Culture & Lifestyle • Food

Tostada

A tostada is a dish in Mexican and other Latin American cuisines built on a fried or toasted tortilla, usually corn.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

A tostada is a dish in Mexican and other Latin American cuisines built on a fried or toasted tortilla, usually corn. It is commonly topped with ingredients such as refried beans, meat, cheese, lettuce, salsa, and sour cream. The word also means “toasted” in Spanish and can refer to different toasted foods in some Spanish-speaking regions. Tostadas are widely available in Canadian Mexican restaurants and grocery stores, part of the broader familiarity of Mexican cuisine in Canada.

Definition and name

Tostada is a Spanish word meaning “toasted.” In food contexts, it usually refers to a crisp tortilla-based dish, though the term can have regional meanings that differ across Spanish-speaking countries.

Preparation

A tostada is made by frying or toasting a tortilla until it becomes rigid and crunchy. It may be served flat or slightly bowl-shaped after frying, then topped with savory ingredients.

Common toppings

Typical tostada toppings include refried beans, shredded chicken or other meats, lettuce, tomato, cheese, salsa, avocado, and sour cream. Seafood versions are also common in some regions.

Regional variations

Tostadas are especially associated with Mexican cuisine, but similar dishes and different uses of the word exist elsewhere in Latin America and in some Hispanic American communities.

Key facts

A tostada is typically a flat, crisp tortilla used as a base for toppings.
Corn tortillas are the most common base, though other variations exist.
Typical toppings include beans, shredded meat or seafood, cheese, vegetables, and sauces.
The dish is popular in Mexico and across other parts of Latin America.
The term comes from Spanish and literally means “toasted.”

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Canadian context

Tostadas are widely available in Canadian Mexican restaurants and grocery stores, and they are part of the broader familiarity of Mexican cuisine in Canada.

Frequently asked questions

What is a tostada?

A tostada is a crispy tortilla, usually made from corn, that is topped with ingredients such as beans, meat, cheese, vegetables, and salsa.

What does “tostada” mean?

In Spanish, tostada means “toasted.”

Is a tostada always a tortilla?

In Mexican cuisine, it usually is. In some other Spanish-speaking regions, the word may refer to other toasted breads or dishes.

What toppings are traditional on a tostada?

Common toppings include refried beans, shredded meat or chicken, lettuce, tomato, cheese, salsa, and sour cream.

How is a tostada different from a taco?

A taco is usually folded and soft, while a tostada is flat and crisp.

References

Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/tostado
Supports: Definition of tostada as a crispy fried tortilla, common toppings, origin as a use for stale tortillas, and meaning of the word.
Merriam-Webster — https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tostada
Supports: Definition of tostada as a deep-fried tortilla and as a topped dish.
Food Network — https://www.foodnetwork.com/how-to/packages/food-network-essentials/what-is-a-tostada
Supports: Description of tostada as a flat crispy corn tortilla with common toppings and distinction from chalupas.
Dictionary.com — https://www.dictionary.com/browse/tostada
Supports: Definition, common toppings, and etymology from Spanish tostar.
Wikimedia Foundation — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tostada
Supports: Latin American usage, common Mexican toppings, and seafood variations.