, you mix together the masa flour with salt and hot water.
Here's how to make them:
- I use onion in most of my recipes, and this one was no exception. This recipe started by sauteeing diced white onion. I then mixed them with the red beans and cheese.
- To make the pupusa dough, you combing the masa flour with salt and hot water and blend in a stand mixer for about 5 minutes until the dough is light and fluffy. I let my dough rest, uncovered, for about 15 minutes.
- Next comes the fun and messy part - forming the pupusa. You'll need to have a bowl handy with oil and water in it to rub on your hands to prevent the dough from sticking. You'll pat the dough into a disk, add a scoop of filling, wrap the dough around to make a ball, then flatten to a disk.
- You'll cook the pupusas on a hot griddle, flip once, and then enjoy them hot.
How to make Pupusa sauce:
The best pupusa sauce is homemade salsa roja that's made from roasted chili peppers that have been soaked in hot water and blended with other roasted vegetables. The sauce you serve with pupusas is mild and smokey. It's the perfect compliment!
Pupusa Recipe
CLICK TO PLAY RECIPE VIDEO
Ingredients
Pupusa filling:
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil (or other high heat oil like avocado oil)
- ½ medium white onion (minced)
- 15 ounces refried red beans
- 4 ounces queso fresco (grated, about 1 cup)
Pupusa tortilla:
- 3 cups corn masa flour (Bob's Red Mill recommended)
- 3 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 2 ½ cups hot water
To form pupusas:
- 2 T olive oil
- 2 T warm water
Instructions
- Heat vegetable oil in large nonstick skillet over medium high heat. When hot, add the minced onion. Allow to brown and stir only to prevent burning. When onion is brown and fragrant, scoop out onion with a slotted spoon and allow to cool on a paper towel lined plate.
- Combine cooked and cooled onions with refried red beans and cheese in medium bowl. Set aside.
- To make the pupusa dough, use a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat masa flour, salt and hot water on medium speed until dough is very thick and sticky. Mix for about 5 minutes until light and fluffy. Allow dough to rest, uncovered, 15 minutes.
- Combine remaining oil and warm water in a small bowl. Dip both hands in this mixture and rub your hands together to coat. This will prevent dough from sticking to your hands, and will hydrate dough as you assemble.
- Add some dough to the palm of your hand and flatten.
- Add a scoop of the bean mixture to the center.
- Pull up sides of dough and pinch dough around filling to enclose. Add extra dough to patch any holes, if needed.
- Gently flatten into a disk. Repeat with remaining dough and bean mixture (I ended up making 8 pupusas that were about 5 inches in diameter).
- Heat nonstick griddle over medium to medium high heat and cook for about 5 minutes on each side until cooked thru and starting to darken.
- Serve hot with Salvadoran Curtido cabbage slaw and Salvadoran Salsa Roja alongside.
Gaby
These are not traditional pupusas .
You are supposed to use Maseca for the dough . the beans are supposed to be homemade re friend beans . You are definitely not supposed to use queso fresco , it’s made with grated Monterey Jack cheese or Monterey pepper jack cheese . Lastly , they should not be so thick … if you’ve actually had traditional pupusas you would know that this recipe completely missed the mark …
Krissy
Thank you for all the feedback. I definitely gave it my best shot, but I've realized that my attempt was a very basic Americanized version.
Traci
Can I use a skillet if I don't have a non-stick griddle? Or is there anything else you would recommend?
Thanks!
Krissy
That will work!
Katy
Try to use Maseca flour. They will taste better. It seems like you are using the one for tamales
Krissy
Thank you!
Anon
Masa harina flour is typically used to make papusas and tamales. It’s a corn flour that’s made from corn that has been treated with an alkaline solution (like lye).
Laurel Notley
I have had pupusas made with a zucchini (calbacita) and carrot filling before, cheese and loroco flowers too.
Al
Love this recipe. I used to get pupusas from a Salvadorian owned 7-11 every morning years ago, and haven't seen them since. This recipe will be a welcome addition to my repertoire.
Sara Welch
What an easy and flavorful recipe! Looking forward to enjoying this for dinner tomorrow! Yum!
Veena Azmanov
This is surely a unique and a tasty recipe. A must try making it.
Michelle
Woah I've never heard of these but they look so good! I'm interested and will have to try these soon
Sharon
I've never heard of these before but after looking at your steps to make them and your photos, I can definitely say that I will be trying them soon.
Noelle
I have never tried a recipe like this one before but it was great!! Will make again 🙂
Emma
Do you know if these pupusas can be refrigerated or frozen and then reheated? I imagine fresh is probably best, but I don't know if I could eat 8 servings in one day since it's just me. Thank you!
Krissy
Yes! You totally can freeze them. I just recommend allowing them to come to room temp before reheating.
Benji
Hey! I LOVE pupusas! I'm still trying to perfect mine with my electric nonstick griddle (they aren't browning the way I ant them to) but may I suggest swapping out the water in your masa for an equal amount of chicken or vegetable stock? Also add a bit of lime zest. It's not traditional but gosh darn does it bring a new level of delicious. Just be careful with your salt if you use stock. Cheers!
Krissy
Great suggestions. Thank you!
Wonda
Would like more recpies for fillings for pupusas.
Krissy
Hi Wonda, I have a friend who's from El Salvador and she told me that she almost always uses the beans but varies the type of cheese she uses and also makes them with different kinds of shredded meat.
Emily
Oooooooh, My family loves some Mexican (or even Tex-Mex) and this recipe looks so fun !!! Definitely going on my list : p
Thanks so much for sharing: D
Benji
It's Salvadoran 🙂