🇲🇽 HOW TO make TAMALES 👩🏻‍🍳 (STEP-by-STEP Guide) 🇲🇽 (EASY & DELICIOUS!) ✅ AUTHENTIC RECIPE

masa harina

🥗Healthier: whole grain masa harina

💰Cheaper: cornmeal

Whole grain masa harina offers more fiber and nutrients, while cornmeal is often less expensive.

filling (meat, cheese, or vegetables)

🥗Healthier: lean turkey or beans

💰Cheaper: pork

Lean turkey is lower in fat, while pork can be a more budget-friendly option.

Soak corn husks in warm water, rinsing them first and weighing them down to prevent floating.

In a bowl, add 2 cups of masa harina, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne, 1/2 teaspoon of thyme, and 1 tablespoon of Mexican oregano.

In another bowl, add 1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon of vegetable shortening and whip until fluffy.

Add 3/4 cup of warm veggie broth to the whipped shortening.

Slowly add the dry mixture to the wet mixture until the texture resembles wet sand or sugar cookie dough; adjust with more broth or masa harina as needed.

Take a corn husk with the bigger side on top and the silky side facing up; spread about 1/4 cup of masa into a rectangle at the top of the husk.

Add your filling in the middle of the masa.

Fold one side of the husk over the filling, then fold the other side over, and fold the bottom up to secure the tamale.

Place the tamales upright in a pot lined with a clean kitchen towel and add water to about half an inch up.

Cover the pot with a plastic shopping bag around the handles, then a wet kitchen towel, and finally the lid.

Bring the water to a simmer and cook for 1.5 to 2 hours, checking the water level after 30 minutes and adding hot water if necessary.

Check for doneness by carefully opening a tamale; it should pull away from the husk easily and feel firm.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens