Jul 14 2026
RestaurantsLa Ristra New Mexican KitchenRed Beef Tamale Recipe

Red Beef Tamale Recipe

Time3h
Serves8

Chile Colorado

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Ingredients

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Tamale Dough

Chile Colorado Filling

Assembly

Method

Tamale Dough

  1. 1

    Prepare the Corn Husks

    Soak the corn husks in warm water for about 30 minutes to soften them. Drain and set aside.

  2. 2

    Mix Dry Ingredients

    In a large bowl, combine masa harina, baking powder, and salt. Mix well.

  3. 3

    Cream Shortening

    In another bowl, beat the vegetable shortening until fluffy.

  4. 4

    Combine Ingredients

    Gradually add the dry mixture to the shortening, alternating with the broth. Mix until the dough is well combined and has a light, spreadable texture.

Chile Colorado Filling

  1. 5

    Prepare the Chiles

    Remove stems and seeds from the dried ancho and guajillo chiles. Rinse them under cool water.

  2. 6

    Cook the Chiles

    In a pot, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add the cleaned chiles and boil for about 10 minutes until softened. Remove from heat and allow to cool.

  3. 7

    Blend the Sauce

    In a blender, combine the softened chiles, onion, garlic, cumin, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Blend until smooth, adding some of the cooking liquid as needed.

  4. 8

    Cook the Beef

    In a large pot, add the beef chuck roast and pour the blended chile sauce over it. Add the beef broth and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook on low for 2-3 hours, until the beef is tender. Shred the beef and mix it back into the sauce.

Assembly

  1. 9

    Fill the Tamales

    Take a soaked corn husk and spread about 2 tablespoons of the tamale dough in the center. Add a tablespoon of the beef filling on top of the dough. Fold the sides of the husk over the filling and then fold the bottom up to secure.

  2. 10

    Steam the Tamales

    Place the filled tamales upright in a steamer basket. Steam for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until the masa is firm and pulls away from the husk easily.

  3. 11

    Serve

    Allow the tamales to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy them warm with salsa or your favorite toppings.

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