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Colorful Mexican sopes topped with vibrant toppings: a traditional dish featuring thick corn tortillas with raised edges, layered with refried beans, seasoned meat, fresh vegetables, and crumbled cheese.

How to Make Easy Mexican Sopes in 5 Simple Steps

Mexican sopes are a traditional, thick corn patty with raised edges, perfect for holding a variety of savory toppings. Made with masa harina and a few basic tools, sopes are versatile, easy to prepare, and offer endless opportunities to experiment with classic or fusion flavors.

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 8-10 sopes 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • For the Dough:
    • 2 cups masa harina
    • 1 ½ cups warm water (adjust as needed)
    • ½ tsp kosher salt
    • Optional: 1 tbsp lard or vegetable shortening, ½ tsp baking powder
  • For Frying:
    • 2 cups vegetable oil
  • Optional Toppings:
    • Refried beans
    • Shredded beef, chicken, or pork
    • Shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and chopped onions
    • Queso fresco or cotija cheese
    • Mexican crema or sour cream
    • Salsa and fresh cilantro

Instructions

Prepare the Dough

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine masa harina, salt, and optional ingredients (lard or baking powder).
  2. Gradually add warm water, mixing with your hands until a soft, Play-Doh-like dough forms. Adjust with small amounts of water or masa harina as needed.
  3. Knead for 5 minutes until smooth and pliable. Cover with a damp towel to prevent drying out.

2. Shape the Sopes

  1. Divide the dough into golf ball-sized portions.
  2. Roll each portion into a ball, then flatten into a ¼-inch thick disk (about 3.5 inches in diameter).
  3. Cook each disk on a hot griddle or skillet over medium heat for 1 minute per side.

3. Form the Edges

  1. While the cooked sopes are still warm, pinch the edges upwards to form a shallow rim. Use a towel or paper to protect your fingers.

4. Fry the Sopes

  1. Heat oil in a skillet to 325°F-350°F.
  2. Fry the sopes for 1-2 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.

5. Assemble and Serve

  1. Spread refried beans onto each sope as the base.
  2. Add desired toppings: protein, fresh vegetables, cheese, and crema.
  3. Serve warm and enjoy!

Notes

  • Dough consistency is crucial: adjust with water or masa harina to avoid cracking or stickiness.
  • Keep the prepared dough covered with a damp towel to prevent it from drying out.
  • Assemble sopes just before serving to prevent sogginess.
  • Author: Eva Chef
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Appetizers, Mains
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Mexican
  • Diet: Gluten Free