The Best Ever Tamales with Chipotle Sauce

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Soft masa dough stuffed with spiced pork, steamed to perfection, and served with a smoky chipotle sauce for an extra kick. This mexican ready in about 165 minutes pairs tamale masa dough, pork shoulder, chipotle peppers in adobo for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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.

★ 4.2 (15 ratings) Prep: 45 min Cook: 120 min Serves 8 Mexican cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large pot, combine pork, chopped onion, minced garlic, cumin, chili powder, and 2 cups broth. Simmer for 2-3 hours until pork is tender, then shred with two forks.
  2. Step 2: In a separate pot, puree chipotle peppers with 1 cup adobo sauce and 1 cup broth until smooth. Add to the pork mixture and stir to combine.
  3. Step 3: Fill tamale husks with masa dough, add a portion of pork mixture, and fold into a bundle. Steam for 1 hour until masa is firm. Serve with a dollop of chipotle sauce and slices of lime, garnished with avocado slices.

Frequently asked questions

How long does The Best Ever Tamales with Chipotle Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 165 minutes (45 min prep + 120 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 The Best Ever Tamales with Chipotle Sauce?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep tamale masa dough from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in The Best Ever Tamales with Chipotle Sauce?

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 The Best Ever Tamales with Chipotle Sauce for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). 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 The Best Ever Tamales with Chipotle Sauce?

Mexican mexican 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.

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