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tamale balls

(21 RATINGS)
3.09K Pinches 12 Photos
slawson avatar
New Orleans, LA
Updated on Jul 31, 2021

Whenever we have a get together, I am asked to bring tamale balls. Here in New Orleans, hot tamales are a delicacy. Tamale balls are very spicy and a very delicious cousin to the hot tamale. They make a great appetizer, but you can also put a few on a roll and sprinkle with some shredded cheddar cheese for a very spicy, but delicious, sandwich.

Blue Ribbon Recipe

What a tasty appetizer! These spicy little meatballs are very interesting. Full of Mexican spices, the added corn meal really gives them the flavor and texture of tamales. While these meatballs cook, they soak up the flavors of the sauce. Serve them alone or on a bun as Stacy suggests. We could see serving these tamale balls with Mexican rice too.

— The Test Kitchen
prep time 25 Min
cook time 1 Hr 30 Min
method Stove Top
yield About 12

Ingredients

  • TAMALE BALLS
  • 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
  • 1 1/2 pounds ground pork
  • 1 1/2 cups cornmeal
  • 3/4 cup apple juice
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 3 teaspoons chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
  • 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
  • SAUCE
  • 60 ounces V8 Juice
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon sugar

How To Make tamale balls

Test Kitchen Tips
These do take a little bit of babysitting. Make sure to stir every so often and we added a little water while the sauce cooked down. The recipe makes a lot, so we divided the sauce and meatballs between two pots to cook.
  • Combining tamale ball ingredients in a bowl.
    Step 1
    To make the tamale balls, combine all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
  • Forming meat into balls.
    Step 2
    Form into 1" balls and set aside.
  • Sauce ingredients adding to a large pot.
    Step 3
    To make the sauce, combine all the ingredients in a large pot.
  • Tamale balls added to sauce to cook.
    Step 4
    Add the formed balls to the sauce and cook over low heat for 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until the tamale balls are fully cooked. The balls will increase in size due to the cornmeal and become like a tamale.
  • Three Tamale Balls on a small plate.
    Step 5
    Slow Cooker Directions: Follow steps one and two. Combine sauce in a large slow cooker and add the formed balls. Cook on high for five to six hours, or until tamale balls are fully cooked.
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Post a picture of your finished recipe here and on your favorite social network. Don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes!

Discover More

Keyword: #easy
Keyword: #Meatballs
Keyword: #spicy
Keyword: #tamale
Keyword: #Party Food
Keyword: #Appetizer
Collection: Fall Food
Collection: Winter Recipes
Ingredient: Pork
Culture: American
Method: Stove Top

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