The tostada blueprint

Why are we obsessed with tostadas?

1. Hold more toppings than hard shell tacos
2. Great to use leftovers
3. Can be customized to be healthy, high protein, filling, etc

In short, they should be top of mind when you need a solid but quick weeknight meal.

Tostada tips

If store buying, look for a thick tostada. Watch out for brands that skimp. Thin tostadas will break when loaded with toppings. Try a few and ideally find one with a deep corn flavor.

• Brand rec: El Milagro if you can find it.

Store-bought tostadas last a while if sealed properly. However, making your own at home is super simple, especially if you need to use up a stale stack of corn tortillas:

• Heat a few spoonfuls of oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Place the corn tortilla into the hot oil and fry it on each side for 3-4 minutes or until crispy Alternatively, spritz corn tortillas with oil and air fry or bake.

Understand the layers

Crunchy platform

• Again, a thick tostada provides structure and texture to each bite

Spreadable base layer

• A bed of sour cream, refried beans, mayo, or guacamole “glues” down toppings and creates a barrier to prevent the tostada from going soggy.

Unctuous meat

• While any protein works, shredded braised meat or a juicy/fatty cut will stay on top better and add mouthfeel plus umami to this dish.

Crispy/fresh/acidic toppings

• Herbs, onions, and salsas work great here to balance the heavier toppings.

Tangy/fatty/creamy toppings

• Bonus points for extra crema, avocado, or cheese which will round out the tostada with smooth textures.