Beef Tamales

Beef Tamales
  • 4 pounds boneless chuck roast
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 3 (8 ounce) packages dried corn husks
  • 4 dried ancho chiles
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon white vinegar
  • salt to taste
  • 3 cups lard
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 9 cups masa harina


  1. Place beef and garlic in a large pot. Cover with cold water and bring to a boil over high heat. As soon as water boils, reduce heat to a simmer and cover pot. Let simmer for 3 1/2 hours, until beef is tender and shreds easily. When beef is done, remove from pot, reserving 5 cups cooking liquid and discarding garlic. Allow meat to cool slightly, and shred finely with forks.
  2. Meanwhile, place corn husks in a large container and cover with warm water. Allow to soak for 3 hours, until soft and pliable. May need to weight down with an inverted plate and a heavy can.
  3. Toast ancho chiles in a cast iron skillet, making sure not to burn them. Allow to cool and then remove stems and seeds. Crumble and grind in a clean coffee grinder or with a mortar and pestle.
  4. Heat oil in a large skillet. Mix in flour and allow to brown slightly. Pour in 1 cup beef broth and stir until smooth. Mix in ground chiles, cumin seeds, ground cumin, minced garlic, oregano, red pepper flakes, vinegar and salt. Stir shredded beef into skillet and cover. Let simmer 45 minutes.
  5. Place lard and salt in a large mixing bowl. Whip with an electric mixer on high speed until fluffy. Add masa harina and beat at low speed until well mixed. Pour in reserved cooking liquid a little at a time until mixture is the consistency of soft cookie dough.
  6. Drain water from corn husks. One at a time, flatten out each husk, with the narrow end facing you, and spread approximately 2 tablespoons masa mixture onto the top 2/3 of the husk. Spread about 1 tablespoon of meat mixture down the middle of the masa. Roll up the corn husk starting at one of the long sides. Fold the narrow end of the husk onto the rolled tamale and tie with a piece of butchers' twine.
  7. Place tamales in a steamer basket. Steam over boiling water for approximately one hour, until masa is firm and holds its shape. Make sure steamer does not run out of water. Serve immediately, allowing each person to unwrap their own tamales. Allow any leftovers (still in husks) to cool, uncovered, in the refrigerator.

03/27/2017
Beef Tamales, recipe PT15M PT1H 5 455 calories

Comment on this content
rosemary and goat cheese crostini with walnuts and honey
rosemary and goat cheese crostini with walnuts and honey
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).Place baguette..
4.1
7158
ginger beer
ginger beer
Finely shred ginger into a bowl. Zest lemons and add zest to..
3.9
5520
black bean avocado hazelnut mocha cake
black bean avocado hazelnut mocha cake
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease an 8-i..
4.4
4308
asparagus summer soup
asparagus summer soup
Cut asparagus stalks into 1-inch pieces; reserve tips in a b..
3.4
4133
caribbean sangria
caribbean sangria
Place orange slices, peach slices, lemon slices, and lime sl..
4.2
4237
smoked paprika chicken, kale, and bean stew
smoked paprika chicken, kale, and bean stew
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chicken ..
3.7
4276
japanese-mexican fusion quesadillas
japanese-mexican fusion quesadillas
Combine soy sauce, sugar, ginger, and garlic in a large bowl..
2.9
5242
vegan oven-fried zucchini sticks
vegan oven-fried zucchini sticks
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spread olive ..
2.1
4753
flourless triple chocolate cookies
flourless triple chocolate cookies
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Spray 2 bakin..
3.4
4577
Homemade Beef Tamales
Homemade Beef Tamales
Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add beef, g..
818
Poblano and Cheese Tamales (Tamales de Rajas con Queso)
Poblano and Cheese Tamales (Tamales de Rajas con Queso)
Place corn husks in a bowl, cover with boiling water, and so..
1166
Tamales Oaxaqueños (Oaxacan-Style Tamales)
Tamales Oaxaqueños (Oaxacan-Style Tamales)
Beat 9 ounces lard in a large bowl with an electric mixer un..
745
Red Chicken Tamales (Tamales Rojos de Pollo)
Red Chicken Tamales (Tamales Rojos de Pollo)
Place corn husks in a bowl, cover with boiling water, and so..
809
Tamales de Puerco (Red Pork Tamales)
Tamales de Puerco (Red Pork Tamales)
Cut pork into 3 chunks and place in a large saucepan. Add on..
5
787
Cabbage Tamales
Cabbage Tamales
Freeze the cabbage leaves or blanch them for about 3 minutes..
881
chile for tamales
chile for tamales
Wash dried peppers and remove stems and seeds. Place in a bl..
568