Savory Turkey Tamale Bake
Indulge in a comforting and flavorful twist on traditional tamales with this Savory Turkey Tamale Bake. This delectable casserole combines the rich flavors of seasoned ground turkey with fresh vegetables, and a fluffy masa harina crust that’s reminiscent of homemade tamale masa. Easy to make and perfect for family dinners or potlucks, it’s a one-dish meal that delivers a taste sensation packed with the vibrant spices of Mexican cuisine. Plus, a sprinkle of melted Monterey Jack cheese makes every bite irresistible!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
21
Ingredients
Ingredients
Masa Harina Flour
2 cups (none)
Chicken Broth
2 cups (none)
Vegetable Shortening
2/3 cup (softened)
Salt
1 teaspoon (divided)
Sugar
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Baking Powder
1 teaspoon (none)
Ground Turkey Breast
1 1/4 lbs (crumbled)
Green Bell Pepper
1 (chopped)
Yellow Onion
1/2 (chopped)
Green Chili Pepper
1 (minced)
Tomatillos
2 (chopped)
Cilantro
1/2 cup (chopped)
Monterey Jack Cheese
3 ounces (grated)
Taco Seasoning Mix
1 (1 1/4 ounce) package (none)
Chili Powder
2 teaspoons (none)
Cumin
1 teaspoon (none)
Oregano
1 teaspoon (none)
Paprika
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Cracked Pepper
to taste (none)
Monterey Jack Cheese
for garnish (grated)
Cilantro
for garnish (torn)
Instructions
1
Begin by crumbling the ground turkey into a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté for about 4-5 minutes until the turkey is nearly cooked through and no longer pink.
2
Add the chopped green bell pepper, yellow onion, minced green chili, chopped tomatillos, and cilantro to the skillet. Cook for an additional 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened.
3
Stir in the taco seasoning mix, chili powder, cumin, oregano, paprika, salt, and cracked pepper. Reduce the heat to low and allow the mixture to simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.
4
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven is heating, prepare the masa harina dough.
5
In a medium mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the vegetable shortening on low speed until it's light and fluffy.
6
In a separate bowl, whisk together the masa harina flour, salt, sugar, and baking powder.
7
Gradually add the chicken broth to the masa harina mixture, mixing with your hands until fully combined. It's okay if the mixture remains slightly lumpy.
8
Fold the masa harina flour mixture into the whipped shortening until well-combined.
9
Grease a round casserole dish and spread half of the masa harina dough evenly across the bottom. Layer the seasoned turkey mixture over the dough and sprinkle with grated Monterey Jack cheese.
10
Spread the remaining masa harina dough on top of the turkey and cheese layer.
11
Place the casserole dish into a 9 x 13 inch baking dish and fill the outer dish with water halfway up the sides of the casserole dish to create a steam effect.
12
Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake for 55 minutes.
13
After 55 minutes, remove the foil, increase the oven temperature to 425°F (220°C) and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
14
Once done, remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool slightly. Garnish with additional grated Monterey Jack cheese and torn cilantro before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Savory Turkey Tamale Bake?
It is a comforting casserole that features seasoned ground turkey, fresh vegetables, and a fluffy masa harina crust that mimics the flavor of traditional tamale masa.
What type of turkey should I use for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 1/4 lbs of ground turkey breast.
What are the main ingredients for the masa crust?
The crust is made from masa harina flour, chicken broth, vegetable shortening, salt, sugar, and baking powder.
How do I prepare the masa dough?
Beat the shortening until fluffy, mix the dry ingredients separately, add chicken broth to the dry mix, and then combine everything together.
What vegetables are included in the filling?
The filling includes green bell pepper, yellow onion, minced green chili, and chopped tomatillos.
What spices are used to season the turkey?
The mixture is seasoned with taco seasoning, chili powder, cumin, oregano, paprika, salt, and cracked pepper.
How long do I cook the turkey?
Sauté the crumbled ground turkey for 4-5 minutes until it is no longer pink before adding the vegetables.
How long should the vegetables be sautéed?
Cook the bell pepper, onion, chili, tomatillos, and cilantro with the turkey for an additional 5-7 minutes.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Initially, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) for the first stage of baking.
Why is a water bath used for baking?
Placing the casserole in a larger dish with water creates a steam effect that helps the masa harina crust stay moist and fluffy like a steamed tamale.
How do I assemble the layers of the bake?
Spread half the masa dough on the bottom of a greased dish, add the turkey and cheese filling, and top with the remaining dough.
What type of cheese is used in this tamale bake?
Monterey Jack cheese is used both inside the casserole and as a final garnish.
How long does the casserole bake while covered?
The dish should be covered with aluminum foil and baked at 350°F for 55 minutes.
Do I need to change the oven temperature during baking?
Yes, after the initial 55 minutes, remove the foil and increase the temperature to 425°F (220°C).
How long is the final baking step?
Bake uncovered at 425°F for an additional 10 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
What size baking dish is needed for the water bath?
A 9 x 13 inch baking dish is used to hold the water and the smaller casserole dish.
Can I use fresh cilantro in this recipe?
Yes, 1/2 cup of chopped cilantro is cooked into the filling and extra torn cilantro is used for garnish.
Is there sugar in the masa crust?
Yes, the recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon of sugar to balance the flavors in the masa harina mixture.
What should I do if my masa dough is lumpy?
It is perfectly fine if the masa mixture remains slightly lumpy after mixing the broth with the flour.
How much taco seasoning is required?
The recipe requires one 1 1/4 ounce package of taco seasoning mix.
How much cheese is used inside the filling?
The recipe specifies 3 ounces of grated Monterey Jack cheese for the internal layer.
Can I prepare the shortening with an electric mixer?
Yes, use an electric mixer on low speed to beat the vegetable shortening until it is light and fluffy.
How many tomatillos are used?
The recipe calls for 2 chopped tomatillos.
What is the purpose of baking powder in the dough?
Baking powder helps the masa harina crust rise slightly and become fluffy.
How much chicken broth is needed for the crust?
You will need 2 cups of chicken broth to mix with the masa harina.
Can this be served at a potluck?
Yes, it is a one-dish meal that is described as perfect for family dinners or potlucks.
How do I finish the dish before serving?
Once removed from the oven, let it cool slightly and garnish with more Monterey Jack cheese and torn cilantro.
Do I need to grease the casserole dish?
Yes, you should grease the round casserole dish before adding the first layer of masa dough.
What is the prep for the green chili?
The green chili pepper should be minced before being added to the skillet.
How much masa harina flour is used?
The recipe requires 2 cups of masa harina flour.