Homemade Pupusas Filled with Cheese and Beans (Print version)

Soft Salvadoran masa cakes filled with creamy beans and melty cheese, then cooked on a hot griddle until golden.

# Ingredients:

For the bean filling

01 - 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
02 - 1/4 cup (40 g) finely chopped white onion
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 can (15 oz or 425 g) refried black beans or pinto beans
05 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
06 - 1/4 teaspoon fine salt, plus more to taste

For the masa dough

07 - 3 cups (275 g) masa harina
08 - 1 teaspoon fine salt
09 - 2 1/4 cups (510 ml) warm water, plus more as needed

For filling and cooking

10 - 2 cups (225 g) shredded Oaxaca, Monterey Jack, or low-moisture mozzarella cheese
11 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, for hands and griddle as needed
12 - Curtido, salsa roja, and lime wedges, for serving

# Instructions:

01 - Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until soft. Stir in the garlic, beans, cumin, and salt. Cook for 3-5 minutes, mashing until thick. Cool slightly.
02 - Combine masa harina and salt in a large bowl. Add the warm water and mix by hand until a soft dough forms. Knead for 2-3 minutes. If the dough cracks when pressed, knead in more warm water 1 teaspoon at a time.
03 - Cover the dough with a damp towel and rest for 10 minutes. Divide into 12 equal balls, keeping them covered while you work.
04 - Lightly dampen your hands with water and a little oil. Make a deep well in one dough ball. Add about 1 tablespoon beans and 1 tablespoon cheese. Pull the dough around the filling and pinch closed.
05 - Pat the filled ball into a 4-inch round, turning it as you press. Patch any small tears with a thin pinch of masa. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling.
06 - Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat, or set an electric griddle to 350°F. Lightly oil if needed. Cook pupusas for 3-4 minutes per side until browned in spots and heated through.
07 - Transfer to a plate and serve right away with curtido, salsa roja, and lime wedges.

# Good to know:

01 - Makes 12 pupusas, about 2 per serving.
02 - Best served hot from the griddle.
03 - Keep shaped uncooked pupusas covered so the masa does not dry out.

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