Cornmeal Tamales

Traditional Mexican-inspired tamales made with seasoned ground beef and cornmeal coating, steamed to perfection. This hearty recipe combines well-spiced meat with a crispy cornmeal exterior for a delicious main dish.

12 servings
1 hr 15 min

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds ground beef
  • teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • teaspoons cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • teaspoons onion powder
  • ¼ cup chili powder
  • 4 tablespoons sugar
  • ½ cup yellow cornmeal
  • 16 ounces tomato sauce
  • 36 pieces parchment or wax paper cut into 5-inch squares
  • 4 cups yellow cornmeal mixed with 2 teaspoons salt

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Combine the ground beef, seasonings, yellow cornmeal, and tomato sauce in a large bowl and mix well. Make 36 balls of approximately 2 tablespoons of the mixture, or 1 1/2 ounces per ball. Roll each ball into a cigar shape about 5 inches long. Fill a 9 by 12-inch casserole or cake pan with the dredging mixture. Dredge the individual meat "cigars" in the cornmeal until well coated. Place each cornmeal-coated "cigar" in a piece of paper and roll up the paper around the filling. In a large steamer pot, lay two layers of tamales and steam for 1 hour, covered. Serve hot.

    60 min

  2. 2.

    Add 1/2 cup water and a teaspoon of salt to 10 cups corn bread crumbs and work into a paste. Cover the meat "cigars" with the paste individually instead of dredging. Proceed as directed

    15 min

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