RecipesNicaraguaQuesillo Nicaragüense

Quesillo Nicaragüense

A popular Nicaraguan street food featuring a warm corn tortilla filled with melted quesillo cheese, topped with tangy pickled onions and creamy sour cream.

Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time5 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Servings4
DifficultyEasy
Quesillo Nicaragüense - Nicaragua traditional dish

🧂 Ingredients

  • 8 medium Yellow corn tortillas
  • 8 ounces Quesillo cheese (or cuajada)(thinly sliced or shredded; mozzarella can be substituted)
  • 1 small Yellow onion(thinly sliced)
  • 0.5 cup Black vinegar (or white vinegar)
  • 1 teaspoon Salt(for pickling onions, plus more to taste)
  • 0.25 cup Water(for pickling onions)
  • 0.5 cup Sour cream

👨‍🍳 Instructions

  1. 1

    Prepare the pickled onions: Place the thinly sliced onions in a bowl. Pour black vinegar (or white vinegar mixed with a pinch of salt and a little water) over the onions. Let them soak for at least 15-20 minutes.

  2. 2

    Warm the corn tortillas one by one in a dry skillet or on a griddle over low heat for about 30 seconds per side, until pliable.

    💡 Tip: Keep the warmed tortillas stacked under a clean kitchen towel to keep them warm and soft.
  3. 3

    Lay a warm tortilla flat. Place a generous amount of quesillo cheese (or mozzarella) in the center.

  4. 4

    Fold the tortilla in half or roll it up around the cheese.

    💡 Tip: Some prefer to fold in the sides first, then roll.
  5. 5

    Place the folded or rolled tortilla back into the warm skillet for about 1-2 minutes per side, just until the cheese is melted and the tortilla is lightly golden.

    ⏱️ 2 minutes
  6. 6

    Remove from skillet. Top generously with the pickled onions and a dollop of sour cream. Add a pinch of salt if needed.

    💡 Tip: Serve immediately while the cheese is gooey.
  7. 7

    Traditionally, quesillos are served wrapped in plastic bags to contain the toppings and make them portable.

💡 Pro Tips

  • Authentic quesillo cheese is a soft, slightly salty white cheese. If unavailable, a mix of mozzarella and a mild white cheese works well.
  • Don't overcook the tortillas in the second step; you just want to melt the cheese.
  • The pickled onions are crucial for the signature tangy flavor.

🔄 Variations

  • Add a drizzle of hot sauce for a spicy kick.
  • Some variations include a sprinkle of crumbled queso fresco or feta cheese.

🏷️ Tags