Vegan Pupusa Recipe is similar to Venezuelan Arepas, they are both a must-try. They are so delicious served with Curtido and Salsa.
They are so easy to prepare, made with simple ingredients and can be stuffed with your filling of choice. The outer crust has is crisp and the soft interior is incredibly tasty.
What is Pupusa?
I mentioned earlier that, my friend shared with me that one of her family’s favorite recipes is pupusa from El Salvador, she described how it was prepared.
Pupusa is a traditional Salvadoran tortilla made from a thick corn tortilla and typically filled with dairy cheese, black beans, or meat, it is the national dish of El Salvador.
Ingredients For Making Pupusa
I used Masa Harina (corn flour) to prepare pupusa, Bob’s Red Mill brand can be purchased at local health food stores or online on Amazon.
For the vegan cheese, I used my homemade Vegan Pepper Jack Cheese recipe, but you can use storebought vegan shredded cheese.
- Masa Harina
- Salt
- Warm Water
- Vegan Cheese
- Oil
- Water and Oil for forming pupusa
How Do You Make Pupusas?
- Stir together Masa Harina and salt in a large bowl. Add water and knead together to form into a dough ball.
- Place extra water with oil in a bowl, dip your hands in the bowl to coat with oil and water mixture. This will prevent the dough from sticking.
- Separate dough into 6-8 equal balls, flatten the dough ball into disks using both hands to press the dough, about 3 inches wide.
- Add about 1 tablespoon of vegan shredded cheese in the center, bring the sides around the cheese to covering the cheese and sealing the dough on top by pinching the sides together.
- Flatten dough into a disk, about 1/2 inch thick.
- Heat non-stick skillet or cast iron pan over medium-high heat. Lightly brush with oil, add pupusa and cook on both sides until heated through and golden brown, about 5 minutes.
- Delicious served with Curtido and Salsa.
Inspiration from Bon Appetit
Other Delicious Recipes To Try
- Baked Plantains
- Yuca With Garlic Sauce
- Tofu Steaks With Avocado Chimichurri Sauce
- Instant Pot Mexican Rice
- Chickpea Tacos
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Categories
- Categories: Gluten-Free, Vegan
- Course: Main Course
- Cuisine: Salvadoran
Nutrition
(Per serving)- Energy: 194 kcal / 811 kJ
- Fat: 9 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Carbs: 24 g
Cook Time
- Preparation: 10 min
- Cooking: 10 min
- Ready in: 20 min
- For: 8 Servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups Masa Harina
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups warm water
- 1/2 cup vegan cheese, *Link to recipe
Water and Oil
Instructions
- Stir together Masa Harina and salt in a large bowl. Add water and knead together to form into a dough ball.
- Place extra water with oil in a bowl, dip your hands in the bowl to coat with oil and water mixture. This will prevent the dough from sticking.
- Separate dough into 6-8 equal balls, flatten the dough ball into disks using both hands to press the dough, about 3 inches wide.
- Add about 1 tablespoon of vegan shredded cheese in the center, bring the sides around the cheese to covering the cheese and sealing the dough on top by pinching the sides together.
- Flatten dough into a disk, about 1/2 inch thick.
- Heat non-stick skillet or cast iron pan over medium-high heat. Lightly brush with oil, add pupusa and cook on both sides until heated through and golden brown, about 5 minutes.
- Delicious served with Curtido and Salsa.
Perfect recipe for a nice breakfast in the morning.
Thanks for sharing this recipe.
I was looking for something different for dinner last night when I saw this recipe. I thought, if I have to make the cheese, the cabbage salad, and the dough, this will take me all day! Not so! The salad went together in minutes, as did the cheese. The dough was even quicker. By the time dinner was ready, I had the most delicious, different flavors to serve. The salad was incredible. It will be my go to cabbage slaw. The cheese is GREAT. It’s very flavorful. I have a lot leftover so I think it will be great on bagels, celery sticks or grilled cheese sandwiches. And the pupusas were so easy to make, and absolutely wonderful. Thank you for THREE great recipes that came together quickly for a fun, different, dinner!
Roxanne, I’m so happy all the recipes came together quickly and you enjoyed them. Thank you very much for sharing your feedback with us.
Hi, Michelle! Thanks so much for sharing this recipe. I have always wanted to try pupusas but, being vegan, couldn’t. Can’t wait to try these! Will def be following you!
Hello Liz, I’m so happy you found my website. I hope you enjoy the recipe.
I haven’t tried any recipes yet. Looking for vegan recipes!
I hope you enjoy them, thank you for your feedback.
Hi! I’m wondering if Masa Harina is a special kind of corn flour or just plain corn flour? I live in Sweden so there’s only a few types of gluten-free flours 😅
When I lived in England, corn flour was really fine, almost like flour. Masa Harina does have a gritty texture, so I would say use plain cornmeal instead, not corn flour. Go for one that’s fine or medium.
Can these be frozen?
Yes they can be frozen.
soy salvadoreño amante de éste plato típico aquí en el salvador hay muchas más variedad de ingredientes pero está receta ésta bien, sólo que aquí son cocinadas en un comal metálico, en barro o sartén especial.
Muy bien gracias Victor.
I love your recipes! My favorite is your chilli mac and cheese. That’s on a weekly rotation at our home. Can I sub any other flour to the corn flour? Thanks in advance!
caroline, thank you, I feel so honored. How about brown rice flour, it has a similar texture? I hope it works.
I have been stalking your blog for the past week. This is the third recipe that I’ve tried and it is perfect! You have a gift my dear and I thank you for sharing. Peace and blessings
Ahh, that’s great to hear, thank you for trying my recipes. I’m so happy you are enjoying them.
These are GREAT!!! I made them with refried beans and the cheese. Tonight i reheated (after much debate wit myselfGrill or Microwave?) in the micro, three minutes for two. They came out perfect. Not dry or leathery. I and my stomach Thank You.
That’s wonderful David, I’m so happy they turned out great, love your fillings too. Thank you for sharing your feedback with us.