# Healthier Tamales

This is a step-by-step and easy-to-follow recipe for healthier tamales, using your choice of protein and a flavorful red sauce.

- Total time: 250 min
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Category: Soup
- Language: en

## Ingredients

- 2.5 lb beef chuck roast
- 1 onion
- 1 whole garlic head
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tbsp salt
- 5 guajillos
- 1 chile ancho
- 9 tomatillos
- 5 garlic cloves
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp pepper
- 1 cup broth or water
- 4 cups masa harina (or maseca)
- 6 oz avocado oil shortening
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 4 cup hot broth
- 0.75 cup red sauce (reserved)
- 1 tsp salt
- potato
- carrot
- jalapeno slice

## Instructions

1. Simmer beef chuck roast with onion, whole garlic head, 2 bay leaves, and 2 tablespoons of salt until tender, about 2.5 hours.
2. Shred the beef and save and strain the broth for the masa.
3. To make the red sauce, blend 5 guajillos, 1 or 2 chile anchos, 9 tomatillos (or any tomato), 5-6 garlic cloves, 1 tsp oregano, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper, and 1 cup of broth or water.
4. Adjust salt to taste for the red sauce.
5. With a hand mixer, beat shortening for 5 minutes on medium to high speed.
6. Add baking powder and mix for 1 minute until incorporated.
7. Add masa harina and salt, and slowly start incorporating hot broth while mixing.
8. Add your reserved red sauce directly into your masa or mix it into your broth to add color and flavor to your masa.
9. Mix for 25 minutes on medium speed to ensure you get nice fluffy soft tamales.
10. Taste test a small piece of masa and adjust salt if necessary.
11. Wrap your tamales to your desired thickness, adding potato, carrot, and a jalapeno slice if desired.
12. Use a steamer basket or tamal pot and steam on low for 1.5 hours.
13. Allow your tamales to rest for 15-30 minutes before serving.

## Equipment

- hand mixer
- steamer basket
- tamal pot

## Tips

- You can use your protein of choice: beef, pork, or chicken.
- Adjust salt to taste for the red sauce.
- Saltiness for the masa depends on your broth and sauce, so taste test a piece.
- You can use any fat of choice for the masa: beef tallow, lard, or shortening.
- Mixing enough air into the masa ensures nice fluffy soft tamales.
- Wrap your tamales as thick as you like.
- Allow your tamales to rest for 15-30 minutes before serving.

## Source

- Original video: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DR2GAkskXGC/?igsh=Z2EwcG9lMmE5MjZx
- Recipe page: https://www.cliprecipe.com/recipe/1245c1fb-f00c-4a0d-b89d-6e629aa13e6a
- Extracted: 2025-12-15

Extracted from the video by Clip Recipe (https://www.cliprecipe.com). Quantities and steps are as stated or shown in the video. Site guide for agents: https://www.cliprecipe.com/llms.txt