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Ground Beef Gordita

Make authentic Ground Beef Gordita with this foolproof recipe. Packed with rich traditional flavor, step-by-step photos, and cooking tips by Denisiya on EatMee Recipes.

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By DenisiyaPublished on February 8, 2018
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Ground Beef Gordita
⏱️
Prep Time15 mins
🍳
Cook Time25 mins
⌛
Total Time40 mins
🍽️
ServingsServes 4
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This Mexican Recipe Serves 4-6

Ground Beef Gordita is a super delicious recipe to have if you’re a lover of Mexican or Spanish food. I hadn’t tried Gordita’s before as being in South Africa, there are not many restaurants that actually serve them. As a lover of this cuisine, I had to come up with my own recipe to create this masterpiece.

In Mexican & Spanish cooking, a gordita is a baked or fried dough made with masa & loaded with meat, cheese &/or different fillings. Arepas & Pupusas are impersonation of a Gordita signifies “fatty or chubby” in Spanish. There are two primary varieties of this dish, one which is commonly fried in a profound wok-formed comal,mostly consumed in Southern Mexico, & the other is baked on a normal comal. Gorditas are frequently had as a lunch or supper meal & often accompanied by a few variety of salsas.

Please take note that masa (a type of corn flour) is the primary ingredient for traditional Gordita’s. South African grocers do store corn flour also known as Maizena or corn starch but trust me it is not the same as masa. I have actually tried preparing the dough with Maizena & the dough was all gooey to a point that it would just slip off your fingers. I have added a little of Maizena to my mixture of all purpose flour & the result was delicious.

Ground Beef Gordita
Dough made with South African corn flour/starch (Maizena) – total disaster!
🥗

Ingredients

Scale:
Base Yield: Serves 4
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Step-by-Step Instructions

37 Steps
  1. Step 1

    Add flour, corn flour (maizena), salt & baking powder into a large mixing bowl.

    Step 1 visual guide
  2. Step 2

    Roughly mix & add in the vegetable oil.

    Step 2 visual guide
  3. Step 3

    Pour in the rapid boiling water.

    Step 3 visual guide
  4. Step 4

    Mix well, it should be a clumpy texture. Empty contents onto a floured surface & begin kneading the dough until smooth & pliable.

    Step 4 visual guide
  5. Step 5

    The dough should be smooth similar to a roti or tortilla dough.

    Step 5 visual guide
  6. Step 6

    Next, seperate the large dough into tennis ball sizes.

    Step 6 visual guide
  7. Step 7

    Set aside the smaller balls.

    Step 7 visual guide
  8. Step 8

    Next, begin rolling out each ball of dough on a floured surface. It should be about an inch thick, similar to pita breads.

    Step 8 visual guide
  9. Step 9

    Once all the dough balls are rolled out, toast on a hot pan, skillet or tawa.

    Step 9 visual guide
  10. Step 10

    Toast the first side for about a minute until slightly golden & then flip over, toasting the other side.

    Step 10 visual guide
  11. Step 11

    Once all the discs are toasted, set aside on a paper towel.

    Step 11 visual guide
  12. Step 12

    In a deep pot, add in the vegetable oil for deep frying. Once the oil is sizzling, drop in the toasted disc.

    Step 12 visual guide
  13. Step 13

    Fry one side for about 30 seconds & then flip over, slightly submerging the disc into the oil using a tong utensil.

    Step 13 visual guide
  14. Step 14

    The disc should begin to puff up like a puri.

    Step 14 visual guide
  15. Step 15

    Once it puffs up, remove from the oil.

    Step 15 visual guide
  16. Step 16

    Set aside fried gordita onto paper towel. Do the same for the rest.

    Step 16 visual guide
  17. Step 17

    Once all your gordita’s are fried, start preparing the filling.

  18. Step 18

    Chop onions & a handful of bell peppers.

    Step 18 visual guide
  19. Step 19

    Dice the tomato & set aside.

    Step 19 visual guide
  20. Step 20

    In a medium sized pot, drop in the onions, thyme & curry leaves.

    Step 20 visual guide
  21. Step 21

    Simmer for a minute & then add in the spices (garam masala, dhania powder, jeera powder, chilli powder & turmeric powder), followed by the ginger & garlic paste.

    Step 21 visual guide
  22. Step 22

    Mix well & simmer for a minute.

    Step 22 visual guide
  23. Step 23

    Thereafter, add in the tomatoes.

    Step 23 visual guide
  24. Step 24

    Mix well & allow the tomatoes to cook for 5 minutes. Add water if necessary.

    Step 24 visual guide
  25. Step 25

    When the tomatoes are cooked, drop in the mince (ground beef/lamb).

    Step 25 visual guide
  26. Step 26

    Mix, add in the bell peppers & salt to taste.

    Step 26 visual guide
  27. Step 27

    Give it a quick stir & allow the mince (ground beef/lamb) to cook for 15-20 minutes until brown & all of the liquid is absorbed.

    Step 27 visual guide
  28. Step 28

    Grate cheese & set aside.

    Step 28 visual guide
  29. Step 29

    Rinse & dry lettuce & set aside.

    Step 29 visual guide
  30. Step 30

    Go back to the gordita’s. Using a serated knife, gently begin cutting the edge of the gordita open – but only halfway as this will be the opening to fill them up.

    Step 30 visual guide
  31. Step 31

    Once the gordita’s are slit, spoon a little of the mince (ground beef/lamb) mixture into it.

    Step 31 visual guide
  32. Step 32

    Next, top with cheese.

    Step 32 visual guide
  33. Step 33

    Thereafter, top with lettuce.

    Step 33 visual guide
  34. Step 34

    Finally, top with some salsa.

    Step 34 visual guide
  35. Step 35

    This Ground Beef Gordita is finally ready to devour.

    Step 35 visual guide
  36. Step 36

    This meal is quite satisfying on its own but you can add as many sides & fillings as you want to it.

    Step 36 visual guide
  37. Step 37

    Best eaten immediately. If the fried gordita is left out for a couple of hours, it will begin to get soft & won’t have that crispiness to it.

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Frequently Asked Questions & Cooking Tips

Expert kitchen guidance and troubleshooting for making the best Ground Beef Gordita

Can I adjust the spice and chilli levels in Ground Beef Gordita?

Absolutely! You can easily tailor the heat by increasing or reducing the chili powder and fresh chilies to suit your family’s palate without compromising the authentic flavor profile.

Can I freeze leftovers of this dish?

Yes, you can freeze Ground Beef Gordita in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 2 to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before gently reheating.

How do I reheat leftovers for best flavor?

Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of water, or in the microwave covered with a damp paper towel to retain moisture.

Denisiya - Founder & Chef at EatMee Recipes
About the Creator

Meet Denisiya

Hi, I'm Denisiya! Food lover, recipe developer, and founder of EatMee Recipes. I specialize in authentic South African Durban Indian cuisine, comforting curries, and modern Instant Pot adaptations. Every recipe on this site is tested in my personal kitchen to ensure you get mouth-watering, foolproof results every time.

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