• Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
Platings and pairings logo.
Start Here
All Recipes
Perfect Pairings
Wine Travel
About
Home

15+ Tasty Sauces for Tamales (with Easy Recipes)

Jump to Recipe

|

Posted by:

Erin Lynch

|

Updated:

April 27, 2025

|

5 from 1 vote

This site runs ads and generates income from affiliate links. Disclosure policy.

Collage of sauces for tamales with text overlay.
  • Facebook
  • Flipboard
  • Email

In search of some tasty sauces for tamales? I’ve got you covered with this roundup of easy recipes. From creamy sauces, to spicy sauces, tangy sauces and more!

Collage of sauces for tamales with text overlay.

Save This Recipe!

Enter your email address to get a link to this post conveniently in your inbox!

Save Recipe

Choosing the right sauce to accompany your tamales can transform an already delicious dish into a culinary masterpiece. Whether you prefer the tanginess of salsa verde, the complexity of mole sauce, or the smokiness of roasted tomato sauce, there’s a sauce option to suit every palate.

Pick one of your favorites from the list below, add some baked tortilla chips, a margarita, and you’re guaranteed an amazing dinner!

Be sure to check out these 25+ Sides for Tamales and Mexican Desserts too!

Sauces to Elevate Tamale Night

Jar of chipotle crema with spoon on small plate next to lime wedges and small bowl of chipotles.
Chipotle Crema
If you're a fan of smoky and spicy flavors, a chipotle cream sauce is sure to please your taste buds. Combining chipotle peppers in adobo sauce with sour cream or crema, this sauce delivers a creamy, smoldering kick. The coolness of the cream balances out the heat, creating a tantalizing combination that complements tamales filled with meats or cheeses.
Chipotle Cream Sauce
Overhead shot of bottle of salsa taquera next to dried chiles and spoon with sauce.
Taquera Salsa
Chile de Arbol sauce brings the heat with its fiery flavor. Made from dried arbol chilies, garlic, vinegar, and spices, this sauce packs a punch. A little goes a long way, so drizzle it sparingly over your tamales if you enjoy a spicy kick.
Chile de Arbol Sauce
Avocado hot sauce in small bowl with spoon next to lime wedges.
Avocado Hot Sauce
This Avocado Hot Sauce transforms avocados, chile peppers, and lime juice into the ultimate fresh and zesty condiment! One taste and you’ll want to drizzle it on everything, from tacos to grilled meats to bowls and more.
Avocado Hot Sauce
Poblano cream sauce in white bowl with serving spoon.
Poblano Cream Sauce
If there’s one sauce to keep in your fridge at all times, it’s this Roasted Poblano Cream Sauce. Super creamy, bursting with smoky flavors, and perfect for topping on enchiladas, tacos, and eggs, you’ll be hooked after just one taste!
Poblano Cream Sauce
Tamales de Pollo con Mole (Chicken Mole Tamales)
Mole sauce is a complex and rich concoction, typically made from a blend of various chili peppers, spices, nuts, chocolate, and other ingredients. Its deep, dark color and velvety texture make it a luxurious choice for tamales. Mole sauce adds layers of flavor, including a hint of sweetness, a touch of spiciness, and a subtle smokiness, making it a standout pairing for both meat and vegetarian tamales.
Get the RECIPE from Sweet Life Bake
Mole Sauce
Chicken Tamales with Green Salsa (Tamales De Pollo en salsa)
Salsa Verde, or green sauce, is a tangy and vibrant option that pairs wonderfully with tamales. Made from tomatillos, green chilies, cilantro, onions, and garlic, this sauce adds a zesty kick to the tamale's earthy flavors. The freshness of the ingredients perfectly complements the richness of the tamale, creating a harmonious balance of tastes.
Get the RECIPE from Mexico in My Kitchen
Salsa Verde
Chicken Tamales with Roasted Tomato-and-Dried Chile Sauce
Chicken Tamales with Roasted Tomato-and-Dried Chile Sauce
For those who prefer a milder option, a roasted tomato sauce is a fantastic choice. Made from charred tomatoes, garlic, onions, and peppers, this sauce offers a smoky and slightly sweet profile. Its smooth consistency and savory notes provide a delightful contrast to the tamale's texture and flavor, allowing the fillings to shine.
Get the RECIPE from Southern Living
Roasted Tomato Sauce
Guajillo Sauce
Guajillo sauce is a classic choice that adds a mild heat and a deep, fruity flavor to tamales. Made from guajillo chili peppers, garlic, and spices, this vibrant red sauce infuses the tamale with a touch of warmth and complexity. Its versatility makes it suitable for both meat and vegetarian tamales, offering a delightful culinary experience.
Get the RECIPE from Chili Pepper Madness
Guajillo Sauce
Mexican Crema – Isabel Eats
Crema Mexicana is a silky Mexican-style cream with a milder and slightly tangier taste than sour cream. Its smooth texture and subtle flavor make it a versatile sauce option for tamales. It pairs well with both savory and sweet tamales, adding a creamy element to each bite.
Get the RECIPE from Isabel Eats
Crema Mexicana
Authentic Mexican Red Chile Sauce (Enchilada Sauce)
Red chile sauce is a classic choice that brings depth and spice to tamales. Made from dried red chilies, garlic, onions, and spices, this sauce offers a robust and aromatic profile. Its rich flavor pairs exceptionally well with meat-filled tamales, adding a hearty and flavorful element.
Get the RECIPE from Vindulge
Red Chile Sauce
Tomatillo Avocado Salsa
Blending the tanginess of tomatillos with the creaminess of avocado creates a refreshing and vibrant sauce. Combined with garlic, cilantro, and lime juice, this sauce adds a burst of freshness to your tamales, enhancing their flavors with a citrusy zing.
Get the RECIPE from The Cookie Rookie
Tomatillo-Avocado Sauce
Overhead shot of pineapple salsa in bowl.
Pineapple Salsa
For a tropical twist, consider pineapple salsa as a sauce for your tamales. Combining diced pineapple, jalapeños, onions, cilantro, and lime juice, this sweet and tangy salsa adds a burst of freshness and a hint of sweetness to your tamale experience.
Pineapple Salsa
Bowl of guacamole on tray with chips.
Easy Guacamole
Guacamole is an excellent choice to accompany tamales, offering a creamy and flavorful option that pairs beautifully with their texture and taste.
Guacamole
Cilantro Pesto
For a herbaceous and aromatic sauce option, cilantro pesto is a fantastic choice. Blend fresh cilantro, garlic, pine nuts or almonds, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, and a squeeze of lemon juice to create a vibrant and fragrant pesto. The bright flavors of cilantro combined with the richness of nuts and cheese offer a refreshing and zesty contrast to the tamale's flavors.
Get the RECIPE from Fork in the Road
Cilantro Pesto
Tamarind Sauce
Tamarind sauce, commonly used in Indian and Southeast Asian cuisines, adds a tangy and slightly sweet dimension to tamales. Made from tamarind pulp, sugar, spices, and sometimes chili, this sauce offers a unique balance of flavors. Its sweet and sour taste, with a hint of spiciness, complements both savory and sweet tamales, making it a versatile and intriguing option.
Get the RECIPE from Izzy Cooking
Tamarind Sauce

More Sauce Recipes

  • Sauces for Tacos
  • Sauces for Empanadas
  • Sauces for Pork
  • Sauces for Gnocchi
  • Sauces for Ravioli
  • Sauces for Beef
  • Sauces for Fish

Did you Make Any of These Tamale Sauces?

Please leave a comment and rating below, if you loved this round up of sauces for tamales. Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

HUNGRY FOR MORE? For more great Platings & Pairings recipes, be sure to follow me on Pinterest, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

Save This Recipe!

Enter your email address to get a link to this post conveniently in your inbox!

Save Recipe – Before Recipe Card

Collage of sauces for tamales with text overlay.

Full Recipe

15+ Sauces for Tamales

In search of some tasty sauces for tamales? I’ve got you covered with this roundup of easy recipes. From creamy sauces, to spicy sauces, tangy sauces and more! Try this Salsa Taquera. It’s a smoky and vibrant condiment that’s perfect for tacos, carnitas, grilled meats, and more. The ingredients are simple, but the flavor is extravagant!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin
Serves 16 people
Created by Platings and Pairings
Prep Time: 5 minutes mins
Cook Time: 10 minutes mins
Resting time: 5 minutes mins
Total Time: 20 minutes mins

Equipment

  • Blender

Ingredients

  • 4 roma tomatoes (halved lengthwise)
  • 1 large yellow onion (peeled and sliced into thick rounds)
  • 1 cup canola oil (or vegetable oil, plus 1 Tablespoon)
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • ½ cup packed dried New Mexico or árbol chilies (stemmed)
  • ⅓ cup water
  • ⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 Tablespoon kosher salt

Instructions

  • Preheat broiler to high.
  • Arrange onion slices and tomatoes (cut side down) on a baking sheet. Broil, about 4-inches from the heating element, for about 10 minutes, until beginning to char.
  • Meanwhile, heat 1 TBSP oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and saute for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant. Add the chiles and cook 1-2 minutes longer, until fragrant and beginning to darken.
  • Transfer chiles and garlic to a blender or food processor. Add the water and vinegar, and let sit for 5 minutes to soften.
  • Process on high, 10 to 20 seconds. Then, turn the speed to low and stream in the remaining vegetable oil.
  • Add the tomatoes, onion and salt and process until smooth.
  • Enjoy immediately or store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Notes

Instead of charring the tomato and onion under a hot broiler, you can sear them in a hot cast iron pan or on the grill to achieve the char.

Nutrition

Calories: 136kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 0.4g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 439mg | Potassium: 79mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 436IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 0.2mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!
  • Facebook
  • Flipboard
  • Email
5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Hi, I’m Erin!

Can I pour you a glass of wine? Let’s have some fun in the kitchen! Maybe some pasta? A juicy steak? I’ve got loads of yummy, easy recipes for you! Because cooking should feel as comfy as your favorite yoga pants. ♥

Know More

Follow Me on Social!

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • X
  • YouTube

Recent Recipes

  • Grilled Lamb Chops with Crying Tiger Sauce
  • Italian Green Beans
  • Cucumber Edamame Salad
  • Chicken Piccata Pasta
  • French Lentil Salad
  • Green Shrimp
  • Roasted Fennel & Artichoke Hearts
  • Mexican Street Corn Potato Salad

Dish Type

30 Minute Meals
Appetizer Recipes
Cocktail Recipes
Dessert Recipes
Healthy Recipes

Cooking Method

Air Fryer Recipes
Grilling Recipes
Instant Pot Recipes
Slow Cooker Recipes
Sous Vide Recipes

Ingredient

Beef Recipes
Chicken Recipes
Lamb Recipes
Pork Recipes
Seafood Recipes

Cocktails

Classic
Gin
Margarita
Moscow Mule
Vodka

Sides

Bread
Potatoes
Rice
Salad
Vegetables

Travel

Australia
California
Europe
Hawaii
Italy
About Me
Contact
Privacy Policy

© All Rights Reserved.

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.