RED CHILE PORK FOR TAMALES

Marcy Inspired

This Red Chile Pork for Tamales recipe is an authentic, flavor-packed filling made with tender shredded pork simmered in a rich New Mexico red chile sauce. Perfect for holiday tamales, this step-by-step recipe brings bold, traditional flavors to your table.

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Prep Time 30

Cook Time 2 30

Total Time 3

Course Main Course

Cuisine Mexican, New Mexican

Equipment

Large stock pot
Large bowl
Forks (for shredding pork)
Blender or food processor
Skillet
Measuring spoons

Ingredients

For the Red Chile Pork for Tamales:

4 - 5 lb. Whole pork butt (cut into large pieces)
1/2 Large onion
5 - 6 Garlic cloves
1 Cube beef bouillon
Salt to taste
2 Bay leaves

For the Red Chile Sauce:

12 New Mexico red chile pods, stems & seeds removed approx.
3 Garlic cloves
1 tbsp. Mexican oregano
1 tbsp. Ground cumin
Salt to taste (approx. 1 1/2 tsp.)

Instructions

For the Red Chile Pork for Tamales:

Place pork meat in large pot and cover with water.
Place on stovetop over medium high heat.
Add onion, garlic cloves, beef bouillon, salt and bay leaves.
Stir and let come to boil. (Skim foamy impurities that form on the top.)
Reduce heat and let it continue to cook at a low boil for two hours.
Remove cooked meat and place in bowl.
Let cool before shredding with forks.

For the Red Chile Sauce:

Place cleaned chile pods in a seive with a bowl underneath and pour boiling hot water over it.
Let it sit in hot water approx.
10 minutes so that chile pods rehydrate and soften.
Remove softened chile from water, but reserve chile water.
Place chile in blender or food processor, along with garlic cloves, Mexican oregano, cumin, and salt.
Pour in 4 cups of reserved chile water and blend until you are left with a smooth red chile sauce.
Then heat a large skillet on the stovetop over medium high heat with just enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan.
Once hot, pour in the red chile sauce.
Let it come to a boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer on low for ten minutes, stirring frequently.
(If making your own tamale masa, remove approx. 1 cup of chile sauce and set it aside for the masa. Otherwise, continue on with recipe.)
Add shredded pork meat to the red chile sauce and mix to fully combine.
Remove from heat and let cool before using it to fill tamale masa.