Curtido (Salvadoran Lightly Pickled Cabbage Slaw)
In short: Crunchy Salvadoran cabbage slaw lightly pickled with carrot, onion, oregano and vinegar, the essential partner for pupusas. It takes about 20 min in total and makes 8 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Resting
- 3 h
- Total
- 20 min
- Servings
- 8
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 25 kcal
Curtido is the tangy cabbage slaw that no Salvadoran pupusa plate is without. Shredded cabbage, carrot and onion sit in a mild vinegar brine with oregano and a little chile until they soften slightly and lose their raw edge, usually within a few hours. The result is crunchy, sharp and a little herbal, which cuts through the richness of melted cheese and fried pork. It keeps well in the fridge and is good on tacos, sandwiches and grilled meat too.
Instructions
- Combine the cabbage, carrots and onion in a large bowl and squeeze them with your hands for 1 minute to bruise them slightly.
- Whisk the vinegar, water, oregano, salt, sugar and chile flakes until the salt and sugar dissolve. Pour over the vegetables and press them down so they are covered.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight, tossing once or twice.
- Drain lightly and serve cold with pupusas, tamales, grilled meat or fried yuca.
Tips
- For a softer, more traditional texture, pour 500 ml (2 cups) of boiling water over the shredded vegetables, let stand for 3 minutes, drain well and then add the brine.
- Add thinly sliced jalapeño or a dash of hot sauce for extra heat.
Questions and answers
How long does curtido keep?
Up to 2 weeks in a clean jar in the fridge. It stays crunchy for the first few days, then softens and tastes sharper.
Is curtido the same as sauerkraut?
No. Curtido is quick-pickled in a vinegar brine and is ready in hours, while sauerkraut is fermented in salt for days or weeks.
What do you serve curtido with?
Pupusas first of all. It is also good with tamales, grilled meat, fried yuca, tacos and sandwiches.
How long does it take to make Curtido (Salvadoran Lightly Pickled Cabbage Slaw)?
About 20 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Curtido (Salvadoran Lightly Pickled Cabbage Slaw)?
About 25 kcal per serving, with 1 g of protein, 6 g of carbohydrates and 0 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 25 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 1 g |
| Carbohydrates | 6 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 250 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
