A Cuban pot tamal where fresh corn and meat simmer together into a soft, spoonable dish with tomato depth and sweet corn aroma.
25 min prep 51 min cook 79 min rest
Keeps the screen on · step-by-step guide · built-in timer
Marinate the ground beef with lemon juice, grated garlic, cumin, oregano, and salt for 15 minutes.
Finely chop the onion, dice the peppers, and grate the tomatoes. Grate the fresh corn and set it aside.
In a pot, saute the onion and peppers in olive oil for 5 minutes, then add the garlic and stir for 1 more minute to build the sofrito base.
Add the marinated beef and cook over medium heat for 8 minutes, until its color changes. Stir in the tomatoes.
Add the grated corn and cornmeal, then pour in 1 cup of hot water. Stir constantly over low heat for 45 minutes until it reaches a polenta-like consistency.
Make the final adjustment for salt and spices, rest for 5 minutes, then spoon into deep bowls and serve.
💡 Tip: If sour orange is available, use 1 tablespoon instead of lemon to make the Cuban character more distinct. Freshly grating the corn and stirring it for 45 minutes creates the polenta-like texture.
🍽️ Serving suggestion: Serve hot in deep bowls with fresh parsley on top, lime wedges on the side, and mild pickled onions.
Approximate vitamin / mineral assessment based on the recipe's ingredients. For precise nutrition tracking, consult a doctor or dietitian.
~350
kcal calories
16
g protein
39
g carbs
14
g fat
3.9g
Sugar
2.3g
Fiber
434.4mg
Sodium
5.3g
Saturated fat
Approximate values, derived from ingredient amounts using USDA FoodData Central and TÜBİTAK Turkish Food Composition Database. Actual values can vary by roughly ±20% depending on cooking method, brand, and portion size. For diet or medical conditions, consult a dietitian or doctor.
Strong satiety, counts as a main meal
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