Go Back
–+ servings
Unwrapped keto tamales with sour cream and avocado on corn husks on a plate.

Keto Tamales

easyhealthyrecipes.com/keto-tamales/
All the flavor of the traditional, with a fraction of the carbs, these keto tamales are a delicious low-carb take on a classic Mexican comfort food. Made with almond flour, ground flax, and seasoned ground beef, each tamale is only 5g net carbs.
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 2 hours
Total: 2 hours 15 minutes
Recipe makes approximately 10 tamales

Equipment Needed

  • Large pot
  • Large skillet
  • Large bowl
  • Paper towels
  • Flat surface ((cutting board, clean countertop, etc.))
  • Steamer insert for large pot
  • Aluminum foil

Ingredients Needed

  • 10 corn husks (rinsed)

For the Tamale Filling

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 2 tablespoons keto taco seasoning (store-bought or make your own)
  • 3 tablespoons water

For the Keto Masa Dough

  • 2 cups almond flour
  • ½ cup butter (melted)
  • ¼ cup ground flax
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 tablespoons water

Suggested Toppings (All Optional)

  • salsa
  • diced avocado
  • sour cream
  • lime juice
  • chopped cilantro

Instructions

  • Fill large pot with water and bring to boil. Once water starts boiling, remove pot from heat. Add rinsed corn husks to hot water and soak 20 to 30 minutes.
    Corn husks in boiling water in large pot on white background.
  • While corn husks soak, heat large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef to hot skillet and cook until browned and crumbled, then drain ground beef. Add taco seasoning and water and stir well. Bring to simmer and cook until water is absorbed.
    Keto tamale ground beef filling in large skillet on white background.
  • While ground beef simmers, prepare masa dough. Add almond flour, butter, ground flax, salt, baking powder, and water to large bowl and stir until thoroughly combined. Set mixture aside to rest for 5 to 7 minutes. After 5 to 7 minutes, divide masa evenly into 10 balls.
    Keto masa dough rolled into balls on white plate on white background.
  • After corn husks have soaked in hot water for 20 to 30 minutes, remove one corn husk and pat it completely dry, then lay it on flat surface.
  • Take one masa ball and flatten it into rectangular shape, then place it on corn husk, toward one edge of husk. Place 1 to 3 tablespoons ground beef filling in a line in center of masa dough.
    Corn husk with keto masa dough and ground beef filling on parchment paper.
  • Lift edge of masa dough closest to you and fold it over filling. Roll dough to far edge of corn husk, then wrap corn husk around filling and fold excess corn husk in. Place tamale seam-down on flat surface. Tear strip from another soaked corn husk to tie around rolled tamale. Repeat process until all tamales are rolled.
    Rolled keto tamale tied with corn husk strip on parchment paper lined cutting board.
  • Place rolled tamales standing upright (open side up!) in steamer and cover with aluminum foil. Steam 45 minutes, then carefully uncover and serve hot with desired toppings.
    Keto tamales standing upright in steamer on white background.

Recipe Notes

  • Ground Beef: You can also use ground turkey, ground chicken, pulled pork, or shredded chicken.
  • "Masa" Dough: The dough may be a little crumbly as you mix it. It'll become more workable as it rests.
  • Corn Husks: Not for eating!

Nutrition Info (Approximate)

Serving: 1tamale | Calories: 339kcal | Protein: 14g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Total Carbs: 9g | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 1g | Net Carbs: 5g | Vitamin C: 1mg | Cholesterol: 57mg | Sodium: 312mg | Potassium: 158mg | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 1mg