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Guajillo Pork Tamales

Dinner 🍽️Lunch 🥪 Mexican

Guajillo Pork Tamales feature tender shredded pork simmered with guajillo and chipotle chiles, tomato, and warm spices for a deep, smoky heat balanced by subtle sweetness. Wrapped in fluffy, lard-whipped masa and steamed in corn husks, they’re richly aromatic and satisfying. Serve them for a cozy weekend dinner, holiday gatherings, or anytime you’re craving comforting Mexican flavors.

  • Prep45 min
  • Cook5 hr 10 min
  • Serves15
  • DifficultyHard
Guajillo Pork Tamales
  1. 1

    Soak the corn husks in a heavy pot or skillet filled with water for 24 hours, keeping them fully submerged.

  2. 2

    About four hours before the corn husks are ready, place the guajillo chile peppers in a dry skillet over medium heat and toast until fragrant, 20 to 30 seconds per side. Add some water to the skillet and simmer until tender, about 2 minutes. Transfer the chiles to a blender.

  3. 3

    Add 1 cup beef broth, tomato sauce, onion, garlic, chipotles in adobo sauce, vinegar, cloves, 1 tablespoon salt, cumin, allspice, and black pepper to the blender; blend until the marinade is smooth.

  4. 4

    Place the pork butt in a slow cooker and pour the marinade over the top. Cover the slow cooker. Cook on Low until the pork is tender and shreds easily with a fork, 4 to 5 hours.

  5. 5

    Shred the pork; return it to the slow cooker and stir it into the sauce until well combined.

  6. 6

    Meanwhile, in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk together the masa harina, baking powder, garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon salt to combine. Add 2 cups beef broth and the lard; whisk until the mixture is fluffy and well combined (the dough will be sticky).

  7. 7

    Place 1 corn husk on a flat work surface; open it and pat it dry. Spread some dough evenly down the center of the husk, leaving space around the edges; dollop a line of pork filling down the center of the dough.

  8. 8

    Fold one side of the husk over the filling, then fold the other side to overlap, forming a tube. Fold up the narrow end of the husk to seal the bottom, leaving the top open. Tie the tamale with 1 strip of husk or kitchen twine.

  9. 9

    Place a steamer insert into a large saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the insert. Bring the water to a boil.

  10. 10

    Place the tamales vertically in the steamer basket, sealed sides down. Cover the pan and steam for 1 hour. Serve hot.

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