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    Home » Recipes » Vegetarian » Tlacoyos + VIDEO

    Tlacoyos + VIDEO

    Last Updated November 9, 2022. Originally Posted March 10, 2020 By Maggie Unzueta

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

    Tlacoyos are oval-shaped corn masa creations stuffed with refried beans. Delicious Mexican street food that's completely VEGAN and gluten free. Add your favorite toppings and enjoy!
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Tlacoyos are oval-shaped corn masa creations usually stuffed with refried beans. Delicious Mexican street food that you can easily make at home. By Mama Maggie's Kitchen

    Tlacoyos topped with cactus salad on a decorative Mexican plate and cilantro.

    There is a little old lady by my dad’s house in Mexico that is known for her quesadillas and her tlacoyos.

    The people in the neighborhood already know what days to go and line up for her incredible goodies. As with most food stands in Mexico, if you get there after she runs out, you’re out of luck.

    Luckily, they are SO easy to make at home. Here’s how to make them…

    Masa harina in a measuring cup.

    What are they?


    Tlacoyos are thick corn tortillas shaped in an oval and stuffed with beans. Then topped with something like beef barbacoa, pork carnitas, cochinita pibil.

    They are made with very few ingredients – masa harina, warm water, salt, and refried beans.

    Start by adding the masa harina to a large bowl. You need a bowl that’s big enough to mix everything.

    Orange measuring spoon with salt over a bowl of masa harina.

    Add salt. Don’t oversalt. Just like it’s hard to un-boil an egg, it’s also as hard to un-salt food.

    Such an easy Mexican recipe, but there’s a trick to it.

    Water pouring into a container of masa harina.

    Warm up the water in the microwave for 15 seconds.

    You are mixing by hand, and you don’t want to burn yourself. If it’s too hot, add cold water.

    Note: This is the same way you make Corn Tortillas, Sopes, Masa for Tamales.

    Masa harina and water in a metal bowl.

    Mix well. You want the consistency to be like wet sand.

    Taste it. I know it sounds weird, but this is your opportunity to taste for salt. If it needs some salt, add salt and then mix some more.

    Ball of masa in a hand.

    Form a ball with the masa dough. Do you see the size in the picture above?

    It is the size of a tennis ball. Game. Set. Match.

    A hand covered in a tortilla-size of masa.

    From here, pat it just like gorditas. This ain’t patty cake, and I ain’t no baker’s man.

    Don’t make it too thin. It will look like a thick tortilla and can cover your hand.

    Refried beans in the center of the masa held by a hand.

    Tlacoyos is a great recipe to use up leftover beans. Add about a tablespoon of refried beans to the center of the masa.

    You can also use black beans if you like. Bean there. Done that.

    Hand closing and sealing the masa for tlacoyos

    Fold over the ends to seal up the masa. Sealed for your protection… and theirs!

    Hand holding a taco-shaped masa.

    At first, it will look almost like an empanada, the shape of a taco.

    However, your goal (post) is to make this into the shape of a football. Welcome to the NFL, the National Frijoles League.

    You want to form an oval shaped masa. Think of a football with two pointy ends minus the tackling and punting.

    Hand holding an uncooked tlacoyo over a metal bowl.

    • Carefully, start to pat it and form it. Be very gentle with this or the beans will come out.
    • If the beans come out, cover it with some more masa.
    • Get some water. Dip your finger in the water and press the masa area to close up the hole.

    If it’s a small opening, it’s ok. The tlacoyos will cook just the same.

    Tlacoyos cooking on a black skillet.

    • Heat up the griddle or skillet.
    • Place the tlacoyos on the hot griddle and cook for 5-7 minutes on each side.

    Touch the tlacoyos to make sure they are firm and fully cooked.

    Cooked tlacoyos on a decorative Mexican plate.

    There are people who fry their Tlacoyos. They are amazingly good! It elevates them to a whole new level.

    Making them on the griddle takes longer than if you fry them.

    Note: I like my tlacoyos slightly burned. I will leave them on the griddle for up to 10 minutes before turning to get those burned spots. Yum!

    Tlacoyos topped with jalapeno slices and cactus salad on a decorative Mexican plate.

    Ideas for Toppings:


    Chorizo con Papas
    Mexican Picadillo
    Chicharrón en Salsa Roja
    Ensalada de Nopales

    Easy, right?! You can even make them ahead of time. They last up to 5 days in the fridge or up to 6 months in the freezer.

    These tlacoyos are completely vegan and oh so tasty. It’s some of the best of Mexican street food. Hope you enjoy!

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

    Tlacoyos topped with cactus salad on a decorative Mexican plate and cilantro.

    Tlacoyos

    Tlacoyos are oval-shaped corn masa creations stuffed with refried beans. Delicious Mexican street food that's completely VEGAN and gluten free. Add your favorite toppings and enjoy!
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizers
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 14 minutes
    Total Time: 24 minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 131kcal
    Author: Maggie Unzueta

    Ingredients

    • 1 ½ cups masa harina
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 ¼ cup warm water
    • 1 cup refried beans

    Instructions

    • In a large bowl, combine the masa harina and the salt. 
    • Add the warm water. 
    • Gradually mix the dry ingredients with the water until it forms a large masa dough. 
    • It will look like wet sand. 
    • With wet hands, make a ball of dough. About the size of a tennis ball. 
    • Pat out the dough. It should cover your hand and look like a thick tortilla. 
    • Add 1 tablespoon of refried beans to the center of the masa in your hand. 
    • Fold over the ends to seal up the masa. It will look like a taco or empanada.  
    • Be careful not to squeeze or push out any beans. 
    • Slowly start to flatten the masa out until it resembles a long, pointy football. 
    • Heat the griddle or skillet. 
    • Place the tlacoyos on the griddle. 
    • Cook for 5-7 minutes per side. 
    • Remove from the griddle and place on a plate.
    • Add desired toppings. 
    • Serve with salsa. 
    • Enjoy! 

    Video

    Notes

    If distracted, cover the masa with a kitchen towel. You don’t want to dry out the masa. 
    Swap out: Use blue corn masa harina instead of yellow or white corn masa harina. 
    Swap out: Use black refried beans instead of refried pinto beans. 
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 131kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 425mg | Potassium: 75mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 94IU | Calcium: 52mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @MamaMaggiesKitchen or tag #MamaMaggiesKitchen!

    Filed Under: Vegetarian

    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. Jessica Joachim

      December 1, 2018 at 8:59 am

      Oh this looks amazing! I love finding new recipes to try out. My family likes trying new dishes and expanding out pallet, plus I am a sucker for tacos and Mexican food in general.

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        December 11, 2018 at 2:42 pm

        lol. I’m a sucker for Mexican food too. Tlacoyos is very traditional Mexican food. They aren’t hard to make either. If you can get your hands on Masa harina, you’re good to go.

        Reply
    2. Kim Seghers

      December 2, 2018 at 2:58 pm

      I have never heard of those before but, they look so tasty. I definitely need to make these Tlacoyos. I pinned your recipe so I can make them. I can’t wait ..yum!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        December 11, 2018 at 2:27 pm

        I knew very few people would know what they are outside of Mexico. Sometimes, you’ll see tlacoyos on street corner or served as an appetizer. Sooo good!

        Reply
    3. Sri Mallya

      December 2, 2018 at 6:34 pm

      This is something new to me. Looks amazingly delicious.

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        December 11, 2018 at 2:24 pm

        It’s a very, very traditional Mexican recipe. Tlacoyos are kind of like really thick corn tortillas. Delicious!

        Reply
    4. Vanessa Palma

      December 3, 2018 at 8:05 am

      I have yet to find a good recipe for Tlacoyos. I have to try this out and surprise my family this weekend!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        December 11, 2018 at 2:21 pm

        Sounds great. I hope you and your family enjoy my tlacoyos recipe.

        Reply
    5. Claire

      December 3, 2018 at 1:20 pm

      Oh wow that looks so delicious! Yummy!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        December 11, 2018 at 2:02 pm

        Thank you. Tlacoyos are delicious!

        Reply
    6. Shana

      December 21, 2018 at 10:13 am

      These look absolutely amazing ! I am definitely going to try to make these.

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        December 22, 2018 at 1:16 pm

        Hope you do. Tlacoyos are very easy, delicious, and very Mexican.

        Reply
    7. Hattie Myers

      April 26, 2020 at 8:15 am

      Awesome I gotta try this recipe .

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        April 26, 2020 at 3:01 pm

        Hope you do. These are super yummy!

        Reply
    8. alicia

      June 22, 2020 at 9:08 am

      5 stars
      I made the Tlacoyos. The came out very good. I top them with salsa and cotija cheese. Thank you for the recipe.

      Reply
      • Patricia Ramos

        July 2, 2020 at 12:38 pm

        Sounds really yummy, I love cotija cheese. Glad you liked it!

        Reply

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