How to Make Tamales

Before You Start

Before you start, know that making tamales takes time, and needs patience, but rewards you with a beautiful and flavorful meal.

Making tamales is easy once you get the hang of it. Like crepes or pancakes, assume that the first one is the trial, and don't feel bad if you have to discard it. The first tamale will teach you how much masa and filling you actually need to be able to fold and close it appropriately.

Our guide teaches you how to prepare the corn husks and assemble this delicious Hispanic dish. It may take you a little longer to make the first few, but after you learn the ropes, you'll have a whole batch ready to steam.

What You Need to Make Tamales

To make tamales at home, you'll need the following ingredients and tools:

• Dry corn husks
• A large bowl or sink for soaking the corn husks
• A container or plastic bag for keeping the husks from drying out
• Tamale dough
• The fillings of your choice
• Steaming bucket or pot
• Garnishes like chopped cilantro, chopped onions, halved limes, table sauces, tortillas, bolillos

Sort the Husks

Go through the corn husks and remove any debris. The husks can have dirt and hairs that need to be removed. Separate the larger usable husks from the smaller bits and pieces, but do save the smaller pieces for later. Smaller husks can be used as patches or cut lengthwise to make the strips to tie the tamales.

In many Hispanic cultures, they boil the corn hairs and make a hot tea out of them to treat urinary discomforts, but sipping it with honey is simply delicious.

Soak the Husks

Place the husks in a large bowl, or sink, and cover them with warm water. Set a heavy item (like a bowl or ceramic casserole) on top of the husks to keep them submerged for 1 hour.

Remove the husks from the water and pat dry. Place into a covered dish or a large plastic bag to prevent them from drying out. Use only the larger and medium-sized husks for the tamales. When looking at the husk, notice the shape.

They have a narrow end, a broad end, and two long sides, similar to a trapezoid.

While you soak the husk, prepare your filling and be sure it's dense and doesn't have any excess liquid.

Spread the Dough

Once your dough is well rested, mixed, and doesn't stick to your hands, you are ready to spread it on the prepared husks. Follow the next steps:

• Lay a husk on a flat surface. Depending on its size, spoon 1 to 2 tablespoons of dough onto the husk.
• Use the back of a metal spoon to spread the dough onto the husk. Some people find a putty knife to do a fine job. Alternatively, wet your hands and spread it with your palm.
• When spreading the dough, leave a space of about 4 inches from the narrow end of the husk and about 2 inches from the broad end.
• Spread the dough to the edge of one of the long sides and 2 inches away from the other long side.
• Try to keep the dough approximately 1/4-inch thick.

Add the Filling

Tamale fillings come in many flavors and levels of spiciness. Once you've chosen the one of your liking, be sure it's not too hot to handle.

Spread a couple of spoonfuls of filling down the center of the dough, leaving at least one inch of dough around the sides.

Fold the Tamale

Locate the long side of the husk with a 2-inch space that doesn't have any masa. Fold that over, slightly overlapping the other side, so the edges of the dough meet. Press gently and make sure the filling isn't leaking.

Finish Folding

Wrap an extra husk around the back, so you have a tightly wrapped tamale.

Fold the broad end over the top and the longer narrow end over the broad end.

Tie the Tamale Together

Create strips of husk by cutting or tearing 1/4-inch lengths off of some of the smaller or unusable husks. Use these to tie across the middle of the tamale to hold the flaps down. You may need to tie two strips together before tying it across the tamales, depending on how thick your tamales are.

You can also use kitchen twine to tie off the tamales. This option gives you the choice to better tie the tamales lengthwise and crosswise if they are too big.

Steam the Tamales

Set the tamales upright in a steamer. You can buy a large steamer made just for this purpose, but can also use any available large pot.

Keep a small amount of boiling water on the bottom of a pot and use a colander or mesh of some sort to keep the tamales away from the water. Cover the pot with a lid and steam for 90 minutes. Do not let the water boil up completely. Add hot water to the pot as necessary, but keep it away from the tamales.

Be sure to let the tamales rest for 1 full hour before serving them. By letting them rest, you are ensuring that the dough is firm and the filling is contained in it. If you really need to check one for doneness, wait at least 5 minutes before opening.

Serve with the husk if you are used to it, or unwrap and serve on a plate for less seasoned tamale-eaters.