If you’ve ever wondered how to make tamales or why they hold such a special place in New Mexico, the answer is bigger than the recipe itself. Across the Southwest, tamales are a celebratory holiday dish. Every December, kitchens fill with the smell of red chile and masa to gather for the beloved tamalada.

At Loma Vista Products, we honor the traditions that bring people together like tamaladas, the festive tamale making party that marks the start of the holidays. From chile pods to corn husks, our authentic ingredients help get the tamalada started. The secret to tamales isn’t just in how they’re made, but in who you make them with.

In this post, we’ll explore what a tamalada really means, how it’s celebrated across New Mexico, and what you need to bring one to life in your own kitchen.

What Is a Tamalada?

A tamalada is more than just a long day of cooking. It’s a celebration of family, food, and shared tradition. 

The word comes from tamal, meaning “tamale” in Spanish, and -ada, meaning “a gathering or event.” Tamaladas have roots in ancient Mesoamerican culture, where tamales were prepared for festivals, offerings, and celebrations honoring the gods. 

Over time, that spirit of community evolved into the family-centered tamaladas we know today. In fact, some would say Christmas and tamales go hand in hand.

It’s the time of year when friends and relatives gather around the kitchen table to make tamales together, often for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. The process can take hours, but that’s part of the joy. It’s not about speed, it’s about connection and good food.

In New Mexico and across the Southwest, tamaladas have become a beloved holiday tradition. Everyone has a role in the assembly. One person soaks the corn husks, another spreads masa, and others fill, fold, and stack each tamal for steaming.

The kitchen hums with conversation, music, and laughter as pots fill with tamales for Christmas eve and New Years day. The process takes time, but that’s part of what makes it so special.

The Meaning Behind the Tamalada Tradition

The tamalada carries meaning that goes far beyond food. It’s a symbol of togetherness and a reminder that recipes are meant to be shared, not just written down. 

Families pass on stories, memories, and techniques through the act of making tamales side by side. It’s how generations stay connected through every fold of masa and corn husk.

For many, tamales aren’t just a Christmas meal, they’re a gift. They’re wrapped with care, shared with neighbors, and enjoyed as a gesture of warmth and generosity. In every household, the tamalada takes on its own rhythm and flavor, but the heart of it stays the same: time spent together, making something that matters. 

Now that you know about its history, let’s learn how to make Mexican tamales for the whole family to enjoy.

How To Prepare Tamales: Ingredients and Essentials

A good tamalada is part recipe, part ritual. Before the cooking begins, there’s the gathering of ingredients, stories, and helping hands. Everyone plays a part, and each step carries its own sense of purpose.

Let’s look at the basic set up for preparing tamales for steaming.

The Basics

At the center of every tamalada are a few simple essentials: corn husks, masa, and a flavorful filling. Masa is simply a type of corn dough commonly used in Mexican cooking.

In New Mexico, the traditional version starts with tender pork cooked in red chile pods, simmered until rich and smoky. The chile’s warmth fills the kitchen, bringing that unmistakable depth that makes tamales taste like home.

The Flavor

Of course, no two families make tamales the same way. Some add dried cilantro, oregano or cumin for an earthy herbiness, while others use anise or cinnamon for a subtle sweetness in their masa. 

From green chile chicken to vegetarian bean and cheese, every household has its own version, and that’s part of what makes a tamalada so special. You get to create your own favorite tamale version!

The Process

The process itself is a shared experience. 

Corn husks are soaked, masa is mixed and spread, and fillings are carefully tucked inside before being folded and stacked in steamers. It’s an assembly line built on connection and patience. 

Someone might be in charge of music, someone else refills mugs of atole or hot chocolate, and someone always tells stories or makes conversation while they work.

The key is to enjoy the process as much as the result because when the tamales are finally ready, the wait feels worth every minute.

Tips on How To Cook Christmas Tamales for the Holidays

There’s no one “right” way to host a tamalada, but there’s definitely a rhythm to it. Every family finds their own pace, their own order, and their own playlist that keeps everyone smiling. The trick is to make it feel like a gathering, not a chore.

Here are some tips to make the gathering process smooth and easy.

Divide and Conquer

Tamale-making is teamwork. One group softens the corn husks while another spreads the masa. A few people take charge of filling and folding, and someone keeps an eye on the steaming pots. 

It’s an all-day project, but one that feels shorter when the kitchen is full of hands.

Set the Mood

Every tamalada has its soundtrack: Christmas music, laughter, the clinking of spoons against bowls. Keep mugs of atole (a warm corn-based drink) or hot chocolate nearby to sip while you work. It’s as much about the memories being made as the tamales themselves.

Make It Festive

Many families set out plates of bizcochitos or bowls of roasted nuts to snack on between batches. Small details like these turn the day into something special. The tamalada isn’t just preparation, it’s a celebration in itself.

Steam and Share

When the tamales are finally ready to cook, stack them gently in a steamer with the open end facing up. They’ll take about an hour to cook, filling the kitchen with that signature, savory aroma. 

Once they’re done, unwrap one to test. The masa should be firm and pull away easily from the husk.

And when the last batch of Xmas tamales comes out of the steamer, there’s that quiet moment when everyone stops to take in the smell, the warmth, and the work that went into every fold. That’s when the meaning of a tamalada really settles in.

Learn How To Make Tamales for the Tamalada Tradition Today

At Loma Vista Products, we believe food is one of the most meaningful ways to bring people together. The tamalada tradition captures that perfectly, a day filled with laughter, teamwork, and flavor that connects generations. Our authentic spices and ingredients help keep that tradition alive, one pot at a time.

A tamalada is more than learning how to make tamales. Each step, from mixing masa to steaming, is part of something timeless. And every family that gathers around the table keeps that legacy going. 

Order Loma Vista ingredients online today and celebrate the tamalada holiday season today!