Tostadas, a popular and versatile dish in Mexican cuisine, are one of my go-to weeknight dinners! Traditionally made from corn tortillas, tostadas are fried or oven-baked until they are crispy and golden. The tostadas serve as a base for a variety of ingredients and toppings, which makes them an ideal dish for picky eaters.
A traditional tostada will have refried beans spread on it, topped with shredded protein. The tostada is then garnished with shredded lettuce, crumbled queso fresco, tomatoes, onions, avocado, salsa– you name it! Tostadas are highly customizable and be topped with shredded chicken, pork carnitas, even seafood, such as ceviche. The contrast between the crunchy tortilla and the fresh toppings is what makes each bite exciting!
Aside from being delicious, tostadas are also practical. They’re a great way to use old tortillas or leftover ingredients as toppings. They’re also incredibly easy to assemble for people of all ages! Whether it’s at an event or a dinner table, consider setting up a tostada buffet with ingredients laid out, so each person can craft their tostadas to their liking.
Why You’ll Love These Tostadas
- Quick – Tostadas can be made in less than ten minutes, if you have leftover meat, such as shredded chicken or pork.
- Versatile – As mentioned above, you can use a variety of proteins to top your tostadas, or leave it out altogether! You can swap the queso fresco for Mexican blend shredded cheese, or swap the corn tostadas with nopal tostadas too. Either way, these tostadas will be tasty!
Recommended Tools for This Recipe
- Cutting Board – Slice your vegetables with ease using a cutting board!
- Lime Squeezer – I like to top my vegetables with lime juice, so a lime squeezer ensures I get every last drop of lime!
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Tostada Ingredients
- Tostada Shells – Available at most grocery stores, corn tostadas will serve as the base for this recipe. For a healthier alternative, consider using nopal or cactus tostadas instead!
- Refried Beans – I typically use canned refried beans, or these refrigerated beans from HEB, to make tostadas.
- Shredded Meat – This tostada recipe is great, because you can use leftover protein, such as shredded chicken or pork carnitas.
- Toppings – Add color to your tostadas by topping them with queso fresco, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, and/or avocado.
- Garnishes – I like to garnish my tostadas with Mexican sour cream, salsa casera, or a drizzle of hot sauce.
Tostadas Recipe
Ingredients for Tostadas
How to Make Tostadas
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Heat ingredients
Heat beans and carnitas on the stovetop for 2-3 minutes or until fully heated.
You can heat in the microwave too!
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Spread beans
Spread refried beans on the tostada shells.
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Add meat and vegetables
Top with your preferred protein, cheese, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and sliced avocado.
I like to sprinkle salt and squeeze a lime on my vegetables before adding them to the tostada.
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Top your tostadas
Drizzle Mexican sour cream or your favorite hot sauce, and enjoy!
