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    Home / Appetizer / Tamales Panameños

    Tamales Panameños

    A traditional Panamanian dish — Tamales Panameños are the centerpiece of Christmas and every big family celebration in Panama.

    ⏱ 60 minPrep time
    🔥 120 minCook time
    🍽 8Servings
    🏷 AppetizerCategory
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    Tamales Panameños

    A traditional Panamanian dish — Tamales Panameños are the centerpiece of Christmas and every big family celebration in Panama. Unlike their Mexican cousins, these generous corn parcels are wrapped in banana leaves and boiled, with achiote-tinted masa wrapped around pork and chicken, olives, capers and raisins. Making them is a social ritual known as the tamaleada, where the whole family gathers to spread masa, fold leaves and tie bundles.

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    Step by stepInstructions

    1. Simmer the pork and chicken with the onion, garlic, tomatoes and salt in water to cover until tender, about 45 minutes; drain, reserving the broth, and shred the meat coarsely.
    2. Beat the lard with the achiote until smooth, then beat in the masa harina, warm broth and salt to make a soft, spreadable dough.
    3. Lay a softened banana leaf on the work surface and spread about ¾ cup of masa in the center into a rectangle.
    4. Top with a spoonful of meat, a few olives, capers and raisins, then fold the leaf over, tuck the ends and tie with string into a compact bundle.
    5. Stack the tamales in a large pot, cover with water and a plate to keep them submerged, and boil for 1½ to 2 hours.
    6. Let them rest 15 minutes before unwrapping; serve warm with the reserved broth on the side.

    💡 Chef tips & storage

    The masa should be soft and spreadable, like thick cake batter — add warm broth if it stiffens. A tamal is done when the dough pulls cleanly away from the leaf; undercooked masa is gummy, so when in doubt, boil longer.

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    Recipe details

    Prep60 min
    Cook120 min
    Servings8
    CategoryAppetizer
    PublishedAugust 17, 2026
    Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

    Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

    Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →

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