Beef Tamales, or Tamales de Res + VIDEO

Tamale Wars: The Untold Story

Fewer things are as hidden as my family’s silent competition for the best Beef Tamales. We weren’t blindfolded, but we would be seated at the table. Then served a plate full of tamales and a fork. The first bite was taken, and the cook would anxiously await for the obligatory, “These are the BEST tamales ever!” They would smile and sheepishly look away. The next day, while at another relative’s house, we would proclaim them to make the best tamales. And on and on it went until the Holidays were over. Sorry abuelita. Sorry mom. Sorry tías. I’m jumping in the ring, and proudly sharing with you the best beef tamales ever.

Beef tamales are amazingly delicious. Meaty and with just the right amount of spicy flavors. They are a classic Mexican food that will be a favorite until the end of time. This Beef Tamales recipe is the way we make them in Durango, Mexico where my father and the majority of our family still lives.

Reserve 2 cups of beef broth from the cooked roast to make the red chile sauce. Some people toast the chiles. We soak the guajillo chiles in warm water for 30 minutes. Blend them with garlic, cumin, salt and pepper, and the reserved beef broth. It will be the consistency of a thin paste. Taste it for salt. Heat the oil in a large pot. I use the same pot that I cooked the roast in. Add the red chile sauce and stir for 4-5 minutes.

Then add the shredded beef. Let it all simmer together for about 30 minutes or until heated through. Set aside.
Note: While you’re waiting for the beef to finish, soak the corn husks.

How to Assemble Beef Tamales

Directions: (see collage above)
1. Smear a damp corn husk with prepared masa.
2. Add beef filling in the center of the corn husk and in the center of the masa.
3. Fold each side inward.
4. Then fold the corner top over.
5. Set each tamale into a large stock pot.
6. Steam for 1 ½ hour.

How you know when the Beef Tamales are ready:
If the masa pulls away from the corn husks easily, they are done. If not, add more water to the pot and continue steaming.

Print Recipe

5 from 3 votes

Beef Tamales, or Tamales de Res

Beef tamales are amazingly delicious. Meaty and with just the right about of spicy flavors. They are a classic Mexican food that will be a favorite until the end of time.

Prep Time1 hr

Cook Time1 hr 30 mins

Total Time2 hrs 30 mins

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: Mexican

Keyword: Authentic Mexican Food, Beef, Masa, Mexican food, Mexican recipe, Tamales

Servings: 30

Author: Maggie Unzueta

Ingredients

• For Red Beef Chile Filling:
• 4 tablespoons oil divided
• 3-4 lbs beef shoulder roast
• 2 tbspn salt divided
• 1 1/2 tspn pepper divided
• 4-6 cups beef broth
• 4 cloves garlic whole divided
• ¼ onion chopped
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 package guajillo chiles
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• For Tamales:
• 30 Corn husks
• 3 1/2 cups prepared Masa
• 3 lbs Red Chile Beef filling
• 2 cups hot water

Instructions

• For the Filling:
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large stock pot.
• Season all sides of the beef roast with 1 tablespoon of salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. 
• Brown each of the sides of the roast.
• Add the beef broth, 3 garlic cloves, onion, and bay leaf.
• Cover and let simmer for 2 hours
• Remove from pot and let the meat rest.
• Reserve 2 cups of the beef broth. Discard the rest.
• In the meantime, remove stems and as many seeds as possible from the guajillo chiles.
• Soak guajillo chiles in warm water for 30 minutes or until pliable.
• Discard the chile water.
• In a blender, add soaked guajillo chiles, 1 garlic clove, cumin, 1 tablespoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and reserved beef broth.
• Blend into a thick red chile sauce.
• In a large pot, heat 2 tablespoon oil.
• Add the red chile sauce and cook on low heat for 4-5 minutes. Stir occasionally.
• While you’re waiting, shred the beef.
• Remove any extra fat.
• Add beef to the red chili sauce.
• Heat thoroughly. About 30 minutes.
• Set aside.
• For Tamales:
• Soak the corn husks for at least 30 minutes in hot water.
• With a knife or a spoon, spread a thin layer of the masa on the corn husk.
• In the center of the corn husk and in the center of the masa, add the filling.
• Fold the sides in.
• Fold the corner top in.
• Place a few of the corn husks on the bottom of the pot, then add the uncooked tamales.
• Add 2 cups hot water.
• Note: If you don’t have a steamer, adding the kitchen towel will help them steam better.
• Steam for 1 1/2 hour.

For More Tamales Recipe:

How To Make Masa
Jalapeño and Cheese Tamales