If you are willing to learn how you can make everyone’s Mexican holiday dish, then you have come to the right place! This authentic Mexican pork tamales Rojos recipe will present you with a mouthwatering and delicious dish. 

The word tamal is derived from the Nahuatl Tamalli, which means steamed cornmeal dough. Nahuatl is the language spoken by Aztecs and is known to be present as early as the 7th century. However, tamales existed long before then in Mesoamerica. According to various historians, the tamal is said to have originated as early as 8000 BC to 5000 BC.

Easy and Delicious Recipe for Tamales! 

Tamales are a traditional Mexican delicacy that is made with a corn-based dough mixture and filled with various meats, beans, and cheese. Tamales are wrapped and cooked in corn husks and are removed only before eating. 

Traditionally, they are filled with either chicken, pork, beef, cheese, or sometimes, beans. You are open to customizing the filling of tamales as per your liking. This slow-cooked recipe is one of the best Mexican dishes and can bring a flavorsome meal to your plate! 

It will take some time to make these pork tamales but it is easier than you think! To make it easier, you can break this process into smaller tasks over the course of a few days. So, let’s see how you can make these tamales at home! 

Tamales Recipe
Tamales Recipe

Quick Stats 

Prep time: 35 minutes 

Cooking time: 3 hours 

Servings: 60 tamales 

Ingredients 

  • 7-8 pounds pork butt or pork shoulder
  • 2 ½ cups of water
  • 1 tablespoon sea salt
  • 6 ½ cups Red Chile Sauce
  • 1 Batch Tamale Masa
  • Corn husks, Ojas

Method to Prepare 

  • Get a slow cooker and add pork, water, and salt to it. Slow cook it for 6 to 8 hours. 
  • After the meat is cooked, remove it from the cooker and let it cool. Once it is cool, shred the pork and remove the while shredding. You will need that fat later on. 
  • Now, in a blender jar, combine the cooled broth from the cooked pork and leftover fat pieces. Blend and keep the mixture aside for the use and let’s make tamale masa and filling. 
  • Now, take a large skillet and heat 6 tablespoons of broth. Add flour and whisk the mixture for at least 5 minutes. 
  • Add red chili sauce and salt. Stir and cook it for 10 minutes. The chili sauce will become thick. 
  • Then, add 3 pounds of shredded pork and stir well to coat the pork with the red chile sauce. 
  • Simmer this mixture for at least 10 minutes. Let it cool before filling with tamales. 
  • Meanwhile, soak corn husks in water for an hour before using. Rinse the husks with running water thoroughly to any dust or corn husk fibers. 
  • Keep the corn husks in the water so that the husks remain pliable and easy to work with while filling tamales. 
  • Before you use them, place them in a colander to drain the water. 
  • Now, keep the narrow end at the top of your palm and spread 2 tablespoons of the masa in the middle of the husk.
  • Keep the masa in the middle and do not spread it to the ends, leave at least a 2-inch border on the both left and right sides of the husk. 
  • Spoon 1 ½ tablespoons of shredded pork down the center of the masa. Fold both sides to the center and seal them by bringing the pointed end toward the filled end. 
  • Ensure that it is sealed well so the tamal will not open during steaming. 
  • Secure the Tamala by tying it with a thin strip of corn husk around it. 
  • Steam the tamales into a deep pot. 
  • Cover the pot with a tightly fitting lid and set the flame on high. 
  • Bring the tamales to a boil by boiling them for about 15 minutes. Then, lower the flame and let it simmer for at least 3 hours. 
  • Keep the lid tight. Put one Tamala on a plate and take off the husk. If it comes off without sticking then tamal is done. 
  • Serve it warm and enjoy! 

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Final Words 

If you are looking for a recipe that can provide you with tender shreds of flavorus pork, look no further than this tamales recipe. It is spicy and wrapped in soft masa dough. Steam them to perfection and enjoy a dish that is amazingly delicious! If you are looking for a rustic, flavorus, and comforting meal, try these tamales today!