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Indulge in the delightful experience of making homemade bean and cheese pupusas—savory griddle cakes filled with creamy beans and melted cheese. These tasty treats are not only budget-friendly but also incredibly simple to prepare, though be warned: they can be quite addictive!
There’s something uniquely enjoyable about crafting handheld street foods right in your own kitchen! If you love these pupusas, you might also want to try my other favorites like Homemade Empanadas or Grilled Mexican Street Corn.
Why You’ll Love Bean and Cheese Pupusas
These bean and cheese pupusas make for an excellent quick dinner option or a satisfying snack any time of day. They’ve quickly become a staple in our household due to their ease of preparation. With just a handful of ingredients, I can whip up these delicious treats in no time! While I opted for the classic bean-and-cheese filling for authenticity, feel free to explore various other fillings that are equally scrumptious.
The star ingredient here is masa harina corn flour, which gives these pupusas their fantastic flavor. A key tip I learned while making them is to keep the dough moist; if it starts cracking, simply add more water. To achieve this consistency easily, I created a mixture of two parts water and one part oil for dipping my hands while shaping the dough—this prevented sticking and kept everything nice and moist. The end result? An irresistible combination of soft corn cake on the outside with savory cheesy goodness inside!
What Are Pupusas?
Pupusas are considered El Salvador’s national dish—a culinary delight so beloved that it has its own dedicated celebration day every second Sunday in November! Essentially thicker than traditional corn tortillas, they can also be referred to as griddle cakes or flatbreads. The base consists of masa dough—the same ingredient used in many Latin American dishes.
These delectable cakes can be stuffed with various fillings such as meats, cheeses, or beans—making them perfect for eating by hand at any meal (they’re especially popular at breakfast). Traditionally served alongside tomato salsa and curtido (a tangy cabbage slaw), they’re sure to please anyone’s palate!
Essential Ingredients for Pupusas
Creating these delightful treats requires just a few affordable ingredients:
- Masa Harina Corn Flour: This fine flour is essential; don’t confuse it with coarser cornmeal.
- Warm Water: Gradually add this until your dough reaches play-dough-like consistency without being sticky.
- Salt: Just enough for flavor!
- Refried Beans: A classic filling that adds an earthy sweetness.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Mild cheese works best here; it’s similar to traditional quesillo cheese.
Simple Steps to Make Bean and Cheese Pupusas
- Prep Your Skillet: Preheat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.
- Make the Dough: In a medium bowl, mix together masa harina flour, warm water, and salt until combined into smooth dough.
- Shape Your Pupusa:
- Take about 3 inches worth of dough ball.
- Flatten it out slightly before adding 1 tablespoon refried beans along with some shredded mozzarella on top.
- Fold up the edges around the filling carefully then flatten again until it’s about ¼ inch thick. 4. Cook Them Up: Place each pupusa onto your preheated skillet; cook each side until golden brown (about 3–5 minutes). Serve hot alongside coleslaw or salsa!
Creative Filling Ideas
While this recipe features classic bean-and-cheese filling options galore exist! Feel free to get creative by using leftover meats or trying out different combinations like:
- Pulled pork
- Shredded chicken
- Queso
- Bell peppers
- Fried pork skin
Storing Leftover Pupusas
For optimal taste experience serve cooked pupusas fresh from the skillet! However if needed store leftovers tightly wrapped—they’ll last overnight in fridge or freeze well up two weeks later too!
Freezing Tips:
If possible freeze uncooked pupusas first but cooked ones work too—just let cool completely before placing into airtight containers (I recommend separating them into individual bags).
Reheating Instructions:
To reheat frozen ones thaw overnight then pan-fry using oil over medium-high heat till heated through (~3–4 minutes per side). For refrigerated leftovers microwave briefly (~1–2 minutes) OR use stovetop method mentioned above!
More Delicious Recipes You Might Enjoy:
Check out these amazing recipes as well:
- Baked Cream Cheese Taquitos
- Instant Pot Salsa Verde Chicken Tacos
- Chicken Chimichangas
- Chicken Fajita Foil Packets
- Taco Casserole
Don’t forget—you can pin this recipe now so you’ll have easy access later on!
With all those tips under your belt—and mouth-watering flavors waiting ahead—it’s time dive into making some unforgettable homemade bean & cheese pupasas today!