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How to Make Pork Tamales


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4.5 from 4 reviews

  • Author: Lindsay Garza
  • Total Time: 90 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 12 1x
  • Diet: Omnivore

Description

Succulent pork slow-cooked in rich enchilada and taco sauce, then wrapped in a soft masa dough. A festive dish perfect for any gathering.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 2 lbs (907 g) boneless pork butt, fat trimmed
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Large pinch of salt and pepper
  • Water to cover the meat
  • 0.5 cups (118 ml) enchilada sauce
  • 0.5 cups (118 ml) taco sauce
  • 1 lbs (454 g) masa
  • 0.5 cups (118 ml) melted lard
  • 0.25 cups (59 ml) taco sauce
  • 1 tbsp salt
  • 0.5 tbsp baking powder
  • 0.5 cups (118 ml) meat broth (plus more as needed)
  • Corn husks

Instructions

Ingredients Preparation

  1. Prepare the pork shoulder or pork butt by trimming excess fat. Slow-cook the pork overnight with enchilada and taco sauce in a slow cooker.
  2. For the masa, combine corn flour, lard, beef stock, enchilada sauce, and salt in a stand mixer with a dough hook until slightly firmer than hummus.
  3. Prepare corn husks by soaking them in hot water for at least 30 minutes until pliable.

Must-Have Items

  1. Large Stock Pot with Steamer Insert
  2. Cooking Twine
  3. Stand Mixer with Dough Hook
  4. Slow-Cooker

Assembling the Tamales

  1. After chilling the masa for 30 minutes, lay out a soaked corn husk and spread 2 tablespoons of masa in a circle in the center.
  2. Add 1-2 tablespoons of slow-cooked pork on top of the masa.
  3. Fold the corn husk over the filling, fold in one end, and roll tightly. Secure with cooking twine.
  4. Place wrapped tamales upright in the steamer basket with the folded part facing down.

Cooking

  1. Fill the pot with water just below the steamer insert, bring to a boil, and add the tamales.
  2. Cover and steam for about an hour, or until the masa is firm and pulls away from the husks.

Serving

  1. Allow tamales to cool slightly before serving. Serve as is or with salsa, guacamole, or a dipping sauce.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, consider using bone-in pork shoulder instead of boneless pork butt.
  • If your masa is too dry, add a tablespoon of broth at a time until it reaches the desired consistency.
  • To prevent sticking, lightly grease the steamer basket before adding the tamales.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 60 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Steaming
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 tamale
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 10
  • Sodium: 600
  • Fat: 20
  • Saturated Fat: 8
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10
  • Carbohydrates: 40
  • Fiber: 4
  • Protein: 15
  • Cholesterol: 80