Gorditas de Carnitas (Stuffed Masa Pockets)
Thick griddled masa pockets that puff up and hold pork, pico de gallo and shredded lettuce, a hand-held Mexican classic.
Made with Fresh pico de gallo and Carnitas (slow cooked pork). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time45 min
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £2.14 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
Mix the masa harina and salt, add the warm water and knead into a soft smooth dough. Rest, covered, for 10 minutes.
10 min - 2
Divide into 8 balls and flatten each to a disc about 9 cm across and 1 cm thick.
- 3
Cook on a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over a medium heat for 4 to 5 minutes a side, until golden brown and firm, puffing slightly.
9 min - 4
Slit each gordita along one edge with a small knife to make a pocket.
- 5
Crisp the carnitas (see the base recipe) in a hot dry pan for 3 minutes until steaming hot all the way through.
3 min - 6
Stuff each pocket with carnitas, lettuce, pico de gallo (see the base recipe) and avocado. Serve warm.
Tips
- Keep the discs 1 cm thick so they hold a pocket. Thinner ones fall apart.
- Cook slowly. A hot pan sears the outside before the inside cooks.
- The pockets can also be split and left open like a thick taco.
Storing and freezing
Griddled gorditas keep in the fridge for 2 days. Reheat on a dry pan and fill fresh.
Questions
What is the difference between gorditas and sopes?
Gorditas are thick masa discs split into a pocket and filled. Sopes have a pinched rim and are topped open.
Can I use plain flour?
No. Masa harina is nixtamalised corn and gives the flavour and texture. Plain flour is not a substitute.
Are gorditas gluten free?
Yes, when made with pure masa harina, checked as gluten free on the packet.
More made with fresh pico de gallo
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NFBowls de Carne Asada con Arroz Rojo (Carne Asada Rice Bowls)
GFDFEFTacos de Camarón con Crema de Elote (Prawn Tacos with Street Corn Sauce)
GFNFTacos de Mar y Tierra (Surf and Turf Tacos with Chicken and Garlic Prawns)
GFDFEFDouble 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.