Oh, you know those days? The ones where the wind is howling outside, or maybe you’ve just had one of *those* days and all you want is a big hug in a bowl? That’s exactly when this Comforting Tamale Soup With Tamale Dumplings Recipe comes to the rescue. I swear, it’s like sunshine and a cozy blanket all wrapped up together. I first whipped this up when I was craving something hearty and familiar, but with a little twist, and let me tell you, it was pure magic. It’s become my go-to soul-soother, and I just know you’re going to love it too.
Why You’ll Love This Comforting Tamale Soup With Tamale Dumplings Recipe
Seriously, you’re going to adore this soup because:
- It’s unbelievably easy to throw together on a busy weeknight!
- The flavor is just so rich and satisfying – all those warm spices are amazing.
- Those little tamale dumplings? Pure comfort food heaven! They’re tender little bites of magic.
- It’s perfect for a chilly evening or whenever you need a little culinary hug.
- It tastes like it took hours, but shhh, it’s our little secret!
Gather Your Ingredients for Comforting Tamale Soup With Tamale Dumplings
Alright, let’s get down to business! To make this amazing bowl of comfort, you’ll want to round up a few things. Don’t worry, nothing too fancy or hard to find. I always try to use good quality ingredients because, trust me, it makes a difference! Grabbing fresh ground chicken or turkey from the butcher always makes me feel a little extra special.
For the Hearty Soup Base:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground chicken or turkey (whatever you prefer!)
- 1 medium onion, chopped nice and small
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (smells so good!)
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 4 cups chicken broth (low sodium is great if you want to control the salt)
- 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained (for all that juicy goodness!)
- 1 (15 ounce) can corn, drained
- Salt and pepper to taste (keep tasting and adjusting!)
And for those Little Pockets of Joy – The Tamale Dumplings:
- 1 cup masa harina (this is the magic stuff that makes them taste like tamales!)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup vegetable shortening (or you could use softened butter in a pinch)
- 1/2 cup warm water (just enough to bring it all together)
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Comforting Tamale Soup With Tamale Dumplings
Okay, deep breaths, because we’re about to make some pure magic happen! This Comforting Tamale Soup With Tamale Dumplings Recipe really comes together in just a few easy stages. It might seem like a lot, but I promise it’s super straightforward and totally worth it. Let’s dive in!
Preparing the Flavorful Soup Base
First things first, grab a nice big pot – a Dutch oven is perfect if you have one. Heat up that olive oil over medium heat. Now, toss in your ground chicken or turkey and get it cooking, breaking it all up with your spoon like you’re just having fun. Cook it until it’s beautifully browned. Don’t forget to drain off any extra yucky fat! Next, add your chopped onion and let it soften up for about 5 minutes. Then, stir in the garlic, chili powder, cumin, and oregano. Let that sizzle for just another minute until it smells absolutely divine – truly the start of something wonderful in your kitchen. You can check out some other hearty soup recipes for more inspiration!
Crafting the Perfect Tamale Dumplings
While that soup base is simmering away and getting all flavorful, it’s time to make the stars of the show: the tamale dumplings! Grab a medium bowl and pop in your masa harina and that salt. Now, get your hands in there (or use a pastry blender if you’re fancy!) and cut in the vegetable shortening until it looks like coarse crumbs. It’s like making a pie crust, almost! Then, slowly add the warm water, a little bit at a time, mixing it all up until you have a soft, pliable dough. You don’t want it too sticky, just nice and easy to handle. This is key for perfectly tender dumplings! If you’re curious about different dumpling styles, masa harina is truly unique!
Combining and Simmering for Ultimate Comfort
Now for the best part! Your soup base should have had a good 15 minutes to simmer and let those flavors get friendly. Give it a stir, and then add in that drained corn. Taste it now and add salt and pepper until it sings to you. Then, it’s time for the tamale dumplings! Take spoonfuls of your masa dough and gently drop them right into the simmering soup. Cover your pot up nice and snug – this is important so they steam and cook properly. Let them simmer away for about 15 to 20 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when they look plump and feel firm to the touch. And voilà!
Tips for Tamale Soup Success
Alright, let’s chat about making sure your Comforting Tamale Soup With Tamale Dumplings turns out absolutely perfect, every single time. I’ve made this soup more times than I can count, and a few little tricks really make a difference. Don’t be scared of a little hiccup; these tips should help you avoid any kitchen dramas!
First off, that masa harina for the dumplings? Make sure it’s the corn masa harina meant for tamales, not cornmeal or corn flour. They’re totally different! If your soup base seems a bit thin, don’t fret. You can always let it simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes to thicken it up before adding the dumplings. And when you’re dropping those dumplings in, use two spoons to make them nice and uniform, like little fluffy clouds. You can also totally freeze extra tamales using this same dough if you want to have some on hand!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Let’s talk ingredients for a second, because sometimes you just don’t have *exactly* what the recipe calls for, right? No worries! The masa harina is pretty key for those authentic-tasting tamale dumplings, so try not to skip that specific flour. But if you’re out of ground chicken, ground turkey is a totally perfect swap, and lean ground beef works too! If you’re not a fan of corn, you could try some diced bell peppers in there instead. And for my vegetarian friends, think about using some plant-based ground crumbles or even just adding an extra can of black beans!
Serving Suggestions
This Comforting Tamale Soup With Tamale Dumplings Recipe is already a full meal, but sometimes you want just a little something extra! I love topping mine with a dollop of sour cream or some plain Greek yogurt – it adds such a nice creamy tang. A sprinkle of fresh cilantro brightens everything up, or maybe some sliced avocado for extra richness. And if you’re feeling really festive, a few crushed tortilla chips on top for a satisfying crunch! For more ideas, check out these other side dish options.
Storage and Reheating
Got leftovers? Lucky you! This soup is often even better the next day. Just let it cool down a bit, then pop it into an airtight container in the fridge. It’ll keep nicely for about 3-4 days. When you’re ready for more goodness, just reheat it gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. If you want to freeze it, that works too! Just make sure to let it thaw completely before warming it up. The dumplings might get a little softer, but the flavor is still totally there!
Nutritional Information
Just a heads-up, these numbers are estimates because, you know, kitchens can be a bit different every time! This gives you a good ballpark: about 450 calories, 25g of protein, 45g of carbs, and 20g of fat per serving. It’s a hearty bowl, perfect for keeping you full and happy!
Share Your Comforting Tamale Soup Experience!
Alright, my friends, now it’s your turn! I really hope you give this Comforting Tamale Soup With Tamale Dumplings Recipe a try. It’s a bowl of pure happiness, and I just can’t wait to hear what you think! Did you make any fun little tweaks? Did your family absolutely devour it? Please, please drop a comment below and let me know all about it. And if you snap a pic, tag me on social media – I’d absolutely LOVE to see your creations! You can also reach out anytime via my contact page if you have any questions!
Print
Comforting Tamale Soup With Tamale Dumplings
- Total Time: 55 min
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A hearty and comforting soup featuring tender tamale dumplings in a flavorful broth.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground chicken or turkey
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 (15 ounce) can corn, drained
- Salt and pepper to taste
- For the Tamale Dumplings:
- 1 cup masa harina
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup vegetable shortening
- 1/2 cup warm water
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add ground chicken and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess fat.
- Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, and oregano, and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth and diced tomatoes. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook for 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Stir in the drained corn. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste.
- While the soup simmers, prepare the tamale dumplings. In a medium bowl, combine masa harina and salt. Cut in the vegetable shortening with a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gradually add the warm water, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Drop spoonfuls of the tamale dough into the simmering soup. Cover the pot and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the dumplings are cooked through and firm.
- Serve hot.
Notes
- You can add other vegetables like bell peppers or jalapeños to the soup.
- For a spicier soup, add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 35 min
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: tamale soup, tamale dumplings, comfort food, chicken soup, masa harina, easy soup recipe