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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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
Add the dry ingredients to the KitchenAid mixer, a bowl for a hand mixer, or you can also do this by hand.
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.
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.
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?!
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).
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.
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
Tamale Masa Recipe with Oil
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
Nutrition
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
Oh my sister would love this recipe. I can’t wait to share it with her.
Awesome. Thank you! My little brother is a vegan. So, it works out great for him. This tamale masa recipe with oil is great for making healthy tamales too.
We’ve recently gone Gluten Free and this looks like a great fit for us to try.
My son’s best friend is gluten free. He was very happy when Tamale season came around this year. I made a batch of tamales using this tamale masa recipe with oil. He loved them!
I haven’t tried cooking tamale yet because I feel so intimidated. You make it look so easy.
It’s not hard to make tamales at all. It’s just labor intensive. Invite a few friends, and it’ll go by faster.
Tamales are one of those things that we love but we have never made at home. These look like they would be so good!
It’s so super easy to make tamales. Especially this tamale masa recipe with oil, you’ll love it!
I have not had Tamale ever since I left Texas. I will try your recipe.
❥ tanvii.com
Hope you do. Tamales are the best, if I say so myself.
Thanks for sharing! My family makes tamales each year. I’m sad to say that my stomach can no longer handle the “traditional” masa with lard. I’ll be so happy to give this a try though. Do you by chance have an average amount of how many tamales this makes? Again, thank you so much for sharing!
Trying this for the first time ever. Excited to taste. My daughter is vegan so should be a good fit.
I use this to make vegan tamales all the time. Hope you enjoy!
Hi there! Trying to prepare over a few days. How long will the masa last in a covered container in the fridge? Or, is it possible to put it in the freezer? Thanks!
Hi. Both ways are fine. Using an airtight container, you can put it in the fridge, or in the freezer and simply thaw.
Can you use extra virgin olive oil or does it have to be olive oil
You can use either extra virgin or regular olive oil.
My whole family loves this!
That makes me so happy to hear! Thank you.
hola.. me encanto ver tu receta, quiero intentarlo pero me cohibo un poco porque no tengo idea como rellenarlos si son en cierta forma veganos..
Hola Zenny! espero te animes a hacer esta receta, sólo sigue el video y listo!
I’ve used this recipe several times and I LOVE IT!! I use my instant pot to steam them. My husband loves my tamales! The masa is moist and flavorful.
Thank you so much for sharing your recipe with me!!!
So glad you and your husband enjoyed this recipe as much as I do!
I made these today with leftover carnitas and YUM!! Instead of using my tamale steamer pot, I used my Instant Pot. I set the time for 30 minutes, let sit 15 minutes, then released the remaining pressure. Since I made 11 tamales and not 16, I went longer on the cook time. They were perfect🤗 These are my go to moving forward!! Thank you so much!!
This recipe is delicious. So glad you enjoyed it!