Savory Sopes with Tender Shredded Beef and Fresh Tomatillo Guacamole
Indulge in the vibrant flavors of traditional Mexican cuisine with these delicious Sopes featuring succulent shredded beef marinated in zesty citrus juices and spices. Topped generously with a refreshing tomatillo guacamole, creamy refried beans, and a medley of fresh ingredients, these sopes are perfect for gatherings, celebrations, or as a delightful family meal. Each bite bursts with the rich, warm spices of the beef, complemented by the coolness of avocado and the crunch of fresh cabbage, providing a delightful contrast in both texture and taste. Share this crowd-pleasing dish with loved ones and watch them savor every morsel!
12
Servings
245
Calories
27
Ingredients
Ingredients
Boneless beef chuck
3 lbs (Cut into 2-inch pieces)
Fresh lime juice
1/2 cup (Freshly squeezed)
Fresh orange juice
1/4 cup (Freshly squeezed)
Chili powder
3 tablespoons
Ground cumin
1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon
Kosher salt
1 tablespoon
Ground coriander
2 teaspoons
Garlic cloves
5 cloves (3 crushed and 2 smashed, peeled, and quartered)
Fresh cilantro
3/4 cup + 1 cup (Coarsely chopped and leaves for garnish)
Tomatillos
6-8 (Husked and coarsely chopped, about 8 ounces)
Avocado
1 (Halved, pitted, peeled, and diced)
Jalapeno pepper
1/2 (Coarsely chopped with seeds)
Onion
1/2 (Coarsely chopped)
Lime
1 (Juiced)
Masa harina
3 cups
All-purpose flour
1/4 cup (Plus more for dusting)
Baking powder
1 teaspoon
Salt
1 teaspoon + more for finishing
Warm water
2 cups
Vegetable oil
For frying
Unsalted butter
2 tablespoons
Refried beans
1 (16 ounce) can
Pickled jalapeno pepper
1/2 cup (Chopped)
Roma tomatoes
2-4 (Diced)
Green cabbage
1/2 head (Shredded)
Mexican crema
1 cup
Cotija cheese
1 cup (Crumbled)
Instructions
1
Prepare the shredded beef: In a large Dutch oven, combine the beef, lime juice, orange juice, chili powder, cumin, kosher salt, ground coriander, and crushed garlic. Add enough water to cover the beef and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, remove the lid and continue simmering for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beef is tender and easily shreds. Allow the beef to cool slightly in the liquid before shredding with two forks, so it can absorb the flavorful juices again.
2
Make the tomatillo guacamole: In a food processor or blender, combine the coarsely chopped cilantro, tomatillos, quartered garlic, diced avocado, chopped jalapeno, chopped onion, lime juice, cumin, and salt. Pulse until the mixture is well combined but still holds some texture. Set aside.
3
Prepare the sopes: In a mixing bowl, whisk together masa harina, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Create a well in the center and gradually pour in the warm water, mixing with a stiff spatula until a dough forms. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5 minutes until it's smooth and pliable. Roll out the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness, and cut into 2-inch circles with a biscuit cutter or cup. Re-roll scraps as needed. To form the sopes, pinch and shape the edges to create a small ridge around each round.
4
Fry the sopes: Heat vegetable oil in a cast-iron skillet to 350 degrees F. Fry the sopes in batches for about 3 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and sprinkle with salt while still hot.
5
Prepare the toppings: In a skillet, melt unsalted butter and add the refried beans, stirring until warm and smooth. Mix chopped pickled jalapenos and diced tomatoes in a separate bowl and set aside.
6
Assemble the sopes: Spread a layer of refried beans on each fried sope. Top with shredded beef and a spoonful of the tomatillo guacamole. Finally, garnish with shredded cabbage, the jalapeno-tomato mixture, a drizzle of Mexican crema, crumbled Cotija cheese, and fresh cilantro leaves. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
7g
Fat
22g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Savory Sopes?
Savory Sopes are a traditional Mexican dish featuring small, thick corn-based cakes with raised edges, filled here with shredded beef and toppings.
What cut of beef is recommended for this recipe?
This recipe calls for 3 lbs of boneless beef chuck, cut into 2-inch pieces.
How is the shredded beef flavored?
The beef is marinated and cooked with lime juice, orange juice, chili powder, cumin, kosher salt, ground coriander, and crushed garlic.
How long does the beef need to cook until it is tender?
The beef should simmer covered for 30 minutes, followed by an additional 2 1/2 to 3 hours uncovered until it easily shreds.
What is the secret to making the shredded beef extra flavorful?
Allow the beef to cool slightly in its cooking liquid before shredding with two forks so it can reabsorb the flavorful juices.
What ingredients are in the tomatillo guacamole?
The guacamole consists of cilantro, tomatillos, garlic, avocado, jalapeno, onion, lime juice, cumin, and salt.
How do I prepare the tomatillo guacamole?
Combine the ingredients in a food processor or blender and pulse until well combined but still holding some texture.
What ingredients make up the sope dough?
The dough is made from masa harina, all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and warm water.
How long should I knead the sope dough?
Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5 minutes until it is smooth and pliable.
How thick should the dough be rolled for sopes?
Roll the dough out to a thickness of approximately 1/4-inch.
How do you form the ridge on the sopes?
After cutting the dough into 2-inch circles, pinch and shape the edges to create a small ridge around each round.
What is the correct frying temperature for sopes?
Heat the vegetable oil in a cast-iron skillet to 350 degrees F before frying.
How long do you fry each sope?
Fry the sopes in batches for about 3 minutes per side until they are golden brown and crispy.
What should I do immediately after frying the sopes?
Transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate and sprinkle them with salt while they are still hot.
How are the refried beans prepared as a base?
Melt unsalted butter in a skillet and add the refried beans, stirring until they are warm and smooth.
What is the jalapeno-tomato mixture used for topping?
It is a blend of chopped pickled jalapenos and diced Roma tomatoes used as a fresh garnish.
What is the suggested assembly order for a sope?
Layer refried beans first, then shredded beef, tomatillo guacamole, cabbage, the tomato mixture, crema, cheese, and cilantro.
What kind of cheese is used for garnish?
The recipe uses 1 cup of crumbled Cotija cheese.
What type of cream is drizzled over the sopes?
Mexican crema is used to provide a cool, creamy contrast to the warm beef.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes approximately 12 servings.
How many calories are in one serving of Savory Sopes?
Each serving contains 245 calories.
What is the protein content per serving?
There are 22g of protein in each serving.
Is there fat in this dish?
Yes, each serving contains 7g of fat.
What type of cabbage should I use?
The recipe calls for 1/2 head of shredded green cabbage.
How many garlic cloves are used in total?
A total of 5 garlic cloves are used: 3 crushed for the beef and 2 smashed for the guacamole.
Do I need to remove the seeds from the jalapeno in the guacamole?
The recipe suggests coarsely chopping the jalapeno with seeds for the guacamole.
What can I use to cut the sope dough circles?
You can use a biscuit cutter or a simple cup to create 2-inch circles.
What kind of tomatoes are best for the topping?
The recipe recommends using 2 to 4 diced Roma tomatoes.
Should sopes be served warm?
Yes, they should be assembled and served immediately for the best taste and texture.
Can I reuse the dough scraps?
Yes, you can re-roll dough scraps as needed to make more sopes.