Tortas Ahogadas
Guadalajara's iconic 'drowned' sandwich. Crusty birote bread is generously filled with savory carnitas and refried beans, then completely submerged in a vibrant, spicy tomato-based sauce. Messy, intensely flavorful, and utterly magnificent.
🧂 Ingredients
- 4 Birote salado bread(Crusty, slightly sweet Mexican rolls. If unavailable, a very crusty baguette or French roll can be substituted, but the texture will differ.)
- 500 g Carnitas(Pre-cooked, shredded or chopped. Homemade or good quality store-bought.)
- 6 Tomatoes(Medium-sized, ripe Roma tomatoes are ideal for their lower water content and concentrated flavor.)
- 10-15 Árbol chilies(Adjust quantity based on desired heat level. Dried chilies, stems removed. Toasting them briefly enhances flavor.)
- 1/2 White onion(For the sauce. Roughly chopped.)
- 2 Garlic cloves(For the sauce.)
- 2 Lime(1 for sauce, 1 for serving.)
- 1 cup Refried beans(Warm, smooth refried beans.)
- 2 tbsp Vegetable oil(For sautéing aromatics.)
- to taste Salt
- as needed Water
- optional, for garnish Pickled red onions
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the sauces: In a saucepan, combine the tomatoes, chopped white onion (1/2), garlic cloves (2), and árbol chilies. Cover with water (about 2 cups) and bring to a boil. Simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until tomatoes are soft and skins are slightly peeled. Carefully transfer the solids and about 1 cup of the cooking liquid to a blender. Add the juice of 1/2 lime and salt to taste. Blend until very smooth. For a milder sauce, strain through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any remaining skins or seeds. For a spicier sauce, you can skip straining or strain less thoroughly. Taste and adjust seasoning. Set aside.
⏱️ 25 minutes - 2
Prepare the bread: Slice each birote roll horizontally, about two-thirds of the way through, creating a hinge. Gently open the rolls. Spread a generous layer of warm refried beans on the bottom half of each roll.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 3
Assemble the tortas: Generously fill the bean-spread bottom half of each roll with the carnitas. Close the sandwich by folding the top half over the filling.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 4
Warm the sauce: In a clean saucepan, gently heat the prepared tomato-chili sauce over medium-low heat. Do not boil vigorously, just warm it through. You can add a tablespoon of vegetable oil to the sauce for richness if desired. Taste and adjust salt.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 5
Drown the tortas: Place each assembled torta into individual shallow bowls. Ladle a generous amount of the warm, mild tomato sauce over each sandwich, ensuring it is completely submerged. The bread will begin to soften and absorb the sauce.
⏱️ 2 minutes - 6
Add heat and serve: Drizzle the spicier chili sauce over the top of each drowned torta according to your preference for heat. Squeeze fresh lime juice from the remaining 1/2 lime over the top. Garnish with pickled red onions, if using. Serve immediately with a fork and knife, as they are quite messy!
⏱️ 1 minute
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Birote salado is crucial for authenticity; its dense, slightly sweet, and crusty texture is designed to withstand the sauce without disintegrating too quickly.
- ✓The two-sauce system allows for customizable heat. The primary sauce is a flavorful, mild tomato base, while the secondary is a concentrated chili oil or paste for an extra kick.
- ✓These sandwiches are meant to be eaten immediately after 'drowning' to enjoy the contrast between the softened bread and the savory fillings, while the sauce is still warm.
- ✓For a richer sauce, consider roasting the tomatoes and chilies before boiling.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Substitute carnitas with shredded pork loin, chicken tinga, or even a vegetarian 'carnitas' made from jackfruit.
- Adjust the quantity and type of chilies for varying levels of spice.
- Serve with a side of consommé (broth) for dipping.