--- title: "24 Mouthwatering Tamales for the Best Meal of Your Life ..." description: "Chicken and Poblano Tamales; Tamale Pie; Chicken Tamale Casserole; Corn Husks; Roasted Poblano and Cheese Filling; More ..." url: "https://food.allwomenstalk.com/mouthwatering-tamales-for-the-best-meal-of-your-life/" category: "food" last_updated: "2026-05-29" --- # 24 Mouthwatering Tamales for the Best Meal of Your Life ... One of my goals in life is to learn how to make tamales. I mean, can you think of a better crowd pleasing meal for parties? Everyone likes tamales. I've been told they aren't hard to make, so I guess I need to pull myself together and just get it figured out. Then, I know I'll always have a great meal whenever the mood strikes. If you also want to learn to make these little packets of deliciousness, check out these great recipes to get you started. ## 1. Chicken and Poblano Tamales ![Chicken and Poblano Tamales](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/qg/bb/yttbx351_400x600.jpg) Via [Chicken and Poblano Tamales with ...](https://sweetlifebake.com/chicken-and-poblano-tamales-with-cilantro-crema/) Pork is the most traditional filling for tamales, but chicken tastes great too! ## 2. Tamale Pie ![Tamale Pie](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/in/hy/gqg1tzaj_600x735.jpg) Via [Easy as Tamale Pie - ...](https://kitchenmeetsgirl.com/easy-as-tamale-pie/) If tamales turn out to be too hard for me, I can always fall back on this casserole version for the same taste without all the work. ## 3. Chicken Tamale Casserole ![Chicken Tamale Casserole](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/jb/k4/ko12deuk_600x551.jpg) Via [Chicken Tamale Casserole](https://betsylife.com/chicken-tamale-casserole/) Here's another mouthwatering casserole version that's easy to throw together without sacrificing any of the taste you count on when you eat a tamale. ## 4. Corn Husks ![Corn Husks](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/xq/cr/ia0cqny6_360x360.jpg) Via [How to Make Tamales](https://www.bhg.com/recipes/ethnic-food/mexican/how-to-make-tamales/) You can't make tamales without a good pile of corn husks. Look for them on the ethnic foods aisle at your supermarket. ## 5. Roasted Poblano and Cheese Filling ![Roasted Poblano and Cheese Filling](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/bb/ev/af2jhw4h_550x825.jpg) Via [August Kitchen Challenge Results: Tamales ...](https://www.loveandoliveoil.com/2014/09/august-kitchen-challenge-results-tamales.html) If you prefer meatless tamales, peppers and cheese make the ultimate alternative. ## 6. Authentic Tamales ![Authentic Tamales](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/pu/if/hdn7r2kq_600x450.jpg) Via [Tamales - with your crockpot's ...](https://www.mrshappyhomemaker.com/authentic-tamales-with-your-crockpots-help/) True tamales are secured with little strips of corn husk to hold them together while you cook them. ## 7. Cheesy Goodness ![Cheesy Goodness](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/a2/ys/olkxot4r_528x640.jpg) Via [Chicken Tamale Casserole | Plain ...](https://www.plainchicken.com/chicken-tamale-casserole/) If you do go for the casserole, don't forget to absolutely smother it in cheese. Yum! ## 8. Cheesy Sweet Corn Tamale Pie ![Cheesy Sweet Corn Tamale Pie](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/ep/mx/z5ppjade_600x900.jpg) Via [Cheesy Sweet Corn Tamale Pie](https://www.thehopelesshousewife.com/?hhw_recipes=cheesy-sweet-corn-tamale-pie) Doesn't this tamale pie look yummy? I just want to grab a fork and dig right in. ## 9. Colombian Tamales ![Colombian Tamales](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/oa/jx/zpmi7axr_600x810.jpg) Via [Mom’s Colombian Tamales (Tamales Colombianos ...](https://www.mycolombianrecipes.com/moms-colombian-tamales-tamales-colombianos-de-mi-mama/?s-colombian-tamales-tamales-colombianos-de-mi-mama) Tamales, like many ethnic foods, vary from region to region, but every single version I've ever had has been absolutely delicious. ## 10. Small Size ![Small Size](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/m1/jg/dbf2zrpn_250x250.jpg) Via [Tamales - with your crockpot's ...](https://www.mrshappyhomemaker.com/authentic-tamales-with-your-crockpots-help/) It might be tempting to load your tamales up, but thinner ones cook faster and are easier to eat. ## 11. Perfectly Cooked ![Perfectly Cooked](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/dj/pd/x3qe0uga_600x600.jpg) Via [Authentic Pork Tamales Recipe](https://grandmotherskitchen.org/recipes/authentic-pork-tamales.html) These tamales have been cooked to perfection. I bet they are just the right texture! ## 12. Chocolate Tamales ![Chocolate Tamales](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/cv/kg/u054rm9a_400x502.jpg) Via [Tamales de Chocolate y Nuez](https://sweetlifebake.com/tamales-de-chocolate-y-nuez/) If you've never had a sweet tamale, now is the time to try one out. My husband's aunt used to make the best raisin and cinnamon ones. Tasty! ## 13. Shredded Pork _ Via Authentic Mexican Tamale Recipe: A ..._ Like I said above, shredded pork is a classic filling for tamales. And for good reason too - it tastes delicious. ## 14. Steam Them ![Steam Them](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/wc/bi/a9mbh1tw_400x600.jpg) Via [Unwrapping Edible Presents: Holiday Tamales](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/tamales-recipe-holiday_n_2253221?ir=Taste) Steaming tamales is the most authentic way of cooking them. Get a big steamer so you can cook a bunch at one time. ## 15. Red Chile ![Red Chile](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/x6/xh/oh8mf728_300x400.jpg) Via [Street Gourmet LA: Tamales Elena, ...](http://www.streetgourmetla.com/2010/07/tamales-elena-wattsca-guerreran-tamales.html) Adding red chile to your tamales gives them just the right amount of smokiness. ## 16. Masa Filling _ Via Authentic Mexican Tamale Recipe: A ..._ Here's a great example of how the masa is spread in the corn husk. ## 17. Fancy Presentation ![Fancy Presentation](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/wh/n6/x4yp68mp_400x478.jpg) Via [hispanickitchen.com](https://goo.gl/vNaQQ5) It's simple to put together a tamale, but you have to admit that the presentation is wonderful. ## 18. Assembly Line ![Assembly Line](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/qz/pl/ayin7ejn_600x1783.jpg) Via [Chicken and Sweet Corn Tamales ...](https://whitneybond.com/whats-for-dinner-chicken-and-sweet-corn-tamales-with-avocado-green-chili-salsa/) I've been told that setting up an assembly line is the best way to put together tamales. ## 19. Chocolate Brownie Tamales ![Chocolate Brownie Tamales](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/i6/zi/qy6jnaye_466x700.jpg) Via [Chocolate brownie tamales, sí!](http://veganlatina.com/chocolate-brownie-tamales-si/) You are going to love these! Don't they look decadent? ## 20. Sprinkled with Cilantro _ Via Quick Mexican | Food & ..._ Add a touch of color and a fresh flavor to your tamales by topping them with cilantro just before serving. ## 21. Dipped in Sauce ![Dipped in Sauce](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/x5/nj/ipxx4tzj_375x500.jpg) Via [the scent of green bananas: ...](http://scentofgreenbananas.blogspot.com/2005/04/imbb-14-tamales-gisu.html) Just a touch of sauce is all you need to bring out the wonderful flavors of your tamale. ## 22. Served with Salsa _ Via Mom's Traditional Mexican Tamales Recipe_ Of course, a scoop of homemade salsa is another perfect choice. ## 23. Slow the Heat ![Slow the Heat](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/ns/ph/hs7870sb_300x300.jpg) Via [Chicken Tamales](https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/chicken-tamales/) If your tamales end up a bit too spicy, a scoop of sour cream can temper the heat. ## 24. Smothered ![Smothered](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/w3/oj/tsgd57ft_250x250.jpg) Via [Real Homemade Tamales](https://goo.gl/wL7MQl) My favorite way to eat tamales is smothered in green chile and cheese! Do you have any tips for making tamales? 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