Delta Hot Tamale Festival ranks greatest in US. Why folks love the meals, enjoyable

USA Today readers named a Mississippi occasion the best specialty food festival within the nation. The Delta Hot Tamale Festival in Greenville, Mississippi, celebrates meals and enjoyable over three days annually.

USA Today editors and subject specialists decide a handful of the most-nominated occasions or locations. Then followers from throughout the nation vote on the 10Best listing.

The occasion is enjoyable for households and gives a style of the Delta. It contains dwell music distributors and, in fact, a number of tamales. Check out the new tamale consuming contest, the cooking competitors and the Flavors of the Festival tour.

Greenville is the self-proclaimed “Hot Tamale Capital of the World.” And town has its personal fashion of the worldwide dish.

Vendors promote variations in pork, hen or beef. You’re positive to seek out one you’re keen on.

Here’s what to find out about what makes a Delta tamale a neighborhood favourite, when to catch the following pageant and the place you possibly can snag this iconic Mississippi meal close to you.

What makes a Delta scorching tamale particular?

John T. Edge, writer of “The Potlikker Papers: A Food History of the Modern South” and different books about conventional meals researched the native recipe.

According to the Southern Foodways Alliance, the Delta tamales are smaller and spicier than their Latin counterparts.

“The difference is in the ingredients and preparation and also in historical events that led to their popularity,” Edge mentioned in a earlier interview with The Clarion Ledger. “You often see cornmeal in (them) as well as corn flour or masa.”

Edge mentioned masa could be utilized in conventional Mexican tamales, however cornmeal was a standard ingredient in Mississippi.

Another distinction is Delta scorching tamales are stewed in a broth as an alternative of steamed.

Edge mentioned Delta scorching tamales are typically wrapped in parchment paper and even espresso filters, however conventional corn husks are used as nicely.

There’s a number of selection in texture and style amongst Delta tamales. Fillings can embrace beef or turkey along with conventional pork.

“We’re talking about family styles and techniques that have been passed down for generations,” Edge mentioned.

More: Tasting Table names Jackson bakery No. 1 greatest brownies in Mississippi

When is the following Delta Hot Tamale Festival?

The subsequent Delta Hot Tamale Festival will likely be Friday and Saturday, Oct. 16-17, 2026, in keeping with Main Street Greenville. There may even be a ticketed welcome dinner on Thursday, Oct. 15.

The occasion will carry collectively Southern cooks, musicians and artists.

This is not the primary time it has been named greatest within the nation. The pageant has ranked extremely on the 10Best listing up to now. It was No. 1 in 2024 and second in 2025.

Tour the Mississippi scorching tamale path

Can’t watch for the pageant? There’s a Mississippi Delta Hot Tamale Trail.

Most stops are within the Delta, however they span your entire stat. Destinations vary from Corinth to Biloxi.

The map is on the Southern Foodways Alliance app, which is on the market for each Apple and Android gadgets. It additionally contains different meals trails, just like the Southern Boudin Trail.

Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with USA TODAY Network. Email her at bbolden@gannett.com.

Do you’ve gotten a narrative concept? Contact Brian Broom at 601-961-7225 or bbroom@gannett.com.