Tamales de Rajas (Vegetarian Tamales)
User Reviews
4.6
177 reviews
Excellent
-
Prep Time
30 mins
-
Cook Time
1 hr 30 mins
-
Total Time
2 hrs
-
Servings
25 tamales
-
Calories
297 kcal
-
Course
Main Course
-
Cuisine
Mexican
Tamales de Rajas (Vegetarian Tamales)
Report
Tamales de Rajas are vegetarian Mexican tamales made from masa dough filled with strips of roasted poblano peppers and slices of melting cheese. Wrapped in softened corn husks, they are steamed until the dough is tender and flavorful. The combination of mildly spicy roasted peppers and creamy cheese provides a pleasant balance in every bite, capturing traditional flavors without meat.
Description
This recipe begins with soaking corn husks to soften them for wrapping. The masa dough is prepared by mixing masa harina with salt, baking powder, oil, and vegetable broth until spreadable but firm. Meanwhile, poblano peppers are roasted and peeled to develop a smoky flavor and remove skins. The tamales are assembled by spreading dough onto the husks, placing pepper strips and slices of Monterey Jack or other melting cheese in the center, then folding the husks to enclose the fillings.
Steaming the tamales cooks the dough through and melts the cheese, creating a tender, moist texture with pockets of creamy cheese and soft roasted pepper. Served warm, tamales de rajas offer a satisfying vegetarian option that brings together traditional ingredients and textures typical in Mexican cuisine.
Leftover tamales can be refrigerated for up to a week or frozen for six months. To reheat, steam again, warm in the oven, use a hot griddle briefly, or microwave in short intervals to maintain softness and flavor.
Share:
Ingredients
- 25 corn husk about ¼-⅓ pound
For the dough
- 4 cups + 2 tablespoons masa harina
- 2 teaspoons salt fine
- ½ tablespoon baking powder
- 1 cup canola oil (or other neutral-tasting vegetable oil)
- 3 ¼ cups vegetable broth (chicken or beef broth also work)
For the filling
- 1 pound Monterey jack cheese sliced into 25 strips
- 6 poblano pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the corn husks: Add the corn husks to a large bowl or pot. Pour enough hot water over the corn husks to cover them completely. Cover the bowl with aluminum foil and let them soak for 1 hour to soften them up. Meanwhile, make the tamale dough and prepare the filling.
- Make the dough: In a large mixing bowl or pot, add the masa harina, salt and baking powder. Mix with your hands to combine. Add the canola oil and mix together, working the dough through your fingers until everything is well combined and incorporated. The dough should feel a little crumbly, almost like wet sand, and should lightly hold it's shape when pressed together.
- Add the broth and mix for about 3-5 minutes until the dough is fairly wet and well saturated. The dough should be soft and spreadable like thick hummus. If the dough is too dry, add more broth. If it's too wet, add more masa harina. Cover and set aside.
- Roast the peppers: Place the poblano peppers on a baking sheet under the broiler or directly under an open flame. Roast until all the sides are blackened and blistered. Transfer them to a large bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let them sit for 10 minutes.
- Using your fingers, rub off the blackened skins. Slice the peppers open, remove the stems, seeds, and large veins, then slice into strips and set aside.
- Finish prepping the corn husks: Drain the water from the corn husks and pat them dry. Remove and discard any corn silk that may be on the husks. Lay the husks flat onto a baking sheet for easy access.
- Spread the masa: Grab a corn husk and identify which is the smooth side and which is the side with ridges. Place the smooth side face up into your palm or on a plate. Using a large spoon, grab a heaping spoonful of masa and place it in the middle of the corn husk. Using the back of the spoon, spread the masa in a thin layer to create rectangle shape, leaving the top 1/3 of the corn husk empty. (see post above for step-by-step photos)
- Add the filling: Place one stick of cheese and a few strips of roasted poblano peppers into the center of the corn husk.
- Fold: Fold together the long edges of the corn husk like a book, and then fold it once more. Fold the pointy edge over so that only one side of the corn husk is open and exposed. Place in a bowl with the open end facing up, making sure to lean them against the side so it doesn't fall down. Repeat until all the tamales have been filled and assembled.
- Prepare the steamer pot: Fill the bottom of the steamer pot with water and cover with the steamer insert. Place the tamales in the steamer with the open end facing up, making sure to lean them against the side of the pot so they don't fall down.
- Steam: Cover tightly with the lid and place the steamer over high heat. Bring the water in the steamer pot to a boil (you should be able to hear it bubbling), then reduce the heat to low, and cook for 1 hour and 15 minutes.
- Rest and serve: Carefully transfer the tamales to a baking sheet or serving platter and let them sit and cool slightly for 10 minutes. They may be a little squishy when you first take them out of the steamer, but will quickly firm up once they have time to cool. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Cheeses like pepper jack or Oaxaca also work well for melting in tamales.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- Freeze cooked and cooled tamales in airtight containers for up to six months.
- Reheat by steaming for 15 minutes, baking in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes, grilling briefly, or microwaving for 1–2 minutes.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Serving
1tamale
Calories
297kcal
(15%)
Carbohydrates
32g
(11%)
Protein
8g
(16%)
Fat
16g
(25%)
Saturated Fat
4g
(20%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
3g
(18%)
Monounsaturated Fat
8g
(40%)
Trans Fat
0.04g
(2%)
Cholesterol
16mg
(5%)
Sodium
445mg
(19%)
Potassium
167mg
(4%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
1g
(2%)
Vitamin A
394IU
(8%)
Vitamin C
23mg
(26%)
Calcium
206mg
(21%)
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 25tamales
Amount Per Serving
Calories 297 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1tamale | |
| Calories | 297kcal | 15% |
| Carbohydrates | 32g | 11% |
| Protein | 8g | 16% |
| Fat | 16g | 25% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Trans Fat | 0.04g | 2% |
| Cholesterol | 16mg | 5% |
| Sodium | 445mg | 19% |
| Potassium | 167mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 394IU | 8% |
| Vitamin C | 23mg | 26% |
| Calcium | 206mg | 21% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.6
177 reviews
Excellent
Other Recipes
You'll Also Love
