Hot Tamale Balls

Bring bold, zesty flavors to your table with these irresistibly spicy Hot Tamale Balls! This recipe combines ground pork and beef with yellow cornmeal, aromatic spices like smoked paprika and chili powder, and a touch of cayenne for a fiery kick. These bite-sized tamale-inspired meatballs are seared to golden perfection and simmered in a rich, tomato-based sauce, ensuring every bite is tender and bursting with flavor. Perfect for busy weeknights or casual get-togethers, these tamale balls are easy to prepare in under an hour and pair wonderfully with rice, tortillas, or your favorite side dishes. Garnished with fresh cilantro, they’re the ultimate comfort food for spice lovers.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:25 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 lb Ground pork
• 1 lb Ground beef
• 1.5 cups Yellow cornmeal
• 2 large Eggs
• 0.5 cup Milk
• 1 medium Onion, finely grated
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp Chili powder
• 1 tsp Ground cumin
• 1 tsp Smoked paprika
• 1.5 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Black pepper
• 0.25 tsp Cayenne pepper
• 14 oz Crushed tomatoes
• 2 cups Chicken broth
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 2 tbsp Fresh cilantro, chopped

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine ground pork, ground beef, yellow cornmeal, eggs, milk, grated onion, and minced garlic. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly combined.

Step 2

Add in the chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Mix until the spices are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.

Step 3

Form the mixture into balls approximately 1.5 inches in diameter, and set them aside on a tray. You should have around 18-20 tamale balls.

Step 4

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the tamale balls in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Sear the tamale balls on all sides until browned, about 6-8 minutes. Remove from the skillet and set aside.

Step 5

In the same skillet, add the crushed tomatoes and chicken broth. Stir to combine and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.

Step 6

Return the tamale balls to the skillet, spooning some of the liquid over the top. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let the tamale balls simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.

Step 7

Once the tamale balls are fully cooked and tender, remove from heat and sprinkle freshly chopped cilantro on top for garnish.

Step 8

Serve hot with rice, tortillas, or a side of your choice. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2409.5 grams (2409.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3891

Total Fat 225.40g	289%
Saturated Fat 77.30g	387%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 1092mg	364%
Sodium 5752mg	250%
Total Carbohydrate 232.90g	85%
Dietary Fiber 30.90g	110%
Total Sugars 25.40g
Protein 238.00g	476%

Vitamin D 136IU	678%
Calcium 549mg	42%
Iron 28mg	154%
Potassium 3272mg	70%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 51.9%

Protein: 24.3%

Carbs: 23.8%