Traditional Tamales de Puerco
Slow-cooked pork tamales wrapped in corn husks, seasoned with traditional spices and steamed to perfection. This mexican-inspired mexican ready in about 150 minutes pairs pork shoulder, masa harina, water for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 12, 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.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs pork shoulder
- 2 cups masa harina
- 1.5 cups water
- 1 tbsp cumin
- 1 tsp oregano
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 small, diced onion
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 12 pcs corn husks
- 1 medium lime
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot, combine 2 cups masa harina, 1.5 cups water, 1 tbsp cumin, 1 tsp oregano, 2 cloves minced garlic, 1 small diced onion, 1 tbsp chili powder, and 1 tsp salt. Stir until a thick dough forms. Knead gently until smooth, adding more water if needed.
- Step 2: In a separate pot, cook 2 lbs pork shoulder with 1/4 cup water until tender, about 1-1.5 hours. Shred meat and set aside.
- Step 3: Soak corn husks in warm water for 15 minutes. Wrap 1/4 cup masa dough around 1/4 cup pork, shaping into a cylinder. Seal with husks and tie with twine.
- Step 4: Steam tamales for 45-60 minutes, or until masa is firm and pork is fully cooked. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
- Step 5: Garnish with lime wedges and additional chili powder if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Traditional Tamales de Puerco take to make?
Total time is about 150 minutes (60 min prep + 90 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 Traditional Tamales de Puerco?
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 pork shoulder from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Traditional Tamales de Puerco?
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 Traditional Tamales de Puerco for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). 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 Traditional Tamales de Puerco?
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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
