Mexican torta with refried beans and guacamole
A Mexican torta is basically just a glorified sandwich – at least, my version is anyway. I’m sure I’ll get lots of messages from Mexican readers educating me about how a Mexican torta is so much more than a sandwich (which I welcome, by the way!) – but, this version is basically just a sandwich.
Now, don’t let that put you off! A sandwich doesn’t have to just be a limp, sorry-looking piece of bread at the bottom of your lunchbox, with an apple-shaped dent in the top. This Mexican torta was definitely one of the best sandwiches I’ve ever eaten – one of the messiest too, but definitely one of the best.
You start by removing a little of the filling from your crusty roll to make room for more fillings (do you like where this is going yet?). We want to pack this baby full. After lightly toasting it to make sure it stays super crispy, you fill it with a whole host of wonderful Mexican-style ingredients: refried beans, cheese, salsa, guacamole, and a bit of lettuce for good measure.
Then you just dig in… be prepared for your salsa and guacamole to drip everywhere, for your cheese slices to slowly squeeze their way out from between the bread (grated cheese would probably stay in place better!), and for you to end up with food all around your big, stupid grin. And be prepared to love it! Just make sure you have a tissue to hand (or maybe a bib).
I used a ciabatta roll – not exactly Mexican, but it worked well all the same. Any similar roll will do, really – a 6-inch submarine roll, a small baguette, or anything else that you fancy.
To make your Mexican torta vegan, just skip the cheese or use your favourite substitute. Tortas for all, hurrah!
Mexican torta with refried beans and guacamole
Ingredients
- 1 individual submarine roll or similar, small baguette or ciabatta roll
- 2 tbsp refried beans
- 30 g cheese I just used cheddar, sliced
- 2 tbsp hot salsa
- 2 tbsp guacamole
- Small handful lettuce roughly chopped
Instructions
- Halve the roll lengthwise, and remove a little of the bread inside to make more room for fillings. Toast lightly, and leave to cool for a couple of minutes.
- Spread the refried beans on the bottom half of the cooled roll, and top with the slices of cheese. Add the salsa.
- On the top half of the roll, spread the guacamole, and pile on the lettuce. Carefully press the two halves of the roll together, and serve.
Here’s another of my favourite sandwiches – halloumi sandwich with rocket and sun-dried tomatoes:
As an American who lives in a Mexican neighborhood, shops as a Mexican supermarket, and eats tortas constantly, your sandwich is brilliant! The only thing that would make it more authentic, but still vegetarian, would be a sprinkling of fresh cilantro, if you can find that in the U.K., and a Mexican cheese, like Cotija. But in my 14 years in Ireland, I never saw it. I would suggest perhaps instead a cheddar, a few slices of manchego! But otherwise beautiful! Made them for my son and myself. Loved it!
Thanks so much Wayne! :) We can definitely get fresh coriander in the UK, not sure I’ve ever seen cotija though? And manchego isn’t that common either!! We’re definitely a cheddar-oriented country haha :D
Now that’s the kind of sandwiches I most like! :)
Now that is MY kind of sandwich Becca and I am a HUGE fan of refried beans too……used to eat them spread on toast when I lived in the USA! Karen
Now that is one good looking sandwich! Definitely craving a bite right now.. I must recreate the recipe!
I see a plastic container with green in it.. which means it’s probably store bought guacamole. That stuff is just.. bleh.. ick!! Mashing up your own avacado with some garlic (powder, if you want to be super quick about it) and salt, at least (it’s even better with diced onion and corriander of course!) is just so, SO much better. The store bought stuff just really isn’t guacamole in my humble opinon (especially in England)! Your tastebuds with thank you for making it fresh! :)
Hi Danielle, I’ve made my own guacamole many many times but I actually really enjoy the shop-bought version. Fresh avocados are really expensive in the UK so buying it pre-made is a much more economical and practical solution for me. Go ahead and make your own if you prefer.
Oh yes please! I used to make something similar when I first immigrated to this country and I only had a microwave to work with. I used to heat the refried beans up in the microwave and put all the ingredients in a wrap. I haven’t eaten that in years – must give it a go again! Oh, hungry now!
Oooh it would be amazing in a wrap!! Thanks for the inspiration! :)
The sandwich would have to be the greatest culinary invention ever.
Great sandwich, love these flavors!
That looks awesome! I would love some of that for lunch. Refried beans are a favorite of mine :)
I’m hungry!! And you’re not helping. We are making the ? I was telling you about. I’m anxious to tie into it. I really love sandwiches and yours looks awesome. Got to pin it :)
Oh wow! I loooooove the sound (and looks) of this sandwich! I will be making this soon! Thanks!
Any sandwich where you have to unhinge your jaw to bite is fine by me! Looks delicious!