Tamales

Name: Tamales
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 105 min
Yield: 12 servings
Cuisine: Mexican-American
Ingredients: 24 dried corn husks, soaked; 3 cups masa flour (corn flour); 2 cups chicken broth (warm); 1 cup lard (or vegetable shortening); 1 tsp baking powder; 1 tsp salt; 2 lbs cooked shredded pork; 1 cup red chile sauce (or salsa roja); 1/2 white onion, sliced; 4 garlic cloves, smashed

Corn dough wrapped around a savory pork filling and steamed in corn husks. A traditional Mexican-American favorite that's perfect for gatherings or meal prep.

105 minHardServes 12240 cal/serving

Mexican-AmericanDinnerStovetopStandard

Ingredients

24 dried corn husks, soaked
3 cups masa flour (corn flour)
2 cups chicken broth (warm)
1 cup lard (or vegetable shortening)
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 lbs cooked shredded pork
1 cup red chile sauce (or salsa roja)
1/2 white onion, sliced
4 garlic cloves, smashed

Instructions

1

Soak 24 soaked dried corn husks in hot water for at least 30 minutes until pliable.
2

Beat 1 cup lard (or vegetable shortening) until fluffy (about 2-3 minutes). Mix 3 cups masa flour (corn flour), 1 tsp baking powder, and 1 tsp salt. Gradually add the masa mixture to the lard alternating with 2 cups chicken broth (warm). Beat until light and airy.
3

Combine 2 lbs cooked shredded pork with 1 cup red chile sauce (or salsa roja). Set aside.
4

Lay a husk flat, spread 2 tbsp of dough down the center, add 1 tbsp pork filling mixture, then fold the husk around it, leaving the top slightly open for steam to escape.
5

Stand husks upright in a steamer basket (open end up) or lay them horizontally if the steamer is shallow. Cover with extra soaked husks. Add 1/2 sliced white onion and 4 smashed garlic cloves to the steaming water for flavor.
6

Steam for 45-60 minutes. Test for doneness: the dough should pull away easily from the husks. Remove and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Questions

Can I make Tamales ahead?

Yes, it takes well to being made ahead. Refrigerate leftovers within two hours and eat them within three days. Reheat gently on the stovetop.

Can I halve or double Tamales?

Yes. As written it serves 12. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. When doubling on the stovetop, use your widest pan or work in two batches so the food sears instead of steaming.

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