How to make Tamales | Easy Homemade Tamale Recipe

lard

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: vegetable shortening

Olive oil provides a healthier fat option while maintaining moisture.

masa harina

🥗Healthier: whole wheat flour

💰Cheaper: cornmeal

Whole wheat flour adds fiber, while cornmeal can be more economical.

Trim the fat off the pork roast and cut it into large chunks.

Place the pork chunks in a crock pot and add 2 bay leaves, 2 teaspoons salt, 1 chicken bouillon cube, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin.

Cover the crock pot with a lid, set the temperature to high, and slow cook for 5 hours.

Soak 1 pound of dried corn husks in hot water for at least 1 hour, placing something heavy on top to keep them submerged.

After 5 hours, remove the bay leaves from the pork and shred the meat. Strain any meat bits from the cooking liquid and save the juice.

Remove the seeds from the chiles (Cusco Vasilis, Asiya Chivas, and ancho chiles).

In a pot, submerge the seeded chiles, 1 onion, and 3 cloves of garlic in water and boil for 15 to 20 minutes.

Once cooked, remove from heat and let cool to room temperature, then blend the mixture.

Strain the blended puree to remove any skins.

In a large bowl, break apart 1 five-pound bag of fresh masa. Melt 28 ounces of pork lard and add 2 cups to the masa, mixing well.

Add salt to taste, then add 1 cup of the reserved pork broth and mix again.

Add some of the pureed chili to the masa for color and flavor, mixing for 10 to 15 minutes until light and fluffy.

Spread a thin layer of masa on the smooth side of a corn husk, add a good amount of shredded meat, and fold the tamale.

Prepare about 7 dozen tamales and place them in a steamer pot, stacking them in a teepee formation.

Cover the tamales with a layer of corn husks or a clean towel, then cover with a lid.

Bring the water at the bottom of the pot to a boil, then simmer low for 1 hour.

Check the tamales after 1 hour; they should come out easily from the corn husk, indicating they are done.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: