Garnachas

Name: Garnachas
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Guatemalan
Ingredients: 2 cups masa harina; 1.25 cups warm water; 1/2 tsp salt; 300g ground beef; 1 small onion, diced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 cup tomato salsa (blended tomatoes, onion, chile, salt); 1/2 cup crumbled queso fresco; Vegetable oil for frying

Garnachas (gahr-NAH-chahs)

Fried Tortilla Cups with Beef

⏱ Prep Time 15 min

📈 Difficulty Easy

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 252 kcal

Small, thick tortillas pinched into cup shapes and fried, then topped with seasoned ground beef, tomato salsa, and crumbled cheese, a popular Guatemalan street snack.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 12.0g

Carbs 24.0g

Fat 12.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

dairy-free gluten-free nut-free

Allergen Warnings

⚠ dairy

Equipment Needed

deep skillet comal or griddle

Presentation Guide

Vessel: paper-lined basket

Garnishes: cheese, salsa

Accompaniments: hot sauce, lime

Ingredients

2 cups masa harina
1.25 cups warm water
1/2 tsp salt
300g ground beef
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup tomato salsa (blended tomatoes, onion, chile, salt)
1/2 cup crumbled queso fresco
Vegetable oil for frying

Instructions

1
Mix masa, water, and salt into a firm dough. Divide into 12 small balls.
2
Flatten each ball into a thick disc (about 6cm). Pinch the edges up to form a shallow cup.
3
Fry the masa cups in oil until golden and crispy on the outside. Drain.
4
Cook ground beef with onion and garlic until browned. Season with salt.
5
Fill each garnacha cup with seasoned beef.
6
Top with tomato salsa and crumbled queso fresco. Serve immediately.

💡

Did You Know?

Garnachas are the original Guatemalan finger food — every market has a garnacha vendor, and the best ones are judged by the crunch of their masa cups.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

deep skillet
comal or griddle

Garnishing

cheese, salsa

Accompaniments

hot sauce, lime

The Story Behind Garnachas

Garnachas represent one of the simplest and oldest forms of Guatemalan street food, combining the Mesoamerican corn tortilla tradition with Spanish-influenced meat toppings. The cup shape, formed by pinching the edges of thick masa discs, is a technique found across Central America and likely predates European contact.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed snack, street food 📜 Origins: Colonial era

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