Easy Homemade Pupusas
These delicious bean and cheese Pupusas are incredibly easy to make and will hopefully transport you to the streets of El Salvador! This recipe is fool-proof and I even have step-by-step photos to walk you through it.
Author: Tastesbetterfromscratch/Photo credit to tastesbetterfromscratch.com
Ingredients
- For the Pupusas:
- 4 cups masa harina , white or yellow
- 3 ½ - 4 cups warm water
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 Tablespoons butter , softened (optional)
- 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon* , optional
- For the filling:
- 1 can refried beans , or homemade
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese , or Oaxaca cheese
- Optional Toppings:
- salsa roja
- curtido
Instructions
- Add masa harina (corn flour) and salt to a large mixing bowl.
- Add the warm water, little by little, mixing the dough with your hand. You may not need all of the water. You want the masa to be the consistency of a soft play dough. If the dough is too wet, mix in some more masa harina. If it’s too dry, add a little more water.
- Mix in butter and chicken bouillon, if using.
- Scoop the dough into large, golf-ball-size portions. You can scoop all of the dough into balls before continuing, or make 1 pupusa at a time. Be sure to keep the dough covered with a damp cloth as you work, to keep it from drying out.
- Use the palms of your hands to pat the dough into a disc, about 4 inches in diameter.
- Scoop about half a tablespoon of the beans and place it in the center of the dough circle, followed by a pinch of shredded cheese.
- Gently bring the edges of the dough up and around the filling, pinching it closed into a ball. Gently pat the dough between your palms to form it into a disc again.
- Be gentle so you don’t have big cracks of filling come through, but if you do have some, its fine! They don’t need to be perfect 🙂
- Heat a large ungreased skillet or pan over medium heat. Place pupusas on the hot pan and cook for about 2-4 minutes on each side. You will know the pupusas are ready to flip when the edges are set and the bottom is lightly golden.
- Serve immediately, topped with Curtido and Salsa Roja.