As with many foods that are so deeply rooted in a culture, no one is exactly sure from whence the term pupusa comes. We like the story that it comes from a combination of the Mayan words pop (“sphere”), and utz (“good”). Aside from a visit to your local pupuseria, Trader Joe’s Chicken, Cheese & Green Chile Pupusas are a convenient and delicious way to satisfy all your “good-sphere” cravings!

Pupusas begin as a ball of corn-flour dough that is flattened and stuffed with meat and cheese, then rolled back up into a sphere before being gently flattened once again to form a sort of savory, stuffed pancake. Our Pupusas are filled with chicken breast & thigh meat, shredded mozzarella cheese, and roasted Hatch chiles. These simple flavors—tender savory chicken, smooth melty cheese, and mildly smoky chili-peppers—combine to create a delicious and comforting handheld snack.

We recommend you heat Trader Joe’s Chicken, Cheese & Green Chile Pupusas from frozen in a skillet with a bit of oil, cooking for 5 or so minutes per side until golden brown and heated through. Then you can dip them in your favorite TJ’s salsa, like our Hatch Valley Salsa for added Hatch flavor, or our mild Pico de Gallo. If you have the gumption and the time, you can combine TJ’s Shredded Green Cabbage with onion, jalapeńo, salt, and apple cider vinegar to make your own curtido (fermented cabbage relish), which is a very traditional, and very tasty pupusa condiment.