Pan-Fried Pupusas with Tangy Curtido Slaw

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-12 · Updated 2026-05-12

Corn masa cakes stuffed with melted cheese and seasoned pork, pan-fried until golden and served with a bright, tangy fermented cabbage slaw. This Latin American-inspired street-food recipe, ready in about 60 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 450 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 tsp salt
• 1 cup cooked ground pork
• 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
• 3 cups, shredded white cabbage
• 1 medium, grated carrot
• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp salt (for slaw)
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil

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, mix 2 cups masa harina, 1 tsp salt, and 1 1/4 cups warm water until a soft dough forms; let rest for 10 minutes until pliable.
2. Step 2: For the curtido slaw, combine 3 cups shredded white cabbage, 1 grated medium carrot, 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1/2 cup water, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, and 1 tsp salt in a bowl; toss well and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to develop tangy flavors.
3. Step 3: Divide masa dough into 8 equal balls; flatten each into a 4-inch disc. Place 2 tbsp cooked ground pork and 2 tbsp grated mozzarella cheese in the center, then fold dough around filling and flatten gently into a 5-inch thick disc.
4. Step 4: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 3 tbsp vegetable oil; fry each pupusa for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and slightly crispy on edges.
5. Step 5: Serve warm pupusas alongside chilled curtido slaw for a perfect balance of savory, cheesy, and tangy tastes.