Pan-Fried Pupusas with Quesillo and Refried Beans
Golden pan-fried Salvadoran pupusas stuffed with melty quesillo cheese and savory refried beans, served with tangy curtido slaw. This latin american-inspired street food (vegetarian) ready in about 40 minutes pairs masa harina, warm water, quesillo cheese, shredded 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 cup quesillo cheese, shredded
- 1 cup refried beans
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 cups shredded cabbage
- 1 small, grated carrot
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 1/4 cup water (for curtido)
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, mix 2 cups masa harina with 1 1/4 cups warm water and 1 tsp salt until a soft dough forms; rest for 10 minutes.
- Step 2: Combine 2 cups shredded cabbage, 1 small grated carrot, 1/4 cup white vinegar, 1/4 cup water, 1/2 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes in a bowl to make curtido. Toss well and refrigerate.
- Step 3: Divide masa dough into 8 equal balls. Flatten each ball into a 4-inch disc. Spoon 2 tbsp refried beans and 2 tbsp shredded quesillo cheese onto the center of each disc.
- Step 4: Fold edges over filling and carefully flatten the stuffed dough into a 5-inch thick disc, sealing the filling inside.
- Step 5: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry each pupusa for 4 minutes per side until golden and crispy on the outside and cheese melts inside.
- Step 6: Serve hot pupusas with chilled curtido on the side for a traditional Salvadoran experience.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Fried Pupusas with Quesillo and Refried Beans take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (20 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Pan-Fried Pupusas with Quesillo and Refried Beans?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep masa harina from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Fried Pupusas with Quesillo and Refried Beans?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Pan-Fried Pupusas with Quesillo and Refried Beans for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Pan-Fried Pupusas with Quesillo and Refried Beans vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
