What Are Tamales?

Tamales are a traditional Mexican dish made of masa (corn dough) filled with meats, cheeses, vegetables, or sweet fillings, wrapped in corn husks or banana leaves, and then steamed. Tamales have deep cultural roots, dating back to Mesoamerican civilizations, and are still a staple in Mexican kitchens—especially during holidays and family gatherings.

How Do You Make Tamales?

Making tamales is a labor of love, often done in large batches. Here’s a basic outline of how to make tamales at home:

  1. Prepare the Masa: Mix masa for tamales (corn flour) with lard or oil, broth, and seasoning until light and fluffy.
  2. Make the Filling: Traditional fillings include shredded pork tamales with red chile sauce or chicken tamales with green salsa.
  3. Assemble the Tamales: Soak corn husks in warm water until pliable. Spread masa on the husk, add filling, and fold to seal.
  4. Steam the Tamales: Place upright in a steamer and cook for 1–1.5 hours until the masa is set and pulls away from the husk.
Masa For Tamales Recipe by Adrianne Meszaros
This Masa is only one part in the tamale making process. Our family made four batches in two days, creating our new holiday “Tamale Weekend.”
CookpadAdrianne Meszaros
Chicken Chipolte Tamales Recipe by Adrianne Meszaros
You can’t go wrong with this classic combination, and they little unique compared to the more often seen tamale flavors.
CookpadAdrianne Meszaros

Tamales are endlessly versatile. Try these popular versions from Cookpad:

Pork Tamales – Classic red chile pork filling wrapped in savory masa.

New Year’s Eve Tamales, Pork Recipe by skunkmonkey101
A traditional New Year’s Eve dish. Usually eaten with a delicious salsa.
Cookpadskunkmonkey101

Chicken Tamales – Often made with green tomatillo salsa for a tangy flavor.

Chicken Tamales With Mole Recipe by poramoralhambre
Year after year, I find myself celebrating the Day of the Dead in a more Mexican way. I’ve noticed that tamales are a must-have, so I wanted to take this opportunity to try making them and also contribute to the Cookpad Altar. These are actually my first tamales! I made them with store-bought mole �…
Cookpadporamoralhambre

Tamales de Elote – Sweet corn tamales, served as dessert or breakfast.

Tamales Dulces (Sweet Tamales) Recipe by Tina Martinez
sweet, and great for breakfast or a mid day snack. :hungry
CookpadTina Martinez
Find more sweet tamales recipes

Tamale Pie – A baked casserole version with layers of masa, meat, and cheese.

California Tamale Pie Recipe by Chris Gan
This casserole can be prepared pretty quickly and is fairly customizable. You can dial the spice level up or down, select your favorite ground meat and cheese, and omit or substitute some ingredients (e.g. if you don’t like olives, maybe try adding a little extra corn or bell pepper). Since my three…
CookpadChris Gan

Vegetarian Tamales – Filled with beans, cheese, or peppers for a meatless twist.

Vegan Chile Colorado Jackfruit Tamales Recipe by VargasGirl_Cami
This recipe is adapted from a traditional style of pork tamales to be vegan friendly. There are other vegan substitutes for the fats and oils, however I selected the ones I did to preserve the traditional Mexican flavors. Buen provecho!
CookpadVargasGirl_Cami

How to Eat Tamales (and Reheat Them!)

How to eat tamales: Unwrap the corn husk and enjoy with salsa, sour cream, or hot sauce. Tamales are typically served with Mexican rice, refried beans, or champurrado (Mexican hot chocolate).

How to reheat tamales:

  • Steam for 15–20 minutes to keep them moist.
  • Microwave with a damp paper towel for 1–2 minutes.
  • Oven at 350°F (175°C), wrapped in foil, for 15–20 minutes.
Avoid eating the corn husk—it’s just the cooking wrapper!
Instant Pot Mexican Rice (Arroz Rojo) Recipe by Minda
https://www.mindas-kitchen.com/
CookpadMinda

FAQs About Tamales

Q: How do you make tamales from scratch?
A: Make a seasoned masa dough, prepare a filling (like pork or chicken), wrap in soaked corn husks, and steam until cooked through.

Q: What are tamales made of?
A: Masa dough, a savory or sweet filling, and a corn husk or banana leaf wrapper.

Q: Can I make tamales ahead of time?
A: Yes! Tamales freeze well and can be reheated easily.

Q: How do you warm up tamales without drying them out?
A: Steam or microwave with a damp paper towel to retain moisture.

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Explore more delicious Mexican cooking ideas!

Tamales are more than just a meal—they’re a celebration of family, culture, and community. Whether you're making pork tamales, chicken tamales, or experimenting with tamales de elote or tamale pie, this dish brings people together with its hands-on preparation and satisfying flavor.

Search Cookpad for authentic tamale recipes, and don’t forget to share your version with the community!

Authentic Mexican Tamales – 100+ Recipes Full of Flavor & Tradition
Explore a rich collection of over 100 tamale recipes, many made by real Mexican home cooks. From chicken and pork to sweet, spicy, and regional specialties
Cookpad

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