Banana Leaf Tamales Recipe with Cochinita Pibil Filling

Across Southern Mexico and costal areas like Oaxaca and Veracruz, banana leaf tamales are made instead of corn husk wrapped ones. You’re going to love my banana leaf tamales recipe filled with tender cochinita pibil and topped with zesty pickled red onions and habanero salsa, all with a plant based twist.

Banana Leaf Tamales

The tamales most people are familiar with are ones wrapped in corn husks. But across the Southern and some coastal states of Mexico, Central America and other parts of Latin America, banana-wrapped tamales are more common.

The use of banana leaves imparts a subtle earthy aroma and gives the tamales a distinct look compared to the corn husk wrapped ones.

In most cases the banana leaf tamales are cooked using the steaming method like with corn husk tamales, but also often times they can be baked in the oven or in an earth oven dug into the ground. Such is the case with the traditional tamales of the Yucatan Peninsula.

Another difference is that banana leaf tamales are stacked on top of each other when steamed, rather than steamed standing up like corn husk ones.

The type of Mexican tamales I grew up eating were the ones wrapped in corn husks. But now having lived in Southern Mexico for nearly 10 years, I can honestly say that the banana leaf tamales are just as delicious.  Each type is different but delicious in their own right nonetheless. 

I’ve shared many tamales recipes here on the blog, and even wrote a tamales cookbook where 99% of the tamales are made using corn husks. But today I’m going to be sharing a scrumptious banana leaf tamales recipe that I just know you’re going to love.

Traditional Banana Leaf Tamale Fillings

When it comes to the fillings for banana leaf tamales, the possibilities are endless. Some of the more popular are tamales Oaxaqueños which can be filled with pork, chicken, or vegetables and even vegetarian filling options exist.

These tamales can have a red sauce, green sauce or a creamy mole sauce. In Northern Mexico some banana leaf tamales are filled with beans and cheese, and there even exist fish fillings.

While traditionally filled with meat, seafood, and vegetables, the beauty of tamales lies in their versatility. This opens the door for creative and delicious adaptations that can easily be made plant-based with scrumptious results. 

Cochinita Pibil Tamales

For those unfamiliar, cochinita pibil is a slow-cooked pork dish originating from the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. It is marinated in citrus juices, herbs and spices, and achiote paste and cooked wrapped in banana leaves.

Traditionally cochinita pibil is cooked in a “pib” or earth oven. The most common way to eat cochinita is with corn tortillas as tacos or as a filling for panuchos, salbutes, and tortas.

It’s not common to see cochinita pibil tamales, but to me it makes perfect sense to use cochinita as a delicious tamales filling. So that’s what you see before you, mouthwatering banana leaf tamales filled with cochinita pibil. 

Being that this, of course, is a meatless recipe blog, my cochinita pibil is made plant based and I used oyster mushrooms to replace the pork.

Let me tell you that the results are scrumptious and do not disappoint! The tender oyster mushrooms, infused with the citrusy notes, achiote paste, and traditional spices is a symphony of textures and flavors, wrapped in the warm earthy embrace of banana leaves.

I shared these plant based tamales with meat eaters and they all quite enjoyed them, so I know you will too.

Are These Tamales Vegan?

Yes they are! The recipe uses oyster mushrooms to replace the pork in the cochinita pibil. These mushrooms work perfectly because they have a meaty texture and can be seasoned and cooked to mimic the flavors of the traditional meat dishes, like cochinita pibil filling, seamlessly.

If you haven’t noticed yet, I use oyster mushrooms a lot just for this reason. 

Ingredients Needed

Make sure to have all these ingredients ready before you begin the cooking process. Having everything prepared will ensure a smooth cooking experience and delicious results with your banana leaf tamales.

• Tamale Masa: You can use either fresh masa or masa harina to make your tamale masa. I have a couple different masa recipes for you to choose from. For this recipe I used my tamales masa with oil and the recipe is written in the recipe card.
• Cochinita Pibil Filling: We’ll using my recipe for plant-based cochinita and the full recipe is in the recipe card below. 
• Fresh Banana Leaves: In the United States you can find them at Mexican markets, Asian markets or any grocery stores that international foods. You’ll either find them on store shelves in the frozen food section. There’s also Amazon.
• Pickled Onions and Habanero Salsa: These are for topping and serving your tamales. I have also previously shared the recipe.

How to Make Banana Leaf Tamales with Cochinita Pibil Filling

I’ve said it many times and I’ll say it again, making tamales isn’t difficult at all. All you need to do be patient because though not difficult, making tamales is an involved process that requires some time.

Please note that the recipe is using masa harina instead of fresh masa because I know many of you can only get masa harina. 

Step 1: Make The Filling

You can make the filling the day before to help cut down the work in one day.

Step 2: Make The Masa

Step 3: Prepare The Banana Leaves

Slice or cut off the central stem from banana leaves. Cut to even sized square pieces that are anywhere from 6- to 8-inch segments. Rinse under warm water then use paper towels to pat dry.

Heat a comal or large frying pan then place one banana leaf square on to it and leave to soften for a couple of minutes or until the color changes to a deeper green color.

Repeat until all the pieces are softened. The leaves will become softer and pliable – don’t over cook them otherwise they’ll turn crispy and crack.

Step 4: Make The Tamales

Grabbing one side of the banana leaf, fold it into the center so that it the masa overlaps onto the filling a little. Repeat for each side.

Next fold the banana leaf sides onto each other and wrap them to create a little pocket. Please watch the video for a clear visual guide. 

Some people use either the hard stem that was cut off the banana leaves or a piece of kitchen string to tie around the tamales and make them prettier. I don’t do this and the Campechana woman who taught me to make these tamales also doesn’t tie them. But it’s up to you.

Step 5: Steam The Tamales

Pour in a few cups of water to the indicated line of a tamalera or steamer pot. Put the steam plate in it’s place.

Start stacking the wrapped tamales on top of the steam plate of a tamale pot. Cover the pot with aluminum foil, make a small hole in the center then put the lid on. 

Place the pot on the stove over medium-high heat and allow the water to come to a boil. You’ll be able to tell because boiling water makes like bubbling sounds. 

Once the water is boiling turn down to medium heat and steam the tamales for 45 minutes.

Carefully remove one tamale from the steamer pot and allow to sit for 10 minutes. Then unwrap it to check that it’s cooked through. The dough will be tender and peel away easily from the banana leaf. 

Banana Leaf Tamales Tips

• You don’t have to use masa harina to make these tamales, you can use fresh masa instead.
• If you don’t have a tamalera or tamale steamer pot you can place a steamer basked inside a large pot or even the Instant Pot. For more instructions read my article How to Steam Tamales Without a Steamer.
• Some people like to place a penny at the bottom of the steamer pot so they can tell when the water is getting low.
• Don’t be afraid to adjust the seasonings of the cochinita pibil to your liking.
• Another delicious banana leaf tamales recipe is to make them with mole sauce. I use shredded mushrooms and cook them with a simple jar of Doña Maria spicy mole paste.
• If you want to make large batches of tamales then you can make a good time out of it by inviting family and friends over for a tamale making party, aka a tamalada.
• If you have a small tamale pot or steamer pot don’t compact the tamales into it. They need room to expand. So it’s best to either use two pots or steam one batch then steam the remaining tamales afterwards.
• If you find yourself without access to packages of whole fresh banana leaves then you could make these tamales using corn husks instead. Read my guide for How to Prepare Corn Husks for Tamales.

How to Serve

These banana leaf tamales are served a bit differently than others. Since the filling is cochinita pibil we want to serve them like cochinita is eaten in the Yucatan Peninsula. 

Serve with pickled red onions and a spicy habanero salsa. That’s all these incredibly flavorful banana leaf tamales need. 

Like regular tamales these too can be served for special occasions or celebrations during the holiday seasons, like Mexican Christmas Eve or even Día de la Candelaria.

How to Store

Allow leftovers to come to room temperature then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

You can also freeze them in large Ziploc bags for up to 3 months.

I have a whole guide on storing tamales so make sure to read it, How to Store Tamales.

How to Reheat

Cooked tamales can be reheated in a tamale steamer pot or microwaved or reheated right on a comal.

I wrote a comprehensive guide on reheating tamales that you may want to read, How to Reheat Tamales.

Banana Leaf Tamales Recipe

Amigos, with this vibrant fusion of plant-based banana leaf tamales you can still experience all the goodness and authentic flavors. Follow my step-by-step banana leaf tamales recipe so you can have flavorful meatless tamales so delicious that not only non-meat eaters will enjoy, but also even those hardcore meat-eaters will too.

Let me know if you have any questions and remember to leave me a comment and review if you try out this or any of my recipes.

Buen provecho!

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