Tamales de Birria (Birria Tamales in Corn Husks)
Soft steamed masa parcels wrapped around shredded birria beef in corn husks, served with a cup of broth.
Made with Birria adobo and consomme and Tamale masa. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time4 hr 30
- LevelHard
- Costabout £4.46 a head
- Oven160°C (140°C fan)
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat the oven to 160°C (140°C fan). Put the beef and salt in a casserole with 500 ml of your ready made birria adobo and consomme (see the base recipe) and the water. Cover and cook for 2 hours 30 minutes until the beef shreds.
150 min - 2
Shred the beef. Strain the liquid, skim off the fat and boil it hard for 8 minutes until reduced to a thick sauce. Stir through the beef. Keep a little extra for serving.
8 min - 3
Soak the corn husks in hot water for 30 minutes, then drain and pat dry.
30 min - 4
Spread 3 tablespoons of your ready made tamale masa (see the base recipe) over the smooth side of a husk, leaving a border. Spoon 1 tablespoon of beef into the centre.
- 5
Fold the sides in, then fold up the bottom. Stand the tamales upright, open end up, in a steamer lined with extra husks.
- 6
Cover and steam over simmering water for 1 hour 15 minutes, topping up the water as needed, until the masa pulls cleanly from the husk.
75 min - 7
Rest for 10 minutes, then serve in the husks with the onion, coriander and warm broth.
Tips
- Spread the masa thinly. A thick layer will be heavy.
- A tamale is done when the masa pulls away from the husk cleanly. If it sticks, steam for 15 minutes more.
- Tamales are a good make ahead and freezer food. Make a double batch.
- Do not eat the husk. It is only a wrapper.
Storing and freezing
Keep cooked tamales in the fridge for up to 4 days. Freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat by steaming for 15 to 20 minutes until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Where do I buy corn husks?
Dried corn husks are sold in world food shops, some supermarkets and online. Soak them in hot water until pliable before using.
Can I use banana leaves instead?
Yes. Banana leaves are used in southern Mexico. Warm them over a flame to make them pliable and cut into squares.
Why are my tamales mushy?
They were underfilled with masa, not steamed long enough or got waterlogged. Steam them upright with the lid tight.
More made with birria adobo and consomme
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.
