Cheese Pupusa (Pupusa de queso): Simple & Satisfying

Happy Pupusa Day! I can’t wait to bite into a hot cheese pupusa (Pupusa de queso). I love how this traditional Salvadoran dish brings together the perfect blend of handmade corn masa and melted cheese, especially when topped with tangy curtido and fresh salsa.

(Cheese) Pupusa de queso recipe

Pupusa de queso is a type of Pupusa – a traditional Salvadoran dish. It consists of a thick corn tortilla filled with various types of cheese. This tortilla is made from masa harina, a type of corn flour, mixed with water to form a dough.

Once shaped into disks, the dough is filled with cheese—commonly mozzarella or Oaxacan cheese—and then cooked on a hot griddle until golden brown and crispy on the outside. The filling often melts and may ooze out slightly during cooking.

The texture of Pupusa de queso is soft and dense, providing a satisfying contrast to the crispy exterior and a soft, chewy interior. If you love the rich and savory flavor, the cheese pupusa is a must-try. Here’s how to make the Pupusa de queso (cheese pupusa):

Pupusa de queso (Cheese pupusa)

A traditional Salvadoran stuffed corn tortilla filled with melted cheese. This beloved street food features a thick dough patty stuffed with cheese, then grilled until golden brown with a crispy exterior and gooey center.

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Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Central American, Salvadoran

Servings 4

Calories 250 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 2 cups corn flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 cups warm water
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese or a mix of mozzarella and a bit of cheese like queso fresco or cheddar for extra flavor
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil optional for frying
• Curtido, cabbage slaw and salsa optional, for serving)

Instructions

 

• Mix masa harina and salt in a bowl. Gradually add warm water, mixing until the dough is soft and pliable. Adjust with more masa harina or water if needed.
• Take a golf ball-sized piece of dough, flatten it into a thick disk. Create a small indentation in the center, fill with about 2 tablespoons of cheese, then close the dough over the filling. Gently flatten into a disk again, ensuring the cheese is enclosed.
• Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat, lightly greasing if desired. Cook each pupusa for 3-4 minutes per side, pressing gently with a spatula, until golden and crispy.
• Enjoy hot, ideally with curtido (cabbage slaw) and salsa on the side.

Keyword cheese pupusa, Latin American cuisine, pupusa de queso

In Salvadoran culture, pupusas represent more than just food – they embody community and tradition. Pupusas serve as gathering places where families and friends come together.

Serving and pairing guide

Learn ideal servings and pairings for pupusa de queso to elevate any meal.

1. Traditional Accompaniments

• Curtido (pickled cabbage slaw): adds a tangy flavor that complements the richness of the cheese in the pupusas
  • Fermented cabbage slaw
  • Carrots and oregano
  • Slightly spicy vinegar dressing
• Salsa:
  • Salsa roja (red sauce)
  • Salsa verde (green sauce)

2. Contemporary Sides

• Fresh avocado slices
• Cilantro-lime slaw
• Chipotle cream sauce
• Hot sauce: green Tabasco or other spicy condiments
• Sour cream
• Fresh lime wedges: squeeze over the pupusas
• Refried beans
• Eggs or other breakfast sides for breakfast

3. Beverage Pairings

• Traditional drinks include:
  • Horchata (rice drink)
  • Tamarind juice
  • Coconut water
• Modern options feature:
  • Craft beers
  • Aguas frescas
  • Specialty cocktails

Variations

Take your cheese pupusa de queso to the next level with these flavorful and fun variations.

Filling variations

1. Traditional Fillings

Besides cheese, pupusas have various fillings:

• Pupusa de Frijol con Queso (Bean and Cheese Pupusa)
  • Refried beans
  • Cheese
• Pupusa de Loroco
  • Loroco flower buds (edible flower in Central America)
  • Often mixed with cheese
• Pupusa Revueltas (Mixed Pupusa)
  • Cheese
  • Refried beans
  • Ground pork (chicharrón)
• Pupusa de Ayote
  • Grated ayote (a type of squash)
  • Cheese
• Pupusa de Chicharrón (Pork Pupusa)
  • Seasoned ground pork
  • Spices like achiote

2. Modern Filling Variations

• Plant-Based Options:
  • Spinach and mushroom
  • Sweet potato and black bean
  • Zucchini and corn
• Global Fusion:
  • Korean kimchi
  • Mediterranean vegetables
  • Indian spiced potato
• Spicy Addition: Jalapeños or other spicy elements
• Meat Variations:
  • Ground beef
  • Ground chicken

Regional variations

1. Pupusa de Arroz:
   • Originating from Olocuilta
   • Use rice flour for the dough
   • Fillings: pork, cheese, or vegetables.
2. Pupusa de Banano:
   • Found in Alegría
   • Fillings contain plantain bananas, offering a unique sweet twist.
3. Honduran Pupusas:
   • In Honduras
   • Fillings: local quesillo cheese
   • Feature different fillings compared to Salvadoran styles.
4. U.S. Variations:
   • In the United States
   • Filling: spinach, pepperoni, or green chile

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