MeatMedium

Pacholas (Spiced Beef Patties)

Name: Pacholas (Spiced Beef Patties)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 30 ml Vegetable oil; 600 g Ground beef; 3 Dried ancho chile; 0.5 tsp Cumin; 3 Garlic cloves; 1 Egg; 60 g Bread seco o Breadcrumbs; 0.5 tsp Black pepper; 1 tsp Salt

4.0(1 rating)

35 min (20 prep + 15 cook) Medium 6 servings Jalisco

Edmond Bojalil

Recetas Mexas

Published: Mar 20, 2026 · Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Ultra-thin oval beef patties with ancho chile, traditionally ground on a stone metate. A Jaliscan classic with pre-Hispanic roots.

About this recipe

Pacholas are ultra-thin oval patties made from ground beef mixed with dried ancho chile, spices and bread, traditionally ground on a stone metate. Fried or griddled, served with salsa, rice and beans.

History & Origin

Pacholas are a dish with deep roots in the cuisine of western Mexico, especially in Jalisco, Aguascalientes and Zacatecas. Their name may derive from the Nahuatl pachtli. The traditional preparation technique is what makes pacholas unique: beef is ground on the metate together with dried ancho chile, stale bread, garlic, cumin and pepper. The metate grinds the meat to an ultra-fine paste that cannot be replicated with modern grinders. Pacholas are spread on the metate in an oval shape, very thinly, then carefully peeled off to be griddled or fried. The incorporation of ancho chile gives them a reddish color and mild, slightly sweet flavor. In Guadalajara and Aguascalientes, pacholas are market and home cooking, served with red rice, pot beans and salsa. They represent the heritage of the metate in modern Mexican cooking.

Estimated cost

$10.96

Total cost

$1.83

Per serving

* Approximate prices based on US supermarkets

Nutritional information per serving

280

Calories

24g

Protein

10g

Carbohydrates

16g

Fat

Fiber

420mg

Sodium

* Approximate values. May vary depending on ingredients used.

Method

1
Rehydrate the chiles ancho in hot water 10 minutes. Remove tallos and seeds. Drain well.
2
Blend or procesa the chiles with the garlic, the cumin, the pepper and the salt until formar a pasta.
💡 Tradicionalmente esto hace in metate, that da a texture superior; the blender es a alternativa aceptable.
3
In a large bowl, mix the ground beef with the chile paste, breadcrumbs and egg. Knead very well for 5 minutes until the mixture is completely smooth and compact.
4
Divide the mixture in 12 portions. Shape each one into a óvalo very delgado (of some 3-4 mm of espesor) between dos plastic or on a surface engrasada.
5
Heat the oil in a skillet or comal (flat griddle) over medium-high heat. Cook the pacholas 2-3 minutes for lado until they are well doradas.
6
Serve with rice red, pot beans and sauce ranchera or green. También are excelentes inside of a bolillo como torta.

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Edmond Bojalil

Founder, Recetas Mexas

Mexican from Puebla, IT professional and foodie. Author of 1000+ authentic Mexican recipes adapted for home kitchens worldwide. Based in Madrid since 2018.