Fusion Recipe Lab / Recipe

Chili Crisp Carnitas Tamales

Slow-cooked carnitas folded with chili crisp and wrapped in fluffy masa.

Vehicle

tamales

Inspiration

Mexican / Chinese

Flavor Profile

spicy, savory, umami

Meal Type

dinner

Protein

pork

Spice Level

hot

Texture

soft

Difficulty

project

Prep Time

50 minutes

Cook Time

1 hour 45 minutes

Total Time

2 hours 35 minutes

Prep Style

batch-cooking

Tags

pork, spicy, batch-cook, comfort

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Notebook Entry

Description

Tamales become a delivery system for crisp carnitas and aromatic chili crisp heat.

Ingredients

  • Tamal masa and soaked husks (base recipe)
  • 2 cups shredded carnitas
  • 1 tbsp chili crisp
  • 1 tsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp chopped cilantro
  • 1/2 cup diced onion

Preparation

  1. Prepare masa and husks.
  2. Mix carnitas with chili crisp, soy sauce, cilantro, and onion.
  3. Fill husks with masa and carnitas mixture.
  4. Steam 80 to 90 minutes.

Assembly

  1. Rest tamales 10 minutes.
  2. Serve with warm salsa roja.

Serving Suggestions

  • Add lime and pickled onion.
  • Great with black bean soup.

Notes or Variations

  • Use chicken tinga instead of carnitas.
  • Adjust chili crisp for heat tolerance.