Pupusas Recipe: The Best Restaurant-Like Recipes for Salvadoran Pupusas

Tripboba.com - Pupusa is a Salvadorian meal that is stuffed with some tasty fillings like corn, meat, and pickled jalapeno inside. It’s just good to eat a pupusa weekly or even daily.

If you ever tried this pupusa before, you may find this meal is accompanied with some sauces and side dishes. Now, you can make your own using the pupusas recipe here.

In this article, you can find 2 options of fillings to cook the delicious pupusas recipe.

Here is the list of the pupusas recipe you can find out here:

• Pupusas Recipe Pork
• Chicken Pupusas Recipe

Learn how to make one of these pupusas recipes, so you can make them anytime at home.

Best Salvadoran Pupusas Recipe

1. Pupusas Recipe Pork

Best Pupusas Recipe to Try at Home - Photo by Matthew Mendoza from Flickr

Ingredients

For the pickled cabbage:

• 1/2 medium green cabbage, shredded
  
• 1 chayote squash, shredded
  
• 2 carrots, shredded
  
• 1 red onion, thinly sliced
  
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
  
• 1 1/2 cups cider vinegar
  
• 1 cup of water
  
• 1/2 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano leaves, crushed
  
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
  
• 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
  
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  
• 1/2 tablespoon salt
  

For the pork filling:

• 3 pounds pork butt, sliced cubes
• 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 sweet onion, diced
  
• 1 jalapeno, diced
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon Mexican oregano
  
• 1 teaspoon salt
  
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 6 cups of water

For the corn dough:

• 3 1/2 cups of masa harina
  
• 2 1/4 cups warm water
• Olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups shredded Cotija cheese
  

Instructions

Step 1. In a large bowl, mix together the vegetables for the pickled cabbage.

Step 2. Now heat a saucepan and pour in vinegar, water, brown sugar, spices, and salt. Stir as needed and bring it to a boil. Immediately turn off the stove.

Step 3. Pour the boiled mixture into the vegetable mixture. Combine with a spoon well and let sit for at least a day. You need to stir it occasionally.

Step 4. Make the pork filling in a medium saucepan. First, you need to get the pork season with salt and pepper. Cook the seasoned pork with enough water, around 2-inches height. Then cover the pot partially once it gets a simmer. Check the pork's tenderness until it's very tender for at least 3 hours. Uncover and stir until it turns golden.

Step 5. In a blender, add in onion, garlic, tomatoes, oregano, jalapeno, and cinnamon. Process the blends until smooth. Then, pour the tomatoes mix into the cooking pork. Stir well. Next, lower the heat and let simmer until meat falling apart or at least for 30 minutes. Set aside to let cool.

Step 6. Now, let's make the masa dough. First, combine masa harina, warm water, and salt in a mixing bowl. Let stand for at least 20 minutes.

Step 7. Pour in 1/4 cup of cold water and stir until the dough softens. Divide into 15 parts and shape to a ball. Close the bowl lid while shaping the dough.

Step 8. Wet your palm hands with olive oil to prevent sticking while you shape a pupusa. Get one of the dough and use your finger on the other hand to press the middle of the ball. Turn the dough and make it flat using your fingertips to make a disk.

Step 9. Fill in the middle of the disk-shaped dough with the pork filling and shredded cheese. Fold all the sides of the dough to the middle and tap a few times to seal. Flatten with your palm hand and form a thick pancake. Do the same steps to the remaining dough.

Step 10. Rub lightly the pupusas using oil. Arrange them on a heated and greased griddle. Set and cook over medium-high heat until they turn golden brown and puffy all sides.

Step 11. Remove from heat and serve while it's still hot. Enjoy it with the pickled cabbage as the side dish.

2. Chicken Pupusas Recipe

Best Pupusas Recipe to Try at Home - Photo by Robyn Lee from Flickr

Ingredients

• 2 cups masa harina
  
• 1 3/4 cups very warm tap water
  
• Kosher salt
  
• 1/2 cup shredded roasted chicken
  
• 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  
• 1/2 cup crumbled queso fresco
  
• 2 tablespoons minced dry chorizo Cayenne pepper
  
• Vegetable oil for frying

For serving (optional):

• Sour cream
• Hot sauce
• Pickled jalapeños
  
• Chopped onion
  
  

Instructions

Step 1. Gather all the ingredients to prepare.

Step 2. Mix the masa harina, water, and 1/2 tsp of salt in a mixing bowl. Knead with your hand until soft. Cover using plastic wrap and let sit for 30 minutes.

Step 3. Now, prepare the chicken filling. Add in chicken, cheese, chorizo, and queso fresco in a medium bowl. Toss to combine. Add salt and cayenne to season. Set aside.

Step 4. Divide into 8 parts and shape to a ball. Close the bowl lid while shaping the dough.

Step 5. Wet your palm hands with olive oil to prevent sticking while you shape a pupusa. Get one of the dough and use your finger on the other hand to press the middle of the ball. Then turn the dough and get it to flatten using your fingertips to make a disk.

Step 6. Fill in the middle of the disk-shaped dough with the chicken filling and shredded cheese. Fold all the sides of the dough to the middle and tap a few times to seal. Flatten with your palm hand and form a thick pancake. Do the same steps to the remaining dough.

Step 7. Prepare a baking sheet and grease. Arrange the pupusas on and cover with plastic wrap.

Step 8. Pour 1/2 cup of oil onto a heated skillet. Wait until a simmer and cook the pupusas over high heat. Turn over to another side twice. Drain after it turns crisp and golden. Do the same steps to the remaining pupusas.

Step 9. Serve while the pupusas are still hot. It's best to enjoy along with sour cream, hot sauce, pickled jalapeños, and more of side dishes.