How to Prepare & Cook Nopales
Serves 8
10 mins prep
10 mins cook
20 mins total
Nopales, or cactus paddles, are an authentic (and delicious!) Mexican ingredient, but they can be somewhat intimidating – they are prickly cacti, after all! Not to worry, though. This "How To" guide will make you a pro!
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How to Prepare Nopales for Cooking or Eating Raw
Remove any spines on the nopales by running a sharp paring knife against the grain of the spines.
Cut away the outer edge and then slice off the base of the nopal.
You can now eat the nopales raw, or choose your favorite cooking method.
Cooking Option 1: How to Grill Nopales
Slice and score the nopales, keeping base intact.
Generously sprinkle nopales with salt.
Cook nopales on a griddle pan or grill on medium-high for 4-5 minutes per side. Feel free to cook longer if you do not want to see any baba
Cooking Option 2: How to Boil Nopales
Chop or slice the cactus paddles into bite-size pieces or strips.
Place in a medium pot with salt, and fill with water until all the cactus paddles are covered.
Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium, cover with a lid, and cook for 10-15 minutes, once the nopales have changed color they are good to go.
Drain and, if you wish, rinse them in cold water.
Eat plain or saute in olive oil. (See post above for nopales recipes.)
