Last winter while exploring the quaint little city of Victoria, BC, I stumbled into a hidden away Mexican restaurant called Hernande’z and discovered my new favorite dish – huaraches. Then a few months later, I found myself in Fort Greene, Brooklyn munching on one at the Brooklyn Flea and a week later I was in Williamsburg gorging myself on another at Smorgasburg. I was seriously hooked!
Huaraches are flattened patties of corn masa and get their name from the popular Mexican sandal. They are topped with beans, cheese, vegetables, sour cream, and salsa and they are beyond delicious. I tend to associate Mexican food with long summer evenings, but there’s no reason why you can’t enjoy the taste of the tropics in the middle of winter, right? Right!
It looks like a big production, but turning masa flour into dough is quite simple – just add a little vegetable broth and salt and then shape into balls. The dough does tend to dry out quickly so it’s a good idea to cover everything with plastic wrap when you’re not working with it. My patties were a bit dry and cracked a bit around the edges, and while I’m sure a Mexican grandmother might give me dirty looks, taste-wise, I was happy with the results.
It’s best to figure out your topping situation before starting the dough. So if you’re making your own refried beans or even just opening up a can, make sure they’re warm and simmering over low heat. Get your brisket sticky and shredded or crumble up some chorizo or shred some chicken if you’re into adding meat. I hope you’ve got some homemade salsa ready – this recipe works incredibly well with canned tomatoes (really!!!). Grate your cheese, shred your lettuce, mix up your guacamole or chop up your avocado. I also love to quick pickle some sliced red onion in lime juice for a bit of zing! The toppings are the best part so use what you like and don’t skimp! And it’s so easy to make your huaraches 100% vegan – just choose your toppings wisely!
Then mix up the dough, flatten it out with your hands, and start pan-frying. Or you can cover the the patties tightly in plastic wrap and let them sit in the fridge for a bit. The only real tricky part to these is flipping the huaraches so they don’t crack. And if they do crack, well, that’s where the loads of toppings become handy as a disguise! Gather some friends because this is a meal that is fun to eat! Once you hand over the hot patties to the awaiting crowd, everyone can add all the toppings they like. Hello awesome party time!!
huaraches
2 c masa flour
1 t sea salt
1 3/4 c slightly warm vegetable broth
oiltoppings:
refried beans
shredded pork or beef or chicken (if desired)
shredded lettuce
fresh salsa
guacamole or avocados
sour cream
grated cheese (cheddar cheese or feta or cojita)
hot sauce
quick-pickled red onionsIn a large bowl, combine the masa with the salt and pour in the vegetable broth. Stir until combined and then knead the dough until it becomes a smooth ball. Pinch off the dough and flatten – does it crack? If so, add in a bit of water until there are no cracks.
Divide the dough into orange-sized balls and flatten into an oval shape about 1/4″ thick. Cover patties with plastic wrap separated with squares of parchment paper immediately if placing in the fridge.
Heat a small amount of oil in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat and place one or two huaraches (or how many comfortably fit in a pan). Cook until masa is golden brown, about 3 minutes and then carefully flip and cook for another 3 minutes.
Spread hot huaraches with the warmed refried beans and whatever topping you so desire. Eat and repeat! Makes about 4-6 huaraches.
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Yummm! I’ve never had them, but they sound really, really delicious. Love your colorful toppings!
Hernande’z is the best! When I visited Victoria this spring, two different friends brought me there. I would have totally missed it otherwise. Wish I’d tried the hurraches…
Oh… I hate to That Kind Of Person, but it’s spelled “huaraches.” Sorry! :C
Thanks Nicole!! These are really great and fun to make with friends.
It is hard to find, Elena! A hidden gem for sure 🙂
Fuuuuuuuuuuuck!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you, Kristen. The thing is, I totally googled it and then somewhere along the line reverted back to my shitty spelling. Thank you!!
Ooooh, this looks amazing! Great flavors! 🙂
This looks so good. Want! Now!
I absolutely love parties that are based around food. Any excuse to get a group of friends together and eat…I’m in.
I’m also in for anything made with masa. And topped with fresh Mexican flavors. Hellagood.
Thanks Sara! This was so delicious.
Yes!! Tara, c’mon on over!
Thanks Joanne, parties with food are the best. And so are these 🙂
These are wonderful! I am an LA girl and love anything Mexicano or the likes!! RIBA RIBA!!!
Nettie
So happy I found you through a fellow foodie, you’ve got yourself a new follower! xo Jessica @ Cajunlicious
I had my hand on a bag of masa flour today while at a supermarket. I was a long distance from home and I didn’t feel like lugging a kilo of flour plus more stuff, on the subway so I left it behind. My loss because this huaraches dish looks mighty fine! Next time for sure…
Aw, thanks Nettie 🙂 Love Mexican food & your enthusiasm!
Thank you, Jessica for stopping by!
Joanne, I’m sure you’ll love them – worth the trip with a heavy bag of flour, I’m sure!
These were amazing! I thought this would be a complicated meal, but it was so easy.
I did add some more water to stop the cracking, and they all stayed in one piece. Thanks for the recipe!
Niiiiiice! I recently went to a tamale-making party where we did the whole masa/topping this. Truthfully the host bought the masa already prepared because I guess it can be a little labor intensive, but they turned out wonderfully. These look like a close cousin — excited to try!
Oooh, I love dishes like this where you can serve yourself and mix and match and play around with toppings. Looks delicious, and this is definitely the time of year when I start needing a reminder of warmer days..!
Haha huaraches definitely sound like they make for awesome party time! I love Mexican food and have never tried this but I know I’d love it!
Sounds like the makings of a Mexican latke party, with Hanukkah in the offing. Guacamole instead of applesauce — hmm.
That looks wonderful! I love the bright, colourful toppings!
Never heard of nor tried huaraches before but these look awesome!
Marilyn, so glad you enjoyed it! And managed to not get any cracks – hooray!
Megan, I think these are much easier to make than tamales. Give it a go!
Indeed, Kathryn – think of warm days and eat a bit of Mexican food 🙂
I’m sure you would, Ashley! Enjoy.
nbm, now you have me craving latkes!
Thanks Lucy & Bianca!
How is it possible that I have never heard of this incredible thing? We are big Mexican food lovers in this house and I actually find I like it better in the colder weather – nice and warming and hearty. I’ve always associated masa with tamales, something I don’t have the energy to make, but this is the PERFECT way to get the flavor without so much of the work. I’m totally making these and no doubt Randy will send you a thank you note! xo
Dana, yes, this is so simple and so delicious! I hope you give it a try and hopefully Randy will love these a whole lot 🙂
Thank you for another keeper of a recipe! More than delicious! I sent the link to my daughter in Texas who misses Victoria and Hernande’z. This evening she made huaraches for friends in Austin and I made them here for us and in both locations we loved them. You have quickly become my favourite blogger!