Tamales Verdes de Cerdo (Pork Tamales in Green Sauce)
Steamed corn masa parcels filled with tender pork in tangy green sauce, a labour of love for sharing.
Made with Pozole verde base and Tamale masa. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time3 hr 20
- LevelHard
- Costabout £4.17 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
Put the pork, onion, garlic, water and 1 teaspoon salt in a pot. Bring to a simmer, skim, cover and cook for 1 hour 30 minutes, until very tender.
90 min - 2
Meanwhile, soak the corn husks in a bowl of hot water for 30 minutes, weighted down with a plate until soft. Drain and pat dry.
30 min - 3
Shred the pork and stir it into your ready made pozole verde base (see the base recipe). Simmer for 10 minutes until thick. Cool slightly.
10 min - 4
Spread about 75 g of your ready made masa for tamales (see the base recipe) in a rectangle on a husk, leaving the narrow ends clear. Spoon on a tablespoon of filling, then fold the sides together and fold the bottom up. Repeat to make 12 tamales.
- 5
Set a steamer basket over simmering water with the tamales standing up, open end up. Cover and steam for 1 hour 15 minutes, topping up the water as needed.
75 min - 6
The tamales are done when the masa pulls cleanly from the husk. Rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Tips
- A quick test: drop a small ball of masa in a cup of cold water. If it floats it is light enough.
- Do not overfill the husks. A tablespoon of filling is plenty.
- Tie with strips of husk, or fold the bottom up and stand upright in the steamer.
Storing and freezing
Keeps in the fridge for 4 days in the husks. Freeze for up to 3 months and steam from frozen for 25 minutes, or until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Where can I buy corn husks?
Look for dried corn husks (hojas de maiz) in Mexican shops and online. Soak them before use.
Can I use banana leaves instead?
Yes. Banana leaves are used in southern Mexico. Soften them briefly over a flame and cut into squares.
Is it gluten free?
Yes. Masa is made from corn, not wheat. Check packaging if you buy ready made masa harina.
More made with pozole verde base
Pozole Verde de Cerdo Estilo Guerrero (Guerrero Style Green Pork Pozole)
GFDFEFEnchiladas de Pipian Verde con Pollo (Green Pumpkin Seed Chicken Enchiladas)
NFEFHPPollo en Salsa Verde con Papas (Chicken and Potatoes in Green Sauce)
DFEFNFChilaquiles Verdes con Huevo (Green Chilaquiles with Fried Egg)
GFNFDouble 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.
