Description
Mexican Garnachas are crispy corn cakes topped with tender shredded beef, smoky guajillo-tomato salsa, and a tangy cabbage salad. This authentic street-style dish delivers bold Mexican flavor and an irresistible mix of textures—crispy, saucy, and fresh.
Ingredients
3 1/2 cups masa harina
2 1/2 cups lukewarm water (approx.)
1 medium white onion, chopped
Cotija cheese, for garnish
Lard or oil, for frying
For the Meat:
1 1/2 lb beef (brisket, chuck roast, flank, or skirt)
1 small onion
2 garlic cloves (skin on)
2 tsp salt
For the Cabbage Salad:
1/2 small cabbage, thinly sliced
1 small onion, thinly sliced
2 large carrots, grated
3 jalapeño peppers, seeded and cut into strips
1/2 Tbsp oregano
1 lime, juiced
1/4 cup white vinegar
Salt, to taste
For the Salsa:
1 lb tomatoes
3 pasilla or guajillo chilies, seeded and cut into pieces
3 garlic cloves, peeled
2 Tbsp lard or olive oil
Salt, to taste
Instructions
- In a pot, cook beef with onion, garlic, and salt in enough water to cover until tender. Shred the meat and set aside.
- Prepare the cabbage salad: combine cabbage, onion, carrots, and jalapeños in a bowl. Add lime juice, vinegar, oregano, salt, and a little water. Toss well and let rest while preparing the rest of the dish.
- Make the salsa: cook tomatoes and chilies in water for 10 minutes until soft. Blend with 2 cups of the cooking water, garlic, and salt until smooth. Heat lard or oil in a saucepan, pour in the blended sauce, and simmer for 10 minutes until slightly thickened. Adjust seasoning and set aside.
- Prepare the masa: mix masa harina with lukewarm water until a smooth, soft dough forms. Divide into 12 balls, cover with a damp towel.
- Press each ball between plastic sheets to form 3.5-inch discs. Cook on a hot comal or skillet for 1–1.5 minutes on one side, flip, and cook for another 3–4 minutes until lightly browned. Keep warm.
- Assemble the garnachas: heat 3–4 tbsp lard or oil in a large pan. Place a spoonful of shredded meat on each corn cake, spoon some salsa over it, and fry until the bottom is golden and crispy.
- Serve hot, topped with chopped onions, crumbled Cotija cheese, and cabbage salad on the side.
Notes
Use chicken instead of beef for variation.
Make a vegetarian version with refried beans instead of meat.
Adjust spice level by adding or reducing chilies.
Prepare salsa a day ahead—it tastes better after resting overnight.
Fry garnachas just before serving to keep them crispy.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 garnacha
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
 
