Easy Tamales

User Reviews

5.0

111 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    30 mins

  • Cook Time

    30 mins

  • Total Time

    1 hr

  • Servings

    10 servings

  • Calories

    480 kcal

  • Course

    Main Course

  • Cuisine

    Mexican

Easy Tamales

Make Easy Tamales this week right in your own kitchen – they’re so much simpler than you’d think! Fill them with pork, veggies, chicken, or cheese and top with your favorite toppings! 

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Ingredients

Servings
  • 1 package dried corn husks
  • 6 cups masa harina
  • 2 ½ teaspoons salt
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 6 cups chicken or vegetable stock
  • ¾ cup vegetable oil
  • 3 cups filling (shredded pork or chicken, cheese, beans)
  • 1 cup Red or Green enchilada sauce mild or medium, your preference
  • Toppings of choice (guacamole, enchilada sauce, hot sauce, salsa, cilantro)

Instructions

  1. Place the corn husks in a large bowl, fill with warm water and place a second bowl on top to weight the corn husks down so they are submerged in the water. Soak for 30 minutes.

Make the masa

  1. While the corn husks are soaking, in the bowl of a large stand mixer whisk together masa harina, salt, cumin, chili powder, and baking powder. Add the oil, beat on low until combined, then gradually incorporate the chicken/vegetable stock. Once incorporated, switch to medium-high speed and mix for 6-8 minutes until light and fluffy.

Assemble the tamales

  1. Combine your filling and enchilada sauce in a medium bowl and toss to combine.
  2. Use a 1/4 cup measuring cup or a large cookie scoop to place one scoop of masa in the middle of a corn husk. Use wet fingers to pat masa into a large rectangle long enough to hold your filling. Scoop 1-2 tablespoons of filling into the center of the masa and spread with your fingertips to spread the filling into a line going down the center of the dough. Pull the two long sides of the corn husk up above the filling and pinch together to seal the dough over the filling. Fold the touching sides around the tamale, then fold up the narrow/pointed end of the corn husk and wrap with a long thin strip of a corn husk. Set aside and repeat.

Cook the tamales

  1. Fit your stockpot or pressure cooker with a steamer basket. Add 2 cups water to the bottom of the pot. Fill the steamer basket with tamales standing up on one end. Steam for 30 minutes on the stovetop or 20 minutes in your pressure cooker (high pressure) with natural release. Husks should easily peel away from the tamales when they're done. Serve immediately, or refrigerate or freeze for later use.

Notes

  • A serving is considered about 3 tamales. 

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Calories 480kcal (24%) Carbohydrates 75g (25%) Protein 7g (14%) Fat 19g (29%) Saturated Fat 14g (70%) Sodium 1437mg (60%) Potassium 223mg (6%) Fiber 6g (24%) Sugar 13g (26%) Vitamin A 688IU (14%) Vitamin C 2mg (2%) Calcium 124mg (12%) Iron 6mg (33%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 10servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 480 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories 480kcal 24%
Carbohydrates 75g 25%
Protein 7g 14%
Fat 19g 29%
Saturated Fat 14g 70%
Sodium 1437mg 60%
Potassium 223mg 5%
Fiber 6g 24%
Sugar 13g 26%
Vitamin A 688IU 14%
Vitamin C 2mg 2%
Calcium 124mg 12%
Iron 6mg 33%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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5.0

111 reviews
Excellent

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