Tamales are a delicious dish that is typically served for lunch or dinner. While they’re traditionally Mesoamerican fare, you can find them throughout the United States. If you’re a fan of Mexican food and want to enjoy tamales more often, you might be curious about their ingredients and how they fit into your meals
If you want to know more about tamale ingredients we have more information on that as well.
What Are Tamales?
Tamales are wrapped in a corn-based dough mixture and then filled with meat, beans, cheese, and other ingredients. You cook them in corn husks or banana leaves (which you take off before eating).
This dish varies based on the Latin roots of the restaurant where it’s being served. A Mexican tamale may look different from tamales found in other parts of Central or South America. You may see different flavors and ingredients used depending on the location or the chef’s family origin. They also vary based on cultural differences within the same region–if you travel often, you likely won’t eat the same tamale twice.
Tamales are very portable, making them the perfect meal for work, school, or when you’re out and about. If they’re being served by themselves, you should have two to three tamales ready to go for each person–you can place them in a portable container to keep them fresh until someone is ready to eat them.
What Are Tamales Made Of?
The tamale dough and shell is usually made with the following ingredients:
- Dried corn husks
- ‘Masa harina’ (a special type of finely ground corn flour)
- Chicken, beef, or vegetable stock
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Ground cumin
The filling may include:
- Refried beans
- Chicken
- Pork
- Cheese
- Vegetables
- Red salsa
- Mole
- Salsa verde
- Enchilada sauce
You can top them with:
- Sour cream
- Guacamole
- Chopped cilantro
- Cotija cheese
- Pico de gallo
- Salsa
After looking at this ingredient list, you may be wondering if tamales are gluten-free.
The good news is that the dough is made from masa harina, a finely ground corn flour, which means tamales are naturally gluten-free; perfect for anyone avoiding wheat-based ingredients.
Why Tamales Deserve a Spot on Your Table
Tamales are a flavorful and versatile dish that can be customized with a wide variety of fillings and toppings. Whether you enjoy them with savory meats, beans, or cheese, they are a great way to bring a taste of traditional Mesoamerican cuisine to your table.
They’re perfect for meal prep, gatherings, or simply as a convenient on-the-go option.
