Salvadoran Sweet Corn and Cheese Tamales
Steamed corn dough dumplings filled with sweet corn kernels and cheese, wrapped in banana leaves for a subtle earthy aroma. This latin american-inspired snacks ready in about 90 minutes turns masa harina, baking powder, salt into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 6, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 3 cups masa harina
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup softened unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 1/4 cups whole milk
- 1 1/2 cups fresh corn kernels
- 1 cup shredded quesillo or mozzarella cheese
- 6 large pieces, softened banana leaves
- for tying kitchen twine
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, mix 3 cups masa harina, 1 tsp baking powder, and 1 tsp salt.
- Step 2: In a separate bowl, beat 1 cup softened unsalted butter with 1/3 cup sugar until creamy. Gradually add 1 1/4 cups whole milk while mixing.
- Step 3: Combine the wet ingredients into the dry masa mixture and knead until a soft dough forms, about 4 minutes.
- Step 4: Gently fold in 1 1/2 cups fresh corn kernels and 1 cup shredded cheese into the dough.
- Step 5: Cut 6 large banana leaves into 10x10 inch squares and soften by briefly heating over a flame or steaming to make pliable.
- Step 6: Spread about 1/2 cup of dough onto the center of each banana leaf square, fold the leaf over to enclose the dough, and tie securely with kitchen twine.
- Step 7: Place tamales in a steamer basket and steam over boiling water for 1 hour, checking water level occasionally.
- Step 8: Remove tamales carefully from banana leaves and serve warm as a sweet and savory treat.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Salvadoran Sweet Corn and Cheese Tamales take to make?
Total time is about 90 minutes (30 min prep + 60 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Salvadoran Sweet Corn and Cheese Tamales?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.
Can I substitute ingredients in Salvadoran Sweet Corn and Cheese Tamales?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Salvadoran Sweet Corn and Cheese Tamales for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Salvadoran Sweet Corn and Cheese Tamales?
Latin American snacks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
