10 Spicy Pork Tamale Recipes
Spicy Pork Tamales with Salsa Verde
These vibrant tamales bring together tender pork and zesty salsa verde for a deliciously spicy experience.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups masa harina
- 2 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup lard or vegetable shortening
- 2 cups shredded spicy pork
- 1 cup salsa verde
- Dried corn husks, soaked in warm water

Cooking Method:
- In a large bowl, mix masa harina, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add chicken broth, stirring until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, beat lard until fluffy, then mix into the masa mixture.
- Spread about 2 tablespoons of masa mixture onto each corn husk.
- Add a tablespoon each of shredded pork and salsa verde onto the masa.
- Fold the sides of the husk in, then fold up the bottom.
- Steam tamales for about 1 hour until masa is set.
Chipotle Pork Tamales with Sweet Corn
Bring a smoky and sweet twist to traditional tamales with chipotle peppers and sweet corn.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups masa harina
- 2 ½ cups vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon chipotle powder
- 1 cup lard
- 2 cups shredded pork
- 1 cup sweet corn kernels
- Dried corn husks, soaked
Cooking Method:
- Combine masa harina, chipotle powder, and vegetable broth in a bowl.
- Beat lard until creamy and incorporate into the masa mixture.
- Spread masa onto corn husks, place pork and corn in the center.
- Fold husks and steam tamales for 1 hour.
Pineapple Jalapeño Pork Tamales
For a fusion of tropical and spicy, these tamales are filled with pineapple and jalapeño-infused pork.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups masa harina
- 2 ½ cups pineapple juice
- 1 teaspoon jalapeño powder
- 1 cup lard
- 2 cups shredded pork
- 1 cup crushed pineapple
- Dried corn husks, soaked
Cooking Method:
- Mix masa harina, jalapeño powder, and pineapple juice until smooth.
- Beat and add lard to the masa mixture.
- Spread masa on husks; place pork and pineapple mixture inside.
- Fold and steam for 1 hour.
Habanero Pork and Black Bean Tamales
Add a fiery kick to your tamales with habanero peppers paired with hearty black beans.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups masa harina
- 2 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon habanero powder
- 1 cup lard
- 2 cups shredded pork
- 1 cup cooked black beans
- Dried corn husks, soaked
Cooking Method:
- Blend masa harina, habanero powder, and chicken broth until smooth.
- Mix lard into masa mixture until fluffy.
- Spread masa on husks, add pork and black beans.
- Fold and steam for 1 hour.
Garlic-Chili Pork Tamales with Spinach
Garlic and chili blend seamlessly with tender pork and nutrient-packed spinach for a delectable tamale.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups masa harina
- 2 ½ cups vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 cup lard
- 2 cups shredded pork
- 1 cup chopped spinach
- Dried corn husks, soaked
Cooking Method:
- Mix masa harina with garlic, chili powders, and vegetable broth.
- Beat lard and combine with the masa mixture.
- Spread masa on husks, add pork and spinach.
- Fold and steam for 1 hour.
Ancho Chili Pork Tamales with Red Sauce
Ancho chilies lend a rich, smoky flavor to these pork tamales complemented by a zesty red sauce.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups masa harina
- 2 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon ancho chili powder
- 1 cup lard
- 2 cups shredded pork
- 1 cup red sauce
- Dried corn husks, soaked
Cooking Method:
- Combine masa harina, ancho chili powder, and chicken broth.
- Mix lard until creamy and add to masa mixture.
- Spread masa on husks, place pork and red sauce on.
- Fold and steam for 1 hour.
Serrano Lime Pork Tamales
Serrano peppers and lime juice make these pork tamales a tangy and spicy delight.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups masa harina
- 2 ½ cups lime-infused chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon serrano pepper powder
- 1 cup lard
- 2 cups shredded pork
- Dried corn husks, soaked
Cooking Method:
- Mix masa harina, serrano pepper powder, and lime-infused chicken broth.
- Beat lard until fluffy and incorporate into masa mixture.
- Spread masa on husks, add pork.
- Fold and steam for 1 hour.
Smoky Adobo Pork Tamales
Experience rich, earthy flavors with these smoky adobo-infused pork tamales.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups masa harina
- 2 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon adobo seasoning
- 1 cup lard
- 2 cups shredded pork
- Dried corn husks, soaked
Cooking Method:
- Mix masa harina, adobo seasoning, and chicken broth.
- Beat lard until airy and add to masa mixture.
- Spread masa on husks, place pork in the center.
- Fold and steam for 1 hour.
Sriracha Pork Tamales with Green Onions
Add a zesty twist to your tamales with sriracha sauce and fresh green onions.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups masa harina
- 2 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon sriracha
- 1 cup lard
- 2 cups shredded pork
- ½ cup chopped green onions
- Dried corn husks, soaked
Cooking Method:
- Combine masa harina, sriracha, and chicken broth.
- Mix lard until fluffy and add to masa mixture.
- Spread masa on husks, add pork and green onions.
- Fold and steam for 1 hour.
Sweet Chili Pork Tamales with Peppers
Balancing sweet and spicy, these tamales feature sweet chili sauce and bell peppers.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups masa harina
- 2 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon sweet chili sauce
- 1 cup lard
- 2 cups shredded pork
- 1 cup diced bell peppers
- Dried corn husks, soaked
Cooking Method:
- Mix masa harina, sweet chili sauce, and chicken broth.
- Beat lard until airy and combine with masa mixture.
- Spread masa on husks, place pork and bell peppers inside.
- Fold and steam for 1 hour.