🇲🇽 Mexico · Food

Tamales Verdes

90 min
A recipe worth the effort
🔥 520 kcal
Hearty helping
🍽 6 servings
Feeds a crowd

By eatmundo · August 3, 2026

Tamales Verdes🇲🇽 MXNsaum75 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Soft and fluffy masa stuffed with shredded chicken and tangy green salsa, all wrapped in a corn husk and steamed to perfection. A labor of love, this traditional dish is a center-piece for celebrations.

Ingredients

How to Make It

  • 1

    Soak the dried corn husks in warm water for at least an hour until pliable.

  • 2

    Shred the cooked chicken breast and mix thoroughly with the salsa verde.

  • 3

    Whip the lard in a large bowl until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.

  • 4

    Gradually beat the masa, baking powder, salt, and chicken stock into the lard.

  • 5

    Check the consistency; the dough should be soft and spreadable.

  • 6

    Spread a thin layer of masa onto the center of each softened husk.

  • 7

    Add a spoonful of the chicken mixture and fold the sides of the husk inward.

  • 8

    Steam upright in a large pot for 60-75 minutes until the masa pulls away from the husk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use butter instead of lard?+

Yes, it creates a slightly different flavor profile but works well.

How do I know they are done?+

The masa should firm up and peel easily from the corn husk.

Can they be frozen?+

Yes, they freeze perfectly raw or cooked for up to 3 months.

Is masa harina the same as cornmeal?+

No, masa harina is nixtamalized corn flour and is essential for tamales.

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