The Mexican torta has many fillings, like carnitas, ham, and my favorite steak. With ingredients like steak, refried beans, lettuce, mayo, tomato, and avocado I guarantee you it will be your next favorite sandwich.

Steak Sandwich | Torta de Bistec
One of the things I liked a lot during my school years in Mexico, besides recess, of course, was to eat a “torta” or sandwich. Believe it or not, when you are a school-age kid or even a college student, eating tortas is the norm. Many schools have a small vending stand, or “tiendita,” inside the schoolyard, where students can buy all kinds of goodies during recess time. There, you can find snacks, sometimes tacos, and of course, tortas; these sandwiches are mostly made with a small French roll, “bolillo rolls” or Telera bread, with a large variety of fillings.
In This Post
The most common filling in a torta at schools is cooked or baked ham, but tortas are not only found at schools; you can also find them at torta stands near hospitals, outside government buildings, and markets. Some are sold warm, cold, or even covered with a spicy sauce like the torta ahogada from Jalisco; there is one that even has a tamal inside, called "Guajolata" in Central Mexico. Tortas can be stuffed with anything you want to put inside, like carnitas torta, Baked or roasted pork leg, and an assorted mix of tasty ingredients like the on in my hometown, Tampico, the “Torta de la Barda”,
So, if you want to learn how to make it, keep on reading; you will be glad you did.
How to make a Steak Mexican Torta
Ingredients:
Here is the list of ingredients in this recipe. For quantities, please scroll down to the recipe card:
- Vegetable oil
- Sirloin or Rib Eye steak sliced very thin
- Salt to season
- Onion thinly sliced
- French rolls 6-inches long ( or baguette cut in sections)
- Melted butter
- Mayonnaise
- Black or pinto refried beans
- Shredded lettuce
- Tomato sliced
- Avocado sliced
- Mexican Cream
- Pickled Jalapeños (optional)
DIRECTIONS:
- First, season steaks with sea salt.
- Then, heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add steak and cook for about 2 minutes and turn them and add the sliced onion.
Note: Don’t worry if steak overlaps. Keep cooking until the meat has cooked and has released some of its juices. (Please check the ingredients list below)
- While the meat is cooking, prepare the French rolls by removing some crumbs in the middle and brushing some melted butter on each side.
- Place the rolls buttered side down on a hot griddle and lightly toast.
Note: Make sure your meat is soft and juicy. Do not overcook.
- Spread mayo on one side of the rolls and refried beans on the other.
- Divide the steak with onions over the French rolls. If some of the meat juices are in the pan, pour those over the meat.
- Add lettuce and tomato slices.
- Drizzle with cream and top with the avocado slices.
- Add the other part of the French roll and serve immediately with pickled carrots, jalapeños peppers, or spicy salsa. Enjoy!
¡Buen provecho!
Notes, Tips and Substitutes:
- If bolillos (Mexican rolls) are unavailable in your area, substitute them with a French baguette or a different Mexican bread like a telera roll.
- Ensure not to overcook your steak, as the meat will be hard and chewy.
- If you have to have cheese with your Mexican sandwich, try adding Oaxaca cheese or mozzarella. For a gooey, delicious texture, consider melting it slightly on the bread in a toaster oven or under a broiler.
- Remember to add some spice! Other salsa alternatives are spicy carrots, jalapeños, or chipotle peppers to add flavor to the torta recipe.
What to Serve with your Mexican Torta.
This torta is a meal by itself but can be enjoyed with many optional ingredients, like pico de gallo salsa or taqueria-style salsa, queso fresco, and pickled jalapeños. But if you are considering serving tortas as a whole meal, try pairing it with fries and a tall glass of horchata for a complete and satisfying meal.
More Mexican Recipes To Enjoy
If you enjoyed this Mexican dish, take a look at some of these recipes you would love:
Frequently Asked Questions About Mexican Torta.
Before I share my recipe, here are a few questions you may have about this recipe.
What is a Mexican Torta?
A Mexican torta is the equivalent of a sub sandwich. The bread used to make tortas are Bolillos or Telera rolls, they are filled with various ingredients such as meats (like grilled or shredded beef, pork, chicken, or ham), cheese, avocado, tomato, lettuce, jalapeños, onions, and sometimes refried beans.
What is the common Mexican tortas meat?
The common meats used in Mexican tortas vary depending on personal preference and regions; some options include:
Pork carnitas: Chunks of pork that are crispy on the outside and tender and flavorful on the inside.
Milanesa: Breaded and fried beef or chicken cutlets, usually in areas like Puebla and Mexico City.
Ahogada: Salsa-drowned sandwiches stuffed with carnitas. This torta is very popular in the state of Jalisco.
Tosta de la Barda: This torta is from my hometown, Tampico. It has everything: ham, refried beans, American cheese, avocado, shredded beef, salsa with chicharron, and queso fresco.
Chorizo: This is a Mexican sausage, usually pan-fried.
Pastor: Similar to tacos al pastor, the al pastor meat is marinade for a sweet and savory flavor.
Ham: The one most kids eat at school, simple yet delicious.
Carne Asada: This is a favorite in the northern states, where the arrachera meat, “skirt steak,” is cooked over charcoal.
What is the difference between a torta and a sandwich?
"Torta" is the Mexican term for a sub sandwich or a hoagie. It refers to the traditional Mexican preparation made with a crusty bolillo or Telera bread filled with ingredients like meats, cheese, avocado, and various condiments. In Mexico, the term "sandwich" refers to one made using sandwich bread, which is typically sold at the grocery stores in loaves cut into slices.
Are tortas hot or cold?
Tortas can be hot or cold, depending on the ingredients, and personal preference. Some tortas, especially those containing grilled or cooked meats like carnitas, asada, or milanesa, are better enjoyed hot. On the other hand, tortas can also be cold or at room temperature, particularly if they include deli meats, cheese, and vegetables that don't require cooking.
For more recipes, follow Us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. In español Visit Us at Mexico en mi cocina.
📖 Recipe
Steak Sandwich
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoon of vegetable oil
- 1 Pound Sirloin or Rib Eye steak sliced very thin
- Sea salt to season
- 1 large onion thinly sliced
- 4 french rolls 6-IN long
- 4 teaspoon melted butter
- 2 teaspoon mayonnaise
- ½ cup black or pinto refried beans
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1 small tomato sliced
- ½ avocado sliced
- ¼ cup of Mexican Cream
To serve:
- Pickled Carrots and a Spicy Red Sauce
Instructions
- Season steaks with sea salt. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over a medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot add steak and cook for about 2 minutes and turn them and add the sliced onion. Don’t worry if steak overlap. Keep cooking until meat has cooked and has released some of its juices. Since these are very thin steaks they cook faster than a regular steak don’t overcook or the meat will dry. Set aside.
- While the meat is cooking prepare the french rolls by removing some of the crumbs in the middle and brush some of the melted butter on each side.
- Place the rolls buttered side down on a hot griddle and lightly toast.
- Make sure your meat is soft and juicy. Do not overcook.
- Spread mayonnaise on one side of the rolls and refried beans in the other.
- Divided the steak with onions over the french rolls, if there is some of the meat juices in the pan pour those over the meat. Add lettuce and tomato slices.
- Drizzle with cream and top with the avocado slices. Add the other part of the French roll and serve immediately with pickled carrots and a spicy salsa. Enjoy!!
Notes
- If bolillos (Mexican rolls) are unavailable in your area, substitute them with a French baguette or a different Mexican bread like a telera roll.
- Ensure not to overcook your steak, as the meat will be hard and chewy.
- The steak can be cut into pieces before making your sandwich.
- If you have to have cheese with your Mexican sandwich, try adding Oaxaca cheese or mozzarella. For a gooey, delicious texture, consider melting it slightly on the bread in a toaster oven or under a broiler.
- Remember to add some spice! Other salsa alternatives are pickled carrots, jalapeños, or chipotle peppers to add flavor to the torta recipe.
Gina Bisaillon
Sounds fabulous and I will definitely try it, but I must say my favourite torta when I'm in Mexico is torta de milanesa, especially the one from a minuscule torta place in San Miguel de Allende. I asked her what made it so special and she said it was because she used soda cracker crumbs to make the breading. I then realized that it was familiar because my mother made it with soda crackers too, they do add a special something!
Mely Martínez
Hello Gina,
Yes, Milanesa is made by some cooks using soda crackers. Follow this link to check our recipe, which is made using soda crackers, too.
Happy Cooking!