Pupusas de Queso con Loroco and Quick Pickled Curtido

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-10-10 · Updated 2026-10-10

Cheese-stuffed masa pupusas studded with fragrant loroco flower buds, cooked crisp on the griddle and served with a bright, crunchy curtido. This Salvadoran-inspired quick recipe (vegetarian, gluten-free), ready in about 36 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 540 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. 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 1/2 cups masa harina
• 2 cups warm water
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 cups quesillo or shredded mozzarella
• 1/2 cup queso fresco, crumbled
• 1/2 cup loroco buds (jarred or frozen), chopped
• 3 cups green cabbage, shredded
• 1 carrot, julienned
• 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil

The griddle we’d cook this on → Best Griddles for 2026: Stovetop and Electric Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Toss cabbage, carrot and red onion with vinegar, oregano, red pepper flakes, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 cup hot water. Let stand while you make the pupusas.
2. Step 2: Drain and pat the loroco dry, then mix with the quesillo and queso fresco.
3. Step 3: Combine masa harina, salt and warm water and knead into a smooth dough that doesn't crack at the edges. Divide into 8 balls.
4. Step 4: Oil your hands, press each ball into a shallow cup, fill with about 3 tbsp cheese-loroco mixture, seal, and gently pat into a 4-inch disk.
5. Step 5: Cook on a medium-high oiled griddle for 3-4 minutes per side until golden spots form and cheese bubbles at the edges.
6. Step 6: Serve immediately with plenty of curtido.