For sandwich lovers who are fond of Mexican dishes the word Torta elicits nothing but happy thoughts. This Mexican sandwich can have lots of different fillings but always satisfies those big hunger cravings. Stock up on bolillo rolls and check out our 10 favorite Mexican Torta recipes.
First posted on February 10, 2022. Last updated on February 29, 2024.
What is a Mexican Torta?
A torta is a traditional Mexican sandwich that is right up there with the taco for most beloved Mexican street food. Meant to be eaten on the go, usually for lunch, torta shops line the streets of every Mexican city and its fillings can vary depending on where you go.
No matter the filling they are always a big, beautiful, messy sandwich made on different types of bread from a soft telera roll to crunchy French baguettes. Depending on the type of torta, they can have different types of cheese and meat but almost always shredded lettuce, refried beans, tomato slices and a heaping of sliced onions.
Make Tortas Your Go-To For Busy Weeknights
A good torta Mexicana recipe can also be a lifesaver for an easy weeknight meal when you have a house full of starving people and are short on time. As long as you have the main filling prepared you can whip up one of these recipes at the drop of a hat.
I stock up on French rolls, creamy avocado, cooked pork leg (or other fillings), and red sauce at my local Mexican grocery so I can have everything I need to make a homemade Mexican torta sandwich when the craving hits.
Keep reading for ten of our favorite Mexican torta recipes.
Our 10 Favorite Mexican Torta Recipes
1. Carne Asada Torta with Roasted Poblano Salsa
This Carne Asada Torta is truly incredible! Store-bought roasted poblano salsa swaps in for the traditional beans making it lighter than a traditional torta— but just as delicious. Make carne asada with skirt steak or many Latin grocery stores carry cooked, sliced carne asada making this sandwich even easier! Just layer the meat with fresh tomato slices.
2. Authentic Torta Ahogada
Hailing from Guadalajara, Mexico, Torta Ahogada‘s literal translation is “drowned torta”. This traditional Mexican sandwich is filled with mouthwatering carnitas and pickled red onions then drowned in a red chile and tomato sauce. Tortas ahogadas are one of the best Mexican sandwiches you’ll ever eat!
3. Turkey and Black Bean Torta
Not all tortas are served hot. This is a simple cold Turkey Torta with thinly sliced roast turkey, avocado slices, and garlic and oregano-marinated tomatoes all on long Mexican rolls called Bolillo rolls.
4. Torta Cubana
Even though the name suggests this is a Cuban sandwich, it is actually as Mexican as it gets. The sandwich made with ham, roast pork, and Swiss cheese is not named after the country of Cuba, but actually after the street in Mexico City, Calle Republica de Cuba, where it was created.
5. Pambazos from Muy Delish
A Pambazo is a chorizo and potato torta made on a particular soft roll of the same name. This mouth watering recipe filled with Cotija cheese, lettuce, and crema from Muy Delish is covered in a delicious guajillo salsa on the outside and crisped to perfection over medium heat. Irresistible!
6. Torta de Milanesa
Crispy panko-breaded chicken milanesa, sprinkled with salt and tucked inside a crusty roll with pickled fennel and carrots. The bottom half of the roll is swathed in a creamy basil mayonnaise brightened with fresh lime juice.
7. Cemita Sliders
This plant-based version of a Cemita Poblana sandwich swaps classic milanesa for fried plantain and the sesame bun for brioche slider rolls. Topped with lots of thin slices of white onion it is perfect if you’re watching your saturated fat or if you are looking for a vegetarian torta.
8. Coconut Shrimp Torta
This Coconut Shrimp Torta is a super easy Mexican-style sandwich with ingredients like baked coconut shrimp, refried black beans, and a baby kale, fig, scallion, and bell pepper tossed with a little olive oil then stacked on toasted bread. Serve with a chilled glass of wine for a relaxing weeknight meal everyone will love.
9. Chicken Chile Verde Torta with Goat Cheese
A phenomenal chicken sandwich that is one of our family’s favorite easy Mexican recipes, loaded with all the spicy, bright flavors of Mexico. Add thinly sliced jalapeños for extra kick. Check out the post for instructions on how to make this easy sandwich.
10. Smoky Chipotle Turkey Tortas
This recipe for Smoky Chipotle Turkey Tortas uses leftover holiday turkey or rotisserie chicken and is ready in 30 minutes. Toast the bolillo roll and slather on the refried black beans, Oaxaca cheese, Mexican crema (or sour cream). Add a fresh sprinkle of arugula and radishes. This Mexican-style sandwich is the prefect weeknight meal.
Top 5 Most Popular Recipes To Serve With Tortas
- Green Tomato Soup with Sausage and Rice
- Calabacitas Recipe
- Caldo de Pollo
- Cilantro Lime Slaw
- Vegan Pozole Verde
These Mexican Torta Recipes Are Great When We’re Short On Time
What’s your favorite type of torta? Let me know by snapping a pic and tagging me on Instagram @holajalapeno and #holajalapeno so I can see or leave me a comment below! Also, sign up for my weekly newsletter, lots of good stuff there too!
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