Main Course · Lunch · Dinner · Latin American ·

Authentic Salvadoran pupusas with homemade curtido

Name: Authentic Salvadoran pupusas with homemade curtido
Prep time: 70 min
Cook time: 210 min
Total time: 280 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: 4 cups masa harina; 2 ½ cups warm water; 1 tsp salt; 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese; 1 cup refried beans; 1 cup cooked, shredded pork; 1 medium head cabbage, shredded; 1 medium carrot, grated; 1 small onion, thinly sliced; 1 cup apple cider vinegar; 2 tsp dried oregano; 1 tsp crushed red pepper; 1 tsp salt; 1 tsp sugar; 4 roma tomatoes, chopped; 1 small onion, chopped; 2 cloves garlic; 1 jalapeño, seeded and chopped; 1/4 cup cilantro leaves; Salt to taste

Experience the authentic flavors of El Salvador with our detailed guide to crafting the perfect Salvadoran pupusas in your home kitchen. These thick, stuffed corn griddle cakes pair beautifully with tangy cabbage slaw for a satisfying meal.

4.6(58 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·June 25, 2025

Authentic Salvadoran pupusas with homemade curtido — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

1 h 10 min

Cook

3 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Pupusa Dough

For the Filling

For the Curtido

For the Salsa Roja

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 343 kcal
Protein: 12.9 g
Carbs: 52.5 g
Fat: 7.6 g
Fiber: 8.9 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 2745 kcal
Protein: 103 g
Carbs: 420 g
Fat: 61 g
Fiber: 71 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
4 cups masa harina	1456	16	288	12	32
2 ½ cups warm water	0	0	0	0	0
1 tsp salt	0	0	0	0	0
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese	320	24	3	24	0
1 cup refried beans	218	13	35	4	10
1 cup cooked, shredded pork	330	36	0	20	0
1 medium head cabbage, shredded	200	8	48	1	20
1 medium carrot, grated	25	1	6	0	2
1 small onion, thinly sliced	28	1	6	0	1
1 cup apple cider vinegar	50	0	2	0	0
2 tsp dried oregano	10	1	2	0	1
1 tsp crushed red pepper	6	0	1	0	1
1 tsp salt	0	0	0	0	0
1 tsp sugar	16	0	4	0	0
4 roma tomatoes, chopped	44	2	10	0	3
1 small onion, chopped	28	1	6	0	1
2 cloves garlic	9	0	2	0	0
1 jalapeño, seeded and chopped	4	0	1	0	0
1/4 cup cilantro leaves	1	0	0	0	0
Salt to taste	0	0	0	0	0

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Marinating the Curtido

1
Combine Vegetables
Combine cabbage, carrot, and onion in a large bowl.
2
Prepare Dressing
In a separate bowl, whisk vinegar, oregano, crushed red pepper, salt, and sugar.
3
Marinate
Pour the dressing over the cabbage mixture, mixing thoroughly. Let it marinate for at least 2 hours, ideally overnight, in the refrigerator.

Preparing the Pupusa Dough & Filling

1
Make the Dough
In a large bowl, mix masa harina, warm water, and salt until smooth. Let the dough rest for 30 minutes.
Tip: Allow the dough rest time to ensure the pupusas are easier to shape and fry evenly.
2
Prepare Filling
In another bowl, combine the cheese, refried beans, and pork for the filling.
3
Shape Pupusas
Divide the dough into 16 balls. Flatten each ball, add a spoonful of filling, and carefully shape into a patty.
Tip: Dip your hands in water to prevent the dough from sticking during shaping. Ensure no filling is exposed to prevent bursting during cooking.

How to Make Authentic Salvadoran pupusas with homemade curtido

Total time: 4 h 40 min · Yields 8 servings

1
Grill the Pupusas
Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook each pupusa for about 4 minutes per side until golden brown.
2
Make the Salsa Roja
Blend tomatoes, onion, garlic, jalapeño, and cilantro in a blender until smooth. Season with salt to taste.
3
Finish the Curtido
Give the curtido one last toss before serving to redistribute the flavors.