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    Home » Recipes » Pork » Tortas Ahogadas (Drowned Sandwiches) + VIDEO

    Tortas Ahogadas (Drowned Sandwiches) + VIDEO

    Last Updated November 9, 2022. Originally Posted February 8, 2018 By Maggie Unzueta

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Tortas Ahogadas (or Drowned Sandwiches) are messy, yummy, and TOTALLY AMAZING! Bread stuffed with pork then drenched in a spicy sauce. It's mouthwateringly delicious.
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Torta Ahogada, or Drowned Sandwich, topped with pickled red onions and a cilantro leaf, surrounded by a spicy tomato sauce. Delicious Mexican food made at home. By Mama Maggie's Kitchen

    Torta Ahogada, or Drowned Sandwich, topped with pickled red onions and a cilantro leaf, surrounded by a spicy tomato sauce on a blue plate.

    Tortas Ahogadas, or Drowned Sandwiches, are pork sandwiches drenched in spicy tomato sauce. Messy, yummy, and totally AMAZING!

    I know. I know. It sounds weird.

    I assure you, however, that no lifeguards are needed to save these tortas from drowning. 😉

    If you have never had one of these incredibly TASTY sandwiches, you’re in for a real Mexican treat.

    More Mexican Tortas


    Torta de Milanesa
    Chicken Torta
    Torta de Jamon
    Pambazo

    Chiles, onion, and garlic in a pot full of water.

    How To Make Them

    • Rehydrate guajillo chile and chile de arbol.
    • Add onion and garlic to the pot at the very end for 5 minutes.

    To make a spicier sauce, use one more chile de árbol. This chile is small but mighty.

    If you buy this sandwich from a Mexican food stand, it is usually served in a bag to hold the sauce.

    If you are at a sit down place, they serve it in a bowl.

    Roasted tomatoes on a black skillet.

    • Up next, roast the tomatoes on the stove.
    • You can roast them in the oven too. Under the broiler for a few minutes.
    • Set them aside until they are cool enough to touch.

    The smell of tomatoes roasting though… There’s nothing like it!

    If the weather permits, you can also roast them on the grill. A few minutes on each side until the skin is nice and black.

    If the sauce is too spicy, you can always bring down the heat by adding an extra tomato.

    Another thing to you can do to tame the heat is to add ketchup. There is sugar in ketchup and will help balance the sauce out.

    Pro Tip:

    Taste the sauce. If the sauce tastes good to you, then the dish will turn out good too.

    Spicy tomato sauce in a blender.

    • From here, place everything in the blender.
    • Blend until smooth.

    If you make the sauce in advance, it will last in the fridge for up to 3 days.

    Or, stick the sauce in the freezer. It lasts up to 6 months in the freezer. Simply defrost it when you’re ready to use.

    There’s no real way to store one of these sandwiches. Once you make it, you gotta eat it right away.

    A spicy tomato sauce straining through a strainer over a pot.

    • Heat some oil to a stockpot.
    • Strain the sauce over the pot.

    The little bits of blended chile in the sauce… UGH! They are annoying and get stuck in your teeth.

    It is going over a sandwich, and you want the sauce to be smooth. Strain!

    Spicy tomato sauce in a stock pot.

    • Cook for only a few minutes and set aside.

    Let this cool completely.

    You don’t want the sauce to be super hot when you pour it over the sandwich. The bread should still have some firmness to it.

    Shredded pork on bolillo cut in half.

    Pork Carnitas… drool. Do you see the crispy carnitas meat?

    If you want to keep it traditional, use braised pork or leftover pork loin roast.

    Other Meats To Use


    Traditionally, these sandwiches are made with pork. You will see them also made with beef, chicken, even fish during Lent.

    Another Pro Tip:

    If you’re running around, buy some carnitas from the local Mexican market. It will make cooking this recipe a lot faster.

    Ladle pouring spicy tomato sauce over the sandwich.

    Time to “drown” our sandwich.

    • Place your sandwich in a deep plate.
    • Then with a ladle, drench it with the tomato guajillo sauce.
    • Add some sauce around the sandwich as well.

    A deep plate will create a pool of sauce that’s perfect for dipping.

    It’s a very messy but DELICIOUS dish.

    Substitutes:

    Drowned Sandwiches (Tortas Ahogadas) are typically made with birotes. It’s a bread that’s bigger than a bolillo. If you can’t find it, use a regular bolillo.

    You can also use French bread or baguette. You will want lots of bread to soak up the sauce.

    Drowned Sandwiches (Tortas Ahogadas) topped with pickled red onions on a blue plate.

    What to Serve with It


    Refried Beans
    Mexican Rice
    Chiles Toreados

    Lastly, top your Drowned Sandwiches (Tortas Ahogadas) with cebolla en escabeche.

    This is one of those dishes that has that OMG effect. You can eat it with a fork and knife, or don’t be afraid to get in there with your hands.

    Serve it with a lot of napkins. While it is “finger licking good,” you don’t want that juice to be on the loose. 😉

    Hungry for More?

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    Did you make this recipe? Please rate the recipe below!

    Torta Ahogada, or Drowned Sandwich, topped with pickled red onions and a cilantro leaf, surrounded by a spicy tomato sauce on a blue plate.

    Tortas Ahogadas (or Drowned Sandwiches)

    Tortas Ahogadas (or Drowned Sandwiches) are messy, yummy, and TOTALLY AMAZING! Bread stuffed with pork then drenched in a spicy sauce. It's mouthwateringly delicious.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 402kcal
    Author: Maggie Unzueta

    Ingredients

    • 4 Guajillo chiles stems, seeds, and veins removed
    • 4 chile de árbol stems, seeds, and veins removed
    • ¼ onion
    • 3 garlic cloves
    • 4 cups water
    • 4 tomatoes (such as Roma)
    • 1 tbsp olive oil
    • 2 cups leftover pork chopped
    • 4 birotes can substitute with bolillos or French bread

    Instructions

    • In a stock pot, add guajillo chiles, chile de árbol, onion, garlic, and water.
    • Cover with a lid and bring to a boil.
    • Turn heat off and wait for 5 minutes.
    • In the meantime, roast your tomatoes over a griddle or place under the broiler for a few minutes.
    • Char the tomato skin on all sides.
    • Add the tomatoes, guajillo chiles, chile de árbol, onion, garlic, and cooking water to a blender.
    • Blend until smooth.
    • Heat oil in a stock pot.
    • Place a strainer over the pot.
    • Carefully strain the liquid from the blender into the pot.
    • Using the back of your cooking spoon, push all the liquid through the strainer.
    • Cook sauce for 5 minutes. Stir frequently.
    • Warm up the leftover pork.
    • To assemble your sandwich, using a deep plate or bowl, cut the bread in half.
    • Add the pork to one half and top with the other half.
    • Ladle a spoonful of sauce over the sandwich.
    • Add more sauce around the sandwich.
    • Top with pickled red onions.
    • Enjoy.

    Video

    Notes

    To make a spicier sauce, use one more chile de árbol. 
    If the sauce is too spicy, you can always bring down the heat by adding an extra tomato.
    There’s no real way to store one of these sandwiches. Once you make it, you gotta eat it right away.
    SUBSTITUTES:
    Drowned Sandwiches (Tortas Ahogadas) are typically made with birotes. It’s a bread that’s bigger than a bolillo. If you can’t find it, use a regular bolillo.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 402kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 71mg | Sodium: 392mg | Potassium: 786mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 2084IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 46mg | Iron: 13mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @MamaMaggiesKitchen or tag #MamaMaggiesKitchen!

    Filed Under: Pork

    About Maggie Unzueta

    Maggie Unzueta is the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer, videographer, and creator of In Mama Maggie's Kitchen. She has been developing easy and authentic Mexican food, Mexican-inspired recipes, and traveling tips since 2010. From family recipes to her extensive travels throughout Mexico, she brings traditional Mexican flavors from South of the Border and into your kitchen. Maggie has been featured in notable culinary websites and other media outlets. For more details, check out her About page.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Samantha Paul

      February 13, 2018 at 2:24 am

      Amazing….! I also read your post but this is one of my favorite recipes till now. These looks sooo good & delicious, I will try to making this in upcoming weekend, Thanks for sharing….!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        February 19, 2018 at 1:07 pm

        Thanks. So happy to hear when people make my recipes. Especially these Drowned Sandwiches (or Tortas Ahogadas). They’re delicious!

        Reply
    2. prasanna hede

      February 18, 2018 at 9:17 am

      This is totally delicious recipe.Never tried such before but now on my list.

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        February 19, 2018 at 12:53 pm

        Thank you! Enjoy.

        Reply
    3. Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry

      February 18, 2018 at 9:21 am

      Oh wow drowned sandwiches sound absolutely incredible! I could definitely see these being popular with my family!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        February 19, 2018 at 12:53 pm

        My family LOVE these Drowned Sandwiches (or Tortas Ahogadas). Hope you make it for yours. 🙂

        Reply
    4. Jacqueline Meldrum

      February 18, 2018 at 12:14 pm

      I’ve never heard of this before. How interesting. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        February 19, 2018 at 12:53 pm

        These Drowned Sandwiches (or Tortas Ahogadas) really should be more popular. Hope you give this recipe a try!

        Reply
    5. Ginny

      February 18, 2018 at 1:09 pm

      What a great way to enjoy a big sub sandwich. Love that you don’t need to dunk as it’s already perfect.

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        February 19, 2018 at 12:49 pm

        Thank you. These Tortas Ahogadas, or Drowned Sandwiches, are a favorite around here. 🙂

        Reply
    6. Jeni @ Biscuits & Booze

      February 18, 2018 at 1:41 pm

      Ohhhh, I haven’t had tortas ahogados in ages. I love the guajillo you use. This would be super fun for a couple game night dinner!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        February 19, 2018 at 12:49 pm

        Thank you. Hope you make these Tortas Ahogadas, or Drowned Sandwiches! 🙂

        Reply
    7. Andrea

      January 25, 2019 at 11:04 am

      I love tortas ahogadas but have never made this! How many guajillos do you use? It doesn’t say. Thanks 🙂

      Reply
    8. Lisa Huff

      September 14, 2020 at 3:14 pm

      5 stars
      Whoah! Love that this sandwich is drenched in a sauce! Now that’s a great way to make a sandwich!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        September 15, 2020 at 12:17 pm

        It’s delicious. Hope you try it!

        Reply
    9. Angela

      September 14, 2020 at 3:17 pm

      5 stars
      wow! This looks incredible! Perfect for the fall. Can’t wait to try it!!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        September 15, 2020 at 12:16 pm

        Hope you try it! You”ll love it.

        Reply
    10. Alisha Rodrigues

      September 14, 2020 at 4:04 pm

      5 stars
      Never tried something like this before. But that sauce, is calling out to me. Its a dish full of yumminess and we’re definitely making it

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        September 15, 2020 at 12:16 pm

        It’s so yummy. Hope you try it!

        Reply
    11. Shashi at SavorySpin

      September 14, 2020 at 6:27 pm

      5 stars
      I’ve never heard of Tortas Ahogadas – but drowned sandwiches sound all sorts of fantastic! And that sauce – so scrumptious!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        September 15, 2020 at 12:10 pm

        It’s delicious. Hope you try this recipe!

        Reply
    12. Luci

      September 14, 2020 at 7:07 pm

      5 stars
      I’ve never tried Tortas Ahogadas, but by the looks of it I’ll have to! It looks like a flavorful dinner to enjoy! Thanks for sharing some helpful tips too! I can’t wait to make this this week I know my husband will love it!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        September 15, 2020 at 12:09 pm

        Great. It’s a really yummy dish, hope you try it

        Reply
    13. Nanette

      November 7, 2020 at 8:38 am

      Absolutely delicious!! I’ve been dreaming of torta ahogada since I read an article on this sandwich in the Chicago Tribune. My expectation was met! I added 1/2 tsp of marjoram, 1 tsp of oregano and kosher salt to taste. Thank you so much!!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        November 11, 2020 at 10:34 am

        Sounds yummy! Glad you enjoyed this recipe!

        Reply

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