Description
Golden Cheese-Stuffed Pupusas are delicious, thick corn tortillas filled with a blend of mozzarella and Monterey Jack cheese, perfect for a savory snack or meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups masa harina (corn flour for tortillas, NOT regular cornmeal)
- 2 ¼ cups warm water
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil (optional, makes dough softer)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack or Oaxaca cheese
- (Optional) ½ cup cooked beans or refried beans
- (Optional) ½ cup pork chicharrón (finely chopped)
- 2–3 tbsp vegetable oil (for cooking)
- A little water or oil to wet your hands while shaping
Instructions
- Make the dough: In a large bowl, mix masa harina and salt. Add warm water gradually while mixing with your hands. Knead until a soft, smooth dough forms — it should not crack and should feel like soft play-dough. Cover and rest for 5 minutes.
- Prepare the cheese filling: Mix mozzarella and Monterey Jack in a bowl. Add a pinch of salt if needed. (Optional) Mix in beans or chicharrón for extra richness.
- Shape the pupusas: Wet your hands to prevent sticking. Take a ball of dough (about the size of a small lemon). Flatten into a thick disc using your palms. Add 2–3 tbsp of cheese filling in the center. Close the dough over the filling to seal it completely. Gently flatten again into a round ½-inch thick pupusa. If it cracks, wet your hands and smooth it out.
- Cook: Heat a nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Add a little oil and place the pupusas. Cook 3–4 minutes per side until golden, with brown spots and melted cheese inside. Repeat for all pupusas.
- Serve: Traditionally served with curtido (fermented cabbage slaw) and Salvadoran red salsa, but they’re also amazing with sour cream, guacamole, spicy cheese dip, or pico de gallo.
Notes
- For a vegetarian option, omit the pork chicharrón.
- Ensure the dough is not too dry; adjust water as needed.
- These pupusas can be frozen before cooking for later use.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 15–20 min
- Category: Snack
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Salvadoran
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pupusa
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 20mg