Panuchos Yucatecos (Yucatan Stuffed Fried Tortillas)
Crisp-fried masa tortillas stuffed with black beans, topped with shredded lettuce, pickled onions and creamy guacamole.
Made with Classic guacamole and Pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas) and Mexican black beans. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time1 hr
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £0.80 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 dough. Rest for 10 minutes.
10 min - 2
Mash your ready made black beans (see the base recipe) roughly with a fork, draining off most of the liquid. Cook in a small pan for 5 minutes until thick and spreadable.
5 min - 3
Divide the dough into 8 balls and press each into a disc about 10 cm wide and 3 mm thick between two sheets of baking paper.
- 4
Cook each disc in a dry hot pan for about 1 minute per side until it puffs a little and sets. Slit one edge to make a pocket if you can, and push in a spoonful of beans.
2 min - 5
Heat the oil in a frying pan over a medium high heat. Fry the stuffed discs for 1 to 2 minutes per side until crisp and golden. Drain on kitchen paper.
3 min - 6
Top with lettuce, tomato, your ready made pickled red onions and classic guacamole (see the base recipes). Serve at once.
Tips
- If the pocket will not open, simply spread the beans on top of each fried tortilla instead.
- Fry in small batches and keep the oil at a steady medium heat. Burnt outside and raw inside means the oil was too hot.
- Traditional panuchos are topped with turkey or chicken (pavo or pollo) and pickled onion; shred leftover chicken on top if you have it.
Storing and freezing
Best eaten fresh. Unfried, stuffed discs keep in the fridge for 1 day. Do not store fried panuchos, as they soften quickly.
Questions
What is the difference between panuchos and salbutes?
Both come from Yucatan. Panuchos are stuffed with beans before frying. Salbutes are puffy fried masa discs with no filling inside, with toppings only.
Can I use shop bought tortillas?
Yes, as a quick shortcut. Fry corn tortillas until crisp, spread each with beans and add the toppings.
Is this vegan?
Yes. The masa, beans, pickled onions and guacamole contain no animal products. Leave off any chicken to keep it vegan.
More made with classic guacamole
Parrillada de Verduras Asadas (Mexican Grilled Vegetable Platter)
DFEFNFTostadas de Garbanzo al Adobo (Adobo Chickpea Tostadas)
DFEFNFMulitas de Carne Asada (Steak and Cheese Tortilla Sandwiches)
EFNFTorta de Frijol y Guacamole (Mexican Bean and Guacamole Sandwich)
NFHFDouble 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.