Hallaca

Name: Hallaca
Prep time: 120 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 180 min
Yield: 20 servings
Cuisine: Venezuelan
Ingredients: 4 cups pre-cooked corn flour (masarepa); 4 cups chicken broth; 1/2 cup annatto oil; 500g beef stew meat, diced small; 500g chicken breast, diced; 2 onions, finely diced; 1 red bell pepper, diced; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1/2 cup capers; 1/2 cup green olives; 1/2 cup raisins; 2 tsp cumin; Banana leaves; Salt and pepper

Hallaca (ah-YAH-kah)

Venezuelan Christmas Tamale

⏱ Prep Time 120 min

📈 Difficulty Hard

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 478 kcal

An elaborate banana-leaf-wrapped corn dough parcel stuffed with a rich beef and chicken stew, olives, capers, and raisins — the crown jewel of Venezuelan Christmas.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 22.0g

Carbs 48.0g

Fat 22.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

dairy-free nut-free

Equipment Needed

large pot banana leaves kitchen twine mixing bowls

Presentation Guide

Vessel: banana leaf (unwrapped at table)

Garnishes: none

Accompaniments: pan de jamon (non-pork version), ensalada de gallina

Ingredients

4 cups pre-cooked corn flour (masarepa)
4 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup annatto oil
500g beef stew meat, diced small
500g chicken breast, diced
2 onions, finely diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup capers
1/2 cup green olives
1/2 cup raisins
2 tsp cumin
Banana leaves
Salt and pepper

Instructions

1
Make annatto oil by heating oil with annatto seeds, then strain.
2
Mix corn flour with warm broth and annatto oil to form a smooth, pliable dough. Rest 30 min.
3
Sauté onion, garlic, bell pepper. Add beef and chicken, cook until browned. Add cumin, salt, pepper. Simmer with broth until tender.
4
Soften banana leaves over an open flame or in hot water.
5
Spread dough on a banana leaf square. Add stew filling, olives, capers, and raisins.
6
Fold into a tight rectangular package and tie with twine. Boil in salted water for 1 hour.

💡

Did You Know?

Making hallacas is a sacred Venezuelan family ritual — the entire extended family gathers for a full-day hallaca assembly line called the hallacazo.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

large pot
banana leaves
kitchen twine
mixing bowls

Garnishing

none

Accompaniments

pan de jamon (non-pork version), ensalada de gallina

The Story Behind Hallaca

The hallaca represents Venezuela's cultural fusion — indigenous corn dough, European olives and capers, and African plantain leaves combined in one dish. Each family guards its recipe as a treasured heirloom. During the December holidays, hallacas are exchanged between families as gifts, and judging whose hallaca is best is a beloved annual debate.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed christmas and new year 📜 Origins: Colonial era, 17th century

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