A traditional Yucatecan street snack, Panuchos are crisp fried tortillas with a secret: a pocket of refried black beans hidden inside before frying. Topped with shredded turkey or cochinita, cabbage, pickled onions and tomato, they are the Yucatán’s answer to the taco. The bean-stuffed trick is what sets them apart from their puffier cousins, salbutes.
Panuchos
A traditional Yucatecan street snack, Panuchos are crisp fried tortillas with a secret: a pocket of refried black beans hidden inside before frying.

Step by stepInstructions
- Warm the refried beans with a splash of water so they are easy to spread.
- Heat ½ inch (1 cm) of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and fry the tortillas, one at a time, for about 15 seconds per side, until they puff up like pillows.
- Remove each tortilla while still hot and cut a slit along one edge to open a pocket inside the puff.
- Spoon a heaping tablespoon of beans into each pocket and press gently to spread them flat.
- Return the stuffed tortillas to the oil and fry until crisp and golden on both sides, then drain on paper towels.
- Top each panucho with chicken, cabbage, tomato, avocado and pickled onions, and finish with habanero salsa.
💡 Chef tips & storage
Only fresh, pliable tortillas will puff — stale ones crack instead. Do not over-fry the stuffed tortillas, or the beans will dry out before they warm through.

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