What To Serve With Tamales (21 authentic recipes) | Muy Delish (2024)

FAQs

What are tamales traditionally eaten with? ›

You can serve tamales with a variety of sides such as fried plantains, potatoes with rajas, Mexican rice and black beans. “When planning a tamalada, or tamal party, you can accompany your tamales with bowls of red and green salsa, crumbled cotija cheese or queso fresco, fresh lime and pickled red onion,” Sibley says.

Red Chili Sauce (To Be Used With Traditional Tamales)

The most popular version of the Tamal in Nicaragua is the nacatamal and sometimes serves as an entire meal in itself. It is a traditional dish with indigenous origins.

Estimate how many guests will come to your party and for the main meal, calculate between 2 and 3 tamales per person if you're serving them by themselves except for a frothy hot chocolate, champurrado or an agua fresca. For dessert, consider 1 or 2 per person.

They are typically wrapped in a corn husk or banana leaf before being steamed, which helps to keep them moist and infuse them with flavor. Tamales are a staple of Mexican cuisine and are enjoyed both as a main dish and as a snack. They are enjoyed year-round but are often made as a Christmas tradition.

Tamales have been a staple in Mexican culture for centuries. Their origins can be traced back to Mesoamerica and they were eaten during the times of the Aztecs, Mayans and Olmecs. Since tamales were portable food, they were often used to feed men when they were away for battle or on hunting trips.

Do You Eat Salsa with Tamales? A well-seasoned and properly cooked tamale is perfectly delicious without any condiments at all. But feel free to set out hot sauce, salsa, escabeche, or sliced avocado to go with your tamales.

Enchilada sauce is typically smoother and thinner in consistency, made with a base of tomatoes, chili peppers, and various spices. On the other hand, tamale sauce, also known as salsa roja, tends to be thicker and chunkier, often made with roasted tomatoes, chili peppers, onions, garlic, and herbs.

I eat them without sauce as I feel that's gilding the lily. But many people enjoy sauces on them, and you can use anything from a homemade salsa made out of tomatoes or tomatillos, to chili or mole. Don't worry, there's no right or wrong way to eat tamales, it's simply a fun food that's meant to be shared and enjoyed.

What time of the day do you eat tamales? ›

Tamal is a very popular and commonly consumed dish. In Mexico, it is common to eat tamales in the morning for breakfast and on some festivities. The most important day for eating tamales is: 'Dia de la Candelaria' (Candlemas Day on 2nd February).

Tamales are one of the most popular dishes within Mexican cuisine, and they were already part of their culture even before the arrival of the Spaniards. Legend states that it was from maize that mankind was created. That's why, on the 2nd of February, Candlemas Day is celebrated eating tamales.

If husk is easily removed, tamales are fully cooked! Remove from heat and let sit, uncovered, 10 minutes. Serve with salsa and a squeeze of lime. Or just eat them by the dozen straight out of the pot like I do.

Do You Eat Salsa with Tamales? A well-seasoned and properly cooked tamale is perfectly delicious without any condiments at all. But feel free to set out hot sauce, salsa, escabeche, or sliced avocado to go with your tamales.

If presents won't bring people together come the holidays, tamales most definitely will. This traditional Christmastime staple is best served alongside a savory Tamale Sauce...but let's not serve it with just any Tamale Sauce. Serve them with the absolute best Tamale Sauce!

A tamalada is is a traditional Mexican event where groups of family and friends gather together to make tamales, often around Christmastime.

Whether they're enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, Del Real Foods' tamales are a daily obsession — especially on #NationalTamaleDay!