Pan-Fried Pupusas with Cheese and Refried Beans

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-24 · Updated 2026-07-24

Thick corn tortillas stuffed with melted cheese and savory refried beans, pan-fried until golden and served with tangy curtido. This Latin American-inspired street-food recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs masa harina, warm water, salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 2 cups masa harina
• 1 1/4 cups warm water
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup refried black beans
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 cup curtido (pickled cabbage slaw)
• 4 lime wedges

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 2 cups masa harina, 1/2 tsp salt, and gradually add 1 1/4 cups warm water, mixing with your hands until a soft, pliable dough forms (about 3-4 minutes).
2. Step 2: Divide the dough into 8 equal balls, about 3 inches in diameter. Flatten each ball into a 1/4-inch thick disk, then place 2 tbsp refried black beans and 2 tbsp shredded mozzarella cheese in the center.
3. Step 3: Fold the edges over the filling, pinch to seal, and gently flatten again into a 1/2-inch thick tortilla shape, ensuring no filling escapes.
4. Step 4: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook each pupusa for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and slightly crispy.
5. Step 5: Serve hot with 1 cup curtido and 4 lime wedges to brighten the flavors with acidity.