Pan-Fried Salvadoran Pupusas with Refried Beans and Curtido

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Thick corn tortillas stuffed with seasoned cheese and refried beans, pan-fried to golden perfection, served with a tangy cabbage slaw called curtido. This latin american-inspired street food (vegetarian) ready in about 60 minutes pairs masa harina, warm water, shredded mozzarella cheese for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 410 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.

Prep: 40 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Latin American cuisine 410 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 2 cups masa harina with 1 1/2 cups warm water and 1 tsp salt; knead until you form a soft dough that holds together, about 3 minutes. Cover with a damp towel to keep moist.
  2. Step 2: For curtido, mix 2 cups shredded cabbage, 1 shredded medium carrot, 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1/2 cup water, and 1 tsp dried oregano in a bowl; season with 1 tsp salt and toss well. Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes for flavors to meld.
  3. Step 3: Divide dough into 8 equal balls. Flatten one ball into a 4-inch disc. Place 2 tbsp refried black beans and 2 tbsp shredded mozzarella cheese in the center. Carefully fold the dough around the filling and reshape into a thick patty about 1/2 inch thick.
  4. Step 4: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry each pupusa for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy on edges, pressing gently with a spatula to seal. Remove to paper towels to drain.
  5. Step 5: Serve pupusas hot with a generous scoop of curtido on the side for a bright, tangy contrast.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Fried Salvadoran Pupusas with Refried Beans and Curtido take to make?

Total time is about 60 minutes (40 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 Salvadoran Pupusas with Refried Beans and Curtido?

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 Salvadoran Pupusas with Refried Beans and Curtido?

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 Salvadoran Pupusas with Refried Beans and Curtido 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 Salvadoran Pupusas with Refried Beans and Curtido 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.

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