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PorkNew YearsOne-Pot or PanMeal PrepBig BatchStove TopLunchDinnerAppetizersChristmasUnder 30 MinutesGluten-FreeDairy-FreeMexican

Red Chile Pork Tamales

Savor these pork tamales made with four different types of chiles for a flavorful and juicy treat.

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Presented by
Modelo

Under 30 minutes

Red Chile Pork Tamales

Under 30 minutes

Ingredients

for 10 servings

  • 1 ½ lb cubed pork shoulder
  • 1 large white onion, quartered, divided
  • 16 garlic cloves, divided
  • 1 dried bay leaf
  • 2 ½ tablespoons salt, divided, plus more to taste
  • water, as needed
  • 6 dried guajillo chiles, seeds and stems removed
  • 4 dried arbol chiles, seeds and stems removed
  • 2 dried ancho chiles, seeds and stems removed
  • 8 dried piquin chiles, seeds and stems removed
  • freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 lb premade masa for tamales, room temperature
  • ½ cup melted lard
  • 1 8-ounce bag of dried corn husks, soaked in warm water for 10 minutes

For Serving

  • mexican crema
  • crumbled queso fresco
  • chopped fresh cilantro
  • Modelo

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Preparation

  1. Add the pork shoulder, a quarter of the onion, 6 garlic cloves, the bay leaf, and 1 tablespoon of salt to a large pot. Add enough water to cover the pork by 2 inches, then simmer over medium heat until fully cooked, about 30 minutes. Transfer the cooked pork to a large bowl and let cool for 10 minutes, then shred into thin pieces with your hands. Reserve the cooking liquid, discarding the solids.
  2. Add the guajillo, ancho, arbol, and piquin chiles, the remaining 10 garlic cloves, remaining three-quarters of the onion, and 1 tablespoon of salt to a medium pot and cover with water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook until the chiles are tender, about 30 minutes.
  3. Transfer the softened chiles, onion, garlic, and ½ cup of the chile cooking liquid to a blender. Add 1 cup of the reserved pork cooking liquid, then blend until smooth. Strain the sauce into the bowl with shredded pork. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
  4. Prepare the masa: In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, whip the masa on low speed until broken apart, about 3 minutes. Drizzle in the melted lard and season with ½ tablespoon of salt. Increase the speed to medium and whip until light and fluffy, about 6 minutes.
  5. Spread 2-3 tablespoons of the masa in a rectangular shape over the top center of a soaked corn husk. Add 1-2 tablespoons of the pork filling and some sauce to the center of the masa. Fold the sides of the husk over the masa to cover, then fold the bottom of the husk up and lay it flat over the open side to close. Repeat with the remaining ingredients. To speed up the process, add all of the masa to the husks first, then add the filling and close.
  6. Add aluminum foil to the bottom of a large pot to create a nest about 3 inches above the bottom of the pot, then fill the pot with water about three-quarters of the way from the bottom of the pot to the top of the nest. Bring to a simmer, then arrange the tamales in the pot, seam side down and overlapping as needed. Cover the pot with aluminum foil, then simmer over medium-low heat for 1 hour, until the masa is fully cooked through.
  7. Remove the tamales from the pot and allow to cool for 10 minutes, or until cool enough to handle.
  8. Unwrap the tamales and plate, then garnish with a drizzle of Mexican crema, crumbled queso fresco, and chopped cilantro. Serve with Modelo!
  9. Enjoy!

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