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Beef Tamales

Beef Tamales prepared dish

A traditional Mexican favorite featuring seasoned beef wrapped in masa dough and steamed in corn husks until tender.

This recipe is Mexican style, dinner, scaled for 12 servings, with 45 min prep and 90 min cook.

Prep: 45 min · Cook: 90 min · Total: 135 min · Serves: 12

Quick cooking notes

  • Core ingredients include masa harina (cornmeal for tamales), shortening, milk or broth, ground beef.
  • Follow all 8 steps in order for the intended texture and doneness.
  • Ingredient quantities listed below are for 12 servings.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups masa harina (cornmeal for tamales)
  • 0.5 cup shortening
  • 1.5 cups milk or broth
  • 500 grams ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon garlic salt
  • 1 small red bell pepper (finely chopped)
  • 12 pieces corn husks (soaked in warm water)

Instructions

  1. Prepare corn husks by soaking them in warm water for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Cook ground beef with red pepper and seasonings until fully browned.
  3. In a bowl, mix masa harina, shortening, and milk or broth to form a soft dough.
  4. Spread a layer of masa dough onto each corn husk.
  5. Add a spoonful of beef filling in the center.
  6. Fold the husk over the filling and tie or fold ends securely.
  7. Place tamales upright in a steamer and cook for 60–90 minutes until dough is firm.
  8. Let cool slightly before serving.

Nutrition (per serving)

  • Calories: 320
  • Protein: 14 g
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Carbohydrates: 26 g
  • Sodium: 420 mg

Nutrition values are estimates based on stored ingredient totals and serving size.

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