Hot Tamale Balls

Submitted by Sunshine Forever

"This recipe was submitted by a mom from Brother Martin High School for the school cookbook. It is a great appetizer and I guarantee you won't have any left."

 

• Ready In: 1hr 20mins
• Ingredients: 14
• Yields: 48 tamale balls

ingredients

• Tamale Balls

• 1 lb ground beef (chuck)
• 1 lb hot pork Jimmy Dean sausage
• 1 1⁄2 cups yellow cornmeal
• 6 ounces spicy hot V8
• 1⁄2 cup flour
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

• Sauce

• 40 ounces spicy hot V8
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 2 teaspoons salt

directions

1. Mix all ingredients for tamale balls in large bowl. Form into small balls and layer into large roaster pot.
2. Mix all ingredients for sauce and pour over tamale balls.
3. Cook over medium heat 50-60 min., covered.

Reviews

[Paka1931]

I made these last week and they were hit with the crowd! I did decrease the cornmeal to 1 cup as that's all I had left. I baked the meatballs at 350 for 30-40 minutes and then added them to the sauce. They were great right out of the oven without the sauce and even better with the sauce. I made a double batch and froze half for the holidays. Thanks for a great, easy appy.

 

[Chicagoland Chef du Jour]

This is a fun and tasty recipe with kick. I would suggest combining & whisking all the dry ingredients in a large bowl, then adding the meat & V8. I simmered the spicy sauce while forming the balls, set the balls aside, then dropped the meatballs one by one into the hot sauce. I saw a pro chef suggest this because it makes for a more tender meatball. The meatballs won't stick to one another either. Another helpful tip, use a small cookie scoop to get perfect evenly sized meatballs. OOOPS, I just realized I forgot to add the flour...... they still turned out GREAT! I can't wait to bring them to the party! Thanks Sunshine!

 

[stacylu2472]

We love these. Our family has been making them with the same recipe for many years. Everyone wants the recipe and they are always go really fast at every party.

 

[Bill Mckinley]

I'V been eating these since i was a child at my grandmothers house in ST BERNARD Louisiana they are a hit with everyone i make them for. the only difference in my grandmothers recipe is she used a cup and a half of masa flour instead of 1 1/2 cups of cornmeal and the 1/2 cup of flour. we also put a large can of hormel chili in the sauce. also use 3 teaspoons of chili powder and cumin in the balls and sauce.

 

[WhiteSnake]

I would give this more stars, if they were available. I made this for a Saturday birthday party and it was a BIG hit. I came home and made another batch for myself and froze half of it for future football games or winter fishing. Great recipe. It does taste exactly like tamales. And as a Texan, I do know a little about tamales.