Traditional Salvadorean Cheesy Pupusas with Red Beans
Elevate your culinary experience with these Traditional Salvadorean Cheesy Pupusas, an iconic dish celebrated for its earthy flavors and delightful textures. While making pupusas does require some effort and a bit of practice, the result is a comforting meal that embodies the heart and soul of Salvadorean cuisine. Packed with a savory blend of seasoned beans and melted mozzarella enriched with the unique taste of lorocco flower, these pupusas are delectable when served alongside tangy slaw and aromatic salsa. Prepare to indulge in a culinary adventure that’s well worth the time and effort! Ready to serve 20 generously sized pupusas, this recipe is perfect for gatherings or a family feast.
N/A
Servings
270
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
red beans (cooked)
3 cups (cooked and drained)
small onion
1/4 (chopped)
corn oil
1/2 cup (for frying)
salt
1 tablespoon (to taste)
bean cooking liquid
1 cup (reserved from cooking)
mozzarella cheese
3 lbs (shredded)
green bell pepper
1/2 (diced)
lorocco (or other mild chile)
1/2 cup (diced)
masa corn flour
4 cups (for dough)
warm water
2 cups (for dough)
Instructions
1
Begin with the red beans: Heat 1/2 cup of corn oil in a large soup pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is heated, sauté the chopped onion until it's golden brown, about 4 minutes. Remove the onion with a slotted spoon and set aside.
2
In a blender, combine half of the cooked red beans and 1/2 cup of the reserved cooking liquid. Blend until smooth, approximately 1 minute.
3
Carefully transfer the blended beans into the pan with heated oil. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the reserved onions and the remaining beans, along with 1/2 cup of cooking liquid to the pan. Mash the mixture as you stir.
4
Cook the beans, stirring occasionally, until they darken in color and achieve a thick consistency, reminiscent of store-bought refried beans. This should take about 15-20 minutes, adjusting heat as necessary to avoid burning.
5
Prepare the cheese filling: In a food processor, combine the shredded mozzarella cheese, diced lorocco, and bell pepper. Pulse until finely mixed. Place the mixture in a microwave-safe bowl and heat for no more than 20 seconds to soften it slightly.
6
Using your hands (greased lightly with oil), knead the cheese mixture until it reaches a soft, putty-like consistency. Set aside.
7
Make the masa dough: In a mixing bowl, combine 4 cups of masa corn flour with 2 cups of warm water. Mix until a smooth and sticky dough is formed. If it's too dry, add small amounts of water until it holds together well.
8
Shape the pupusas: Grease your hands lightly and take an egg-sized ball of masa. Flatten it into a disk about the size of your palm. Place a tablespoon of the cheese mixture followed by a teaspoon of beans in the center of the disk.
9
Carefully fold the edges of the masa over the filling, pinching to seal and then rolling it gently into a ball. Flatten the ball slightly between your palms until it forms a thick disc, approximately 1/2 inch thick.
10
Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat and lightly oil it. Cook each pupusa for about 3 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown and slightly crispy. Repeat until all pupusas are cooked.
11
Serve hot with a side of slaw and salsa for an authentic Salvadorean experience. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information
10g
Fat
33g
Carbs
12.5g
Protein
6g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Traditional Salvadorean Cheesy Pupusas?
Traditional Salvadorean Cheesy Pupusas are thick, handmade corn griddle cakes filled with a savory blend of seasoned beans and melted cheese, typically served with tangy slaw and salsa.
What ingredients are needed for the pupusa filling?
The filling requires cooked red beans, sautéed onion, corn oil, bean cooking liquid, shredded mozzarella cheese, diced green bell pepper, and diced lorocco.
How many pupusas does this recipe produce?
This recipe is designed to make 20 generously sized pupusas.
What type of flour is used for the pupusa dough?
The dough is made using 4 cups of masa corn flour mixed with warm water.
What is lorocco and can I substitute it?
Lorocco is a unique edible flower common in Salvadorean cuisine; if unavailable, you can substitute it with other mild diced chiles.
Are these pupusas gluten-free?
Yes, as they are made with masa corn flour, these pupusas are naturally gluten-free.
How many calories are in one pupusa?
Each pupusa contains approximately 270 calories.
What is the nutritional breakdown of a single pupusa?
Each serving contains 10g of fat, 33g of carbohydrates, 12.5g of protein, and 6g of fiber.
How do I prepare the bean filling?
Blend half the cooked beans with liquid, then sauté with onions and the remaining whole beans, mashing until the mixture reaches a thick, refried consistency.
How do I prepare the cheese filling?
Pulse mozzarella, lorocco, and bell pepper in a food processor, then briefly microwave to soften and knead into a putty-like consistency.
What is the correct consistency for the masa dough?
The dough should be smooth and sticky; if it is too dry, add small amounts of water until it holds together well.
How do I prevent the masa from sticking to my hands while shaping?
Lightly grease your hands with corn oil before taking a ball of masa to prevent sticking.
How much filling goes into each pupusa?
Place about one tablespoon of the cheese mixture and one teaspoon of beans in the center of the masa disk.
How thick should the pupusas be when formed?
Once filled and flattened, the pupusas should be approximately 1/2 inch thick.
How long do I cook the pupusas?
Cook each pupusa for about 3 minutes per side on a medium-high heat skillet.
What temperature should the skillet be for cooking pupusas?
The non-stick skillet should be heated to medium-high heat.
How do I know when the pupusas are done cooking?
They are finished when both sides are golden brown and slightly crispy.
What are the traditional sides for pupusas?
Pupusas are traditionally served with a tangy cabbage slaw known as curtido and an aromatic tomato salsa.
Can I use store-bought refried beans instead?
While this recipe makes them from scratch for authenticity, the goal is to reach a consistency similar to thick store-bought refried beans.
Why do I need to sauté the onions first?
Sautéing the onions until golden brown adds a rich, savory depth to the flavor of the bean filling.
What is the role of the bean cooking liquid?
The reserved cooking liquid is used to help blend the beans and adjust the moisture while mashing to reach the perfect thickness.
How do I seal the pupusas?
Fold the edges of the masa disk over the filling, pinch to seal the top, and then roll it back into a ball before flattening.
What type of oil is best for frying pupusas?
Corn oil is used in this recipe for both frying the filling and greasing the skillet.
Can I prepare the fillings in advance?
Yes, preparing the bean and cheese mixtures ahead of time can make the assembly process easier.
Is this recipe suitable for large groups?
Yes, with 20 servings, it is perfect for family feasts or social gatherings.
What is the total preparation and cooking time for the beans?
After blending, the beans should be cooked and mashed for about 15-20 minutes until darkened and thickened.
Do I need a special tool to mash the beans?
No, you can use a standard spoon or spatula to mash the beans in the pan while they cook.
Why is the cheese mixture microwaved for 20 seconds?
A short microwave time softens the mozzarella slightly, making it easier to knead into a putty-like consistency for easier filling.
What kind of bell pepper is used in the cheese filling?
This recipe calls for 1/2 of a green bell pepper, finely diced.
What texture should the cooked beans have?
The cooked beans should be thick and hold their shape, reminiscent of traditional refried beans.