Leftover Turkey Tamales

Name: Leftover Turkey Tamales
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 1 h 5 min
Total time: 2 h 50 min
Yield: 10 serving
Ingredients: 1 5-ounce package cornhusks; 3 cups masa harina; 1 tablespoon paprika; 1 tablespoon chili powder; 1 tablespoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 cup corn oil; 1 quart turkey broth, divided; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 onion, finely chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 3 ½ cups finely chopped cooked turkey; 1 teaspoon paprika; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 1 teaspoon chili powder; 1 teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper; ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste

Rating: 4.75 stars

16 Ratings
14 Reviews
8 Photos

These tamales take some time, but are well worth the effort. They are a great way to use up leftover holiday turkey. These are also healthier than many traditional tamale recipes which are made with lard. These freeze well and can later be either microwaved or re-steamed. Serve with lime wedges as garnish.

By JOYCE LITOFF

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Recipe Summary test

prep:

45 mins

cook:

1 hr 5 mins

additional:

1 hr

total:

2 hrs 50 mins

Servings:

Yield:

10 serving

Nutrition Info

Directions

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

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Step 2
Mix masa, 1 tablespoon paprika, 1 tablespoon chili powder, garlic powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, and 1 teaspoon salt together in a bowl. Stir corn oil into masa mixture. Measure 1/2 cup turkey broth and set aside. Add remaining broth, 1 cup at a time, to masa mixture until dough is smooth and the consistency of thick peanut butter.
Step 3
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat; saute onion and garlic until softened and translucent, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove skillet from heat and add turkey, 1 teaspoon paprika, oregano, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Stir reserved 1/2 cup turkey broth into filling until moistened.
Step 4
Spoon 1 heaping tablespoon dough in the center of each corn husk. Top filling with 1 heaping tablespoon 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.
Step 5
Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and 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.

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:

442 calories; protein 19.3g; carbohydrates 30.8g; fat 27.6g; cholesterol 37.2mg; sodium 655.7mg. Full Nutrition

Reviews (14)

Most helpful positive review

SunnyDaysNora

Allstar

11/30/2016

LOVE LOVE LOVE this recipe! The masa is wonderfully flavored and it was such a great way to use up leftover turkey. We had smoked our Thanksgiving turkey so it was extra flavorful. I think I'm hooked- now I can't wait to try other fillings. There is absolutely nothing intimidating about making tamales anymore! We looked online just to make sure we were making the masa the right consistency and were wrapping them correctly, it's really an easy process. These freeze beautifully too- just steam them to reheat. We served with a red sauce and queso fresco. Read More

Helpful

(5)

Most helpful critical review

dsucaet7

11/29/2017

I made this recipe with my leftover turkey. I was very disappointed. I didn't like the spices used in the masa. The chili powder was overwhelming and there was no heat. Read More

16 Ratings

5 star values: 14
4 star values: 1
3 star values: 0
2 star values: 1
1 star values: 0

Reviews: Most Helpful

Most Helpful Most Positive Least Positive Newest

Carmen

12/24/2014

Delicious way to use leftover thanksgiving turkey. I used chicken broth instead of turkey broth and the taste was still great. One of the best tamal recipes I have tried. Read More

Helpful

(5)

SunnyDaysNora

Allstar

11/30/2016

Helpful

(5)

lfrizell

11/27/2016

I had a ton of turkey left over so I thought I would give this a try to my surprise it was great. My finicky family even loved it they all agreed it was the best use of leftover turkey. The dough had great flavor I think it would work well with other meats. A keeper. Read More

Helpful

(3)

Tonya

05/31/2016

I wanted to try this recipe because of all the seasoning in the masa. I made the masa with the spices but used coconut oil instead of corn oil. Very good! My son asked me to make them more often. This is a very good basic masa recipe to fill with whatever meat you choose. I am definitely keeping this one. Read More

Helpful

(3)

Cami

03/12/2017

our first attempt at tamales and this recipe was yummy and easy Read More

Helpful

(2)

Daniel Smothers de GarcÍa

12/27/2017

We ran out of corn husks. My wife suggested aluminum foil which worked well. Read More

Helpful

(2)

MomofTynTrev

11/28/2016

These were delicious! I didn't have corn oil so I used vegetable oil and they were moist and the flavor was great! Definitely a great way to use up all that leftover turkey. Read More

Helpful

(2)

Jackie

04/21/2017

Turned out great!!! It was time consuming but easy to make. I used vegetable oil and chicken broth as I didn't have corn oil or turkey broth. I doubled it I had a lot of turkey. Read More

Helpful

(1)

JOYCE LITOFF

11/28/2016

We've made tamales filled with a variety of Thanksgiving leftovers--green bean and sweet potato are delicious too. The masa dough works well with all kinds of fillings. Read More

Helpful

(1)

dsucaet7

11/29/2017

I made this recipe with my leftover turkey. I was very disappointed. I didn't like the spices used in the masa. The chili powder was overwhelming and there was no heat. Read More

More Reviews

Back to Leftover Turkey Tamales

All Reviews for Leftover Turkey Tamales

- of Reviews

Leftover Turkey Tamales

Servings Per Recipe: 10
Calories: 441.8

% Daily Value *

protein: 39 %

carbohydrates: 10 %

dietary fiber: 25 %

sugars:

fat: 43 %

saturated fat: 21 %

cholesterol: 12 %

vitamin a iu: 18 %

niacin equivalents: 76 %

vitamin b6: 31 %

vitamin c: 16 %

folate: 23 %

calcium: 8 %

iron: 24 %

magnesium: 21 %

potassium: 12 %

sodium: 26 %

thiamin: 55 %

calories from fat:

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

**Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-)Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

Reviews for Photos of Leftover Turkey Tamales

1 of 14

All Reviews

Carmen

12/24/2014

Delicious way to use leftover thanksgiving turkey. I used chicken broth instead of turkey broth and the taste was still great. One of the best tamal recipes I have tried.

Helpful

(5)

SunnyDaysNora

Allstar

11/30/2016

Helpful

(5)

lfrizell

11/27/2016

Helpful

(3)

Tonya

05/31/2016

Helpful

(3)

Cami

03/12/2017

our first attempt at tamales and this recipe was yummy and easy

Helpful

(2)

Daniel Smothers de GarcÍa

12/27/2017

We ran out of corn husks. My wife suggested aluminum foil which worked well.

Helpful

(2)

MomofTynTrev

11/28/2016

These were delicious! I didn't have corn oil so I used vegetable oil and they were moist and the flavor was great! Definitely a great way to use up all that leftover turkey.

Helpful

(2)

Jackie

04/21/2017

Turned out great!!! It was time consuming but easy to make. I used vegetable oil and chicken broth as I didn't have corn oil or turkey broth. I doubled it I had a lot of turkey.

Helpful

(1)

JOYCE LITOFF

11/28/2016

We've made tamales filled with a variety of Thanksgiving leftovers--green bean and sweet potato are delicious too. The masa dough works well with all kinds of fillings.

Helpful

(1)

dsucaet7

11/29/2017

I made this recipe with my leftover turkey. I was very disappointed. I didn't like the spices used in the masa. The chili powder was overwhelming and there was no heat.