Memelas con Frijol y Quesillo (Oaxacan Bean and Cheese Corn Cakes)
Oval griddled masa cakes with pinched edges, spread with black bean paste, melting cheese and a bright red salsa.
Made with Salsa roja (cooked red salsa) and Mexican black beans. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time50 min
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £1.04 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, salt and warm water into a soft, smooth dough. Cover and rest for 15 minutes.
15 min - 2
Heat a dry frying pan or griddle over a medium heat. Shape the dough into 8 balls and press each into an oval about 12 by 8 cm and 5 mm thick.
- 3
Cook each memela for 2 minutes per side until pale with brown speckles. While warm, pinch up a low rim around the edge.
4 min - 4
Warm your ready made frijoles negros (see the base recipe) in a pan with the oil, mashing until a thick spreadable paste.
- 5
Spread each memela with bean paste, scatter over the cheese and return to the pan, covered, for 2 minutes until melted.
2 min - 6
Top with your ready made salsa roja cocida (see the base recipe), sliced onion and coriander. Eat straight away.
Tips
- Pinch the rim while the memelas are hot and flexible. Once cooled they crack.
- Mash the beans until almost smooth so they spread like a paste and do not roll off.
- Oaxaca cheese is stringy. Mozzarella is the closest everyday swap.
Storing and freezing
Best eaten fresh. Cooked plain memelas keep 2 days in the fridge and crisp up in a dry pan. Keep the beans separately for up to 4 days.
Questions
What is the difference between memelas and sopes?
Memelas are flatter, oval and thin with a low rim, while sopes are round, thicker and have a taller edge. Both are topped with beans, cheese and salsa.
Can I use ordinary plain flour?
No. Masa harina is nixtamalised corn flour and behaves very differently. Look for it in the world foods aisle or online.
Can I make them without cheese?
Yes. Skip the cheese for a vegan version and add sliced avocado and extra salsa instead.
More made with salsa roja (cooked red salsa)
Enchiladas Rojas de Queso (Red Cheese Enchiladas)
EFNFColiflor Asada con Salsa Roja y Crema (Roasted Cauliflower)
GFEFNFFideo Seco con Queso (Toasted Vermicelli in Red Salsa with Queso)
EFNFVPapas con Rajas y Huevo (Potatoes with Pepper Strips and Eggs)
DFNFVDouble 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.