You’ve got your hot, gooey pupusas ready to go—but now you’re wondering: what should I serve with them? Are pupusas a meal on their own, or do they need sides? Drinks? Dessert?
Here’s the simple answer: pupusas are traditionally served with two must-have sides—curtido and salsa roja—but they also pair beautifully with a range of drinks, soups, and light extras.
In this guide, we’ll explore:
- Traditional Salvadoran sides
- Creative modern pairings
- Drinks that elevate the pupusa experience
- What not to serve with pupusas
- How to build a full pupusa-themed meal
Whether you’re hosting brunch, feeding the family, or launching a pupusería, this is your go-to resource for what to serve with pupusas.
🥬 1. Curtido (Essential Side #1)
Curtido is the iconic, spicy, fermented cabbage slaw that completes the pupusa experience.
What it’s made of:
- Shredded cabbage
- Carrots
- Onions
- Oregano
- Vinegar and salt
- Optional: jalapeños or chili flakes
Why it works:
- Adds crunch and tang to balance the richness of cheese or pork
- Aids digestion (thanks, probiotics!)
- Refreshes the palate
💡 Serve it chilled and heaped generously next to each pupusa.
🍅 2. Salsa Roja (Essential Side #2)
This smooth tomato-based sauce is a pupusa’s best friend.
Ingredients:
- Tomatoes
- Garlic
- Onion
- Green pepper
- Oregano
- Water
It’s usually blended and lightly simmered into a pourable salsa—not chunky or spicy.
💡 Drizzle it on top of each pupusa or serve in a small dish for dipping. NEVER skip it.
🥑 3. Avocado Slices or Guacamole
Avocado adds a creamy, cooling contrast—especially if you’re serving spicy curtido.
- Sliced fresh with lime and salt
- Mashed into a simple guacamole
- Diced and tossed with pico de gallo
🟩 Perfect for brunch, vegan options, or an upscale pupusa plate.
🍳 4. Fried Plantains (Plátanos Fritos)
Popular in Salvadoran breakfasts, these sweet caramelized plantains are an excellent sweet-savory contrast.
- Use ripe plantains (black-spotted)
- Fry in light oil until golden
- Serve alongside cheese or loroco pupusas
Optional: Add crema salvadoreña or refried beans to make it a full meal.
🍲 5. Salvadoran Soups
Pairing pupusas with a small bowl of sopa is a traditional option, especially on chilly days.
Great pairings include:
- Sopa de frijoles (bean soup)
- Sopa de res (beef soup)
- Caldo de gallina india (free-range chicken soup)
A pupusa dipped in broth = the Salvadoran version of comfort heaven.
🥗 6. Light Salad or Fresh Veggies
Not traditional, but great for:
- Buffets
- Fusion plates
- Health-conscious diners
Try:
- Cilantro lime slaw
- Grilled nopales (cactus)
- Tomato and cucumber salad
These keep the plate light and refreshing.
☕ 7. Drinks to Serve With Pupusas
Pupusas pair well with both traditional and modern drinks.
Traditional Salvadoran Drinks:
- Horchata de morro – nutty, sweet rice-morro seed drink
- Tamarindo – tangy tamarind juice
- Ensalada – fruit salad in juice, served cold
- Atol de elote – warm, sweet corn drink (great for breakfast)
Universal Options:
- Iced tea or lemonade
- Sparkling water with lime
- Cold beer (for revueltas)
- Café con leche or hot chocolate (for breakfast or sweet pupusas)
🍹 Want a twist? Offer a pupusa brunch mimosa or pupusa + michelada combo.
🧁 8. Sweet Pupusas as Dessert (or Serve With Dessert)
Instead of cake, consider:
- Pupusas de chocolate
- Pupusas de plátano con dulce de leche
- Pupusas de coco y panela
Or pair your savory pupusas with:
- Tres leches cake
- Coconut flan
- Mango slices with lime and chili
🍬 Salvadoran sweets like nuégados or tamarind candies also work beautifully.
❌ What Not to Serve With Pupusas
Some things just don’t pair well:
- 🥖 Bread or tortillas – redundant starch
- 🍝 Pasta – too heavy
- 🧂 Ketchup or mayo – sacrilegious
- 🍕 Other cheesy dishes – too rich together
Stick to light, tangy, or simple accompaniments to let the pupusas shine.
Building a Full Pupusa Meal
Here’s a complete example of a balanced, crowd-pleasing pupusa plate:
Main:
- 2 pupusas (cheese + beans, loroco + cheese)
Sides:
- Curtido
- Salsa roja
- Sliced avocado
- Fried sweet plantains
Drink:
- Tamarindo juice or Salvadoran horchata
Optional Dessert:
- Chocolate pupusa or tres leches cake
🌟 Garnish with lime wedges, jalapeños, or fresh herbs for color and flair.
Summary
Pupusas are traditionally served with curtido and salsa roja, but they pair beautifully with fried plantains, avocado, soups, and refreshing drinks like horchata or tamarindo. For a full Salvadoran experience, balance the richness of the pupusa with something tangy, fresh, or sweet. Whether you’re hosting brunch or building a restaurant menu, knowing what to serve with pupusas makes the meal unforgettable.
