Eating Tamales for Breakfast: Ideas and Serving

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and should be something you look forward to. If you’re looking for a change from the usual cereal or oatmeal, are tamales a good idea?

Tamales make for a great breakfast because they are filling and can be made ahead of time. Tamales are made of nutritious ingredients that provide energy to get you through the morning. Plus, there are so many different ways to enjoy them.

What goes well with tamales for breakfast, and how can you prepare them? Let’s explore some ideas!

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Can You Eat Tamales for Breakfast?

Tamales are served for breakfast, lunch, and dinner time in Mexico and other Latin American countries. However, they are most commonly featured on the morning menu (source: Culture Trip).

Here’s why they make a great first meal of the day:

Tamales are easy to make ahead of time.

Make tamales now and have them for breakfast later in the week. Just store them in the freezer, pull them out when ready to eat, and reheat them.

Make sure to store them correctly inside the freezer at a temperature of 40°F (4.4°C) or below to keep them out of the temperature danger zone (source: USDA). Tamales will only last for 2-3 days when stored this way. After that, you’ll need to throw them out.

The target temperature for reheating is 165°F (73.9°C) to kill any bacteria that may have survived (source: USDA).

Traditionally enjoyed steaming hot, these corn husk-wrapped delights are a culinary delight. But have you ever wondered if tamales can be eaten cold? Find out in this article.

Tamales make a great breakfast because they’re healthy.

Tamales are typically made with masa harina (a type of corn flour), lard or vegetable shortening, broth, and a variety of fillings like meats, cheeses, vegetables, and even fruits.

So, not only are tamales packed with proteins and carbs but they’re also filled with vitamins and minerals (source: Healthline). All of these nutrients work together to give you sustained energy throughout the morning.

They’re easy to carry around.

If you’re in a hurry, just grab a couple of tamales, and you’re good to go. No need to scoop it out of a pot or create dishes.

traditionally prepared tamales wrapped in corn husks

They’re a complete meal.

With all the different fillings available, tamales can be a complete meal. They’ve got your carbs, meat, and vegetables all wrapped up in one. Eating tamales on their own is already a filling meal, but you can also add some sides if you want.

Tamales are versatile.

You can make a new dish out of tamales by adding a few extra ingredients. For example, cut them into cubes and have instant tamale bites that go well with different dips.

Speaking of versatility, what else can you add to or pair with tamales to make them an even more delicious breakfast recipe?

Tamale Breakfast Ideas

Upgrade your breakfast tamales and make them even more scrumptious with these ideas:

Tamales with fried eggs

If you like fried eggs alongside tamales, try this simple recipe from Simply Mama Cooks. She reheats the leftover tamales on a pan, then cooks an egg and places it next to the tamale. She tops it off with some Tabasco sauce, but you can add salsa or any sauce that you like.

Breakfast tamale hash

Another great way to enjoy your leftover tamales is by making breakfast tamale hash with this recipe from Tasty. This dish is a combination of sweet potatoes, onions, red bell peppers, and of course, tamales.

Tamale pie casserole

If you have leftover tamales from last night’s dinner, you can easily turn them into a new dish for breakfast, such as a tamale pie casserole dish. Sam the Cooking Guy’s recipe is made from tamales, cheese, white onions, and chilies, then baked like a pie.

tamales with green sauce and atole drink in a cup

What to Serve With Tamales for Breakfast

Tamales are even better with a companion. Here are some ideas for breakfast pairings:

Pair them with other breakfast staples like eggs, bacon, or toast.
For something a little different, try serving tamales with fruit or yogurt.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can make a tamale-inspired breakfast burrito.
Try them with your favorite salsa, guacamole, or hot sauce.
Partner tamales with the coffee of your choice. Try it with cafe de olla, a type of Mexican coffee brewed with cinnamon sticks, unrefined cane sugar, and piloncillo.

Tamales are a perfect choice for breakfast because they’re easy to make, can be enjoyed in many different ways, and are a complete meal. So the next time you’re looking for a new breakfast idea, give tamales a try!