These Huaraches are topped with chorizo refried beans, caramelized onions, roasted tomatoes, avocado slices, goat cheese, and basil. 

Huaraches Topped with Chorizo Refried Beans, Tomatoes and Avocados

Huaraches… the classic edible Mexican sandal. Huaraches are known as a classic street food topped with just about anything. Of course, some of us have the standard ingredients we like to add to our delicious sandal, but today I am going out on a limb and making my huarache an adventure in taste.

Open avocado, red onion and a basket of garden tomatoes

What is a Huarache?

A huarache is flat bread made with masa, looks slightly like a thin sandal sole, hence the name huarache. It’s a cross between a sope, a corn tortilla, and a pizza but with that ever present and distinctive corn taste. It’s the perfect party food.

Actually, the first time I saw one I thought someone was just learning how to make tortillas, you know with that oblong look and all.

You’ll find them topped with everything from chorizo (Mexican sausage), carne asada, queso fresco, and nopales (diced cactus paddles).

Ingredients & Substitutions 

Similar to making sopes, you only need a small handful of ingredients to make huaraches. See recipe card below for the full recipe.

Ingredients to make huaraches - bowl of masa Harina, bag of maseca, measuring cup with water, and measuring spoons with shortening and salt on a wooden board.
  • Masa Harina: This nixtamalized corn flour is a key ingredient in everything from tortillas and tamales to atole and champurrado. Nowadays, you should be able to find it in the Latin American aisle or flour aisle of any major grocery store. Otherwise, look online or at any Mexican grocer. 
  • Salt: A bit of seasoning helps bring out the sweet corn flavor of masa harina.
  • Shortening: Don’t be shy with the fat here; it’s what makes these sopes so tender and delicious! 
  • Warm Water: Okay, sticklers. You got me. This is the 4th ingredient, but it’s water. I highly recommend very warm water.

How to Make Huaraches

Combine: Simply combine the masa harina and salt. Cut in the shortening with the dry ingredients and slowly add in the water until dough forms.

Divide dough into 6 portions: Cover with a damp cloth to keep the dough soft and moist.

Masa in a tortilla press shaped as a cigar and flattened

Line a tortilla press with plastic wrap: Roll the dough into a cigar shape, about 5 inches long. Place between two sheets of plastic and flatten gently with tortilla press or under heavy skillet until 1/4-inch thick. Peel off the plastic wrap. Repeat with remaining dough.

Cooking huaraches on a skillet

Cook huaraches on the comal for about 2 to 4 minutes on each side until dry. Repeat with the remaining patties.

Huaraches topped with chorizo refried beans, caramelized onions roasted tomatoes with an open avocado in the foreground

Top huaraches: These huaraches are topped with chorizo refried beans, caramelized onions, roasted tomatoes, goat cheese, basil, and avocado slices. To give it a spicy kick, I added some fresh pico de gallo.

Once you have the base for a huarache the choice of toppings are endless. Use your imagination and have fun.

Close up of a huarache topped with chorizo refried beans, caramelized onions, roasted tomatoes, goat cheese, basil, and avocados

More Recipes to Try

Huaraches Topped with Chorizo Refried Beans, Tomatoes and Avocados

Huaraches Topped with Chorizo Refried Beans, Tomatoes, and Avocados

5 (2 ratings)
These Huaraches are topped with chorizo refried beans, caramelized onions, roasted tomatoes, avocado slices, goat cheese, and basil. 
Print Pin Rate
Yield: 6
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Ingredients

Chorizo Refried Beans:

Caramelized Onions:

  • 1 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced

Huaraches:

Toppings:

  • Tomatoes, any variety
  • Fresh basil, roughly chopped
  • Goat cheese
  • 2 avocados, sliced
  • Salsa of your choice

Instructions 

Chorizo Refried Beans:

  • Cook chorizo in a large nonstick frying pan over low heat, mashing, until it starts to brown, about 6 to 8 minutes.
  • Add the beans and the liquid. Cook over medium heat. While the beans are boiling mash them with a potato masher. Continue to cook until they form a thick paste, about 10 minutes. Add tomato sauce and stir.

Caramelized Onions:

  • In a large sauté pan over medium high heat, add the olive oil and onion. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring often, until the onion begins to caramelize. Set aside.

Making the Huaraches:

  • In a mixing bowl combine the masa harina and salt. Add the shortening and using your hands combine until shortening is evenly distributed. Add warm water and knead until mixture is smooth and slightly sticky. If the dough is dry add more water, 1 tablespoon at a time. Dough should be soft and moist like play-doh and not dry. Divide dough into 6 portions. Cover with a damp cloth to keep the dough soft and moist.
  • Line a tortilla press with plastic wrap. Roll the dough into a cigar shape, about 5 inches long. Place between two sheets of plastic and flatten gently with tortilla press or under heavy skillet until 1/4-inch thick. Peel off the plastic wrap. Repeat with remaining dough.
  • Preheat an ungreased comal (griddle) on medium-high heat. Cook huaraches on the comal for about 2 to 4 minutes on each side until dry. Repeat with the remaining patties.

Layer the Huaraches:

  • Preheat broiler. Place huaraches in a single layer on a baking sheet. Layer each huarache with some warm chorizo refried beans, caramelized onions, and sliced tomatoes. Broil in the oven for 5 minutes or until tomatoes are slightly roasted and soft. Garnish with goat cheese, basil, and avocado slices.

To Make Ahead:

  • Cook huaraches as directed. Place cooled huaraches in a single layer in an airtight container, cover, and seal tightly. Huaraches can be stored for one week in the fridge or in the freezer for one month. If frozen, allow to defrost before preparing. Layer the huaraches and bake as directed above.

Notes

Once you have the base for a huarache the choice of toppings are endless. Use your imagination and have fun.
Suggestions: 
  • tomatoes
  • refried beans
  • queso 
  • avocados
  • salsa
  • cilantro 
  • fried plantains
  • chopped lettuce
  • sausage 
  • arugula
Calories: 456kcal, Carbohydrates: 52g, Protein: 15g, Fat: 23g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 18mg, Sodium: 553mg, Potassium: 754mg, Fiber: 13g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 369IU, Vitamin C: 9mg, Calcium: 91mg, Iron: 5mg
Author: Yvette Marquez
Course: Entrees, Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican