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    Home » Recipes » Dinner

    Pupusas

    Published: March 5, 2019 · Updated: May 24, 2020 · By: Krissy · 24 Comments
    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    how to make authentic pupusas with curtido and salsa roja

    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 to make traditional pupusas

    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.

    homemade pupusas with 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!

    homemade el salvadoran pupusas with red refried beans
    how to make traditional pupusas

    Pupusa Recipe

    Pupusas are an easy recipe to make at home. These homemade traditional Central American pupusas have a thick corn tortilla stuffed flavorful red beans.
    5 from 10 votes
    Print Pin Rate SaveSaved!

    CLICK TO PLAY RECIPE VIDEO

    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Salvadoran
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Rest time for dough: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes
    Scale: 8 servings
    Recipe Created By: Krissy Allori

    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. 
      sauteed white onions
    • 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. 
      wrapping masa around beans for pupusas
    • Add a scoop of the bean mixture to the center. 
      how to stuff and flatten a bean and cheese pupusa
    • Pull up sides of dough and pinch dough around filling to enclose. Add extra dough to patch any holes, if needed. 
      how to make homemade pupusas with masa harina and beans
    • 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).
      pupusas made with red beans and cheese
    • 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.

    NUTRITION INFORMATION

    Calories: 312kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 1286mg | Potassium: 140mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 250IU | Vitamin C: 0.5mg | Calcium: 157mg | Iron: 3.7mg
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Elaine

      December 24, 2022 at 8:01 pm

      My friend from El Salvador told me this is what he had for Christmas Eve dinner with the curtido. He told me to give it a try.
      Your recipe looks good and I will try it soon.

      Reply
    2. Gaby

      September 05, 2022 at 4:46 pm

      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 …

      Reply
      • Krissy

        September 07, 2022 at 5:24 am

        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.

        Reply
      • Lili

        November 24, 2022 at 4:03 pm

        Gaby,
        No hay necesidad de corregir a otros, todos tenemos nuestras versión de las recetas.
        We should be proud, many people enjoy and like to imitate Salvadoran dishes.
        Having said that, I'm going to go make some refried beans. To make some pupusas for my kids.

        Reply
    3. Traci

      August 15, 2020 at 2:31 pm

      Can I use a skillet if I don't have a non-stick griddle? Or is there anything else you would recommend?

      Thanks!

      Reply
      • Krissy

        August 18, 2020 at 7:24 am

        That will work!

        Reply
    4. Katy

      June 24, 2020 at 7:22 am

      Try to use Maseca flour. They will taste better. It seems like you are using the one for tamales

      Reply
      • Krissy

        June 25, 2020 at 7:50 am

        Thank you!

        Reply
      • Anon

        August 15, 2022 at 1:57 pm

        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).

        Reply
    5. Laurel Notley

      March 30, 2020 at 8:19 pm

      I have had pupusas made with a zucchini (calbacita) and carrot filling before, cheese and loroco flowers too.

      Reply
    6. Al

      August 25, 2019 at 3:38 pm

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
    7. Sara Welch

      August 05, 2019 at 7:23 pm

      5 stars
      What an easy and flavorful recipe! Looking forward to enjoying this for dinner tomorrow! Yum!

      Reply
    8. Veena Azmanov

      August 05, 2019 at 7:01 pm

      5 stars
      This is surely a unique and a tasty recipe. A must try making it.

      Reply
    9. Michelle

      August 05, 2019 at 6:43 pm

      5 stars
      Woah I've never heard of these but they look so good! I'm interested and will have to try these soon

      Reply
    10. Sharon

      August 05, 2019 at 6:37 pm

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
    11. Noelle

      August 05, 2019 at 6:20 pm

      5 stars
      I have never tried a recipe like this one before but it was great!! Will make again 🙂

      Reply
    12. Emma

      July 05, 2019 at 12:43 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Krissy

        July 13, 2019 at 5:39 am

        Yes! You totally can freeze them. I just recommend allowing them to come to room temp before reheating.

        Reply
    13. Benji

      July 03, 2019 at 3:25 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Krissy

        July 05, 2019 at 12:53 pm

        Great suggestions. Thank you!

        Reply
    14. Wonda

      April 20, 2019 at 1:27 pm

      Would like more recpies for fillings for pupusas.

      Reply
      • Krissy

        April 23, 2019 at 11:42 am

        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.

        Reply
    15. Emily

      March 07, 2019 at 7:32 am

      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

      Reply
      • Benji

        July 03, 2019 at 3:21 pm

        It's Salvadoran 🙂

        Reply

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