Best 10 Real Homemade Tamales Recipes

REAL HOMEMADE TAMALES

Steps:

• Place the pork loin in a Dutch oven along with the onion and garlic. Add enough water to just cover the pork. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and let cook for 2 hours or until the pork is cooked. Meanwhile, remove the stems and seeds from the chile pods. Place the chiles in a pan with the 2 cups of water. Simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool. When the chiles are cool, place them along with the cooking water in a blender and process until smooth. Pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth. Season with the salt and then set aside. Soak the corn husks in warm water as directed on package. While the husks are soaking, remove the pork from the cooking liquid and shred the cooked pork with two forks. Combine the shredded pork with one cup of the chile liquid. Add the lard to a large bowl and add one tablespoon of the beef broth. Beat until the lard is fluffy. Combine the masa harina, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Add to the lard mixture, stirring to blend. Add more broth as needed to make a dough. Spread the dough over the corn husks, about 1/4 inch thick. Place a tablespoon of the pork in the center of each. Roll the husks over the pork and place in a steamer. Steam for one hour. To serve, remove the tamales from the husks. Combine the sour cream with as much of the remaining chile liquid as desired and drizzle the mixture over the tamales.

PORK TAMALES

Steps:

• Make the filling: Put the pork in a deep saucepan and cover with cold water (about 6 cups). Add 2 teaspoons salt, the onion, thyme, oregano, bay leaves and peppercorns; cover and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer and cook until the pork is tender, 1 hour, 30 minutes to 2 hours. Transfer the pork to a plate and shred. Strain and reserve the cooking liquid; keep warm.
• Meanwhile, soak the corn husks in a bowl of hot water, using a plate to keep them submerged, until pliable, 1 hour.
• Combine the pork, cumin, 1/3 cup chili powder, the garlic, flour, sugar, vegetable oil and 1 cup of the reserved cooking liquid in a large skillet. Bring to a simmer over medium heat; cook, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid is absorbed, about 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the dough: Mix the masa harina, lard, 2 teaspoons salt, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon chili powder and 2 2/3 cups of the reserved cooking liquid in a bowl until combined.
• Drain the husks and pat dry. Starting 1/2 inch from the wide end, spread about 3 tablespoons of the dough down a husk, leaving a 1-inch border on the sides. Spoon 2 tablespoons of the pork filling down the center of the dough, then fold in the sides of the husk, wrapping the dough around the filling. Fold up the narrow end of the husk. Repeat with the remaining husks, dough and filling.
• Set a steamer basket in a large pot filled with 1 to 2 inches of water. Arrange the tamales standing up in the steamer, folded-side down. Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat, cover and steam until the dough is firm, 45 to 50 minutes. Remove from the steamer and let cool slightly before unwrapping.

REAL HOMEMADE TAMALES

Steps:

• Place pork into a Dutch oven with onion and garlic, and add water to cover. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer until the meat is cooked through, about 2 hours.
• Use rubber gloves to remove stems and seeds from the chile pods. Place chiles in a saucepan with 2 cups of water. Simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes, then remove from heat to cool. Transfer the chiles and water to a blender and blend until smooth. Strain the mixture, stir in salt, and set aside. Shred the cooked meat and mix in one cup of the chile sauce.
• Soak the corn husks in a bowl of warm water. In a large bowl, beat the lard with a tablespoon of the broth until fluffy. Combine the masa harina, baking powder and salt; stir into the lard mixture, adding more broth as necessary to form a spongy dough.
• Spread the dough out over the corn husks to 1/4 to 1/2 inch thickness. Place one tablespoon of the meat filling into the center. Fold the sides of the husks in toward the center and place in a steamer. Steam for 1 hour.
• Remove tamales from husks and drizzle remaining chile sauce over. Top with sour cream. For a creamy sauce, mix sour cream into the chile sauce.

REAL TRADITIONAL TAMALES

Steps:

• You have to beat the lard, (I use a machine), beat it until it gets soft, and fluffy.
• Add the flour, and keep beating it.
• Into a blender put the jalapenos, onion, tomatoes, salt, and the peregil. Add some water, you are making a salsa.
• In another pot, put some water and the chicken, and boil them.
• Take a big spoon of the mixture of the lard and spread it on the corn leaves, add a spoon of salsa, and a piece of chicken in it. Wrap the husk so the flour mixture seals around the meat and salsa
• Keep doing this until the mixture is gone
• Steam them in an oversized pot.
• In mexico we use special pots, you can use any but be sure to cook them in the vapor.
• Let it cook, you'll know when its ready when you touch the tamale and its not fluffy any more, it gets solid.
• When you eat it put the leaf into the trash can, you won't eat the leaf, in mexico people add some cream over it and thats good.

REAL TAMALE CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Mix black beans, corn, chopped bell pepper, diced pickled jalapenos, chopped onions and sour cream together. Add cumin, salt, paprika and pepper. In a square lasagna baking dish, arrange your first layer of tamales. Over the top, pour half of the stewed tomatoes and spread to cover first layer. Next, spread a layer of your sour cream mixture and then grated cheese. Arrange a second layer of tamales and repeat. Cover with aluminum foil and place in preheated oven to 350 degrees.
• Bake for 45 minutes at 350 degrees covered. Uncover and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes uncovered.

AUTHENTIC MEXICAN TAMALES

Steps:

• To make tamales, cook meat by boiling in a large covered pot with enough water to cover completely.
• Add salt to taste and slow boil till completely done.
• Cool meat and save broth.
• When meat has cooled, shred and mix in the chili sauce.
• Clean oujas (corn shucks or outer husk) in warm water.
• (make masa by hand or with mixer) Mix the masa, lard, salt and enough broth to make a smooth paste.
• Beat till a small amount (1 tsp) will float in a cup of cool water.
• Spread masa (1/8 to 1/4 inch thick layer, or to preference) on ouja, add a small amount of meat and roll up.
• Fold up ends of ouja and place (fold down) on a rack in a pan deep enough to steam.
• Add 1 to 2 inches water, cover with a tight fitting lid and steam about 1 1/2 hours.
• (a cloth can be used under the lid to make a tighter fit) You can use a combination of beef and pork, use chicken or even fried beans.
• One or two olives may be added to the center or try adding a few raisins.
• This recipe will make 4 to 5 dozen Mexican tamales.

REAL HOMEMADE TAMALES

Steps:

• Make filling: Place pork, onion, and garlic in a Dutch oven. Add enough water to cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until pork is cooked through, about 2 hours.
• Meanwhile, make chile sauce: Use rubber gloves to remove stems and seeds from chiles. Place chiles in a saucepan with 2 cups water. Simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Remove from heat and cool.
• Transfer chiles and cooking water to a blender and blend until smooth. Strain mixture into a bowl and stir in salt. Set aside.
• Shred cooked pork and mix in 1 cup chile sauce. Reserve remaining sauce for serving.
• Prepare husks and dough: Soak corn husks in a bowl of warm water until softened, about 30 minutes.
• While the husks are soaking, beat lard with 1 tablespoon broth until fluffy. Combine masa harina, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl; stir into the lard mixture, adding more broth as needed to form a spongy dough.
• Remove husks from water and pat dry. Spread dough out over husks to 1/4- to 1/2-inch thick.
• Place 1 tablespoon pork filling over center of each. Fold the sides, top, and bottom of each husk in toward the center to enclose dough.
• Arrange tamales in a steamer basket. Place over simmering water and steam for 1 hour.
• Remove tamales from husks. Drizzle with remaining chile sauce and top with sour cream, or mix sour cream into chile sauce first for a creamy sauce.

REAL HOMEMADE TAMALES

Steps:

• Make filling: Place pork, onion, and garlic in a Dutch oven. Add enough water to cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until pork is cooked through, about 2 hours.
• Meanwhile, make chile sauce: Use rubber gloves to remove stems and seeds from chiles. Place chiles in a saucepan with 2 cups water. Simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Remove from heat and cool.
• Transfer chiles and cooking water to a blender and blend until smooth. Strain mixture into a bowl and stir in salt. Set aside.
• Shred cooked pork and mix in 1 cup chile sauce. Reserve remaining sauce for serving.
• Prepare husks and dough: Soak corn husks in a bowl of warm water until softened, about 30 minutes.
• While the husks are soaking, beat lard with 1 tablespoon broth until fluffy. Combine masa harina, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl; stir into the lard mixture, adding more broth as needed to form a spongy dough.
• Remove husks from water and pat dry. Spread dough out over husks to 1/4- to 1/2-inch thick.
• Place 1 tablespoon pork filling over center of each. Fold the sides, top, and bottom of each husk in toward the center to enclose dough.
• Arrange tamales in a steamer basket. Place over simmering water and steam for 1 hour.
• Remove tamales from husks. Drizzle with remaining chile sauce and top with sour cream, or mix sour cream into chile sauce first for a creamy sauce.

REAL HOMEMADE TAMALES

Steps:

• Make filling: Place pork, onion, and garlic in a Dutch oven. Add enough water to cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until pork is cooked through, about 2 hours.
• Meanwhile, make chile sauce: Use rubber gloves to remove stems and seeds from chiles. Place chiles in a saucepan with 2 cups water. Simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Remove from heat and cool.
• Transfer chiles and cooking water to a blender and blend until smooth. Strain mixture into a bowl and stir in salt. Set aside.
• Shred cooked pork and mix in 1 cup chile sauce. Reserve remaining sauce for serving.
• Prepare husks and dough: Soak corn husks in a bowl of warm water until softened, about 30 minutes.
• While the husks are soaking, beat lard with 1 tablespoon broth until fluffy. Combine masa harina, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl; stir into the lard mixture, adding more broth as needed to form a spongy dough.
• Remove husks from water and pat dry. Spread dough out over husks to 1/4- to 1/2-inch thick.
• Place 1 tablespoon pork filling over center of each. Fold the sides, top, and bottom of each husk in toward the center to enclose dough.
• Arrange tamales in a steamer basket. Place over simmering water and steam for 1 hour.
• Remove tamales from husks. Drizzle with remaining chile sauce and top with sour cream, or mix sour cream into chile sauce first for a creamy sauce.

REAL HOMEMADE TAMALES

Steps:

• Make filling: Place pork, onion, and garlic in a Dutch oven. Add enough water to cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until pork is cooked through, about 2 hours.
• Meanwhile, make chile sauce: Use rubber gloves to remove stems and seeds from chiles. Place chiles in a saucepan with 2 cups water. Simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Remove from heat and cool.
• Transfer chiles and cooking water to a blender and blend until smooth. Strain mixture into a bowl and stir in salt. Set aside.
• Shred cooked pork and mix in 1 cup chile sauce. Reserve remaining sauce for serving.
• Prepare husks and dough: Soak corn husks in a bowl of warm water until softened, about 30 minutes.
• While the husks are soaking, beat lard with 1 tablespoon broth until fluffy. Combine masa harina, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl; stir into the lard mixture, adding more broth as needed to form a spongy dough.
• Remove husks from water and pat dry. Spread dough out over husks to 1/4- to 1/2-inch thick.
• Place 1 tablespoon pork filling over center of each. Fold the sides, top, and bottom of each husk in toward the center to enclose dough.
• Arrange tamales in a steamer basket. Place over simmering water and steam for 1 hour.
• Remove tamales from husks. Drizzle with remaining chile sauce and top with sour cream, or mix sour cream into chile sauce first for a creamy sauce.