Pan-Fried Salvadoran Pupusas with Cheese and Refried Beans

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-14 · Updated 2026-05-14

Thick corn tortillas stuffed with melted cheese and seasoned refried beans, pan-fried until golden and served with tangy curtido slaw. This Latin American-inspired street-food recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 50 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 queso fresco or mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 cups shredded cabbage
• 1 medium, grated carrot
• 1/4 cup white vinegar
• 1/4 cup water (for curtido)
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp salt (for curtido)
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 2 cups masa harina, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 1/4 cups warm water. Mix with your hands until a smooth, pliable dough forms, about 2-3 minutes. Cover with a damp towel and let rest for 20 minutes.
2. Step 2: While the dough rests, prepare the curtido slaw by mixing 2 cups shredded cabbage, 1 grated medium carrot, 1/4 cup white vinegar, 1/4 cup water, 1/2 tsp dried oregano, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes in a bowl. Set aside to marinate.
3. Step 3: Divide the dough into 8 equal balls (about 3 oz each). Flatten one ball into a 4-inch disk with your palms. Place 2 tbsp refried black beans and 2 tbsp shredded cheese in the center, then fold the edges over and re-flatten gently into a 5-inch thick tortilla, sealing the filling inside.
4. Step 4: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Cook each pupusa for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy on the outside, and the cheese inside is melted.
5. Step 5: Serve the hot pupusas immediately with the tangy curtido slaw on the side for a traditional Salvadoran street food experience.