Lunch · Meat · Snacks
Family Style Tamales
Make family-style tamales as a cornbread bake topped with seasoned beef, enchilada sauce and melted cheese. Follow the skillet method and serving suggestions.
40 mins6 servings
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Ingredients at original yield
- 2⁄3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1⁄2 cup yellow cornmeal
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, separated
- 1 egg
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup corn kernels
- ⅓ cup red enchilada sauce
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup monterey Jack Cheese, shredded
- ¼ cup cilantro leaves, chopped
- 1 teaspoon coarse salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
How to make Family Style Tamales
Timing details
Total time as listed by the original author. Review the method for additional preparation and waiting.
- 01
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- 02
Combine the dry ingredients in a medium bowl: all-purpose flour, yellow cornmeal, granulated sugar,
- 03
baking powder, 1⁄4 teaspoon salt.
- 04
Add the vegetable oil, sour cream, corn and egg. Whisk until evenly combined.
- 05
Pour into a large cast iron skillet or aluminum pan and bake for 20 minutes, or until golden brown on top. Let cool slightly in pan.
- 06
Place separate pan over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oils, let heat up.
- 07
Place onions in pan. Season with salt, pepper and spices and cook until soft - about 5 minutes.
- 08
Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- 09
Add the ground beef and stir to break up meat. Season with cumin and chili powder, moving the meat frequently until cooked through.
- 10
Remove skillet from stovetop and drain excess fat.
- 11
Poke entire surface of cornbread with a fork.
- 12
Pour enchilada sauce over the cornbread. Add the meat mixture and top with shredded cheese. Cover with foil and bake until the cheese is melted, about 20 minutes.
- 13
Remove foil and broil until cheese begins to brown, about 5 minutes.
- 14
Top with sour cream and cilantro as desired.
Recipe questions
What side dishes go with these family-style tamales?
For this beef and cornbread bake, try a green salad, rice, beans or a cabbage slaw. These are serving suggestions; the recipe itself finishes with sour cream and cilantro.
Are these family-style tamales wrapped in corn husks?
No. This recipe is a skillet-style cornbread bake topped with enchilada sauce, seasoned ground beef and cheese. It does not use the wrapped masa dough method of traditional tamales.
Cooking & storage
Use the recipe’s specific storage directions when provided. Read the food storage guide for chilling and reheating food, and the measures guide before changing portions or ingredients.
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