Sopes

Thick hand-shaped masa cups with a pinched rim, fried until crisp and topped with beans, salsa and cheese.

TIME BREAKDOWN
Prep: 30 min
Cook: 20 min
Total: 50 minutes
Vegetarian
✅
Nuts
❌
Serves
4 people
Difficulty
Medium

Ingredients

  • 300g masa harina
  • 1/2 tsp fine salt
  • about 400ml warm water
  • Vegetable oil, for shallow frying
  • 400g tin refried beans, warmed
  • 1/2 small iceberg lettuce, finely shredded
  • 100ml soured cream
  • 100g queso fresco or mild feta, crumbled
  • 1 small white onion, finely chopped
  • Salsa roja, to serve
  • Salsa verde, to serve

Method

  1. Mix the masa harina and salt with the warm water, adding it a little at a time, until you have a soft dough that does not crack when pressed. Cover and rest for 15 minutes.

  2. Divide into 12 balls and flatten each into a disc about 8cm wide and 1cm thick.

  3. Cook the discs in a dry non-stick pan over a medium heat for 1 to 2 minutes per side until lightly set.

  4. While still warm, pinch the edge of each disc to form a 1cm rim, creating a shallow cup.

  5. Heat 1cm of oil in a frying pan and fry the sopes for 2 minutes per side until crisp and golden. Drain on kitchen paper.

  6. Fill each with a spoonful of refried beans, then top with lettuce, soured cream, cheese, onion and the salsas.