Salbutes

Name: Salbutes
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 20 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 2 cups (250 g) masa harina; 1¼ cups (300 ml) warm water, plus more as needed; ½ tsp salt; Vegetable oil, for frying; 2 cups (300 g) shredded turkey or chicken (ideally escabeche-style); 1½ cups (110 g) finely shredded cabbage; 2 tomatoes, sliced; 1 avocado, sliced; Pickled red onions, to serve; Habanero salsa, to serve

A traditional Yucatecan snack, Salbutes are thick little masa puffs fried until they balloon into airy, crisp shells.

⏱ 25 minPrep time

🔥 20 minCook time

🍽 6Servings

🏷 AppetizerCategory

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A traditional Yucatecan snack, Salbutes are thick little masa puffs fried until they balloon into airy, crisp shells. Unlike panuchos, they carry no bean filling — instead they are piled with escabeche turkey or chicken, shredded cabbage, tomato and avocado. They are the food of Yucatecan fiestas, made fresh by the dozen.

Yucatán recipes →

Step by stepInstructions

Stir the masa harina, salt and warm water into a soft, pliable dough that holds together without cracking.
Pinch off golf-ball-sized portions and press them into thick tortillas about 3 inches (8 cm) across.
Heat ½ inch (1 cm) of oil in a deep skillet until shimmering.
Fry the tortillas one at a time, pressing gently with a spatula, until they puff and turn golden, about 1 minute per side.
Drain on paper towels, then top each salbute with shredded turkey, cabbage, tomato and avocado.
Finish with pickled onions and habanero salsa, and serve immediately.

💡 Chef tips & storage

The masa must be slightly thicker than a taco tortilla so it puffs. Keep the dough covered with a damp towel while you work so it never dries out.

Recipe details

Prep25 min

Cook20 min

Servings6

CategoryAppetizer

PublishedAugust 17, 2026

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 →

Salbutes

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Salbutes

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