Learn how to recreate this Mexican street food classic. Drowned Sandwiches (Tortas Ahogadas) are pork sandwiches drenched in spicy tomato sauce. Messy, yummy, and totally amazing!
Today, I’m bringing you Drowned Sandwiches (Tortas Ahogadas). I know. I know. It sounds weird. I assure you, however, that no lifeguards are needed to save these tortas from drowning.
If you buy Drowned Sandwiches (Tortas Ahogadas) from a Mexican food stand, they will serve it in a bag to hold the sauce. If you are at a sit down place, they serve it in a bowl. Everyone has their own recipe for this delicious dish. This is MY recipe. I make them with a guajillo and chile de árbol sauce.
I roast tomatoes on the stove. You can roast them in the oven too. Under the broiler for a few minutes. The smell of tomatoes roasting though… takes me back to my childhood like THAT. (snaps fingers)
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
From here, place everything in the blender
and blend until smooth.
My mother is not big on straining. Most of the time, I don’t strain either. Here, I will insist on straining the sauce
. It’s going over a sandwich, and you want the sauce to be smooth. Heat some oil to a stockpot and add the sauce. Cook for only a few minutes and set aside.
Now onto the sandwich. I’m using pork carnitas. If you want to keep it traditional, use braised pork or leftover pork loin roast. Even though I’ve seen Drowned Sandwiches (Tortas Ahogadas) made with pork, beef, even fish during Lent, this dish is made with porky goodness.
Drowned Sandwiches (Tortas Ahogadas) are made with birotes. It’s a bread that’s bigger than a bolillo. My friends, I have a hard time finding it even in Mexico. So, I’m using a bolillo. You can also use French bread or baguette.
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. You’ll need it for dipping.
Lastly, top your Drowned Sandwiches (Tortas Ahogadas) with pickled red onions. This is one of those dishes that has that OMG effect. You can eat it with a fork and knife, or just get in there with your hands like me. Don’t forget to serve it with a lot of napkins. While it is “finger licking good,” you don’t want that juice to be on the loose. 😉 Enjoy!
Watch Video on How to Make Tortas Ahogadas
Watch Video on How to Make Tortas Ahogadas
- 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 Roma tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cups leftover pork, chopped
- 4 birotes (can substitute with bolillos or French bread)
- 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.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
Samantha Paul says
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….!
Maggie Unzueta says
Thanks. So happy to hear when people make my recipes. Especially these Drowned Sandwiches (or Tortas Ahogadas). They’re delicious!
prasanna hede says
This is totally delicious recipe.Never tried such before but now on my list.
Maggie Unzueta says
Thank you! Enjoy.
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says
Oh wow drowned sandwiches sound absolutely incredible! I could definitely see these being popular with my family!
Maggie Unzueta says
My family LOVE these Drowned Sandwiches (or Tortas Ahogadas). Hope you make it for yours. 🙂
Jacqueline Meldrum says
I’ve never heard of this before. How interesting. Thanks for sharing.
Maggie Unzueta says
These Drowned Sandwiches (or Tortas Ahogadas) really should be more popular. Hope you give this recipe a try!
Ginny says
What a great way to enjoy a big sub sandwich. Love that you don’t need to dunk as it’s already perfect.
Maggie Unzueta says
Thank you. These Tortas Ahogadas, or Drowned Sandwiches, are a favorite around here. 🙂
Jeni @ Biscuits & Booze says
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!
Maggie Unzueta says
Thank you. Hope you make these Tortas Ahogadas, or Drowned Sandwiches! 🙂