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Traditional Masa For Tamales With Masa Harina

Learn how to make Masa for Tamales from scratch using maseca. This is a traditional recipe and you'll love the results! Knead the masa by hand or with a mixer.

Prep Time
40 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings: 3 lbs (about 40 tamales)
Calories: 150 kcal
Course: Condiments
Cuisine: Mexican

Ingredients

  • 3 cups + 2 Tablespoons Masa Harina (500g)
  • 1 ½ cups vegetable shortening or lard (300g) at room temperature.
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ tablespoon table salt
  • 3 cups broth (can be beef, chicken or vegetable), (750ml) at room temperature.

Instructions

Knead the shortening/lard:
    Cup of Yum
  1. In a large bowl, add the shortening/lard and knead with your hands, a hand mixer or a stand mixer.
  2. If kneading by hand, knead about 15 to 20 minutes to reach the perfect consistency. If kneading with a mixer, beat for 5 minutes on medium speed.
Add he masa harina:
  1. When the shortening is ready, add the half of the masa harina, baking powder and salt. Knead/mix to integrate.
  2. When it's crumbly add ⅓ of the broth and knead/mix until integrated.
  3. Add the remaining masa harina and integrate.
  4. Add ⅓ broth and integrate. Then add the remaining of the broth and knead for another 15 minutes by hand or 6 to 8 minutes at medium powder in mixer.

Notes

  • This amount of masa makes about 35 tamales depending how thick you make them. 
  • How do you know when the shortening is ready? The consistency will be lighter and clearer.
  • How do I know when the masa is ready? The final result is very sticky dough. Also test by dropping ½ teaspoon of masa into a cup of very cold water. It if floats, it's ready!
  • What happens if masa doesn't float? Just keep kneading for another 5 minutes or until it pases the cold water test.

Nutrition Information

Serving 0.25cup masa Calories 150kcal (8%) Carbohydrates 16g (5%) Protein 2g (4%) Fat 8g (12%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Polyunsaturated Fat 2g Monounsaturated Fat 5g Sodium 40mg (2%) Potassium 2mg (0%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 1g (2%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 3lbs (about 40 tamales)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 150

% Daily Value*

Serving 0.25cup masa
Calories 150kcal 8%
Carbohydrates 16g 5%
Protein 2g 4%
Fat 8g 12%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g 12%
Monounsaturated Fat 5g 25%
Sodium 40mg 2%
Potassium 2mg 0%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 1g 2%

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