Tortitas de Papa en Salsa Roja (Potato Patties in Red Salsa)
Golden potato and cheese patties simmered briefly in red salsa until they soak up the sauce.
Made with Salsa roja (cooked red salsa). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time50 min
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £1.20 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
Boil the potatoes in salted water for 15 minutes until soft. Drain well and let them steam dry for 5 minutes.
15 min - 2
Mash the potatoes until smooth. Mix in the cheese, eggs, cornflour, coriander and half the onion with 1 tsp salt. Chill the mixture for 15 minutes so it firms up.
15 min - 3
With wet hands, shape the mixture into 12 flat patties about 1.5cm thick.
- 4
Heat the oil in a large non-stick frying pan over a medium heat. Fry the patties in batches for 3 to 4 minutes a side, until golden and crisp. Drain on kitchen paper.
8 min - 5
Wipe out the pan and cook the remaining onion in a little oil for 3 minutes. Add your ready made salsa roja (see the base recipe) and the water and simmer for 3 minutes.
3 min - 6
Slide the patties into the salsa, cover and simmer very gently for 5 minutes so they take on the flavour. Serve three per person.
Tips
- Chill the mix before shaping. The cornflour and chilling help the patties hold together in the pan.
- Use floury potatoes such as Maris Piper. Waxy ones make a gluey, wet mix.
- Let the patties simmer in the salsa only briefly. Too long and they break up.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 2 hours and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently until steaming hot all the way through. The patties can be frozen cooked, without the sauce, for 2 months.
Questions
Can I bake instead of fry?
Yes. Bake the patties on an oiled tray at {t200} for 25 minutes, turning once. They are less crisp but still hold together well.
Can I make them vegan?
Yes. Leave out the egg and cheese, and use 4 tbsp cornflour mixed with 4 tbsp water as the binder. Season well, as the mix will be milder.
What do I serve with them?
Refried beans, rice and a simple salad all work. In Mexico they are a common meatless dish for Lent.
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.