14 Authentic Tamales Recipes for Wrapping

The scent of steaming corn masa and simmering chiles takes me straight back to my childhood holidays in my abuela’s kitchen in Mexico City. Every Christmas Eve, the whole family would gather for a tamalada—a tamale-making marathon that lasted hours, filled with laughter, stories, and the rhythmic slap of masa being spread on corn husks. Those tamales weren’t just food; they were love wrapped in edible hugs, each bite bursting with tradition and flavor.

Lately, I’ve been experimenting in my own kitchen, reviving those memories with modern twists while staying true to authentic recipes. With busy lives today, tamales offer a perfect make-ahead meal—nutritious, portable, and endlessly versatile. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or meal-prepping, these 14 recipes capture the soul of Mexican cuisine, from savory classics to sweet surprises.

Classic Red Pork Tamales (Tamales Rojos de Puerco)

These tamales feature tender pork shoulder simmered in a rich guajillo and ancho chile sauce, wrapped in soft corn masa. Ingredients (makes 12-15): 2 lbs pork shoulder, 20 dried guajillo chiles, 10 ancho chiles, 4 cups masa harina, 3 cups chicken broth, 1 cup lard, corn husks, salt, garlic, cumin. Steps: Soak husks in water. Toast and blend chiles with garlic for sauce; braise pork in it for 2 hours until shreddable. Whip lard into masa with broth; spread on husks, add pork filling, fold, and steam 1-1.5 hours. Benefits: High in protein and fiber from masa, these are hearty, freezer-friendly, and a staple for celebrations, promoting family bonding through shared prep.

Green Chicken Tamales (Tamales Verdes de Pollo)

Bright and tangy with tomatillos and serranos, filled with shredded chicken. Ingredients: 2 lbs chicken thighs, 1 lb tomatillos, 4 serrano chiles, 4 cups masa harina, 1 cup lard, 3 cups broth, husks, onion, cilantro. Steps: Poach chicken, shred, and blend roasted tomatillos/chiles into salsa verde. Mix masa with whipped lard and broth; assemble by spreading masa, adding chicken-salsa mix, wrap, steam 60-90 minutes. Benefits: Packed with vitamins from green chiles and lean protein, they’re lighter yet flavorful, ideal for health-conscious eaters craving authentic spice.

Beef Tamales with Ancho Chile (Tamales de Res)

Slow-cooked beef in smoky ancho sauce for deep, savory umami. Ingredients: 2 lbs beef chuck, 12 ancho chiles, 4 cups masa, 1 cup lard, 3 cups beef broth, husks, garlic, oregano. Steps: Braise beef in rehydrated ancho puree for 3 hours; shred. Prepare masa, spread on soaked husks, fill with beef, fold, steam until firm. Benefits: Iron-rich from beef and antioxidants from chiles, these sustain energy and add bold flavor to winter menus.

Cheese and Poblano Tamales (Tamales de Queso con Rajas)

Creamy queso fresco and roasted poblano strips for a vegetarian delight. Ingredients: 1 lb queso fresco, 6 poblanos, 4 cups masa, 1 cup lard, 3 cups veg broth, husks, onion. Steps: Roast/char poblanos, peel, slice; crumble cheese. Spread masa on husks, layer rajas and cheese, wrap, steam 1 hour. Benefits: Calcium boost from cheese, low-cal veggies make these indulgent yet light, perfect for meatless Mondays.

Sweet Corn Tamales (Tamales de Elote)

Fresh corn kernels blended into naturally sweet masa. Ingredients: 6 cups fresh corn kernels, 3 cups masa harina, 1/2 cup butter, 1 cup milk, husks, sugar, baking powder. Steps: Puree half the corn, mix with masa, butter, milk; spread on husks with whole kernels, fold, steam 45 minutes. Benefits: Gluten-free, vitamin-packed from corn, a wholesome dessert alternative that’s kid-friendly and seasonal.

Chicken Mole Tamales (Tamales de Pollo en Mole)

Complex Oaxacan mole sauce envelops tender chicken. Ingredients: 2 lbs chicken, mole ingredients (chiles, chocolate, nuts, 20+ spices), 4 cups masa, lard, broth, husks. Steps: Simmer chicken in prepared mole; mix masa, assemble, steam 90 minutes. Benefits: Antioxidant-rich chocolate and nuts provide heart-healthy fats, turning a festive sauce into portable luxury.

Pineapple Sweet Tamales (Tamales de Piña)

Tropical pineapple in cinnamon-spiced masa. Ingredients: 2 cups pineapple chunks, 4 cups masa, 1 cup butter, 1 cup sugar, husks, raisins, cinnamon. Steps: Cook pineapple with sugar/cinnamon; blend into some masa, spread on husks with raisins, steam 50 minutes. Benefits: Vitamin C from pineapple aids digestion, a joyful sweet treat for holidays.

Creamy Rajas Tamales (Tamales de Rajas con Crema)

Poblanos in a velvety crema sauce. Ingredients: 8 poblanos, 2 cups crema, 4 cups masa, 1 cup lard, broth, husks, corn kernels. Steps: Roast poblanos, mix with crema; spread masa, fill, steam 1 hour. Benefits: Probiotic crema supports gut health, creamy comfort without heaviness.

Duck Tamales with Hoisin Twist (Tamales de Pato)

Authentic with a subtle Asian fusion nod, confit-style duck. Ingredients: 2 lbs duck legs, guajillo sauce, 4 cups masa, lard, husks. Steps: Slow-cook duck in sauce; shred, assemble, steam. Benefits: Omega-3s from duck for anti-inflammatory benefits, gourmet upgrade.

Veracruz Fish Tamales (Tamales de Pescado)

White fish in tomato-olive-caper sauce. Ingredients: 1.5 lbs white fish, tomatoes, olives, capers, masa, lard, banana leaves. Steps: Simmer fish in sofrito sauce; wrap in masa on leaves, steam. Benefits: Lean protein and lycopene from tomatoes for heart health.

Black Bean Tamales (Tamales de Frijol Negro)

Hearty refried black beans with epazote. Ingredients: 4 cups black beans, 4 cups masa, lard, husks, epazote. Steps: Refry beans, mix into masa layer, steam. Benefits: Plant-based protein and fiber for sustained energy, vegan-friendly.

Sweet Potato Tamales (Tamales de Camote)

Mashed sweet potatoes with piloncillo. Ingredients: 4 sweet potatoes, masa, butter, piloncillo, husks. Steps: Boil/mash potatoes with sugar; fill masa, steam. Benefits: Beta-carotene for immunity, naturally sweet and nutritious.

Oaxacan Chocolate Tamales (Tamales Nejos)

Spiced chocolate masa with nuts. Ingredients: Mexican chocolate, masa, lard, nuts, husks. Steps: Melt chocolate into masa; add nuts, steam. Benefits: Mood-boosting flavonoids, a decadent yet traditional sweet.

Chipotle Shrimp Tamales (Tamales de Camarón)

Smoky shrimp in chipotle adobo. Ingredients: 1 lb shrimp, chipotles, masa, lard, husks. Steps: Sauté shrimp in sauce; assemble, steam 45 minutes. Benefits: Seafood protein and capsaicin for metabolism boost.

These 14 authentic tamales recipes are your invitation to channel tradition in your kitchen—grab some husks, invite friends for a tamalada, and wrap up joy one bite at a time. Which one will you try first? Share your wrapping adventures in the comments!