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Tamales

Masa dough filled with seasoned pork or chicken, wrapped in corn husks, and steamed until tender.

⏱ 60 minPrep time
🔥 90 minCook time
🍽 10Servings
🏷 DinnerCategory
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Homemade tamales with shredded pork filling served with red salsa

Tamales are the grand project of Tex-Mex cooking — seasoned pork or chicken wrapped in corn masa and steamed in corn husks until tender and fragrant. They’re the dish of Christmas and celebration, made in big batches with the whole family.

Chef Emily presents Tamales

The grand Tex-Mex tradition

Seasoned meat wrapped in corn masa and steamed in corn husks — tamales, the celebratory Tex-Mex classic.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. Soak the corn husks in hot water for 30 minutes.
  2. Mix the masa harina, baking powder, and salt. Beat in the lard until fluffy, then add the warm stock gradually to form a soft, spreadable masa.
  3. Toss the shredded meat with the chile sauce, cumin, and garlic powder.
  4. Spread 2-3 tablespoons of masa on each husk, add a spoonful of filling, and fold the husk closed around it.
  5. Stand the tamales upright in a steamer and steam for 90 minutes, adding water as needed, until the masa pulls cleanly from the husk.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Whip the masa with plenty of lard or shortening until a spoonful floats in water — that's how you know it's light enough. Steam the tamales upright and don't rush the process.

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Recipe details

Prep60 min
Cook90 min
Servings10
CategoryDinner
PublishedAugust 16, 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 →