Gluten-free tamales
Tender shredded pork in soft masa, steamed in corn husks, with a bright tomato salsa for spooning over.
- Celiac
- Hashimoto's
- Pregnancy
- Toddlers
- Dairy-free
- High blood pressure
- Gluten-free
- Crohn’s and colitis
- Kid-friendly
- One pan
- Gluten-free dairy-free
- Gluten-free Mexican
Ingredients
- 20 dried corn husks, soaked in hot water until pliable
- 2 cups masa harina, naturally gluten-free corn flour
- 1.5 lb pork shoulder, trimmed and cut in large chunks
- 1.5 cups gluten-free chicken broth, divided
- 4 tbsp lard, softened
- 3 cloves garlic, smashed
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1.5 tsp salt
- 1 cup store-bought salsa, mild, certified gluten-free
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
Method
- Soak the corn husks in hot water until pliable.15 min timer
- Simmer the pork with garlic, cumin, oregano and broth until fork-tender.40 min timer
- Shred the pork, moistening it with a little cooking liquid.
- Whip the lard, masa, broth and salt into a soft, spreadable dough.
- Spread dough on each husk, spoon pork down the centre, fold and tie.
- Steam the tamales upright until the dough pulls away from the husk.45 min timerKids’ plate comes out here
Kids’ plate: Unwrap-it-yourself tamales
On the plate: One plain pork tamale in its husk, mild salsa in a little bowl for dipping, a lime wedge.
Make it a game: Peeling back the husk is the fun part — like unwrapping a present at dinner, with steam curling out.
Set it aside at step 6, before the grown-ups’ sauce or spice goes on.
Why it works
- Celiac disease: Built on masa and corn husks, with a labelled gluten-free salsa: no wheat anywhere in the pot.
- Kid (4–12): Soft, mild tamales kids get to unwrap themselves, with salsa kept on the side for dipping.
Celiac check: watch for hidden gluten in soy sauce, stock, malt vinegar and seasoning blends, and oats that aren’t certified. Gluten gives food ideas, not medical advice: always check labels for allergens and cross-contact.
Cooking for more than one diet?
Add everyone you cook for, with their allergies, diets and ages. Gluten checks this recipe for each of them and tells you what to change for anyone who can’t eat it as written. It’s free.
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This recipe also fits: Hashimoto's recipes, Pregnancy recipes, Toddlers recipes, Dairy-free recipes, High blood pressure recipes, Gluten-free recipes, Crohn’s and colitis recipes, Kid-friendly recipes, One pan recipes, Gluten-free dairy-free recipes, Gluten-free Mexican recipes.