Authentic Mexican Chile Colorado Tamales

Authentic Mexican Chile Colorado Tamales: red chile pork, fluffy masa, steamed low and slow. This is fiesta / holidays / abuela-approved food.

---

Authentic Chile Colorado Tamales (Rojo)

Makes ~24 tamales

---

1. Chile Colorado (Red Chile Pork)

Ingredients

• 3 lb pork shoulder (espaldilla), cut large

• 6 dried guajillo chiles

• 3 dried ancho chiles

• 1 dried pasilla (optional)

• 4 cloves garlic

• ½ white onion

• 1½ tsp salt

• 1 tsp Mexican oregano

• ½ tsp cumin

• ¼ tsp cloves (very small pinch)

• Water

Instructions

1. Boil pork with salt until very tender (about 1½–2 hours).
   Reserve broth. Shred pork.

2. Stem and deseed chiles. Toast lightly (do not burn).

3. Soak chiles in hot water 20 minutes.

4. Blend chiles with garlic, onion, oregano, cumin, cloves, and soaking liquid.

5. Strain sauce (important for smooth tamales).

6. Fry sauce in a little lard 10–15 minutes until dark and fragrant.

7. Add shredded pork + enough broth to keep it thick, not soupy.

8. Simmer 10 minutes. Cool completely.

👉 Filling should be bold, salty, and slightly oily.

---

2. Masa for Tamales

Ingredients

• 4 cups masa harina for tamales

• 2½–3 cups warm pork broth

• 1½ cups lard, whipped

• 2 tsp salt

• 1½ tsp baking powder

Instructions

1. Beat lard until fluffy (very important).

2. Mix masa harina, salt, baking powder.

3. Alternate adding broth and masa to lard, mixing well.

4. Beat until light and spreadable.

✅ Float test: A small piece of masa should float in water.

---

3. Assemble

You’ll Need

• Dried corn husks, soaked in hot water 30–45 min

Assembly

1. Spread ~2 Tbsp masa on husk.

2. Add 1–2 Tbsp chile colorado pork down center.

3. Fold sides in, then bottom up.

---

4. Steam

1. Stand tamales upright in a steamer.

2. Cover with husks + towel.

3. Steam 1½–2 hours on medium-low.

4. Add hot water as needed.

Tamales are done when masa pulls clean from husk.

---

How They Should Be

• Masa: fluffy, tender, lightly porky

• Filling: deep red, chile-forward, not sweet

• Aroma: unmistakably Mexican kitchen energy 🇲🇽

---

Serve With

• Salsa roja or verde

• Refried beans

• Mexican rice

• Café de olla or atole

---

Pro Tips (Authentic Stuff)

• Lard is non-negotiable

• Filling must be cooled before assembling

• Slightly salty masa = perfect tamal

If you want:

• Chicken chile colorado tamales

• No-lard version

• Instant Pot pork

• Small batch for beginners

just say the word 🌽🔥