Homemade tamales aren’t just a tasty addition to the table. For many families on both sides of the Texas/Mexico border, they’re a beloved holiday tradition. Whether your family has been making tamales for decades or you’re hosting your first tamalada (a tamale-making gathering), there’s real joy in slowing down, sharing stories and creating something wonderful by hand.
At Food Town, we’re big believers that the best tamales in Houston are the ones made with the family. From bustling kitchens in Mexico to homes across Texas, tamaladas have long been a way to keep recipes, language and family stories alive. Tamales aren’t just dinner — they’re part of a living tradition that gets passed down one batch at a time. Your Food Town has collected some of our favorite tips for those coming together to make homemade tamales this season.
A tamalada is a festive tamale-making party traditionally held around the Christmas and New Year holidays. Families and friends gather to prepare tamales in big batches — often hundreds at a time — so everyone can enjoy them throughout the season or gift them to neighbors. In many Mexican American families, tamaladas have roots that stretch back generations, to grandparents and great-grandparents who learned the process as children and helped in crowded kitchens from early morning until well into the evening. A few hallmarks of a true tamalada:
And yes, while purists will tell you the singular form of the word is “tamal”, you’ll hear “tamale” used almost everywhere in Texas. Both are widely understood and accepted!
Centuries of tradition are wrapped into every tamal, and the same basic building blocks show up from household to household. From the texture of the masa to the flavor of the filling and the technique behind each fold, even small choices can elevate your tamales from good to unforgettable. Let’s take a closer look at each essential element.
1. Masa (the dough)
Fresh, high-quality masa is the foundation of a good tamal. Some families prefer a lighter, fluffier masa, while others make it dense and rich. Many Houston cooks buy prepared masa from the store — it’s convenient, consistent and easy to season. In past generations, masa was often mixed by hand, with abuelas adjusting lard, broth and spices by feel, rather than by measuring cup. That same “feel” is still what many home cooks aim for today.
2. Corn Husks
Dried corn husks must be soaked until pliable. Larger husks are great for spreading masa, while smaller ones can be used as ties or fillers. Traditionally, corn husks were soaked hours ahead of time, so they’d be ready for the “assembly line” of spreaders, fillers and folders once the real work began. (In certain areas, particularly Southern Mexico, however, tamales are wrapped in banana leaves!)
3. Fillings
The beauty of tamales is in the variety. Classic fillings include:
Food Town shoppers can find everything needed for tamale filling, including dried chiles, lard, broth, spices and fresh produce. Want to try something a little different this year? Our Tamale Time Pinterest board is filled with great options, including Pumpkin and Chorizo Tamales, Jalapeño Cream Cheese Tamales and even bite-size Mini Tamales!
4. The Wrapping & Steaming
A properly made tamal should be:
It’s a labor of love, but that first bite makes it worthwhile. Many families even incorporate the coveted job of “quality control,” into the work, taste testing each batch of tamales to make sure the flavor is just right.
Although it can be easy to leave the work to those who are seasoned pros at homemade tamales, don’t forget about the little guys. Tamale-making gatherings are a fantastic opportunity to let the younger generation try something your family has been doing for years. In many households, kids start out watching from the sidelines, then graduate to soaking husks, spreading masa and eventually taking a seat at the “grownups” table once they’ve learned the rhythm of the process.
Let children be part of every aspect of the evening, from mixing ingredients to spreading masa and finding that just-right fold for the corn husks. Sure, it might mean that not every tamale will be Instagram-perfect, but the experience will make it all worth it.
Food Town Tip: If you have extra space, encourage children and teens to bring their friends along, too, to spread a deeper understanding of the tradition!
Your homemade tamales should be the star of the evening, but why let the fun end there? Incorporating time for other activities can help keep children from getting too antsy and can also be a great way to connect with friends and family members you might not see very often. A white elephant gift exchange or round of Lotería can get everyone interacting and having fun, while a holiday-themed movie is a great way to kick back and relax after a long day of cooking.
Historically, tamaladas could stretch from morning to late evening, with families breaking for meals before heading back to the tamale table. Keeping easy snacks and drinks in stock is very much in the spirit of that tradition. Of course, it’s a great idea to have festive music or movies playing while you’re hard at work, too!
For many families, the homemade tamales made around the holidays come from recipes passed down from one generation to the next. While you’ll definitely want to keep those treasured recipes in your rotation, you can also introduce new flavors to the mix. Some cooks still prepare chiles and seasonings the traditional way, while others lean on modern tools such as stand mixers and food processors — proving there’s more than one way to honor culinary tradition.
If you’re inviting a friend or family member who doesn’t typically attend your gatherings, ask them to bring a recipe of their own! Or do a bit of sleuthing online to find new and exciting approaches. (As we’ve mentioned, our Pinterest board has some great ideas. And our Tamale Casserole by Mama Julia recipe is a real crowd-pleaser!) Who knows? You might just find a new favorite tamale tradition.
Town carries delicious premade tamales from trusted brands — including Mama Julia — that are perfect for quick holiday meals. They’re a great option for busy families, last-minute gatherings or those who want tamales without hosting a tamalada.
If you’re heating up premade tamales, you can easily elevate any plate with homemade sides. Our Recipes page offers great options for everything from fideo to Mexican rice, beans and beyond. Take things a step further and try our twist on a classic casserole with these delicious Tamal-chiladas — a cozy, family-friendly way to reuse leftover tamales.
Whatever ingredients you choose or activities you incorporate, when you’re making homemade tamales with friends and family, it’s sure to make for a memorable night. (Remember, you can find all the ingredients you need at our Houston grocery stores.) Wishing you the happiest of holidays from our Food Town family!
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Homemade tamales aren’t just a tasty addition to the table. For many families on both sides of the Texas/Mexico border, they’re a beloved holiday tradition. Whether your family has been making tamales for decades or you’re hosting your first tamalada (a tamale-making gathering), there’s real joy in slowing down, sharing stories and creating something wonderful by hand.
At Food Town, we’re big believers that the best tamales in Houston are the ones made with the family. From bustling kitchens in Mexico to homes across Texas, tamaladas have long been a way to keep recipes, language and family stories alive. Tamales aren’t just dinner — they’re part of a living tradition that gets passed down one batch at a time. Your Food Town has collected some of our favorite tips for those coming together to make homemade tamales this season.
A tamalada is a festive tamale-making party traditionally held around the Christmas and New Year holidays. Families and friends gather to prepare tamales in big batches — often hundreds at a time — so everyone can enjoy them throughout the season or gift them to neighbors. In many Mexican American families, tamaladas have roots that stretch back generations, to grandparents and great-grandparents who learned the process as children and helped in crowded kitchens from early morning until well into the evening. A few hallmarks of a true tamalada:
And yes, while purists will tell you the singular form of the word is “tamal”, you’ll hear “tamale” used almost everywhere in Texas. Both are widely understood and accepted!
Centuries of tradition are wrapped into every tamal, and the same basic building blocks show up from household to household. From the texture of the masa to the flavor of the filling and the technique behind each fold, even small choices can elevate your tamales from good to unforgettable. Let’s take a closer look at each essential element.
1. Masa (the dough)
Fresh, high-quality masa is the foundation of a good tamal. Some families prefer a lighter, fluffier masa, while others make it dense and rich. Many Houston cooks buy prepared masa from the store — it’s convenient, consistent and easy to season. In past generations, masa was often mixed by hand, with abuelas adjusting lard, broth and spices by feel, rather than by measuring cup. That same “feel” is still what many home cooks aim for today.
2. Corn Husks
Dried corn husks must be soaked until pliable. Larger husks are great for spreading masa, while smaller ones can be used as ties or fillers. Traditionally, corn husks were soaked hours ahead of time, so they’d be ready for the “assembly line” of spreaders, fillers and folders once the real work began. (In certain areas, particularly Southern Mexico, however, tamales are wrapped in banana leaves!)
3. Fillings
The beauty of tamales is in the variety. Classic fillings include:
Food Town shoppers can find everything needed for tamale filling, including dried chiles, lard, broth, spices and fresh produce. Want to try something a little different this year? Our Tamale Time Pinterest board is filled with great options, including Pumpkin and Chorizo Tamales, Jalapeño Cream Cheese Tamales and even bite-size Mini Tamales!
4. The Wrapping & Steaming
A properly made tamal should be:
It’s a labor of love, but that first bite makes it worthwhile. Many families even incorporate the coveted job of “quality control,” into the work, taste testing each batch of tamales to make sure the flavor is just right.
Although it can be easy to leave the work to those who are seasoned pros at homemade tamales, don’t forget about the little guys. Tamale-making gatherings are a fantastic opportunity to let the younger generation try something your family has been doing for years. In many households, kids start out watching from the sidelines, then graduate to soaking husks, spreading masa and eventually taking a seat at the “grownups” table once they’ve learned the rhythm of the process.
Let children be part of every aspect of the evening, from mixing ingredients to spreading masa and finding that just-right fold for the corn husks. Sure, it might mean that not every tamale will be Instagram-perfect, but the experience will make it all worth it.
Food Town Tip: If you have extra space, encourage children and teens to bring their friends along, too, to spread a deeper understanding of the tradition!
Your homemade tamales should be the star of the evening, but why let the fun end there? Incorporating time for other activities can help keep children from getting too antsy and can also be a great way to connect with friends and family members you might not see very often. A white elephant gift exchange or round of Lotería can get everyone interacting and having fun, while a holiday-themed movie is a great way to kick back and relax after a long day of cooking.
Historically, tamaladas could stretch from morning to late evening, with families breaking for meals before heading back to the tamale table. Keeping easy snacks and drinks in stock is very much in the spirit of that tradition. Of course, it’s a great idea to have festive music or movies playing while you’re hard at work, too!
For many families, the homemade tamales made around the holidays come from recipes passed down from one generation to the next. While you’ll definitely want to keep those treasured recipes in your rotation, you can also introduce new flavors to the mix. Some cooks still prepare chiles and seasonings the traditional way, while others lean on modern tools such as stand mixers and food processors — proving there’s more than one way to honor culinary tradition.
If you’re inviting a friend or family member who doesn’t typically attend your gatherings, ask them to bring a recipe of their own! Or do a bit of sleuthing online to find new and exciting approaches. (As we’ve mentioned, our Pinterest board has some great ideas. And our Tamale Casserole by Mama Julia recipe is a real crowd-pleaser!) Who knows? You might just find a new favorite tamale tradition.
Town carries delicious premade tamales from trusted brands — including Mama Julia — that are perfect for quick holiday meals. They’re a great option for busy families, last-minute gatherings or those who want tamales without hosting a tamalada.
If you’re heating up premade tamales, you can easily elevate any plate with homemade sides. Our Recipes page offers great options for everything from fideo to Mexican rice, beans and beyond. Take things a step further and try our twist on a classic casserole with these delicious Tamal-chiladas — a cozy, family-friendly way to reuse leftover tamales.
Whatever ingredients you choose or activities you incorporate, when you’re making homemade tamales with friends and family, it’s sure to make for a memorable night. (Remember, you can find all the ingredients you need at our Houston grocery stores.) Wishing you the happiest of holidays from our Food Town family!
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