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Pupusas Guatemaltecas

A traditional Guatemalan dish — Pupusas Guatemaltecas are thick, hand-shaped corn cakes stuffed with cheese, beans, or chicharrón, griddled until blistered and golden.

⏱ 30 minPrep time
🔥 30 minCook time
🍽 6Servings
🏷 DinnerCategory
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Pupusas Guatemaltecas - Guatemalan cuisine

A traditional Guatemalan dish — Pupusas Guatemaltecas are thick, hand-shaped corn cakes stuffed with cheese, beans, or chicharrón, griddled until blistered and golden. Though El Salvador made them famous, eastern Guatemala claims them with pride, served with curtido and a fresh tomato salsa. Crisp outside, molten inside, they are street food at its most satisfying.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. Mix the masa harina, salt, and warm water into a soft, smooth dough; cover with a damp towel and rest for 10 minutes.
  2. Keep the fillings separate: cheese, beans, and chicharrón, each in its own bowl.
  3. Divide the dough into 12 balls; press a well in one ball, fill with a spoonful of cheese or beans, and pinch the dough closed, then pat it into a thick 4-inch disc between your palms.
  4. Cook the pupusas on a hot, lightly oiled griddle or comal for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until blistered and golden, pressing gently with a spatula.
  5. Serve immediately, topped with curtido and tomato salsa; the filling should be molten, so eat them while they are hot.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Keep the dough covered while you work so it does not dry out and crack. If a pupusa tears, patch it with a little dough — it will still crisp up beautifully.

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Recipe details

Prep30 min
Cook30 min
Servings6
CategoryDinner
PublishedAugust 17, 2026
Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →