National Pupusa Day
National Pupusa Day is observed on the second Sunday in November and celebrates pupusas, thick, griddled corn cakes that are a beloved food of El Salvador. Made with masa and often filled with cheese, beans or pork, pupusas are served hot and usually accompanied by curtido, a tangy cabbage slaw, and tomato salsa.
How National Pupusa Day started
According to El Salvador, El Salvador’s Legislative Assembly established National Pupusa Day in Decree No. 655, issued on April 1, 2005, and published in the Official Gazette on April 20. The decree named pupusas the national dish because of their indigenous origin and popular acceptance, and set the observance for the second Sunday in November.
The decree described pupusas as an invention belonging to Salvadoran culture. The dish is a familiar part of food culture across El Salvador, where people enjoy it at home, in restaurants and at food stalls.
A staple with many fillings
A pupusa starts with masa, a dough made from corn, shaped into a thick round and cooked on a flat griddle called a comal. The filling is enclosed inside the dough, so each one has a soft, tender center and a lightly toasted outside. Some versions use rice flour instead of corn masa.
Common fillings include quesillo, a soft Salvadoran cheese; refried beans; and chicharrón, seasoned ground pork. These can be combined, too. A pupusa filled with cheese, beans and pork is often called a revueltas. Other variations may include loroco, an edible flower bud popular in Central American cooking, or vegetables such as squash.
Curtido is the classic partner. This lightly fermented slaw is typically made with cabbage and carrots, then seasoned with vinegar and herbs. A spoonful of tomato salsa adds a little more flavor. The cool, crisp toppings balance the warm pupusa, and diners can add as much or as little as they like.
Ways to celebrate National Pupusa Day
- Order pupusas from a Salvadoran restaurant or food stand. Ask about the fillings if you’re trying them for the first time, and see if curtido and salsa come with the meal.
- Make them at home. Shape masa around a small amount of filling, seal the dough, then gently flatten it before cooking on a lightly oiled griddle. Keep a bowl of water nearby to moisten your hands and prevent the masa from sticking.
- Prepare the toppings ahead. A simple curtido of shredded cabbage, carrot, vinegar and oregano can sit in the refrigerator while you cook. Serve it with a tomato salsa for a traditional pairing.
- Try a new filling alongside a familiar one. Cheese and beans are a straightforward starting point; loroco or a combination of fillings can bring another taste of Salvadoran cooking to the table.
- Share the meal and its story. If you’re cooking with family or friends, let everyone help shape the pupusas and talk about the ingredients and traditions behind the dish.
When is National Pupusa Day?
National Pupusa Day: Every year on the second Sunday of November.
| Year | Date | Day of the week |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | November 8 | Sunday |
| 2027 | November 14 | Sunday |
| 2028 | November 12 | Sunday |
| 2029 | November 11 | Sunday |
| 2030 | November 10 | Sunday |
Reviewed by the Holiday List editorial team on November 4, 2026 · Last updated November 4, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
When is National Pupusa Day in 2026?
National Pupusa Day is on Sunday, November 8, 2026. After that, it falls on Sunday, November 14, 2027. Every year on the second Sunday of November.
Is National Pupusa Day a public holiday?
No. National Pupusa Day is an observance, not an official public holiday, so schools and businesses stay open as usual.
Why is National Pupusa Day celebrated?
It celebrates pupusas, thick griddled cakes made from masa and regarded as El Salvador’s national dish. El Salvador’s Legislative Assembly established the observance in 2005.
How can you celebrate National Pupusa Day?
Order pupusas from a Salvadoran restaurant or food stand, or make them at home. They’re commonly filled with cheese, beans or pork and served with curtido and tomato salsa.
