Dairy-Free Traditional Mexican Tamales

Discover the delightful flavors of Dairy-Free Traditional Mexican Tamales, a plant-based twist on a beloved classic! These tamales are made with soft masa dough crafted from masa harina and enriched with vegetable broth and melted coconut oil, offering a rich, dairy-free alternative without sacrificing authenticity. The savory filling features tender, shredded jackfruit simmered with tomato purée and aromatic spices like chili powder, cumin, and garlic, creating a bold and satisfying centerpiece. Wrapped in softened corn husks and steamed to perfection, these tamales are moist, flavorful, and perfect for gatherings or weeknight comfort meals. Serve them with your favorite salsa or hot sauce for an unforgettable taste of Mexico—completely dairy-free and irresistibly delicious!

Nutriscore Rating: 56/100

Prep Time:60 mins

Cook Time:90 mins

Total Time:150 mins

Servings: 10

Ingredients

• 20 pieces Dried corn husks
• 4 cups Masa harina (corn flour)
• 3 cups Vegetable broth
• 2 teaspoons Baking powder
• 2 teaspoons Salt
• 1 cup Coconut oil (melted)
• 2 cups Cooked and shredded jackfruit (or your preferred dairy-free filling)
• 1.5 cups Tomato purée
• 2 teaspoons Chili powder
• 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Onion powder

Directions

Step 1

Soak the dried corn husks in warm water for at least 30 minutes to soften. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the masa harina, baking powder, and salt.

Step 3

Pour in the vegetable broth and melted coconut oil, and mix until a dough forms. The dough should be soft and spreadable consistency (not dry or too sticky). If needed, add more vegetable broth, 1 tablespoon at a time, to achieve the right texture.

Step 4

In a skillet, add the shredded jackfruit, tomato purée, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and onion powder. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes until the filling thickens and is well combined. Set aside to cool slightly.

Step 5

To assemble the tamales, take one softened corn husk and spread about 2 tablespoons of the masa mixture onto the center, leaving about 1 inch of space at the top and bottom of the husk.

Step 6

Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of the jackfruit filling into the center of the masa layer.

Step 7

Fold the sides of the corn husk inward to cover the filling, then fold the bottom of the husk up. Secure with strips of corn husk or kitchen twine if needed. Repeat with the remaining husks, masa dough, and filling.

Step 8

Set up a steamer pot and place the tamales upright in the steamer basket with the folded sides down. Cover with a damp kitchen towel and the pot lid.

Step 9

Steam the tamales over medium heat for 60–90 minutes. Check occasionally to make sure there's enough water in the steamer. The tamales are done when the masa easily pulls away from the corn husks.

Step 10

Allow the tamales to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy with your favorite salsa or hot sauce!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2510.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4731.1

Total Fat 265.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 207.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.1g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 7462.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 575.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 71.0g	0%
Total Sugars 124.2g
Protein 70.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1023.8mg	0%
Iron 28.6mg	0%
Potassium 6673.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 48.1%

Protein: 5.7%

Carbs: 46.3%