Tortitas de Frijol Negro en Salsa Roja (Black Bean Patties in Red Sauce)
Crisp edged black bean patties with onion and coriander, simmered briefly in a warm red tomato 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
- Time45 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.16 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
Drain your ready made frijoles negros (see the base recipe) in a sieve for 10 minutes and keep the broth.
10 min - 2
Heat 1 tablespoon oil and fry the onion and garlic for 4 minutes until soft. Cool for a few minutes.
4 min - 3
Mash the beans coarsely in a bowl with the masa harina, egg, onion mix, coriander, cumin and a pinch of salt. Chill for 20 minutes to firm up.
20 min - 4
Shape into 8 patties about 6 cm wide. Heat the remaining oil and fry for 3 minutes per side until golden and crisp.
6 min - 5
Warm your ready made salsa roja cocida (see the base recipe) in a wide pan with 100 ml of the reserved broth. Nestle the patties in for 5 minutes.
5 min - 6
Serve topped with queso fresco and extra coriander.
Tips
- Drain the beans well. Wet mixture will fall apart in the pan.
- Chill the mixture before frying so the masa harina absorbs moisture and the patties hold together.
- Fry gently. High heat browns the outside before the centre warms through.
Storing and freezing
Cool and keep in the sauce in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat until steaming hot all the way through. Fried patties freeze for up to 2 months.
Questions
Can I make them vegan?
Yes. Replace the egg with 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed mixed with 4 tablespoons of water, and leave out the cheese.
Can I bake them?
Yes. Brush with oil and bake at 200 degrees for 25 minutes, turning once. They are less crisp but still good.
What if the mixture is too wet?
Add another tablespoon of masa harina and chill for 10 minutes. Well drained beans make the biggest difference.
More made with salsa roja (cooked red 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.