Name: Huaraches Mexican Food Recipe (Easy)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 1/2 lbs chuck steak, chopped; 1 medium yellow onion, sliced; 1 tsp garlic powder; 2 tbsp olive oil; 2 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp salt; 2 cups refried beans; 1 cup diced tomatoes; 1/2 cup shredded lettuce; 1/2 cup crumbled queso fresco; 2 cups 2 cups masa harina; 1 1/2 cups water

Mexican food huaraches are a traditional dish that are EASY to make.

This recipe combines juicy steak, with a masa base, all topped with your favorite Mexican flavors.

You’ll be obsessed with this easy Mexican huaraches recipe. It’s the perfect family weeknight meal, ready in just 30 minutes!

For more Mexican recipes, check out Mexican Foods: 40 Most Iconic Recipes.

Homemade Steak Huaraches

Classic Steak Huaraches feature homemade chuck steak loaded into a masa base. Serve up with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, salsa, or your favorite toppings for a quick & easy family meal!

Mexican Huaraches are traditional sandal-shaped tortillas smothered in a luscious spread of refried beans and a protein like steak, pork, or chicken.

Traditional huaraches are filled with beans and fried until crisp.

The juicy meat is layered with the crisp crunch of shredded lettuce, the sweet and juicy burst of diced tomatoes, and the tangy and creamy crumbles of queso fresco cheese.

Huaraches can also be garnished with radish slices that add an unexpected crunch to each bite.

To enjoy a huarache, simply pick it up with both hands and take a bite from one of its two ends. No need to fold or manipulate it while eating, as they are designed to be easy and hassle-free.

Each bite is a symphony of textures and flavors, a celebration of the vibrant and lively culture of Mexico.

Whether you’re looking for a quick and satisfying lunch, a delightful dinner, or a late-night snack, Huaraches are sure to hit the spot.

Why Make This Huaraches Recipe?

This easy recipe for Mexican huaraches is so full of flavor and better than any you’ve had from a restaurant.

Quick & Easy: this dish can be on the table in 30 minutes, making it a perfect family weeknight meal.
Homemade Masa Tortilla: skip the packets and make your own thick corn masa tortilla! This allows you to control the salt and suit your taste.
Family Friendly & Perfect for a Crowd: cook up the tortillas & meat, and serve buffet style so everyone can get the toppings they want!

Make some to go with soup or salad, and call it a night!

Ingredients

Good ingredients are are truly everything.

Chuck Steak: Used as the main protein source in this Mexican steak huaraches recipe. It’s seasoned with spices to create a flavorful base for the dish.
Masa harina: A type of corn flour made from dried and ground nixtamalized corn, used to make tortillas and other traditional Mexican dishes, such as huaraches. It gives the huaraches its traditional flavor and texture.
Water: Used to bring the dough together, helps in hydrating the masa harina and bind the dough.
Salt: Added for flavor, it enhances the taste of the dough and brings out the natural flavors of the masa harina.
Vegetable oil: Used for frying the sopes, it gives the sopes a crispy texture and help them cook evenly.
Yellow Onion: Onions are often sautéed with garlic powder to add flavor and texture to the steak.
Garlic Powder: Garlic provides a strong, pungent flavor. It is often sautéed with onions to create a flavorful base for the steak to cook in.
Olive Oil: Used for frying the huaraches, it gives the huaraches a crispy texture and help them cook evenly. It is also used to sauté the onions and garlic and helps to keep the steak moist and tender.
Ground Cumin: Ground cumin adds a warm, earthy flavor. It’s used in conjunction with other spices to create a well-balanced seasoning blend for the steak.
Salt and Pepper: Salt and pepper are used to taste in this recipe to enhance the flavor of the steak and other ingredients.
Refried Beans: Refried beans provide a creamy and filling base. They are spread over the masa before adding the steak and other toppings.
Diced Tomatoes: Diced tomatoes are used as a topping for the dish along with shredded lettuce and crumbled queso fresco.
Shredded Lettuce: Shredded lettuce adds a fresh and crisp texture. It’s used as a topping for the dish along with diced tomatoes and crumbled queso fresco.
Queso Fresco: Crumbled queso fresco adds a mild and creamy flavor. It’s used as a topping for the dish along with diced tomatoes and shredded lettuce.

Expert Cooking Tips

Mexican food huaraches are endlessly customizable!

Here are a few tips to help you execute.

Variations: You can also swap out the steak for pork, chorizo, turkey, chicken, or vegetables.
Modifications: If you want to use store-bought huarache tortillas I would recommend El Comal or Moctezuma. You can also use wheat huarache tortillas.
Extra Veggies: Want to eat more veggies? Chop up some bell peppers with the meat while it cooks. And top with pico de gallo salsa and guacamole. Classic guac is hard to beat!
Control the Heat: If you are want to add more heat, sprinkle on your favorite hot sauce or top with jalapenos.
Tools: You can buy a huarache press online for around $25. Automation meets masa tortillas in the best way.

Huaraches Mexican Food - Press — Huarache press

How to Store Huaraches

If you have leftovers, you may be wondering how to store huaraches properly to keep them fresh and delicious.

Whether you choose to refrigerate or freeze, the most important thing is to keep them wrapped tightly to prevent them from drying out.

Method 1: Refrigerator

This method is perfect if you have leftovers and want to enjoy them the next day.

Simply wrap the huaraches tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place them in the refrigerator.

This will help to prevent the huaraches from drying out and becoming tough.

Method 2: Freezer

Freezing is another great option for storing huaraches.

Wrap each huarache individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and then place them in a freezer-safe container or resealable plastic bag.

This will prevent them from sticking together and will allow you to easily remove as many as you need at a time.

With these tips, you can enjoy huaraches anytime, anywhere, and keep them fresh and delicious for days to come.

How to Re-heat Huaraches

Reheating huaraches can be a little bit tricky, but with the right techniques and tools, you’ll be able to enjoy them just as if they were freshly made.

Here are a few ways to reheat huaraches:

Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F and wrap the huaraches in foil. Place the wrapped huaraches in the oven and heat for 10-15 minutes, or until they are heated through. This method is best for reheating a large number of huaraches at once.
Microwave: Place the huarache on a microwave-safe plate and wrap it in a damp paper towel. Heat it on high for 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until it is heated through. This method is best for reheating a single huarache.
Stovetop: Heat a skillet over medium heat and add a small amount of oil. Place the huarache in the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until it is heated through. This method is best for giving the huarache a crispy texture.

No matter which method you choose, be sure to keep an eye on the huaraches while they are reheating to prevent burning.

Enjoy your perfectly heated huaraches with your favorite toppings and sides.

More Traditional Mexican Recipes

Mexican Food Huaraches FAQs

What do I serve as a side?

Mexican rice is always a great option. Other side ideas include salad or guacamole.

How can I add more heat to the dish?

Add your favorite hot sauce for more heat.

What are the toppings for a huarache?

A Huarache typically consists of a generous spread of refried beans, followed by a choice of shredded chicken, beef, or pork. The toppings also include shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, crumbled queso fresco, salsa, and a final garnish of radishes.

What do huaraches taste like?

Huaraches have a slightly chewy and crispy texture, due to the masa base. The flavor is typically mild with a distinctive corn taste. The most traditional toppings include refried beans, meats, vegetables, cheese, and salsa, so the overall taste can range from savory to slightly tangy.

Are huaraches gluten-free?

Yes, huaraches use corn masa which is gluten-free.

What is the difference between sopes and huaraches?

Sopes and huaraches are both made with a base of masa (corn dough), but sopes are typically smaller, thicker, and round, with a raised edge to hold toppings. Huaraches, are typically larger, flatter, and oblong, with a more substantial layer of masa.

What is the history of huaraches Mexican food?

Huaraches are a traditional Mexican dish that have roots in indigenous Mexican cuisine. They are believed to have originated in Mexico City. The name “huarache” is derived from the sandal-like shape of the dish. The dish consists of a large, oblong-shaped corn tortilla that is filled with various ingredients such as refried beans, meat, cheese, lettuce, and salsa.

Huaraches Mexican Food Recipe (Easy)

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Course: MainCuisine: Mexican

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

minutes

Total time

minutes

Ingredients

1 1/2 lbs 1 1/2 chuck steak, chopped
1 medium 1 yellow onion, sliced
1 tsp 1 garlic powder
2 tbsp 2 olive oil
2 tsp 2 ground cumin
1 tsp 1 salt
2 cups 2 refried beans
1 cup 1 diced tomatoes
1/2 cup 1/2 shredded lettuce
1/2 cup 1/2 crumbled queso fresco
2 cups 2 2 cups masa harina
1 1/2 cups 1 1/2 water

Directions

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
Add the steak to the skillet and cook until browned, about 4 minutes.
Add the sliced onion, garlic powder and cook until the onion is translucent, about 3 minutes.
Stir in the ground cumin, and salt & pepper (to taste). Cook for another 2 minutes until fragrant. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, mix together the masa harina, salt, and 1 1/2 cups of water until a soft dough forms.
Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces and form each piece into a ball.
Using a plastic wrap or a sheet of parchment paper, flatten each ball of dough into a disk, about 1/4-inch thick.
Heat a griddle or a large skillet over medium heat.
Place the dough disks on the griddle and cook for about 2 minutes on each side, until slightly crispy and golden brown.
Spoon the cooked steak mixture onto the refried beans and spread it out evenly.
Remove from oven and top with diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, and crumbled queso fresco.