red beef tamales recipe

The Best red beef tamales recipe

I’ve been making red beef tamales for years, and it’s a recipe that never fails to impress my family and friends. The dish originates from Mexican cuisine, where it’s known as ‘tamales rojos.’ It’s a staple at many family gatherings and special occasions.

When I make this recipe, I love the aroma of the spices and the tender beef filling that wafts through the kitchen. The key to making great tamales is in the preparation of the dough, or ‘masa,’ which must be tender yet firm enough to hold its shape when steamed. To achieve this delicate balance, I use a combination of all-purpose flour, lard, and chicken broth.

Once I’ve got the dough right, I fill it with a rich beef mixture seasoned with chili powder, cumin, and garlic. The result is a deliciously flavored tamale that’s both easy to make and satisfying to eat. My kids love helping me assemble the tamales, carefully placing each corn husk on a baking sheet before spooning in the filling and rolling them up tightly.

This recipe is perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a holiday dinner or just a quick weeknight meal. And as an added bonus, tamales are incredibly versatile – you can serve them as a main course or as an appetizer. Plus, they’re relatively healthy considering how much food you get out of each one.

So go ahead and give this recipe a try; I promise you won’t be disappointed! After all these years of making tamales, I still find myself looking forward to each step of the process – from mixing the dough to carefully placing each tamale on a steamer basket. It’s truly become an enjoyable tradition in our household.

Red Beef Tamales

4.5 from 1965 votes

Red beef tamales are traditional Mexican treats with a rich, spicy beef filling wrapped in corn dough and steamed to perfection. This recipe is a must-try for any occasion.

Prep Time30 mins
Cook Time2 hours
Resting Time0 mins
Total Time2 hours 30 mins
Servings: 8Cuisine: InternationalCalories: 300 kcal

πŸ₯˜Ingredients

For the Dough

3 cups masa harina
1 1/2 cups warm water
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt

For the Red Sauce

1 onion
4 cloves garlic
2 cups tomato sauce
2 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp sugar

For the Filling

2 lbs beef chuck
1 onion
4 cloves garlic
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper

For Assembly

24 dried corn husks
1 cup lard or vegetable shortening

πŸ‘¨β€πŸ³Directions

1Soak dried corn husks in warm water for at least 30 minutes until soft and pliable.
2Preheat oven to 350Β°F (175Β°C).
3For the red sauce, finely chop onion and garlic.
4Heat a large pot over medium heat, add onion and garlic and cook until softened and translucent, approximately 5 minutes.
5Add tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, black pepper, and sugar.
6Stir well, reduce heat to low, and let simmer for 15 minutes.
7For the filling, cut beef chuck into small cubes.
8In a large pot, heat vegetable oil over medium heat.
9Add beef cubes, season with salt and black pepper.
10Cook until beef is browned on all sides, approximately 10 minutes.
11Add red sauce to the pot, stir well to combine.
12Reduce heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for 1.
5 to 2 hours, until beef is tender and easily shredded with a fork.
13Remove from heat and set aside.
14For the dough, in a large mixing bowl, combine masa harina, warm water, baking powder, and salt.
15Mix well until a soft dough forms.
16Add more water if needed.
17Knead the dough for 2-3 minutes until smooth.
18To assemble the tamales, take a softened corn husk and pat it dry.
19Spread a thin layer of dough onto the husk, leaving a border around the edges.
20Place a spoonful of the beef filling in the center of the dough.
21Fold the sides of the husk over the filling and then fold the bottom of the husk up to enclose the tamale.
22Tie with a thin strip of corn husk to secure.
23Place the tamales vertically in a steamer, with the open end facing up.
24Steam over medium heat for 1 to 1.
5 hours, until the dough pulls away from the husk and is firm to the touch.
25Add more water to the steamer as needed during cooking.
26Remove tamales from the steamer and let them rest for 10 minutes.
27Serve warm with additional red sauce if desired.

πŸ”§Equipment

Large pot
Mixing bowl
Steamer
Cutting board
Knife

πŸ“ŠNutrition Facts (per serving)

πŸ”₯Calories: 300 kcal🧈Total Fat: 10gπŸ’›Saturated Fat: 3.5g❀️Cholesterol: 45mgπŸ§‚Sodium: 800mg🌾Total Carbs: 35gπŸ₯¦Dietary Fiber: 3g🍬Sugars: 4gπŸ₯©Protein: 20g

πŸ“Notes

Tips: You can use a slow cooker to make the beef filling. Cook the beef and sauce on low for 8 hours. For a spicier tamale, add diced jalapeΓ±os to the beef filling.

Watch Video Of How Red Beef Tamales Works

One thing I love about this recipe is how well it stores – you can refrigerate them for up to 3 days or freeze them for months without any issues. When reheating, simply steam them over boiling water until they’re hot through and through.

As an added bonus, these tamales are perfect for special occasions like holidays or parties because they’re so easy to serve – just unwrap each one and pass it around! In fact, my family has come to expect these delicious tamales at every gathering we have.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Red Beef Tamales

Q: What type of beef is best for this recipe?

For this recipe, you’ll want to use chuck roast or brisket – anything too lean will result in dry meat.

Q: Can I use store-bought masa harina instead of making my own dough?

Sure thing! Store-bought masa harina will work just fine; just be sure to follow the package instructions for mixing.

Q: How do I keep my tamales from drying out during storage?

To prevent drying out, wrap your assembled tamales tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil before refrigerating or freezing.

Q: Can I make these tamales ahead of time?

Ahead of time is exactly right! You can assemble and refrigerate or freeze them for up to 3 days before steaming.

Q: What if I don’t have access to fresh corn husks?

No problem – you can substitute parchment paper or even aluminum foil for wrapping your tamales if need be!

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