Leftover Turkey Tamales

Leftover Turkey Tamales
  • PREP TIME
    45 mins
  • COOK TIME
    1 hrs 5 mins
  • TOTAL TIME
    2 hrs 50 mins
  • SERVING
    10 People
  • VIEWS
    57

Transform your holiday leftovers into a culinary masterpiece with these savory turkey tamales. A delightful way to repurpose that roasted turkey, offering a healthier, lard-free alternative to traditional recipes. These tamales are perfect for freezing, allowing you to enjoy a taste of the holidays any time of the year. Serve with a squeeze of fresh lime for a zesty finish.

Ingridients

Adjust Servings

Nutrition

  • Carbohydrate
    31 g
  • Cholesterol
    37 mg
  • Fiber
    6 g
  • Protein
    19 g
  • Saturated Fat
    4 g
  • Sodium
    656 mg
  • Sugar
    1 g
  • Fat
    28 g
  • Unsaturated Fat
    0 g

Follow The Directions

01

Step
1 hrs

Soak corn husks in a bowl of warm water until softened, about 1 hour; drain.

02

Step
10 mins

Whisk masa, 1 tablespoon paprika, 1 tablespoon chili powder, garlic powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, and 1 teaspoon salt together in a bowl; stir in corn oil. Stir in 3 ½ cups broth, 1 cup at a time, until dough is smooth and the consistency of thick peanut butter. Set aside remaining ½ cup turkey broth for the filling.

03

Step
10 mins

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and minced garlic; cook until softened and translucent, 5 to 10 minutes. Off heat, add turkey, 1 teaspoon paprika, oregano, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Stir in reserved ½ cup turkey broth until moistened.

04

Step
10 mins

Spoon 1 heaping tablespoon dough in center of each corn husk; top with 1 heaping tablespoon turkey filling. Roll husk around dough and filling, tucking bottom of husk into tamale. Tie a corn husk strip or string around each tamale to secure.

05

Step
1 hrs

Place a steamer insert into a saucepan; fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Bring water to a boil. Stand tamales upright in steamer, cover, and steam until cooked through, about 1 hour. Add more water as needed.

For a spicier kick, add a pinch of smoked paprika to the turkey filling.
Ensure the tamales are tightly wrapped to prevent water from seeping in during steaming.
To reheat frozen tamales, microwave on high for 2-3 minutes or re-steam for 15-20 minutes.

Aaron Heller

Written by

Our recipe authors are passionate food lovers who share thousands of diverse dishes from around the world. They bring daily cooking inspiration with delicious, easy-to-make recipes for every occasion.

RECIPE REVIEWS

Avarage Rating: 4.8/ 5 ( 19 Ratings)
Total Reviews: (3)
  • Octavia Auer

    The recipe was easy to follow, and the tamales froze beautifully. I had a quick and tasty meal ready whenever I needed it.

  • Gladyce Veum

    I added a can of diced green chilies to the turkey filling for a bit of extra heat. Delicious!

  • Allene Christiansen

    These tamales were a hit! The turkey filling was flavorful and the masa was perfectly moist. I'll definitely be making these again next Thanksgiving!

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