How to Cook Nopales

Learning How To Cook Nopales on the stove or in the instant pot is the move! They are a cooked side dish and often eaten as meals and often known as an alternative “meat” filling. I’ll go through the steps to make nutritious and tender nopalitos with tips and meal prep ideas.

Once cooked, you’ll narrow down your favorite way to prepare them. Here I share my nopales preparados post on how I favor eating them The Most!

When Are Nopales In Season

The time to shine for nopales is during the spring and into the late fall. They grow fairly easily so having your own small harvest is never a bad idea unless you’re not down with de-stemming (it gets easier, but I get it).

If you live in a climate that can support their growth, I encourage it!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Quick List: water, nopales (cactus pads), garlic cloves, sea salt.

Where to buy nopal

Jarred Nopales are available near you or online when unable to purchase fresh in the produce section of your local grocer / farmers market. They are often available prepped + diced.

For those without access to fresh, jarred cactus is a save when you’d like to try them! Drain and eat for breakfast, salad, or side.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Tip: Covered or without lid is fine, with lid will cook faster.

A printable recipe card with instructions is available at the bottom of this post

Tip! Remove cooked garlics before they mush.

Foods To Eat Them With

• Nopales and Eggs
• Beans (Refried Style or Whole Bean)
• Nopal and Potatoes in Salsa
• Salsa Verde
• Chicharron

Nopale Things To Keep In Mind

Nopal cooking styles: To make with or without water, is up to you! I normally always boil raw nopal in water out of habit but covering them and allowing all water from within them until cooked tender is another option. Both are common cooking styles and traditional as well. It’ll depend on your taste preference.

There flavor depth is stronger when no water is used. I prefer to cook them in water, not much, it helps tone down the strong cactus flavor in my opinion. When I grill or juice it, I get that full nopal flavor I’m in search of.

When grilled, no water is used and other optional aromatic flavors are worked in like onions, garlic, tomatoes, and sprinkled with salt. It takes a little longer, meaning you’re actively over the stove taking care of it. It’s all about what you like and how much time you’re able to give it!

Can Nopales Be Eaten Raw

Technically, YUP! But I wouldn’t recommend them as raw since it isn’t there most appetizing style of eating. Normally, when eaten raw, I do a few pieces of raw nopal juiced in my jugo verde [green juice].

Pro tips / Receta Notes

Recipe yield: 2 cups cooked nopal

Storage: Let cool after cooking until near room temperature. Transfer into the refrigerator covered with lid and eat within 6-7 days.

IP Cook time: 3 minutes, Manual.

Nopal is a fruit that can be consumed raw (usually juiced), grilled, or boiled.

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Equipment

• Stove pot or Instant pot
• Knife
• Strainer