My Family Vegan
Easy Vegan Food for Busy Families
Vegan Recipe
Vegan Black Bean Tamales
Ingredients (Makes about 18–20 tamales)
Corn Husks
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20 dried corn husks
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Warm water for soaking
Masa Dough
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3 cups masa harina
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2 1/2 cups vegetable broth
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1/2 cup vegetable shortening or refined coconut oil
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1 tsp baking powder
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1 tsp salt
Black Bean Filling
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2 cups cooked black beans (or 1 can, drained and rinsed)
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1 tbsp olive oil
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1/2 onion, finely diced
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 tsp cumin
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1 tsp chili powder
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1/2 tsp smoked paprika
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1/4 cup salsa or enchilada sauce
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Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Prepare the Corn Husks
Place corn husks in a large bowl and cover with warm water. Let them soak for 30–45 minutes until soft and flexible.
2. Make the Black Bean Filling
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
Sauté onion for about 5 minutes until softened.
Add garlic, cumin, chili powder, and smoked paprika and cook 1 minute.
Stir in black beans and salsa and cook 5 minutes, lightly mashing some beans for texture. Set aside.
3. Prepare the Masa Dough
In a large bowl, beat vegetable shortening until light and fluffy.
Add masa harina, baking powder, and salt.
Gradually mix in vegetable broth until a soft, spreadable dough forms.
4. Assemble the Tamales
Pat a soaked corn husk dry and place it flat.
Spread about 2–3 tablespoons of masa dough down the center.
Add 1–2 tablespoons of black bean filling on top of the dough.
Fold the sides of the husk over the filling, then fold the bottom upward to seal.
5. Steam the Tamales
Stand tamales upright in a steamer basket with the folded side down.
Steam over simmering water for 45–60 minutes, until the masa is firm and pulls away from the husk.
6. Serve
Let tamales rest for about 10 minutes before serving.
Serve with salsa, guacamole, or vegan sour cream.
Optional Add-Ins
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Roasted poblano peppers
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Vegan cheese
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Corn kernels
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Jalapeños for heat
Tip: Tamales freeze very well—wrap leftovers tightly and reheat by steaming or microwaving with a damp paper towel.
Easy Option
Get Meals Delivered
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Stock Your Pantry
Vegan Pantry Essentials
Stocking a vegan pantry doesn’t have to be complicated—just a few versatile staples can make plant-based cooking faster, easier, and more delicious. We’ve put together a curated list of our favorite vegan pantry essentials that make everyday meals effortless. These are products we genuinely recommend for building quick, satisfying plant-based dishes at home. The links below are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you—helping support our website and the recipes we share.
Meal Prep
Use these in lots of recipes
No Chicken Bouillon
MUST HAVE! MAKES LOTS OF THINGS TASTY! Vegetarian Better Than Bouillon No Chicken Base is a standard base with chicken flavor that can be used in soups, gravies and meat stocks. Better Than Bouillon blendable bases easily spoon right out of the jar and let you add as much, or as little, flavor as desired - yes, it's vegan!
No Beef Bouillon
MUST HAVE! GIVES GREAT BEEF FLAVOR TO DISHES! Vegetarian Better Than Bouillon No Beef Base is a standard base with beef flavor that can be used in soups, gravies and meat stocks. Better Than Bouillon blendable bases easily spoon right out of the jar and let you add as much, or as little, flavor as desired - yes, it's vegan!
Dairy Free Alfredo Cheese Sauce
MUST HAVE! EASY WAY TO ADD CHEESY FLAVOR! Velvety smooth - No powdery mac and cheese mix here. The convenient squeeze pouch lets you easily dish out the thick and creamy sauce. Just heat and eat! - yes, it's vegan!
Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP)
Expand your recipe options and support a healthy diet with vegan friendly, plant-based protein crumbles perfect for cooking all your favorite meals. - yes, it's vegan!
Hellmann's Vegan Mayo
The wait is over! Hellmann’s Vegan Dressing & Spread, a delicious plant-based alternative to traditional mayonnaise- yes, it's vegan!
McCormick Bac'n Bits
Delivers meaty bacon taste and crunchy texture made from soy flour- yes, it's vegan!
Ramen Noodle Soup - Soy Sauce Flavor
Ramen makes a creative addition to any recipe. The possibilities are endless- yes, it's vegan!
Amy's Organic Chili
Chili is fun food...hearty, substantial and just plain good eating. Made from organic red beans and tofu in a flavorful sauce, it will satisfy those who want the taste of chili but not the heat. The same delicious flavor as our regular medium chili but containing at least 50% less sodium. Organic and delicious! - yes, it's vegan!
Sweet Snacks
Have these on hand for easy sweet treats
Oreo Double Stuff Cookies
Take a delicious break with OREO Double Stuf Chocolate Sandwich Cookies, Supremely dunkable, OREO Double Stuf cookies are stuffed with twice as much original OREO creme between two Always made with Real Cocoa chocolate wafers - yes, it's vegan!
Nutter Butter Cookies
Peanut Butter Cookies Cookies made with real peanut butter for a salty and sweet treat Peanut-shaped sandwich cookies are fun to eat Crunchy cookies with smooth, creamy filling for a mix of textures Add bulk cookies to lunches, enjoy as snacks - yes, it's vegan!
Reese's Plant-Based Peanut Butter Cups
These REESE'S Plant Based Oat Chocolate Confection Peanut Butter Cups are the perfect way to celebrate ordinary days and special occasions from birthdays and graduations to sporting events and summer picnics- yes, it's vegan!
Savory Snacks
Doritos Spicy Sweet Chili
If your tongue is torn between choosing spicy or sweet, give it a delicious tango of Doritos Spicy Sweet Chili Flavored Tortilla Chips. Each bite is a mouth-watering, tooth-rattling crunch of delicious sweet and spicy flavor - yes, it's vegan!
Primal Spirit Vegan Jerky
Great combo pack of Thai Peanut, Mesquite Lime, Teriyaki, Hot and Spicy, Hickory Smoked, Texas Barbecue - yes, it's vegan!
Crunchy Roasted Edamame Beans
Packed with 14 grams of complete plant protein per serving and lots of fiber- yes, it's vegan!
Make Vegan Meals Easy!
Discover how easy and delicious plant-based eating can be with Purple Carrot’s chef-crafted vegan meal kits. Each recipe arrives with perfectly portioned ingredients and simple step-by-step instructions.