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    Home » Recipes » Tamale Masa Recipe with Oil + VIDEO

    Tamale Masa Recipe with Oil + VIDEO

    Last Updated November 25, 2020. Originally Posted December 23, 2018 By Maggie Unzueta

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    This tamale masa recipe with oil is perfect for making healthy Mexican tamales. The distinct flavor is something to enjoy in each bite.
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    This tamale masa recipe with oil is perfect for making healthy Mexican tamales. The distinct flavor is something to enjoy in each bite. Watch the VIDEO or follow the easy step-by-step pictures. By Mama Maggie's Kitchen

    This tamale masa recipe with oil is perfect for making healthy Mexican tamales. The distinct flavor is something to enjoy in each bite. Watch the VIDEO or follow the easy step-by-step pictures.

    Spoon spreading masa with oil on a corn husk.

    My little brother is a vegan. My dad happens to be “somewhat” of a vegetarian (like every other day). It’s a lot more often than just Meatless Mondays! Over the years, we have had to adapt several traditional Mexican recipes to fit their dietary needs, or we simply avoid serving them certain foods altogether. However, when it comes to our special holiday traditions, we can’t avoid tamales during Christmas. This tamale masa recipe made with oil is something my mom heard of through her network of friends. Since then, this is what she uses to make her tamales.

    Ingredients tamale masa recipe with oil on a wooden surface.

    Making traditional masa with lard or shortening is easy (as easy as finding an abuela who speaks Spanish). I have to admit.. I actually think this tamale masa recipe with oil is even easier. Mix the dry ingredients first. Then add the wet ingredients. DONE. Seriously, whoever came up with this vegan recipe is an absolute genius!

    Measuring cup filled with masa harina next to the mixing bowl.

    Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

    All tamale masa recipes start with masa harina. I have always used Maseca. That is the brand that I know and love. My little brother (our healthy conscious family member) has started to fork out for the organic masa harina you get at Whole Foods or you can also get it online. He will make completely organic and completely vegan tamales.

    Hand holding a container of baking powder next to a mixing bowl.

    Baking powder is essential for making masa. It will help your tamales get bigger and poofy.
    Aluminum-free baking powder is best so it won’t have that yucky metallic taste. You can easily find this at the store for relatively cheap.

    Masa harina with baking powder and salt.

    Add the dry ingredients to the KitchenAid mixer, a bowl for a hand mixer, or you can also do this by hand.

    Vegetable broth pouring into a Kitchen Aid mixer.

    Then slowly start adding the water. No torrential flooding here – add it little by litter. Remember: Water is vegan. Lol. Alternatively, you can use vegetable broth for some added depth of flavor. If you are not making vegan tamales, you can also use chicken broth.

    Measuring cup with olive oil next to the Kitchen Aid.

    This tamale masa recipe with oil is an olive oil lovers dream! It’s great for any time of day – even oily in the afternoon. 🙂 The masa will have a strong, very distinct olive oil flavor. You can also use canola oil or grapeseed oil. Some people have used coconut oil.

    Note: If you are using coconut oil, you need to melt it slightly before adding to the mixture. That is, stick it in the microwave for 30 seconds. OR, cream the coconut oil with a mixer then add the corn flour. You want to fully incorporate whatever oil you use.

    Tamale masa recipe with oil in a mixing bowl with the KitchenAid attachment.

    Do you see how creamy the texture is? Like the opposite of crunchy peanut butter. If your masa is not as creamy, add more water. It’s also very yellow in hue because of the olive oil. How easy was it to make this healthy tamale masa?!

    White spatula scraping down the sides of the mixing bowl with masa.

    Be sure to scrape the sides of the bowl and the bottom. Remember the tamalero’s motto: “We will leave no masa behind.” Or, “She works hard for the masa… So hard for the masa… She works hard for the masa so you’d better treat her right.” (Cue Donna Summer disco track for dancing in the kitchen).

    Corn husks with masa spread on them.

    This tamale masa recipe with oil spreads very evenly. I have even seen it sold premade at Gonzalez Northgate Market here in San Diego. The Mexican population often suffers from several different kinds of chronic health problems (like diabetes and heart disease) that can be helped with healthier diets. It makes me happy to see that we are starting to be more conscious of what we eat and offering more healthful options in authentic Mexican cuisine.

    Tamales assembled and standing up in a stock pot.

    Now that you’ve got your freshly-made masa, gather your already soaked corn husks, fill them up with your favorite filling, steam for the regular time (1 ½ to 2 hours), and enjoy. There’s plenty of time to masa round. Get it? 🙂 I know. It’s kind of corny. (Rim shot). “Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. I’ll be here all week.” Hope you enjoy!


    Watch the Tamale Masa Recipe with Oil video

    Spoon spreading masa with oil on a corn husk.

    Tamale Masa Recipe with Oil

    This tamale masa recipe with oil is perfect for making healthy Mexican tamales. The distinct flavor is something to enjoy in each bite.
    4.95 from 53 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Recipes
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Prep Time: 8 minutes
    Total Time: 8 minutes
    Servings: 16
    Calories: 167kcal
    Author: Maggie Unzueta

    Ingredients

    • 2 ½ cups corn flour or masa harina
    • ½ teaspoon baking powder
    • 1 tablespoon salt
    • 1 ½ cups vegetable broth or water
    • ¾ cup olive oil

    Instructions

    • In a mixer, add the corn flour, baking powder, and salt. 
    • Mix to combine. 
    • Slowly add the vegetable broth until fully incorporated. 
    • Slowly add the olive oil. 
    • Be sure to scrape the sides and the bottom of the bowl. 

    Video

    Notes

    You can also use canola oil or grapeseed oil.
    To be used with your favorite tamale filling.
    Steam tamales 1 1/2 - 2 hours.
    This recipe is for savory tamales, not sweet tamales.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 167kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 526mg | Potassium: 13mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 47IU | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @MamaMaggiesKitchen or tag #MamaMaggiesKitchen!

    Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.



    For More Tamale Recipes:


    Masa for Tamales
    Red Pork Tamales
    Tamales de Rajas con Queso, Pickled Jalapeño and Cheese Tamales
    Instant Pot Chicken Tamales
    Beef Tamales, Tamales de Res
    Chicken Salsa Verde Tamales
    Northern Style Bean Tamales, or Tamales de Frijol Norteños
    Tamales Dulces


    If you like this recipe, please rate it

    Filed Under: Healthy, Mexican, Recipes, Vegetarian

    About Maggie Unzueta

    Maggie Unzueta is the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer, videographer, and creator of In Mama Maggie's Kitchen. She has been developing easy and authentic Mexican food, Mexican-inspired recipes, and traveling tips since 2010. From family recipes to her extensive travels throughout Mexico, she brings traditional Mexican flavors from South of the Border and into your kitchen. Maggie has been featured in notable culinary websites and other media outlets. For more details, check out her About page.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Danielle Wolter

      December 11, 2020 at 5:32 am

      5 stars
      I have been meaning to make tamales forever now! This will be such a great help when I get there this year. Can’t wait to try it!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        December 11, 2020 at 10:40 am

        I love this recipe. Hope you try it!

        Reply
    2. Lisa Huff

      December 11, 2020 at 5:37 am

      5 stars
      I love tamales but have never made them at home. Now I’m craving them and want to make them soon!!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        December 11, 2020 at 10:39 am

        Hope you try this recipe, It’s delicious!

        Reply
    3. Traci

      December 11, 2020 at 6:27 am

      5 stars
      Who knew tamale masa is soooo simple?! It’s tamale time!!! Love your recipes…thanks for sharing 🙂

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        December 11, 2020 at 10:39 am

        Easy and delicious! Hope you try it

        Reply
    4. Beth

      December 11, 2020 at 6:28 am

      5 stars
      This looks so delicious and yummy! I can’t wait to make this recipe! So excited!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        December 11, 2020 at 10:38 am

        So good right? We love this one too

        Reply
    5. Josefina Ramón Cháirez

      December 27, 2021 at 5:38 am

      5 stars
      I was skeptical about maki g tamales with oil but I found your recipe and decided to try it(small amount of ingredients-not so much waste if it didn’t turn out). I’m so happy I tried it!!! Made a batch if cheese and rajas using both poblano and pickled jalapeños(for more spice). The tamales were a hit with my extended Hispanic and non-Hispanic family. Thank you for moving making tamales into the healthy column!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        January 15, 2022 at 9:07 am

        Yum! Your tamales sound delicious. Glad you enjoyed this recipe!

        Reply
    6. Rachel L Miller

      March 27, 2022 at 12:28 pm

      5 stars
      I had a pork loin I needed to use and thought that some tomales would do the trick. However I didn’t want to use lard;I wanted something healthier. I found your recipe using olive oil and put it with my go to filler and it was AMAZING! Thanks for sharing it!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        April 18, 2022 at 10:42 am

        Yay! Glad you liked it. I like the way the olive oil tastes too.

        Reply
    7. Dulce

      November 30, 2022 at 10:03 am

      Hello! I can’t wait to try this recipe. You mentioned this is for savory tamales. Do you have, or how would you tweak this recipe, to use it for sweet tamales?

      Thank you,
      Dulce

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        December 1, 2022 at 1:51 pm

        Use a neutral oil like vegetable oil or canola. Same amount. I say this tamales masa recipe with oil is for savory because I use olive oil.

        Reply
    8. Mar

      December 13, 2022 at 5:18 pm

      Hi! I bought Double-Active baking powder. Is that okay to use?

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        December 16, 2022 at 11:06 am

        No. It’s not the same thing. It’ll react different, and you’ll end up with a mess.

        Reply
    9. Ana Luisa

      December 15, 2022 at 8:50 am

      I would like to try this recipe, but I do have a question: is the masa beaten for any length of time, or just mixed til it comes together?
      Thanks!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        December 16, 2022 at 11:03 am

        Beat the masa for tamales using oil until it comes together. Beat a few minutes more, if you are unsure. You can’t overmix masa. Regular masa uses lard or shortening, and you beat it to make sure everything is full mixed. Here, the oil is poured into the masa and it mixes in easily.

        Reply
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