A Must-Try Oaxacan Street Food
Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 65 mins
Total: 85 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Yield: 4 tlayudas
A tlayuda (pronounced («tla-u-da») is an iconic street food from Oaxaca, Mexico. It’s made with a giant tortilla (which is also referred to as a tlayuda) topped with asiento, refried beans, and ribbons of quesillo.
Asiento is a uniquely Oaxacan ingredient. It is made from the bits of meat and fat leftover from making chicharrón (fried pork belly or rinds)—you can find an easy substitute for asiento at the end of this recipe. Similarly, quesillo is a distinctively Oaxacan ingredient that is a stretchy, mild cheese comparable to mozzarella. Ingredients like shredded cabbage, sliced avocado, and tomato are optional, however, we particularly love cabbage for the crunch it adds to the dish. You can add steak, Mexican chorizo, beef, chicken for a protein boost, or pile on the veggies.
This recipe is an adaptation from a popular dish made by Chef Mica Ruiz of Luz de Luna in Huayapam, Oaxaca. We developed this to fit the ingredients and tools available to most people in the U.S., while maintaining the authentic flavors of a tlayuda. Typically it is made with corn tortillas but for this recipe we use flour tortillas to give more structure to the dish. That said, you can make large corn tortillas if you have time. If you cannot find quesillo, substitute mozzarella for a similar flavor.
You can make the asiento ahead of time and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. To serve, we suggest a red salsa like Oaxacan Pasilla Salsa, but you could use adobo sauce, salsa verde, salsa ranchera, or any other salsa you love.
«Asiento is key in Oaxacan cooking, if you have the time you should make it. Although it might be tempting to use the substitute instead, it does not have the same flavor complexity as asiento. Using a skillet instead of the oven will help you get the perfect crunch and melt on your tlayuda.» —Jacqueline Tris
A Note From Our Recipe Tester
Ingredients
For the Asiento:
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8 ounces falda de costilla (pork rib skirt), cut into 1-inch pieces
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1/4 cup neutral oil, more as needed
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1 teaspoon kosher salt
For the Tlayuda
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1/2 cup asiento
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4 (10-inch) flour tortillas
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1 1/2 cup store-bought or homemade refried beans
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1 cup shredded green cabbage
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1 cup shredded fresh mozzarella
To Serve
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Cooked chopped steak, chorizo, or chicken, optional
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Chopped fresh vegetables, optional
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Chopped fresh cilantro, optional
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1 cup salsa, optional
Steps to Make It
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Gather the ingredients.
If using a pizza stone, position the stone on the lowest rack in the oven and heat to 375 F. Let the stone heat for at least 45 minutes before baking the tlayuda. If using a baking sheet, position a rack in the center of the oven and heat to 375 F.
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Place the pork in a heavy-duty skillet. Sauté over low heat until the fat is completely rendered and the pork is crispy, about 1 hour.
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Remove the skillet from the heat and let the meat and rendered fat cool slightly, about 5 minutes.
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Separate the meat from any bone (you can freeze or save the bones and make a stock).
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Transfer the rib meat with the rendered fat to a high-speed blender. Add 2 tablespoons of the neutral oil and the salt. Blend, adding the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil, more as needed, until the mixture is a smooth paste. You should have about 1/2 cup of asiento.
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Divide the asiento between the tortillas, spreading in an even layer.
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Make sure the refried beans are thin and spreadable. If they are too chunky, blend with a bit of water as needed. Divide the refried beans between the tortillas, spreading in an even layer over the asiento.
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Layer the tortillas evenly with shredded cabbage and mozzarella.
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Add any additional meat or veggie toppings. Place the tlayuda directly on the pizza stone or baking sheet. Bake until the tortilla is crispy, about 5 minutes.
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Garnish with the cilantro and serve with the salsa, if desired.
Recipe Variations
- If you prefer to cook your tlayuda on the stove top rather than oven, use a large heavy-duty skillet, preferably cast-iron. Heat the skillet over medium heat for 1 minute. Add the tlayuda and cook until the tortilla begins to brown and the cheese has melted, about 5 minutes.
- You can top your tlayuda with various ingredients, including lime, cilantro, white onion, avocado, tomato, and more.
- Flank steak can either be cooked, chopped, and served on the tlayuda or served on the side. If using chorizo, cook and crumble it on the tlayuda.
Is There a Substitute for Asiento?
Combine 2 1/2 ounces of finely chopped, cooked pork belly with 1/4 cup lard in a food processor. Process until smooth and creamy and use in place of the homemade asiento recipe provided. Keep in mind that asiento packs much more flavor and is worth the effort. It's also what's traditionally used in Oaxaca, so if you're curious to get as close to an authentic tlayuda as you can, put some time aside to make the asiento.
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings: 4 | |
| Amount per serving | |
| Calories | 1363 |
| % Daily Value* | |
| Total Fat 82g | 104% |
| Saturated Fat 26g | 129% |
| Cholesterol 120mg | 40% |
| Sodium 2270mg | 99% |
| Total Carbohydrate 115g | 42% |
| Dietary Fiber 11g | 39% |
| Total Sugars 5g | |
| Protein 43g | |
| Vitamin C 21mg | 106% |
| Calcium 375mg | 29% |
| Iron 8mg | 46% |
| Potassium 957mg | 20% |
| *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. | |
