Tamales Roundup
We analyzed 25 products to help you choose the healthiest & safest options.
Finding the perfect Tamales shouldn't feel like a guessing game. At CakeID, we take food transparency seriously. We have analyzed over 25 products in this category, breaking down every ingredient list to uncover hidden additives, excessive sugar levels, and potential allergens.
Whether you are searching for strictly Vegan options, Gluten-Free snacks, or simply want to avoid high-processed foods, our algorithm ranks products based on a comprehensive Health Score. Below is our definitive ranking of the safest and healthiest Tamales you can buy in 2026, sorted by their ingredient purity.
Editor's Quick Picks
Detailed Reviews
CHICKEN & CHEESE TAMALES WITH CHICKEN BREAST MEAT WRAPPED IN CORN HUSKS
Ingredients: Water, Corn Masa Flour (Corn Masa Flour, Trace of Lime), Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast, Vegetable Oil (Canola Oil and/or Soybean Oil), Corn, Cheddar Cheese (Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Microbial Enzyme, Annatto Extract [for Color]), Roasted Red Bell Peppers, Masa Seasoning Blend (Salt, Spices), Chicken Seasoning Blend (Spices, Salt, Garlic Powder, Sugar), Green Chiles, Modified Cornstarch, Cornstarch, Cilantro, Salt, Carrageenan.
The Good
- ● Sugar Free
The Bad
- ● Ultra Processed
Hot tamales box
Ingredients: sugar, corn syrup, modified food starch, contains less than 0,5% of the following: artificial flavors, dextrin, confectioners glaze, artificial color, medium chain triglycerides, carnauba wax, sodium citrate, pectin, citric acid, malic acid, fumaric acid, red #40, yellow #5 (tartrazine), yellow #6, red #3, blue #1,
The Good
- ● Convenient Snack
The Bad
- ● Contains Corn Syrup
- ● High Sugar Content
Hot Tamales
Ingredients: sugar, corn syrup, modified food starch, artificial flavors, dextrin, confectioners glaze, medium chain triglycerides, carnauba wax, sodium citrate, pectin, malic acid, fumaric acid, red 40, yellow 6, blue 1
The Good
- ● Convenient Snack
The Bad
- ● Contains Red 40 (Allura Red)
Strawberry Coconut Walking Tamales
Ingredients: WATER, CORN FLOUR PINTO BEANS, TOMATO, EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL, GARBANZO BEANS, SEA SALT TOMATO PASTE, GUAJILLO PEPPER, BLACK PEPPER, CHILE DE ARBOL, BAKING SODA, ONION POWDER, PASILLA PEPPER, GARLIC POWDER
The Good
- ● Excellent Health Score
The Bad
- ● Ultra Processed
Beef Tamales
Ingredients: water, beef, corn masa flour (corn flour, trace of lime), vegetable oil (canola oil, soybean oil), tomato paste, masa seasoning blend (sea salt, spices), carrots, potatoes, beef seasoning blend (spices, onion, garlic, salt), carrageenan, modified tapioca starch, cilantro, jalapeño peppers.
The Good
- ● Low Sugar
The Bad
- ● Ultra Processed
CHICKEN & GREEN CHILE TAMALES
Ingredients: TOMATILLOS, WATER, CORN FLOUR, COOKED CHICKEN MEAT, CANOLA OIL, CHICKEN NATURAL JUICES, ONION, CILANTRO, SERRANO CHILES, SALT, GARLIC, BAKING POWDER (MONOCALCIUM PHOSPHATE, SODIUM BICARBONATE, CORNSTARCH, SALT), EPAZOTE, CUMIN.
The Good
- ● Excellent Health Score
- ● Sugar Free
The Bad
- ● Ultra Processed
Buenatural, Vegetarian Tamales
Ingredients: Corn masa (stone ground corn, water, lime), zucchini, green chile, expeller pressed canola oil, corn, monterey jack cheese (cultured pasteurized milk, salt, calcium chloride [or cheese cultures] and enzymes), onion, sea salt, garlic, rice starch, baking powder, (monocalcium phosphate, sodium bicarbonate, corn starch).
The Good
- ● Excellent Health Score
- ● Low Sugar
The Bad
- ● Ultra Processed
Tamales beef pork
Ingredients: Tamales: masa (water, corn meal, lard, salt), beef and pork, corn meal, tomato paste, onion, salt, paprika, spices, garlic. sauce: water, tomato paste, corn starch, chili pepper, spices, paprika, garlic.
The Good
- ● Excellent Health Score
- ● Sugar Free
The Bad
- ● Ultra Processed
Tamales Chicken In Chili Sauce
Ingredients: WATER, TOMATOES (WATER, TOMATO PASTE), MECHANICALLY SEPARATED CHICKEN, CORN MEAL, CORN FLOUR, MODIFIED CORNSTARCH (CONTAINS ERYTHORBIC ACID). CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF CHILI POWDER (CHILI PEPPERS. FLAVORING), MASA FLOUR (GROUND YELLOW CORN. TRACE OF LIME), SALT, PAPRIKA, SPICES.
The Good
- ● Excellent Health Score
- ● Sugar Free
The Bad
- ● Ultra Processed
tamales chicken and 3 cheese
Ingredients: MASA: [WHOLE COOKED CORN (CORN TREATED WITH LIME WATER), CANOLA OIL, RICE FLOUR, CHICKEN BOUILLON (SALT, SUGAR, CORN STARCH, CHICKEN FAT, DRIED CHICKEN POWDER, BEEF FAT, WATER, ONION POWDER, NATURAL CHICKEN FLAVOR, GARLIC POWDER, NATURAL FLAVOR, CARAMEL COLOR), SALT]. FILLING: [CHICKEN IN RED SAUCE (CHICKEN LEG MEAT, TOMATO, TOMATO SAUCE (TOMATO CONCENTRATE, SALT, CITRIC ACID, RED BELL PEPPER POWDER, NATURAL FLAVORING. SPICE, WATER, ONION, SEASONING (MALTODEXTRIN, TUNIC EXTRACT, SAUTEED ONION, SUGAR, SALT, YEAST EXTRACT (YEAST EXTRACT AND SALT), CORN OIL, CARROT EXTRACT, CELERY EXTRACT, SPICES, GARLIC POWDER, AND RED VINE), MODIFIED CORN STARCH, CANOLA OIL, SALT EN PEPPERS (JALAPENO PEPPERS, WATER, VINEGAR. SAL GARLIC POWDER, SPICES), MOZZARELLA CHEESE STEURIZED PART SKIM MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT, ENZYME), MONTEREY JACK CHEESE (PASTEURIZED MILK CHEESE CULTURE, SALT, ENZYMES), CHEDDAR CHEESE (PASTEURIZED MILK, CHEESE CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES, AND ANNATTO). CONTAINS MILK.
The Good
- ● Sugar Free
The Bad
- ● Ultra Processed
Tamales Beef In Chili Sauce
Ingredients: WATER, BEEF, TOMATOES (WATER, TOMATO PASTE), CORN MEAL, CORN FLOUR, MODIFIED CORNSTARCH (CONTAINS ERYTHORBIC ACID), MASA FLOUR (GROUND YELLOW CORN, TRACE OF LIME), SALT, CHILI POWDER (CHILI PEPPERS, FLAVORING), PAPRIKA, SPICE.
The Good
- ● Excellent Health Score
- ● Sugar Free
The Bad
- ● Ultra Processed
Bean Salsa Habanero Walking Tamales
Ingredients: TOMATILLO, NIXTAMALIZED CORN FLOUR, BLACK BEANS, WATER, EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL, GARBANZO BEANS, ONION, SEA SALT, HABANERO PEPPER, SERRANO PEPPER, GARLIC POWDER, BAKING SODA, BROWN SUGAR, ONION POWDER, BLACK PEPPER.
The Good
- ● Excellent Health Score
- ● Low Sugar
The Bad
- ● Ultra Processed
Bean Salsa Verde Walking Tamales
Ingredients: TOMATILLO, NIXTAMALIZED CORN FLOUR, WATER, MAYOCOBA BEANS, GARBANZO BEANS, EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL, CILANTRO, SEA SALT, SERRANO PEPPER, GARLIC POWDER, BAKING SODA, BROWN SUGAR, ONION POWDER, BLACK PEPPER
The Good
- ● Excellent Health Score
- ● Low Sugar
The Bad
- ● Ultra Processed
The Good
- ● Excellent Health Score
- ● Low Sugar
- ● Clean Ingredients
The Bad
- ● Ultra Processed
Chicken tamales
Ingredients: Masa: Water, white corn, lard, salt, paprika, chili pepper, garlic, spices. Filling: Chicken, tomatillos, lard, chicken broth, salt, jalapeños, garlic, cilantro, corn, corn starch, cumin, jalapeño powder, garlic powder, black pepper, cloves.
The Good
- ● Excellent Health Score
- ● Sugar Free
The Bad
- ● Ultra Processed
The Good
- ● Excellent Health Score
- ● Sugar Free
- ● Clean Ingredients
The Bad
- ● Ultra Processed
The Good
- ● Excellent Health Score
- ● Sugar Free
- ● Clean Ingredients
The Bad
- ● Ultra Processed
The Good
- ● Clean Ingredients
The Bad
- ● High Sugar Content
The Good
- ● Excellent Health Score
- ● Clean Ingredients
The Bad
- ● Ultra Processed
The Good
- ● Clean Ingredients
The Bad
- ● High Sugar Content
Walking Tamales
Ingredients: TOMATILLO, NIXTAMALIZED CORN FLOUR, WATER, MAYOCOBA BEANS, GARBANZO BEANS, EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL, CILANTRO, SEA SALT, SERRANO PEPPER, GARLIC POWDER, BAKING SODA, BROWN SUGAR, ONION POWDER, BLACK PEPPER, WATER, NIXTAMALIZED CORN FLOUR, PINTO BEANS, TOMATO, EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL, GARBANZO BEANS, SEA SALT, TOMATO PASTE, GUAJILLO PEPPER, BLACK PEPPER, CHILE DE ARBOL, BAKING SODA, ONION POWDER, PASILLA PEPPER, GARLIC POWDER
The Good
- ● Excellent Health Score
- ● Sugar Free
The Bad
- ● Ultra Processed
The Good
- ● Excellent Health Score
- ● Low Sugar
- ● Clean Ingredients
The Bad
- ● Ultra Processed
The Good
- ● Excellent Health Score
- ● Sugar Free
- ● Clean Ingredients
The Bad
- ● Ultra Processed
The Good
- ● Excellent Health Score
- ● Low Sugar
- ● Clean Ingredients
The Bad
- ● Ultra Processed
The Good
- ● Excellent Health Score
- ● Low Sugar
- ● Clean Ingredients
The Bad
- ● Ultra Processed