Tlacoyos de Frijol (Bean Stuffed Masa Cakes)
Oval blue-corn style masa cakes stuffed with refried beans, griddled and topped with fresh cheese, lettuce and spicy salsa.
Made with Salsa taquera (roasted chile de arbol salsa) and Refried beans (frijoles refritos). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time50 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.02 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. Rest for 10 minutes.
10 min - 2
Warm your ready made refried beans (see the base recipe) in a small pan until thick and cool slightly. They should be firm enough to hold a shape.
- 3
Divide the dough into 8 balls. Flatten each into a thick oval, make a dent down the middle, and fill with about 2 tablespoons of beans.
- 4
Fold the dough over the beans and pinch the seam closed. Flatten gently into an oval about 12 cm long and 1 cm thick.
- 5
Heat the oil in a griddle or non stick pan over a medium heat. Cook the tlacoyos for 4 to 5 minutes per side until lightly browned, firm and cooked through.
9 min - 6
Top with lettuce, onion and crumbled cheese, and add your ready made salsa taquera (see the base recipe) to taste.
Tips
- If the filling leaks, the dough is too dry or the beans too wet. Add a little water to the dough, or cook the beans down until thick.
- Wet your hands slightly when pinching the seams. It prevents sticking and cracks.
- Traditional tlacoyos use blue corn masa. Blue corn masa harina is available online if you want to try it.
Storing and freezing
Keep cooked tlacoyos in the fridge for 3 days or freeze for 2 months. Reheat in a hot dry pan until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
What is the difference between tlacoyos and sopes?
Tlacoyos have the filling sealed inside the masa, usually beans, and are oval. Sopes are round with a pinched rim and the topping goes on top.
Can I make tlacoyos vegan?
Yes. Leave off the cheese or use a dairy free alternative. The beans, masa and salsa are plant based.
What else can I fill them with?
Fava beans, cheese or chicharron are traditional. Cooked, mashed pinto beans work well in the UK.
More made with salsa taquera (roasted chile de arbol salsa)
Quesadillas de Pollo Deshebrado (Shredded Chicken Quesadillas)
GFEFNFPollo en Salsa de Chile de Árbol (Chicken in Arbol Chilli Sauce)
GFDFEFCostillitas Asadas con Recado Rojo (Achiote Pork Ribs)
GFDFEFTacos al Pastor (Pork and Pineapple Tacos)
GFDFEFSee every dish made with salsa taquera (roasted chile de arbol salsa)
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.