Leftover Turkey Tamales

Name: Leftover Turkey Tamales
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 1 h 5 min
Total time: 1 h 50 min
Yield: 10 servings
Cuisine: Tex-Mex, Mexican
Ingredients: 0.25 tsp Black Pepper; 0.25 tsp Cayenne Pepper; 1 tbsp Chili Powder; 3.5 cups Cooked Turkey; 1 whole Corn Husk; 1 cup Corn Oil; 1 whole Diced Onion; 1 tsp Dried Oregano; 1 tbsp Garlic Powder; 1 tsp Ground Cumin; 3 cups Masa; 2 cloves Minced Garlic; 1 tbsp Olive Oil; 1 tbsp Paprika; 1 tsp Salt; 1 qt Turkey Broth

Dinner 🍽️Lunch 🥪Snack 🍿 Tex-Mex 🇺🇸🇲🇽Mexican High-Protein 💪Sugar-Free Gluten-Free Halal 🕌Comfort-Food

Leftover Turkey Tamales turn post-holiday turkey into tender, aromatic bundles of masa steamed in cornhusks. Spiced with chili powder, cumin, paprika, and a hint of cayenne, they’re savory and gently smoky, perfect with a squeeze of lime. Serve these for a cozy weekend meal or as a festive way to share leftovers with family and friends.

Prep45 mins
Cook1 hr 5 mins
Serves10
DifficultyMedium

1

Soak corn husks in a bowl of warm water until softened, about 1 hour; then drain.
2

Whisk masa, 1 tablespoon paprika, 1 tablespoon chili powder, garlic powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, and 1 teaspoon salt together in a bowl; stir in corn oil. Stir in 3 1/2 cups broth, adding 1 cup at a time, until the dough is smooth and as thick as peanut butter. Set aside the remaining 1/2 cup turkey broth for the filling.
3

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and minced garlic; cook until softened and translucent, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat, then add the turkey, 1 teaspoon paprika, oregano, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Stir in the reserved 1/2 cup turkey broth until moistened.
4

Spoon 1 heaping tablespoon of dough into the center of each corn husk; top with 1 heaping tablespoon of the turkey filling. Roll the husk around the dough and filling, tuck the bottom of the husk into the tamale, and tie a corn husk strip or string around each tamale to secure.
5

Place a steamer insert into a saucepan; add water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Bring the water to a boil. Stand the tamales upright in the steamer, cover, and steam until cooked through, about 1 hour. Add more water as needed.