Sopes vs Gorditas: 7 Differences You Need To Know

Mexican cuisine is among the greatest in the world and is not just delicious.

There are so many different dishes, all with unique flavors and ingredients.

Two of these dishes are Sopes and Gorditas.

Sopes and Gorditas are traditional Mexican dishes made with corn masa dough. 

Sopes are typically fried, while Gorditas are usually grilled or baked. 

Sopes and Gorditas can be filled with various ingredients, including meats, cheeses, vegetables, and beans.

They each have some significant distinctions despite being tasty in their own right.

In this blog post, we’ll look closely at Sopes and Gorditas, compare and contrast them, and see which one comes out on top!

What are Sopes?

Sopes are Mexican street food that consists of a small, thick, fried tortilla.

The dough is typically made from Maseca, a corn flour type, though other flour can also be used.

Once the dough has been fried, it is topped with various ingredients, such as refried beans, shredded chicken or pork, lettuce, cheese, sour cream, and salsa. 

One of the best things about Sopes is that they can be customized to suit any taste. 

You may smother your sope with all the toppings if you’re seeking a filling supper.

Or, if you’d prefer something lighter, you may keep it straightforward with a limited number of toppings.

In any case, every meal will be delicious!

What are Gorditas?

Gorditas are another Mexican street food made with dough made from masa flour.

The dough is then formed into a small, thick patty and fried, grilled, or baked, and the gorditas are served hot.

So Gorditas consist of a fried dough pocket stuffed with various ingredients such as refried beans, salsa, meat, cheese, and vegetables.

While Gorditas are traditionally made with wheat flour dough, they can also be made with corn flour.

No matter what type of dough is used, gorditas are always cooked until they are golden brown and crispy.

Gorditas can be either sweet or savory and are often served as a snack or as part of a meal.

Gorditas are similar to Sopes in that they can be customized to suit any taste.

When served, gorditas are typically topped with salsa, sour cream, or guacamole.

Whether you’re in the mood for a sweet treat or a savory snack, gorditas are sure to hit the spot.

What are the differences between Sopes and Gorditas

Sopes and Gorditas are traditional Mexican dishes made with corn dough.

They are similar in appearance and often confused with one another, but there are some key differences between them.

1. Preparation method

Gorditas are made by taking a thick, fried corn tortilla and splitting it open to create a pocket.

The pocket contains various ingredients, including meat, beans, cheese, and vegetables.

Sopes are also made with thick, fried corn tortillas but differ in their preparation. 

Instead of being split open to create a pocket, the entire tortilla is fried and then topped with ingredients.

Once topped, the sope is fried again so that the ingredients adhere to the tortilla. 

Since all the ingredients are contained in the tortilla, the meal is less messy to consume than gordita. 

2. Flavor

When it comes to flavor, Sopes and Gorditas are both delicious.

However, Sopes are a bit more flavorful since the toppings are cooked into the tortilla.

This allows the flavors of the toppings to meld together, creating a more complex flavor profile.

Gorditas, on the other hand, tend to be less flavorful since the fillings are only added after the tortilla has been fried.

While still delicious, gorditas don’t have as much flavor depth as Sopes.

3. Texture

When it comes to texture, Sopes and Gorditas are again similar but with some key differences.

Sopes have a crispy outer layer and a soft, fluffy interior.

The toppings are also cooked into the tortilla, which gives them a slightly chewy texture.

Gorditas have a crispy outer layer and a soft, doughy interior.

The fillings are added after the tortilla has been fried, which means they retain their original texture.

4. Size

Regarding size, Sopes and Gorditas are again similar but with some key differences.

Sopes are typically smaller than gorditas since they’re made with a smaller amount of dough.

This makes them perfect for snacking on or serving as part of a larger meal.

Gorditas, on the other hand, are typically larger since they’re made with a larger amount of dough.

This makes them more filling and perfect for serving as a meal on their own.

5. Shape

Sopes are typically shaped like small, flat discs.

They can be either round or oval and have a slightly raised edge.

Gorditas, on the other hand, are typically shaped like small, thick patties.

They can be either round or oval, but they’re always thicker than Sopes.

6. Fillings

Another difference between Sopes and Gorditas is fillings. 

While both dishes can be filled with various ingredients, Sopes are typically smaller and can only accommodate one or two fillings. 

Gorditas, on the other hand, are larger and can accommodate more ingredients. 

Sopes are typically filled with meat, beans, cheese, and vegetables, while Gorditas can be sweet or savory.

Savory gordita fillings include meats, cheeses, and vegetables, while sweet gordita fillings usually consist of fruit jams or Dulce de Leche. 

7. Cooking method

The final difference between Sopes and Gorditas is the cooking method.

Sopes are typically grilled or fried, while Gorditas are usually baked.

Grilling Sopes gives them a smoky flavor while frying Sopes results in a crispy texture.

Gorditas can be grilled or fried, but they’re usually baked to ensure that the fillings are hot and melted.

Sopes vs Gorditas: Are they the same?

Gorditas are very similar to Sopes, but there are some key differences.

• Sopes have a thicker, more bread-like dough, while Gorditas have a thinner, pancake-like dough.

• Gorditas are usually much larger than Sopes. They are, therefore, ideal for those seeking a heartier supper.

• One of the main differences between Sopes and Gorditas is texture. Sopes have a denser, doughier texture, while Gorditas are lighter and fluffier.

• This difference is because Sopes are fried, while Gorditas are grilled or baked.

• In terms of shape, Sopes are typically round with scalloped edges, while Gorditas are shaped like a pocket and have straight edges. 

• And finally, gorditas are typically stuffed with ingredients rather than topped with them. Sopes are typically filled with savory ingredients like meat and beans, while Gorditas can be either sweet or savory.

No matter what you’re in the mood for, Sopes or Gorditas are sure to hit the spot.

They’re delicious, versatile, and easy to customize to suit any taste.

If you’re looking for a hearty dish with many flavors, then Sopes is the way to go.

Gorditas, on the other hand, could be more your style if you’re in the mood for something lighter or sweeter.

Whichever you choose, we’re sure you’ll enjoy it!