Mexican tamales have been around for thousands of years. We share a homemade tamale recipe that won't disappoint. You'll enjoy it for a long time to come!
We know you've been working hard lately, so give yourself a much-needed break and experiment with one of our recommended homemade tamale recipes.
There's something that's so comforting about fresh, authentic Mexican food. When you commit to preparing tamales from scratch, you can taste the difference. Whether you like beef, chicken, or pork tamales, you can effortlessly customize to your preferences.
Tamales originated in Mesoamerica; they were a portable, sustainable food for hunters, travelers, and warriors in the Aztec and Maya civilizations. Today, tamales are a Christmas tradition for Mexican-American families, as everybody can gather in the kitchen, prepare them together, and create lasting memories.
Homemade tamales may take more time than their store-bought cousins, but they're easier to make than you might think—and they're the real deal. The corn-based masa (dough) is light and fluffy without being greasy, and the fillings are delicious and full of flavor. Plus, nothing's better than a warm, spicy tamale on a cool day.
Here's one of our preferred recipes for tamales:
Ingredients:
• 2 cups masa harina (instant corn masa mix)
• 1 ½ cups low-sodium beef or chicken broth
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• ½ tsp. salt
• ½ tsp. cumin
• 2/3 cup lard
• 8 oz. package of dried corn husks
Possible fillings:
• Slow-roasted shredded beef with mole sauce
• Shredded chicken with salsa verde
• Shredded pork with red chili sauce
• Refried beans and cheese
• Rice (optional, for serving)
Tips
• Be sure to soak your corn husks in a bowl of hot water for at least a half an hour. Keep in mind that you may have to do this for a couple of hours to achieve the best texture. This is one of the most important steps in the process, as you need to be able to easily spread the tamale dough on the husks and fill them.
• Top your tamales with salsa and sour cream. Pair your tamales with a salad, and you've got a great meal!
• If you'd like, you can also use banana leaves as wrappers.
