Traditional Pupusa Recipe

Pupusas made from masa harina - November 10, 2017 by Luna

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Dough:

  • 2 cups water
  • 2 to 2 1/4 cups masa harina
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Filling:

  • 3 to 4 oz. refried beans or
  • 3 to 4 oz. cheese

Add 2 cups masa harina to the water and salt. Mix by hand until it comes together, about a minute. If it is not thick enough to work by hand, add a bit more masa harina and stir until it is a workable dough.

With wet hands, take about 1/4 cup of the dough and flatten it into a disk. Put about a tablespoon of filling in the center. Fold the edges over to cover the filling and seal. Use plastic wrap or a sandwich bag cut open as a surface to work or set the pupusas without sticking. A variety of fillings work well; try smoked cheese for extra flavor or a piece of string cheese cut in half for the easiest filling.

To fry: roughly 3 minutes per side on medium heat. There is no harm in flipping these multiple times to get a golden speckled finish.

To bake: 15 to 20 minutes at 425 degrees F. They won't brown the way fried ones will. The pupusa dough will be firm to touch when done.