Savory Pupusas with Refried Beans and Cheese

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-09 · Updated 2026-06-09

Hand-pressed Salvadoran pupusas filled with creamy refried beans and melted cheese, griddled until golden with crispy edges and soft centers. This Latin American-inspired street-food recipe, ready in about 35 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 320 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 1/2 cups warm water
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup refried black beans
• 1 cup, crumbled queso fresco
• 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, combine 2 cups masa harina with 1/2 tsp salt; gradually add 1 1/2 cups warm water while mixing with your hands until a soft, pliable dough forms.
2. Step 2: Divide the dough into 8 equal balls, roughly 3 inches in diameter.
3. Step 3: Flatten one dough ball into a 4-inch disk about 1/4 inch thick; place 2 tbsp refried black beans and 2 tbsp crumbled queso fresco in the center.
4. Step 4: Fold the edges of the dough over the filling to enclose completely, then gently press and flatten the stuffed ball into a 1/2-inch thick patty with sealed edges.
5. Step 5: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat; cook each pupusa for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown with crispy edges and the cheese is melted inside.
6. Step 6: Transfer cooked pupusas to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil and serve immediately, traditionally accompanied by curtido or tomato salsa.