This Store-Bought Tamale Brand Is Hands-Down The Worst One - Tasting Table

"Unsurprisingly, the worst tamale we sampled was the only one that came in a can. Hormel Tamales are available in chicken and chili and beef and chili flavors, and we tried both. The tamales are supposed to be simmered in the sauce until hot, but that makes them turn out wet, with a disappointing texture and watery taste. They were also somewhat oily, which was unpleasant. The texture of the tamales themselves was grainy, and they were wrapped in paper rather than a husk."

"Making delicious tamales at home isn't difficult, but it is time-consuming. The first thing you need to do is get high-quality ingredients. Depending on where you live, you can find most of what you need in local grocery stores. If you're in an area without a wide selection of Mexican, Spanish, or Latin American foods, you may need to visit a specialty market or buy ingredients online."

Store-bought tamales offer a convenient but uneven alternative to handmade tamales. Canned Hormel Tamales performed worst, yielding wet, oily, grainy tamales wrapped in paper rather than husks, with a watery taste. Trader Joe's, Kroger, and specialty brands vary in quality, and Tucson Tamale offered the most authentic store-bought option sampled. Tamales are an ancient food with many regional varieties and fillings. Making tamales at home yields the freshest flavor and best texture but requires time and good ingredients. Essential supplies include high-quality masa and corn husks, which can be purchased pre-made or dried at specialty markets or online.

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