Tlayuda Oaxaqueña
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes
Servings: 2 large Tlayudas (2–4 servings)
Country of Origin
Mexico (Oaxaca)
Description
Often dubbed "Oaxacan Pizza," a Tlayuda is an iconic street food composed of a huge (12-14 inch), thin, partially dried crispy corn tortilla smeared with seasoned pork lard (asiento) and refried black beans, then layered with shredded Oaxaca cheese, cabbage, and grilled meats.
Presentation & How It's Eaten
Served flat or folded in half over an open grill. It is sliced into wedges or held with both hands and eaten hot while crispy.
Ingredients
2 large (30cm/12-inch) thin Oaxacan Tlayuda tortillas (or thin extra-large corn tortillas)
2 tbsp asiento (unrefined Oaxacan pork lard) or melted lard
1.5 cups seasoned refried black beans
200g (7 oz) Oaxaca cheese (quesillo), shredded into strings
2 cups shredded cabbage
200g cooked tasajo (salted beef) or cecina (spiced pork), thinly sliced
1 avocado, sliced
1 tomato, sliced
Salsa de molcajete, for serving
Step-by-Step Directions
Warm Tortilla Base: Place large corn tortilla flat on a wide hot griddle (comal) or barbecue grill over medium-low heat for 1–2 minutes to crisp slightly.
Apply Base Layers: Spread 1 tablespoon asiento evenly over top of warm tortilla. Spread a generous layer of hot refried black beans over lard.
Add Cheese & Meat: Scatter shredded Oaxaca cheese evenly over beans so it melts from bottom heat. Layer cooked sliced tasajo or meat strips on top.
Top with Vegetables: Finish with shredded cabbage, sliced tomatoes, and avocado slices.
Crisp & Serve: Leave on heat until base tortilla is golden and crispy. Serve flat or fold in half like a giant taco.
Optional
Vegetarian Tlayuda: Substitute pork lard with avocado oil and use vegetarian refried black beans.
Cooking Tips
Shred Quesillo: Oaxaca cheese should be hand-pulled into thin strings rather than grated; thin strings melt smoothly from gentle griddle heat.
Nutrition Facts
(Estimated per serving, based on a 4-serving breakdown of 2 large tlayudas)
Calories: ~510 kcal
Total Fat: 26g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Cholesterol: 60mg
Sodium: 720mg
Total Carbohydrates: 48g
Dietary Fiber: 9g
Sugars: 3g
Protein: 24g
Comments