Tortas Ahogadas de Carnitas (Drowned Pork Sandwiches)
Crusty rolls packed with crisp carnitas, pickled onions and soaked in a warm tomato sauce with a fiery chilli kick.
Made with Salsa ranchera and Pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas) and Carnitas (slow cooked pork). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time35 min
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £3.60 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
Make the hot salsa. Simmer the chiles de arbol in 200 ml water for 5 minutes until softened. Blend with the garlic, vinegar, 100 ml water and 0.5 tsp salt until smooth. Sieve if you want it silky.
5 min - 2
Warm your ready made salsa ranchera (see the base recipe) in a pan with 100 ml water until just simmering.
- 3
Reheat your ready made carnitas (see the base recipe) in the oil in a hot frying pan for 4 to 5 minutes, until crisp at the edges and steaming hot all the way through.
5 min - 4
Split the rolls without cutting all the way through. Toast them cut side down in a dry pan for 1 minute.
- 5
Fill each roll with the carnitas and your ready made pickled red onions (see the base recipe).
- 6
Serve each torta in a shallow bowl. Spoon the warm ranchera sauce over until well soaked, and add the hot salsa a little at a time to taste.
Tips
- The roll needs a crisp crust so it does not fall apart when soaked. Sub rolls or baguette work if you cannot find bolillos.
- Be careful with the arbol sauce, it is very hot. Add it to your own bowl.
- Eat with a knife and fork, or wear an apron.
Storing and freezing
Best eaten straight away. Keep sauces and carnitas separately in the fridge up to 3 days and reheat until steaming hot.
Questions
Where do tortas ahogadas come from?
They are a speciality of Guadalajara in Jalisco, traditionally made with a local crusty roll called birote salado.
Can I use other fillings?
Yes. Shredded chicken or slow cooked beef also work well.
More made with salsa ranchera
Pizzas de Tortilla Mexicanas (Crisp Tortilla Pizzas with Salsa Ranchera)
EFNFCalabacitas Rellenas de Carne Molida (Stuffed Courgette Boats)
GFEFNFPapas Fritas con Chile y Queso (Chilli Cheese Fries with Salsa Ranchera)
GFEFNFLentejas Rancheras (Mexican Lentil Stew)
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.