Enfrijoladas con Cecina (Bean Covered Tortillas with Thin Steak)
Corn tortillas dipped in a silky refried bean sauce and folded around lime and chilli rubbed thin steak, topped with pickled onions.
Made with Pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas) and Corn tortillas from masa harina and Refried beans (frijoles refritos). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time40 min
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £1.98 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Rub the steaks with the lime juice, garlic, salt and ancho chilli. Leave them in the fridge for 20 to 30 minutes.
25 min - 2
Blend your ready made refried beans (see the base recipe) with the hot water and chipotle until completely smooth. Pour into a wide pan and warm gently, stirring, until it is a thin, pourable sauce, adding water if needed.
5 min - 3
Heat the oil in a frying pan over a very high heat. Fry the steaks for 1 to 2 minutes on each side, until browned and cooked to your liking. Rest for 3 minutes, then slice.
5 min - 4
Warm the corn tortillas (see the base recipe) one at a time in a dry pan for 20 seconds each side.
- 5
Dip each tortilla in the bean sauce to coat both sides, then fold in quarters and lay three on each plate.
- 6
Spoon more sauce over the top. Lay the sliced steak on top and finish with the cheese, soured cream, pickled red onions (see the base recipe) and coriander. Serve straight away.
Tips
- Cecina is a thinly sliced, salted and dried beef from Oaxaca. This quick version uses thin steak with lime, chilli and salt for a similar flavour.
- The bean sauce should be like thin custard. Add hot water a splash at a time until it coats the back of a spoon.
- Use a very hot pan so the thin steak sears before it overcooks.
- Keep the tortillas warm in a clean tea towel until you assemble.
Storing and freezing
Eat straight away. Keep leftover bean sauce in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat until steaming hot all the way through. Cooked steak keeps for up to 2 days.
Questions
What are enfrijoladas?
Enfrijoladas are tortillas dipped in a smooth bean sauce, folded and topped with cheese, cream and onion. They are the bean version of enchiladas, and a popular breakfast and quick supper.
Can I use thick cut steak?
Beat thick steak to 5 mm between sheets of cling film, or slice it very thinly across the grain. Thick steak needs longer cooking and will not take the rub as well.
Is this gluten free?
Yes, if you use gluten free corn tortillas. The beans, steak rub, cheese and cream contain no gluten.
More made with pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas)
Salbutes de Pavo (Yucatecan Puffed Masa with Turkey)
DFEFNFPanuchos de Cazón (Yucatecan Stuffed Masa Cakes with Fish)
DFEFNFTacos de Frijol Negro y Aguacate (Black Bean and Avocado Tacos)
VGVDFPescado al Guajillo al Horno (Baked Fish in Guajillo Sauce)
DFEFNFSee every dish made with pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas)
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.