Papusas Recipe

Papusas! Addicting, a little greasy, and TOTALLY worth the effort! Papusas are a Salvadorian favorite, but Belizeans know good food when we smell and taste it, so this has become a staple street food fare. GET IN MY BELLY!

This recipe makes 8 hand-size pupusas. 

Papusas Ingredients

Start by making your curtido (if this has at least a couple of hours to cure that is best!)

Curtido Salvadoreño (Pickled Cabbage):

• 1/2 small head of cabbage, shredded
• 1 large carrot, grated
• 1 large purple or white onion, thinly sliced in crescents
• 1/2 cup vinegar
• 3 cups water
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano (preferably Mexican)
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 habanero pepper, thinly sliced in rings

Dough for Papusas:

• 2 cups masa harina (Maseca) or about 1/2 pound of masa harina
• 1 tablespoon consommé de pollo or 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1 1/2 cups hot water

Fillings:

• 1 cup grated cheese (quesillo, queso fresco, Monterey Jack, or mozzarella)
• 2 cups refried beans
• 2 cups chicharrón, finely chopped or coarsely blended (see note below)
• 2 cups shredded roasted pork meat

Vegetable oil (for cooking papusas)

Curtido Salvadoreño (pickled cabbage)

Combine the cabbage, carrot, and onion in a large glass jar. Combine the remaining ingredients in a separate bowl and then pour over the cabbage mixture and stir. Cover and let rest for at least a day before serving.

Dough for Papusas:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the masa harina and consommé de pollo (or salt).
2. Gradually add the hot water and oil to the masa harina mixture, kneading with your hands until a smooth, moist dough with a playdough-like consistency is formed. Adjust the texture by adding more water or masa harina as needed.
3. With lightly oiled hands, divide the dough into 8 balls, each about 2 inches in diameter. Hold one ball in your palm and use your thumb to create an indentation, forming a small cup in the center of the ball.
4. Fill the cup with 1 tablespoon of your chosen filling (cheese, refried beans, chicharrón, or shredded roasted pork meat) and carefully seal the dough around the filling, ensuring it doesn’t leak.
5. Pat the filled dough back and forth between your hands to form a round disk about 1/4-inch thick. Repeat the process with the remaining balls.

Cooking the Papusas:

1. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium-high heat.
2. Cook the papusas on the griddle for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until they turn golden brown and develop a slightly crispy exterior. Use a pancake turner to flip them.

Serving Suggestion:

Serve the warm and delicious papusas immediately, accompanied by the zesty curtido salvadoreño on the side. The combination of flavors and textures is simply irresistible.

Notes: Chicharrón in this recipe refers to seasoned, tender fried pork meat, not pork rind. You can use leftover pork roast or purchase prepared chicharrón from a Mexican grocery store for convenience. Chicharrón in this recipe is not equivalent to pork rind. Chicharrón in this recipe is pork meat that has been seasoned with salt and pepper and a little cumin and fried to tenderness. I usually make a pork roast and the leftover pork roast is what I would use for the pupusas or the alternative is to buy ½ of Chicharrón already prepared in the Mexican grocery store.

Making sure that the filling does not leak, pat the dough back and forth between your hands to form a round disk about 1/4-inch thick. Repeat with the remaining balls.

Heat a lightly oiled griddle over medium-high heat. Cook the pupusas on each side for 2 to 3 minutes until golden brown. Use a pancake turner to flip the sides. Serve while still warm with curtido on the side.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving – 1 Papusa with Cheese Filling):

• Calories: 250 kcal Carbohydrates: 32g
• Protein: 7g Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Cholesterol: 15mg
• Sodium: 420mg Fiber: 4g Sugar: 2g

Note: The nutritional values provided are approximate and may vary based on the specific ingredients used and the size of the papusas. Additionally, the nutritional values will vary depending on the filling used (e.g., refried beans, chicharrón, or shredded roasted pork meat). It’s essential to adjust the nutritional information based on the specific fillings chosen. For an accurate nutritional analysis, it’s recommended to use specific brands and measurements of ingredients and calculate the values using a reliable nutritional calculator or software.

We hope you enjoy these Authentic Papusas, a delightful blend of Salvadoran flavors that have become a cherished street food fare in Belize. Share your papusa-making experience and explore various fillings to create your favorite combinations. Happy papusa-making and bon appétit!