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What Is a Tostada?

Feb 2nd 2023 - Team

What Is a Tostada?

Tostadas are meant to be devoured with wild abandon! Load them up with your favorite toppings and enjoy! This Mexican street food is made crispy and fried, then topped with refried beans, grated cheese, chopped avocado and tomato, lettuce slices, and salsa. Read on to find out more about this Mexican recipe and how to make them!

What Is a Tostada?

Tostadas are fried corn tortillas with beans or meat (or both), lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and sour cream on top. The name "tostad" means "toasted". It is also typically served that way and can be topped with salsa, guacamole, sour cream, and other sauces. They make excellent nibbles when combined with beer or classic margaritas and are usually a crowd pleaser.

Every component contributes to the dish's iconic status, so even if they're a little sloppy, you don't have to sacrifice any of the pleasure for neatness.

Components of Tostada:

Meat

Shredded beef, pork, or chicken can be used to make tostadas. These substantial meats are one of the ingredients that contribute to tostadas being such a filling and fulfilling dinner and given the numerous various types of meat available, you can try out different variations each time to find which one you prefer.

Beans

The beans are the second most important component of a tostada and are a must-have for any vegetarian or vegan tostada fan, Refried beans, whole beans, or black beans are usually used. You may fill up your next tostada and keep it that way by adding a heaping scoop of beans.

Lettuce

Like beans, lettuce is an important component of a tostada. Iceberg or romaine lettuce, which is commonly used in many Mexican cuisines, is the ideal type to utilize. Lettuce is an essential component of each tostada because it adds a crunchy texture to each bite that tortillas alone cannot provide.

Tomatoes

The tomato gives the dish a pop of color and flavor. It is especially common in Mexican cuisine and is typically chopped or sliced and added after the other ingredients are layered on.

Cheese

After all of the other ingredients have been stacked on top, cheese is sprinkled on top. This is to offer an added layer of taste to the tostada toppings.

Sour Cream

In Mexican cuisine, sour cream is commonly used. You can add this as an addition to or instead of cheese to enhance richness and creaminess.

The quality of the components is critical in making the perfect tostada and once things are in place, the tostada provides a range of alternatives. They can also be customizable. Vegetarians can just add beans, vegans can omit the cheese and sour cream, and those who are allergic to dairy can do the same with beef!

How to Eat a Tostada Without the Mess?

While there are numerous ways to eat a tostada, the following are the simplest steps to follow.

  1. Spread everything out equally: Cover the entire surface of the tostada, not just the center, with the primary ingredient and all of your favorite taco toppings.
  2. Support yourself with both hands: Because tostadas are spherical, hold them with both hands and lift them up toward your mouth. Don't try to turn it, tilt it, or do anything else with it. Simply keep it straight.
  3. Try a bite: Pull the tostada toward your mouth and dig in!
  4. Regroup: You can continue eating after your first bite. Alternatively, you can place the tostada on the dish, redistribute the components evenly, and continue eating it!

Helpful Tip: As you bite into the tostada, you will undoubtedly drop some toppings. Make sure to ret the tostada on the dish. Then use a fork to pick up the dropped toppings, and replace them on top.

Tostada vs Tacos: The Differences

Tostadas are underestimated in comparison to tacos, primarily because they are not as well recognized or understood. It's time to alter that!

Tostada literally means "toasted," and it often refers to this Mexican food made with crispy flat tortillas that have been toasted in the oven or fried.

Tacos and tostadas are very similar but the main difference is that a tostada is flat and made on a crispy tortilla shell, usually corn. Crispy tacos, while they can be made in crispy corn shells, are most commonly seen soft, and folded, with either corn or flour tortillas but since the word "tostada" means toasted, a toasted, crunchy base is a necessity for tostadas.

Tacos are typically less messy and easier to eat with your hands since they are folded.

How to Make Tostadas

Tacos and tostadas are closely related but the key distinction is that a tostada is flat and built on a crispy tortilla shell, which is commonly maize. While tacos can be made in crispy maize shells, they are more usually seen as soft and folded with corn or flour tortillas, and because the term "tostada" implies "toasted," tostadas must have a toasted, crunchy foundation.

Ingredients

  • 10 corn tortillas or ready-made tostadas
  • 16 oz. ground beef
  • 1/2 diced yellow onion
  • 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 10 ounces of refried beans
  • 2 cups sliced iceberg lettuce
  • 1/2 cup crumbled cotija cheese or queso fresco
  • 1 cup chopped tomatoes
  • 1 diced avocado
  • 1 cup pico de gallo (salsa)
  • 1/3 cup chopped cilantro

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 415 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray both sides of the corn tortillas with oil. Place them on a baking sheet flat. Bake for 4 minutes in a preheated oven, then flip and bake for another 5 minutes. You may do this until the tortillas are crispy and golden.
  2. In a skillet with medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and break it up with a spatula and add garlic powder, salt, and taco seasoning to taste. Cook until the onion is transparent and the beef is fully cooked about 5 minutes.
  3. Reheat the refried beans until boiling hot. Do this in a skillet over medium-low heat or in the microwave.
  4. To make each tostada, layer refried beans, ground beef, lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, and pico de gallo or salsa on top.
  5. On top, sprinkle with cheese and cilantro. Serve immediately.

How to Make Homemade Tostada Shells

You can either buy crispy "tostadas" or make your own. Tostada shells can be cooked in two ways: baked or fried. We bake the tortillas as a healthier alternative that still gets crispy and it's a really simple procedure:

  1. Tortillas should be sprayed with cooking spray or lightly brushed with oil.
  2. Bake the Tortillas and place the tortillas flat on a baking sheet. Bake at 415 degrees Fahrenheit, flipping halfway, until crispy and golden brown.

Toppings for Tostadas

There are so many different toppings for tostadas! Both hot and cold ingredients can be used. You can substitute with your favorite toppings or whatever you have on hand. You can never go wrong with:

  • Iceberg Lettuce
  • Avocados
  • Tomatoes
  • Cilantro
  • Cotija or queso fresco cheese
  • Guacamole
  • Pico de Gallo is a type of wine.
  • slices of lime to squeeze over the top