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Classic and easy to make, these flat enchiladas are smothered in a red enchilada sauce and topped with cheese and onions. This is a typical dish found in small restaurants in Southern Arizona, New Mexico, and Sonora, Mexico.

What are Sonoran-Style Flat Enchiladas?

Get ready for an incredible culinary adventure with the irresistible Enchiladas Sonorenses! You can find this delicious dish in street food stalls and top restaurants in Sonora, Mexico.Unlike traditional rolled enchiladas, Sonoran-style flat enchiladas are made by layering thick homemade corn tortillas and generously smothering them with delicious enchilada sauce. Feel free to customize these delicious enchiladas with your preferred toppings, whether it’s some crumbled queso and onion for a simple touch, hearty shredded meat for a more filling option, or even a fried egg if you’re having them for breakfast. Get ready to indulge in a symphony of flavors!

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Quick & Easy to Make…10 minutes to prep and cook corn tortilla patties
You can buy store-bought enchilada sauce for a quick dinner or make an easy homemade enchilada sauce.
Leftover taco meat, cheeses, or toppings are perfect for filling or topping these enchiladas.
NO rolling corn tortillas required, just dip, layer and top for this easy recipe

Ingredients for Enchiladas Sonorenses

Homemade thick corn tortillas (patties)

Masa Harina corn flour
Salt
Garlic Powder
Water

Why A Thick Corn Tortilla?
Sonoran-style flat enchiladas are distinct from other enchiladas found in the Southwestern U.S. and Northern Mexico because of their unique masa harina corn patty. These corn patties are prepared using a method that is reminiscent of the pre-Columbian hand-patted gordita corn tortillas, chalupas, or sopes, giving them a special texture and flavor that sets them apart.

Enchilada sauce and toppings

Sauce – Traditionally made with red enchilada sauce. Store-bought enchilada sauce or homemade red enchilada sauce.
Cheese – Queso fresco, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend
Onions – Diced white onions, finely chopped green onions
Optional toppings: Crumbled cotija cheese, sliced avocados, guacamole, shredded lettuce, or sliced jalapeños.

How to make Sonoran-Style Flat Enchiladas

In a large bowl, add all dry ingredients, add 1 cup of water, mix with your hands, then slowly add the remaining water until the dough is pliable and moist but not sticky.
The dough is ready when you can make an indentation with your hand.

Make 10 golf-size balls of masa dough.

Pat balls into circle patties with your hands, or press down on the ball with the back of a spatula. Masa patty should be 1/4-inch thick, not thin like a corn tortilla.

Pour oil into a medium skillet to a depth of 1 inch, and heat over medium-high heat until the temperature reaches 350°. Carefully place patty into oil and fry till light golden brown on each side.

Place patties on a baking dish and cover until ready to cover with enchilada sauce.

When ready, dip patty into hot enchilada sauce, place on serving plate, and top with cheese.

Sonoran-style Flat Enchilada is a delicious dish that can be customized with a variety of toppings such as cheese, onions, shredded lettuce, or chopped green onions.

Sonoran-style Flat Enchiladas | The Busy Abuelita

How to Serve Enchiladas Sonorense

If you have any leftovers, they are delicious when reheated and enjoyed for breakfast alongside eggs.
Delicious topped with your favorite toppings like guacamole, sour cream, pickled red onions, or drizzled with Mexican crema.

Storing

Make sure to refrigerate any leftover cooked masa patties and consume them within 3 days. Masa patties do not freeze well.

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