Tamales de Chipotle con Queso (Smoky Chipotle Cheese Tamales)
Orange, smoky chipotle masa wrapped around melting cheese, sweetcorn and black beans. Bold, vegetarian and very moreish.
Made with Chipotle in adobo sauce (homemade) and Tamale masa. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time2 hr 15
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £2.08 a head
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
Soak the corn husks in a large bowl of hot water, weighed down, for 45 minutes until soft and pliable. Drain and pat dry.
45 min - 2
Beat your ready made chipotle in adobo sauce (see the base recipe) into your ready made tamale masa (see the base recipe) until evenly orange. Taste and add a pinch of salt if needed.
- 3
Mix the black beans, sweetcorn and coriander in a bowl.
- 4
Lay a husk with the wide end towards you. Spread about 3 tbsp (50 g) of chipotle masa over the wider two thirds. Spoon a tablespoon of the bean mix down the middle and add a strip of mozzarella.
- 5
Fold the sides in over the filling, then fold up the narrow end. Make 8 tamales.
- 6
Stand them folded end down in a steamer lined with spare husks. Steam over simmering water for 1 hour, topping up the water, until firm and pulling from the husk. Rest for 10 minutes before unwrapping.
60 min
Tips
- Start with 3 tbsp of chipotle sauce and add more to taste. Heat varies between batches.
- Pat the beans dry so they do not make the filling wet.
- Serve with lime crema or sliced avocado to cool the heat.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 2 hours and keep in the fridge in their husks for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat by steaming for 15 to 20 minutes until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
How spicy are they?
Medium. The smoke is more noticeable than the heat. Use less chipotle for a milder tamal.
Can I make them vegan?
Yes. Leave out the cheese and add extra beans and corn. The masa and chipotle sauce are vegan.
Are they gluten free?
Yes. They contain dairy but no gluten, egg or nuts, as long as the base recipes were made as written.
More made with chipotle in adobo sauce (homemade)
Chicharron en Salsa de Chipotle (Pork Crackling in Chipotle Sauce)
GFEFNFEnchiladas Ahumadas de Queso (Smoky Cheese Enchiladas)
EFNFAlbóndigas de Pavo en Chipotle (Turkey Meatballs in Chipotle Broth)
GFDFNFSincronizadas de Jamon y Queso con Chipotle (Ham and Cheese Quesadillas)
EFNFDouble 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.