Here we are! Right in the middle of tamal season! Masa for tamales is much easier than you think. It’s not an exact science, but more like mixing it up a little until you like the results. The masa for tamales recipe featured here is prepared with masa harina corn flour. I grew up enjoying fresh ground masa directly from the tortilla factories in Los Angeles and Houston. Unfortunately for me, it’s not available to me all of the time.
Give Masa Harina a Chance!
The masa harina works great though! I am not complaining in the least. It just makes me appreciate the real deal masa tamal when I have the opportunity to enjoy them.
The tamal combinations are endless!
Tamales featured on here are from tamales that I prepared last year. I didn’t have a chance to add them to my blog. I especially love the green, white and red tamal photos. It’s making me hungry just looking at it now! Lol! Bad thing is I have no tamales in reserve anywhere. Time to head into the kitchen, I guess.
Masa Without Pork Lard?
For those many followers who ask if it’s possible to prepare delicious tamales without adding pork lard, the answer is yes! Seasoning correctly is the key! Seasoning the masa well and choosing a filling with lots of textures and flavors. Check out this easy masa recipe below for a no pork lard vegan option! The vegan masa yields 12 medium to large tamales.
To assemble and cook tamales, you can click onto any of the links below.
Chile Infused Masahttps://pinaenlacocina.com/pibil-pork-tamalespreparing-a-chile-infused-masa/
Chile Colorado Pork Tamales (My Top Recipe!) https://pinaenlacocina.com/chile-colorado-pork-tamales/
Green Chile Masa(Tamales Verdes) https://pinaenlacocina.com/tamales-verdes-green-chile-masa-tamal/
Salsa de Chile Ancho. Chile Ancho Salsa For Pork Tamales https://pinaenlacocina.com/salsa-para-enchiladas-de-chile-ancho-pure-chile-ancho-enchilada-sauce/
Fat does equal flavor!
For masa for tamales, I prefer to use the tamal variation of masa harina. It’s a more coarse corn flour. As far as the fat you can use for tamales, natural rendered pork lard(the most flavorful), processed pork lard, vegetable shortening and oil will all work ion the recipe. Using oil will not add as much volume to the masa as vegetable shortening will. And if you want to reduce the fat content, you could replace the fat with mashed potatoes! Lol! It really works. https://pinaenlacocina.com/mexican-style-tamales-breaking-with-tradition/
The tamal above is simple black beans with Oaxaca cheese and salsa verde. I like to combine queso fresco, manchego and Oaxaca cheese whenever I can find all three.
Chile Colorado Pork Tamales
Green Chile Masa Tamal with Rajas(poblano strips), Oaxaca cheese and salsa verde. Tomatillo Salsa Recipes https://pinaenlacocina.com/tomatillo-salsa-recipes/
I make it a habit to wrap my cheese filled tamales with deli sheets. It keeps the cheese from going out all over your pot. It also yields a nice shaped tamal. Sheets come in a box and can be found at most stores.
On the tamal for salsa is a dark red Chile Cascabel Salsa, Mexican Crema in the center and Tomatillo Salsa with cilantro blended in. https://pinaenlacocina.com/chile-cascabel-salsa/
Masa For Tamales
Ingredients
- 1 cup pork lard(manteca)
- 1 1/2 tsps baking powder
- 1 1/2 tsps salt start with this amount
- 3 cups masa harina corn flour maseca brand for tamales
- 3 cups cups cooled broth chicken, pork, vegetable or water
Instructions
- In the stand mixer, whip the pork lard for a few minutes until light and creamy. Adding some volume to the lard will yield a lighter masa for tamales. If mixing by hand, it will require more time for mixing, but that was how I used to always mix my masa.
- Mix in the baking powder and salt.
- Gradually mix in all of the masa harina.
- On low speed, gradually mix in 2 1/4 cups of broth, to start. Once it's incorporated, gradually mix in a little more broth at a time, mixing the whole time. Check the masa for the consistency. It really needs about 10 minutes of mixing time to become light and fluffy. It should spread easily like a thick frosting.
- Once you are happy with the texture of the masa, taste for salt. Continue mixing at medium speed for 3 minutes. Cover masa directly with plastic wrap or a wet paper towel. Let the masa rest for at least 30 minutes before using it.
- To see the complete details on filling and steaming the tamales, click the link on one of the tamal recipes on this post. Typically I steam a pot of 3 dozen tamales for 1 hour and 30 minutes for meat tamales. One hour only of steam time for cheese filled tamales. This masa recipe yields 12 large tamales or 24 small tamales.
- THE VIDEO VERSION IS PREPARED WITH DIFFERENT QUANTITIES. SAME FORMULA.
Notes
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Your images of the Tamales have me drooling 🤤 but excited to get to cooking!!! Excited to of found your page. Thank you !!!
I am excited you found my page too Patricia!
How long do you steam them for?
Typically I steam them for 1 hour 30 minutes. You can see more complete tamal instructions by clicking onto one of the recipe links on the post.
Hi Sonia ! Can you use foil sheets instead of corn husks to wrap the tamales?
I would not use foil paper. It may impart flavor into the masa that is not pleasing. I would suggest using squares of parchment paper instead and then overwrapping them with foil paper. You can’t get corn husk or frozen banana leaves?
Hi Sonia, it’s been a long time! I found out about your website from a close friend. I absolutely love the pictures of the family. I will definitely be referring to your website for recipes, can’t wait to try some of them. Happy New Year!
Happy New Year Maria! Do we know each other? My cousin Maria on my Mom’s side???
What if I don’t have a mixer do I just work with hands and for how long?
If you look back on some of my old tamal recipes. all the masa was prepared by hand. I didn’t always have the stand mixer. It’s hard to give you an exact time on how long to mix the masa. It does take a little while because essentially what you are trying to do is add volume to the masa. You want to end up with a nice spreadable masa, not too thick and not too thin.But if I have to estimate a time, I would say to mix it for a good 10-15 minutes by hand. Make sure to taste it for salt along the way.
When you prepare the masa do you have to use it right away or can you store it in the fridge for a couple of days?
I would suggest trying to use it within 2-3 days tops.
Hungry Hispanic here…grew up with the classic Lard-Laden-Tamale. Determined to make family a “healthier version I’ve used the equivalent measurement using Avocado Oil in our masa. No complaints from my tribe.
I love avocado oil. I use it daily, but natural rendered pork manteca is also a healthier option compared to commercial oils and that classic white block of lard in a box, lol! I don’t mind the avocado oil version, but for the red chile pork, I enjoy the natural manteca. Thanks for taking the time to write!
How screwed am I, if I forgot to add my baking soda to my masa??? I just realized it after wrapping, omg!!!
Hi Lisa! You should be ok.
Can I use bacon grease in place of rendered pork lard for the masa or a mix of cooled bacon grease and manteca
Hi Emily! Sorry for the late response. Absolutely, you can use bacon grease with the pork lard.
Our local tortilla factory got bought out and the new owner refuses to sell Masa until Holiday season. I remembered seeing your Masa Harina recipe and made 4 dozen small pork tamales today. I’m cooking them right now! Can’t wait to see how they turn out. I used the red sauce I made with dried chiles in the masa for color and flavor. Your measurements are spot on! I doubled the recipe and it was enough for 4 dozen I made. Thanks so much! You inspire me and bring me back to my childhood summers in Reynosa Mexico watching my Abuelita cook breakfast and lunch for my grandfather and 4 uncles. She always wore a full apron with huge pockets! I wear one too, every time I cook! Hee, hee.
Hi Ruth! I have a prima named Ruth! She lives in Monterrey! I’m so happy you found my recipe and are trying it now. My parents always purchased the masa quebrada for their tamales back in the day. I was forced to learn how to use the masa harina when I moved far away from home. I really enjoy using it now because I can prepare the masa the way I like. Please let me know how the tamales turn out. Have a wonderful day!
Hi Sonia, the masa tasted good but was a little on the crumbly side. Is this common? Thanks so much!
Hi Ruth. It is not that common actually. The masa may have needed a bit more fat or broth. I find that depending on where I am plays a part on how much moisture the masa harina needs. This is where kneading and mixing by hand is best. It’s the feel and look of the masa. Whenever I am not sure, I always add 2 more tablespoons of manteca, lol! Another thing that could cause issues is if water gets into the tamales as they are steaming. That could mess up the end results of the texture. Don’t give up though.
Thank you, I will take your advice and try again. Hope you have a great day!