{"id":"pupusa_dc4666d798","slug":"pupusas","title":"Pupusas","description":"A beloved Salvadoran staple, these thick corn griddle cakes are stuffed with melty cheese and savory refried beans, served best with curtido and tomato salsa.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":20,"cookMinutes":25,"totalMinutes":45,"activeMinutes":45},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"2 cups masa harina","name":"Masa Harina","quantity":240,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"2","usUnit":"cup","form":"flour","notes":"corn flour for tortillas","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"1 1/2 cups warm water","name":"Warm Water","quantity":355,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1 1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"warm","notes":"","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"1/2 teaspoon salt","name":"Salt","quantity":3,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"tsp","form":"","notes":"","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese","name":"Mozzarella Cheese","quantity":113,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1","usUnit":"cup","form":"shredded","notes":"or traditional Salvadoran Quesillo","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"1/2 cup refried beans","name":"Refried Beans","quantity":125,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"smooth paste","notes":"pinto or black beans","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"2 tablespoons vegetable oil","name":"Vegetable Oil","quantity":30,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"2","usUnit":"tbsp","form":"liquid","notes":"for greasing hands and pan","group":"Cooking","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"In a large bowl, combine the masa harina, salt, and warm water. Mix with your hands until a soft, pliable dough forms. It should have the consistency of playdough and not stick to your hands. If it's too dry, add a tablespoon of water; if too wet, add a little more masa harina.","group":"Preparation","title":"Combine the masa harina, salt, and warm water","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rest for 10 minutes.","group":"Preparation","title":"Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rest","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Lightly oil your hands. Divide the dough into 8 equal portions and roll them into balls. Using your thumb, make a deep indentation in the center of a ball to form a small cup.","group":"Shaping","title":"Lightly oil your hands","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Shaping"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Place about 1 tablespoon of cheese and 1 teaspoon of refried beans into the center of the dough cup. Fold the edges of the dough over the filling to seal it completely.","group":"Shaping","title":"Place about 1 tablespoon of cheese and 1 teaspoon of refried beans","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Shaping"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Gently pat the ball between your palms to flatten it into a disc about 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) thick. Be careful not to let the filling leak out.","group":"Shaping","title":"Gently pat the ball between your palms","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Shaping"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Heat a lightly oiled griddle or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Cook each pupusa for 3-5 minutes per side until golden brown and slightly charred in spots.","group":"Cooking","title":"Heat a lightly oiled griddle or cast-iron skillet","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"}],"notes":"To prevent the dough from sticking to your hands, keep a small bowl of oil or water nearby to lightly coat your palms while shaping the pupusas.","cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Salvadoran"]},"course":["main","appetizer"],"cookingMethod":["saute","fry"],"equipment":["Large bowl","Griddle or cast-iron skillet","Spatula"],"diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"allergens":["milk"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":8,"unit":"piece","note":"Makes about 8 pupusas"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"Dough can be prepared 1 day in advance and kept in the fridge. Filled but uncooked pupusas can be frozen with parchment paper between them."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat on a dry skillet over medium heat to maintain crispness."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fpupusa_dc4666d798%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=5b534784-4993-4af5-bf10-a5ea41575745","imageAlt":"Pupusas — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["stuffed","corn flour","street food","savory","authentic"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Pupusas","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-03T23:12:58.296Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-03T23:12:58.296Z","related":[{"id":"acai_na_tigela_138fbec4aa","slug":"acai-na-tigela","title":"Açaí na Tigela","description":"A refreshing and energizing Brazilian breakfast staple made from frozen açaí palm fruit, blended into a thick smoothie-like consistency and topped with granola and fresh fruit.","serves":1,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":10,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Brazilian"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","dairy_free","high_protein"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Facai_na_tigela_138fbec4aa%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=bcea20c0-f124-4011-87e9-4fdfe51cca58","imageAlt":"Açaí na Tigela — recipe cover","tags":["acai","smoothie bowl","healthy","brazilian","fruit","superfood"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":6,"stepCount":4},{"id":"agua_fresca_de_limon_2a14774356","slug":"agua-fresca-de-limon","title":"Agua Fresca de Limón","description":"A traditional, crisp, and refreshing Latin American lime drink that perfectly balances tangy citrus with a hint of sweetness. Ideal for hot days or as a light accompaniment to spicy meals.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":10,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Mexican"]},"course":["appetizer","dessert"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free","nut_free","egg_free","low_fat","low_sodium"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fagua_fresca_de_limon_2a14774356%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=fe94cf6f-2bf2-4184-ac60-2b5d49ae8160","imageAlt":"Agua Fresca de Limón — recipe cover","tags":["lime","refreshing","summer drink","mexican beverages","easy drinks","agua fresca"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":4,"stepCount":4},{"id":"arepa_de_queso_2d9f12ccb8","slug":"arepa-de-queso","title":"Arepa de Queso","description":"A classic Latin American snack consisting of golden, pan-seared corn cakes made from pre-cooked cornmeal and filled with gooey, melted cheese.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":30},"cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Colombian","Venezuelan"]},"course":["snack","appetizer"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Farepa_de_queso_2d9f12ccb8%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=45319391-0036-45d0-b2a4-cd86df8b987e","imageAlt":"Arepa de Queso — recipe cover","tags":["cheese","cornmeal","gluten-free","street-food","cheesy"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":6,"stepCount":5}]}