Masa For Tamales | No Lard Recipe

Learn how to make this incredibly easy masa for tamales or tamales dough recipe. This masa can be used with all sorts of savory fillings for your favorite tamales. You only need 5 ingredients which are easily found anywhere you live. In this recipe you can use either masa harina or fresh masa from the tortilleria. This recipe is authentically Mexican and vegan and perfect for your Christmas tamales!

Masa for Tamales Recipe
Tamales Masa Recipe Without Lard

Masa for Tamales

Tamales are a huge part of our Mexican culture.

We make them for the holidays, special occasions or simply when the cravings for these delicious small steamed corn dough pockets strikes.

If you’ve never made tamales from scratch, don’t worry. I know at first they can sound intimidating but in fact aren’t really that difficult to prepare. You only need to learn the foundations and making tamales will become second nature to you.

Tamales are a labor of love but there’s nothing quite like homemade tamales!

The most important part of tamales, or the foundation of tamales is the masa.

You need to have a flavorful, light, airy and creamy masa to make delicious tamales — both savory and sweet!

This recipe is a basic masa or masa dough recipe with easy to find ingredients. Below I also share the method for making the tamales masa using fresh masa you can purchase at a tortilleria. The recipe is vegan and it’s incredibly easy to make and the texture and taste are absolutely perfect!

If you want to learn how to make tamales masa with oil and basic sweet masa for your sweet tamales, then make sure you check out my tamales ebook. It has loads of additional tips and tons of savory and sweet tamale recipes.

Mexican Tamales Made Meatless

What Kind of Masa to Buy for Tamales

The majority of you won’t have access to fresh masa from a tortilleria, so the second best, or most convenient, thing is to use dried masa harina. Which you can get at nearly any grocery store, or of course there’s always Amazon too.

The most common masa harina brand is Maseca. Though it can be controversial amongst many, it is the one most readily found. My friend Rocio Carvajal has recommended another brand you can get on Amazon.

Masa harina for tamales
Masa Harina for Tamales

Is Tortilla Masa The Same as Tamales Masa

When I make tamales using masa harina I always use masa harina specifically labelled for tamales.

The texture between this and the regular masa harina, the kind used for making corn tortillas, gorditas, and sopes, is a bit different. I personally feel that the “tamal” specific one gives a better texture for tamales — however, I previously on several occasion used regular masa harina and still have had good results.

Get whatever is easiest and more budget friendly for you. Make your tamales with lots of amor and they’ll be amazing!

Ingredients for Masa for Tamales without Lard
Ingredients for Masa for Tamales without Lard

Ingredients Used for Tamales Dough

The ingredients used in making tamales dough are quite simple and not too many.

• Fresh Masa or Masa Harina :

You can use fresh masa from the tortilleria, or grind up your own corn to make the masa. Make sure you’re getting just masa and not masa preparada or prepared masa. This dough is ready to use and usually has pork lard and animal broth — and needless to say we don’t want that!

At the tortilleria ask for unprepared masa or the same masa used to make their corn tortillas — do confirm that it’s fresh corn masa or nixtamalized corn dough. There’s a big difference between the two. From a tortilleria you want freshly ground corn masa.

If you can get the fresh masa then reach for the bag of masa harina.

• Baking Powder :

Baking powder is a leavener, of course, and it’s used to help make the masa less dense. In olden days they didn’t use it, instead the masa was just whipped enough to add that airiness. But it really is a great addition and I suggest you don’t skip it. It helps make the dough airy, light and fluffy and therefore a better smoother texture in the tamales.

• Salt :

Salt is seasoning used to help bring out the flavors of other ingredients. Don’t skip the salt, it makes the masa taste much better.

• Fats :

The traditional fat used is pork lard, and of course we don’t want to use that!

To mimic the most traditional recipes and textures I use vegetable shortening. I know it’s not the healthiest thing in the world, but it’s what I most commonly use for tamales.

If you don’t want to use shortening, you can use solidified coconut oil — but keep in mind that it may add a bit of flavor to the masa. Another option is to use vegetable oil, which is my second preferred option after the shortening. Some people also like to use olive oil, I have personally never done this because the olive oil that I buy has a strong taste. But you can experiment with whatever you like.

One of my sister uses butter to make both sweet and savory tamales. The butter I have access to is a very pure buttery taste so in my case I don’t enjoy that strong butter taste in my tamales. But if the butter you use is lighter in color and not a strong butter taste then it’ll work just fine.

In my recipe here I’m using shortening.

• Broth :

Always, always use vegetable broth to hydrate your savory masa for tamales!

Water will make your masa taste bland. So use either homemade vegetable broth, the cartons of vegetable broth or mix hot water with vegan bouillon powder flavored in vegetable, or vegan chicken broth or vegan beef bouillon.

• Milk and Juices for Sweet Tamales Masa :

When making sweet tamales you can use either milk or fruit juices to hydrate the masa.

For the milks it can be dairy for a vegetarian option. For the fruit juices it will depend highly on what the flavor of your tamales is.

I have used coconut milk, almond or soy milk and pineapple or apple use for my sweet tamales. You can see those recipe samples in my tamales ebook.

Variations of Tamales Masa Dough

My tamales masa is very flavorful, it really is the best masa and it’s easy to make both for beginners or the seasoned tamales maker.

You really don’t need to add anything else to it to make it taste delicious. But there are regional and family variations of tamales masa dough. You can experiment if you’d like, let me give you some suggestions.

  • Some regions add chile sauce, made from red chiles like guajillos, to the masa to make red tamales. I’ve never seen salsa verde added though.
  • Spices like onion powder, cumin powder, garlic powder can also be added to the masa harina or corn flour.
  • When making sweet tamales sugar is added. The more traditional sweet tamales also has red dye added to it.

My tamale masa recipe without lard is perfect for all different kinds of tamales recipes with savory fillings. I’ll give you my basic sweet tamales masa recipe another time. But be sure that this recipe is going to get you through tamales season with no problems.

Easy Tamales Dough Using Masa Harina
Easy Tamale Masa without Lard

Is This Recipe Vegan

Short answer, Yes!!!

Instead of lard we’re using vegetable shortening.

Instead of chicken or beef broth, we’re using vegetable broth.

If you want lots of vegan savory tamales filling recipes then make sure you get a copy of my Mexican Tamales Made Meatless cookbook.

How to Make Tamales Dough

How to Make Tamales Masa | How Do You Make Masa For Tamales

Making tamales masa or dough for tamales is incredibly easy!

Make sure all of your ingredients are at room temperature so they combine better.

The first step is to whip the shortening until it’s softened and has a light an airy texture. You can do this either in a stand mixer bowl or with an electric mixer or hand mixer. Use a very large bowl or make sure that your stand mixer has a large mixing bowl capacity.

Next you’re going to add half of the masa harina into the whipped shortening. Then also sprinkle in the baking powder and the salt. Carefully on low speed begin to mix the ingredients until well combined. The results will be coarse breadcrumb texture.

Use a spatula to wipe down the sides and bottom of the bowl in order to help incorporated the ingredients as best as possible.

How to Make Masa for Tamales without Lard

Next you’re going to add the remaining masa harina to the mixed bowl then pour in about 1 cup of the broth. Again use the spatula to scrape down the sides. Then slowly begin to mix the ingredients.

Little by little begin adding more and more of the broth until you have a well hydrated masa that is light, airy and well combined.

Scrape down the sides of the bowl then give it another mix.

How to know if tamales masa is ready
The Tamales Masa Float Test

The Tamales Dough Float Test

Once you have mixed all of the ingredients and you feel your masa is ready, you can do the masa “float test”.

Fill a small glass or bowl with room temp or warm water. Then grab a small amount of the mixed masa and drop it into the glass and it should float back to the top straightaway.

If the masa doesn’t float then it needs to be mixed more to have more air whipped into it. You can test again after more mixing.

So not everyone does this masa float test. You don’t have to do it, but I like to. This way I feel the ingredients are well combined, the masa is well hydrated and that the tamales won’t come out super dense.

Once the tamales masa mixture is prepared, and you’ve done the float test, you are ready to begin the process of spreading it on corn husks or banana leaves and stuff with your favorite filling.

Steamed Birria Tamales
Birria Tamales Recipe

Can You Make The Masa The Day Before

Yes you can! You can mix and prepare the masa one day and then the next day use it to make your tamales.

Store it in the refrigerator covered. The next day let it come to room temperature. You can also test it to see if it’s thickened up a bit too much. Test this by grabbing a soaked corn husk and use the back of a spoon to spread it. If it’s easy to spread you’re good to go, if it’s too difficult you may want to mix in a bit of vegetable broth.

Want to Try a Tamales Recipe

If you’ve been following my blog for a while now you know that I love authentic, easy recipes that are bursting with delicious flavors.

When I wrote my tamales cookbook I made sure to only include tamales recipes that were all of this. They are all delicious and even meat approved.

Perhaps the most popular of the vegan tamales recipe that was loved both by non-meat eaters and meat-eaters alike, was my vegan birria tamales. I created this unique recipe for the cookbook and now it’s been such a joy seeing the great reception that it has received.

So if you only make one tamales recipe of mine this year, make sure it’s the birria tamales. You’ll thank me, promise. Click here to get the recipe. You can cook them in a tamalera, a pot with a steamer basket, or the instant pot with a steamer rack insert. 

Fresh Masa to Make Tamales Dough
Fresh Masa from Tortilleria

Masa for Tamales Using Fresh Masa

If you have access to fresh masa from the tortilleria then you use it instead of masa harina.

The process is the same except you’ll need to use much less broth or liquid to hydrate the masa.

Additionally you’ll need to break up and constantly slowly add chunks of the masa as you mix. It won’t be all in one go like the masa harina.

Also if you ever have the chance to make tamales with fresh masa, do so. The taste is quite a bit better than masa harina.

Tamales Masa without Lard

As previously mentioned there is no lard in my recipe. The recipe is 100% vegan!

Masa for Tamales with Oil

If you would like to use oil instead of shortening for your masa for tamales, it’s no problem at all. Using oil is also a slightly healthier way of making tamales masa.

Use vegetable oil and use 3/4 cups to 1 cup vegetable oil instead of the 1 cup of shortening used in my recipe.

Tamales without a Mixer

If you don’t have either a handheld or stand mixer you can still make masa for tamales.

You can use a wooden spoon or really getting in there with your hands is the best option.

The process is exactly the same. Use your hands to whip the shortening then begin adding the other ingredients slowly until you have a well combined masa.

It’s going to take more elbow grease on your part, but you can absolutely do it!

Tamale Masa Recipe Without Lard

Ok amigos, you’ve got all the tips and tricks I could pass on to you to make the most delicious tamales for Christmas Eve, January 6th, Dia de la Candelaria, Dia de Muertos, or any special occasion when you want to make tamales.

Please notice that my recipe is for a small batch of tamales. But you can easily double or triple it without any problems. I’ve done this before with great results.

Do let me know if you have any questions and make sure you keep coming back for more tamales recipes and tons of tips and tricks for making authentic vegan tamales and vegetarian tamales.

Buen Provecho!

Masa Dough for Tamales Made without Lard | Vegan Recipe
How to Make Tamales Masa without Lard
Masa for Tamales Recipe

Masa for Tamales without Lard

Nancy Lopez & MexicanMadeMeatless.com
This is my go-to masa for tamales recipe. It doesn’t use lard! It will yield about 3lbs of masa, and should make 25 to 30 tamales using corn husks. The amount will depend on the size of the corn husk as well as how much masa is spread over it.
5 from 59 votes
Save Recipe Pin Recipe Leave a Review
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
0 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course main, Main Course, Main Dish
Cuisine Mexican, vegan mexican
Servings 25 servings
Calories 145 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 7 oz shortening at room temp, this is 1 cup
  • 1.1 lbs masa harina for tamales I use Maseca brand
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt
  • 3 to 5 cups low sodium vegetable broth (at room temp)

Instructions
 

To Make with Handheld or Stand Mixer

  • Place the shortening in a large mixing bowl, remember the end mixture is going to yield 3 lbs so your bowl needs to be large enough. Whip the shortening until it’s creamy, light and almost fluffy.
    Ingredients for Masa for Tamales without Lard
  • Add half of the masa harina, all the baking powder and the salt. Mix for a few minutes on low speed to help start incorporating the flour into the shortening. Little by little begin adding 1 cup of broth — but don’t add it all at once, it won’t only splash up all over the place, but you may not need to use all of the broth to get the correct consistency.
    How to Make Tamales Dough
  • Start increasing the speed and start adding the remaining masa harina until it’s all been added, and keep adding in more broth until you have a smooth and spreadable texture.
    How to Make Masa for Tamales without Lard

To Mix by Hand

  • In a large bowl mix the shortening until it’s a creamy, smooth texture. Next add the baking powder and mix again until well combined. Then add the salt and start incorporating the masa harina and the broth little by little.
    Masa for Tamales Recipe
  • Little by little begin pouring in the warm broth into the bowl. Keep going until you have a smooth masa that is spreadable. Watch my video and look at the photos for reference.
    Easy Tamales Dough Using Masa Harina

Video

Notes

*Important Note: Add the broth slowly, the humidity in your kitchen, altitude, and weather conditions of where you live will determine how much liquid you’ll need. I’ve lived in places where 3 ½ cups broth was enough, and another where 5 cups was needed.

Nutrition

Serving: 25servingsCalories: 145kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 2gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gSodium: 158mgPotassium: 53mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 43IUCalcium: 37mgIron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Leave me a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review and tag me on social media @MexicanMadeMeatless or tag #mexicanmademeatless!

Want Vegan Tamales and Vegetarian Tamales Recipes

If you are looking for the most delicious vegan tamales and vegetarian tamales recipes make sure to grab a copy of my tamales cookbook!

Use discount code BLOG10 to get 10% off at check out!

 
Mexican Tamales Made Meatless

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43 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    You can use olive oil that has been put in the refrigerator till it becomes solid or white in color. It’s a healthier option to the shortening. I have used this many times.

  2. 5 stars
    Delicious recipe, I agree with previous commenter regarding the vegetable shortening, can olive-oil be substituted ? Please reply, tamale season is here & I want to try your healthier recipe-Gracias

    1. Hi Camille!

      There’s a section in my ebook all about this, however I also addressed it here in the article. Let me copy and paste it for you. I’ve never used olive oil and feel that the taste may be overpowering to the other ingredients but you can of course experiment if you like. Enjoy!

      MASA FOR TAMALES WITH OIL
      If you would like to use oil instead of shortening for your masa for tamales, it’s no problem at all.

      Use vegetable oil and use 3/4 cups to 1 cup instead of the 1 cup of shortening used in my recipe.

  3. 5 stars
    I made your masa for Thanksgiving and it came out perfect, the tamales were like how my mom made. Will be doing this again for Christmas. Gracias

  4. Hi Lorrie! It was one single typo mentioning the “soda” as opposed to the entire article and actual recipe mentioning the baking powder, the video also mentions baking powder. So not a big deal really, but by all means if you feel the need to find another recipe please do so. Enjoy your tamales!

  5. For those of us using measuring cups to measure the masa harina, could you please mention how many CUPS of masa harina to use. (If you could add the cups measurement next to the “1.1 pounds” measurement – as you did with the “7 0z” of shortening: thank you! 🙂

  6. 5 stars
    Good morning! I just wanted to let you know I made your Masa For Tamales recipe, and it turned out fantastic! 5 ingredients and DONE! Thanks for the excellent instructions. It made it so easy to make the Masa For Tamales.

  7. 5 stars
    Great recipe but SUPER HELPFUL post! Thank you for all the details and process pictures. With such an authentic dish, I appreciated all the table of contents so I could jump around. Really helpful!

  8. 5 stars
    Your recipe came out at the perfect time as I will start my tamales crafting soon. Some of my family members prefer not to eat pork lard so this is helpful.

  9. 5 stars
    I’m a big fan of tamales and I appreciate that with recipe I can now try making them on my own. Thanks

  10. 5 stars
    Your recipe is so easy to follow and well-explained. It comes out amazing and delicious, they are easy to spread on the husks too.

  11. 5 stars
    Fantastic recipe! I love that it’s only 5 ingredients. Surprisingly easy to make – I followed the instructions exactly and they turned out perfect.

  12. 5 stars
    I didn’t realize how easy it was to make tamales. Going to try making them this weekend. Thanks for the informative recipe.

  13. 5 stars
    Hands down the best tamale dough recipe I’ve ever made. When my dough floated I was so happy.

  14. I fllowed your recipe and My masa didnt float, and im sitting and ponderin what to do to make it float, addin more brothe n mixin isnt working.

    1. Hi Leanne,
      When it doesn’t float you can whip it for a few more minutes to add more air into it. Did you test your baking powder? If it’s too old it won’t help add air into the dough. I have a guide on other things you can try find it here https://mexicanmademeatless.com/the-masa-float-test-for-tamales/#What_do_You_do_if_Your_Tamale_Dough_Doesnt_Float
      But also please know that as long as your masa is well hydrated and has a good taste, even if it doesn’t float your tamales will still taste amazing. Enjoy and let me know if you have any other questions.

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