best way to steam tamales

Steaming is one of the best ways to cook frozen uncooked tamales:

• Fill the bottom of a steamer with water, up to the halfway point.
• Turn the heat to high and wait for the water to start boiling.
• Place the tamales in the steamer insert, ensuring the water is not touching them.
• Steam for 45-60 minutes until done. Check to ensure the water doesn’t run out to avoid burning...

Full Answer

Can you make tamales without a steamer?

There are many ways to cook tamales in a pot without an actual steamer basket. You just need to get creative to find something that keeps the tamales out of the water and can handle the heat and moisture of the steam. Use the same method of steaming in a stockpot as you would with a steamer basket, simply replacing it with the alternative tool.

Where do you get the best tamales?

How to choose pork for tamales?

1. A tough cut or tender cut can both work for pork tamales. In this case, a tough cut of pork or a tender cut can both work. ...
2. Buy fresh organic pork if possible. Organic pork is the meat that is produced by the pigs that are fed an organic diet. ...
3. The perfect meat-to-fat ratio of ground pork for tamales is 80:20 or 70:30. ...

More items...

How to steam tamales in the Instant Pot?

Steam Tamales in an Instant Pot:

• Pour 1 cup water into the Instant Pot and insert the steam rack.
• Arrange a few corn husks on the bottom of the rack.
• Place the tamales on the corn cusks, standing them upright.
• Press the Manual/Pressure Cook button and set the cook time for 38 minutes at high pressure.

How to store tamales before steaming?

The 5 Best Way to Reheat Tamales Easily at Home

• Best Way To Reheat Tamales. Tamales are really meant for storing because you can have it practically for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
• The Best Ways to Prepare Tamales Before Reheating. ...
• Easy Homemade Tamale Recipe (Video)
• Store Up on Tamales. ...
• Alternative Methods. ...

How do you steam tamales without a steamer?

Steaming tamales without a steamer basket requires a setup that lifts the tamales above boiling water and also allows steam to penetrate them. You can use a metal colander or an overturned bowl in a pot of boiling water with chopsticks balanced on top. You can also grill or pan fry tamales.

How long should tamales be steamed?

Steam the tamales for 35 minutes. Place the tamales vertically, open-side up in the steamer, but don't pack them too tightly or they won't have room to expand. Cover with some extra corn husks. Cover and steam until the corn husk easily pulls away from the tamal, about 35 minutes.04-Dec-2019

How do you steam tamales on the stove?

1:594:58How To Steam Cook Tamales - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPlace it on the stove. You bring it to a boil. And once it starts boiling things you lower it to aMorePlace it on the stove. You bring it to a boil. And once it starts boiling things you lower it to a simmer. And just simmer for about 45 minutes to an hour.

Do you cover tamales when steaming?

Place the tamales in the slow cooker standing them upright (with folded side down). Do not overcrowd the tamales as they need room for the dough to expand while steaming. Cover the tops of the tamales with extra corn husks, then cover the top with a layer of aluminum foil to help trap in the steam.

How do you steam tamales at home?

The gold standard of reheating tamales, steaming helps the Mexican delicacies retain their original flavor and texture. Fill your steamer with water, and turn the heat to medium. Keep your tamales in their husks and steam for 15 to 20 minutes, adding an extra 10 minutes if your tamales are frozen.07-Oct-2019

How many tamales can you steam at once?

Place the tamales into the steamer. Don't steam more than 2 layers of tamales at a time as this makes it difficult for the steam to reach the middle layers.

Why are my tamales gooey?

My tamales are mushy or have stuck to the husk... This is a sign that they have not been left in the steamer, pot, or oven long enough to cook properly. What is this? As the filling is already pre-cooked, your only worry is the masa corn dough.

How much water do you need to steam tamales?

Steam the tamales until the dough pulls away from the husks. You'll need to pour 1/2 cup (120 ml) of hot water into the pot every 15 to 20 minutes to keep the steam going. Remove the tamales from the pot when the husk peels away easily. Lift 1 tamale out of the pot and peel back the husk to see if it's done cooking.

How do you steam tamales in the microwave?

How do you steam tamales in the microwave? Keep the corn husk in place and space them evenly inside a microwave steamer. Cover the lid and lift the tab for steam to escape, then microwave for 3 to 5 minutes on high power or until the internal temperature reaches 74℃ or 165℉.29-Jul-2021

Can you steam tamales in a crockpot?

You can make perfect tamales at home by steaming/cooking them in your crockpot slow cooker. This truly is the easiest way to make them and you can fit up to 20 at one time in your pot!18-Dec-2008

Do you add anything to prepared masa?

Fresh masa can be purchased in one of two ways, prepared and unprepared. Our family prefers to purchase unprepared masa and then we add lard, salt, broth, and baking powder, giving it the muy bueno touch.25-Nov-2019

Did you make this recipe?

Line the steamer with a single layer of banana leaves. Place the banana leaves into the steamer to provide a barrier between the boiling water and the tamales. Make sure that the entire base of the steamer is covered with the leaves.

About This Article

This article was co-authored by Vanna Tran, a trusted member of wikiHow's volunteer community. Vanna Tran is a home cook who started cooking with her mother at a very young age. She has catered events and hosted pop-up dinners in the San Francisco Bay Area for over 5 years. This article has been viewed 672,899 times.

How to Steam Tamales

Tamales are somewhat delicate, and are ideal for steaming. Just be sure to place them well above the water so they stay intact. The last thing you want is soggy tamales!

How Long Does it Take to Steam Tamales?

Cooking times can vary based on the thickness of the masa, the temperature of the steam, and the cooking method you’re using. Generally, it takes about 60-90 minutes for the tamales to thoroughly steam.

How Do You Know When Tamales are Done Steaming?

A tamale is done when it feels firm and the husk easily peels away. Let the tamale rest for a couple of minutes before peeling the husk. If the tamale doesn’t feel firm or the husk is not easily peeled, return it to the pot and let it continue to steam.

Do You Steam Tamales with the Lid on?

Yes, using a lid will create more steam, allowing the tamales to gently cook. It also helps to maintain the water in the pot, but be sure to check water levels throughout the steaming time to ensure that it doesn’t run out.

How To Steam Tamales (Step-by-Step Instructions)

If you’re new to tamales and are wondering how to cook them, we’ve got you covered. The best way to cook tamales is to steam them. This article covers everything you need to know about steaming tamales in a steamer, in the oven, on the stove, or in an Instant pot.

How To Steam Tamales Using Steamer

When you use a steamer to steam tamales make sure you keep tamales above a bed of banana leaves or corn husks. They will work as a barrier between boiling hot water and tamales.

Ways Of Steaming Tamales Without Steamer

As discussed before oven, pressure cooker, instant pot, and rice cooker can also be used for steaming tamales.

How To Steam Tamales Using Oven

Keep the oven at a low temperature otherwise, the tamales will get dried. Then put the steam rack in the casserole dish and put tamales over it with the closed end facing the casserole dish.

How To Steam Tamales Using Rice Cooker

Add about two inches of water to the rice cooker. Now put the steam rack inside it. Put a bed of banana leaves or corn husk all over the rack and then place tamales on top of it.

How To Steam Tamales Using Steamer Basket

For this method, you need a pot and steamer basket and the entire process is the same as above. Pour about 2-3 inches of water in the pot and then in a steam basket place the tamales with their closed-end facing the basket.

How To Steam Tamales In Pot Using Aluminum Foil

Make four balls of aluminum foils two inches solid thick and wide. Pour an inch of water into the pot. Put these four balls in the pot. Place the balls in a square shape and then put a ceramic or thick glass plate that is heatproof over the balls.

Steaming Frozen Tamales

You can use any of the above methods to steam frozen tamales the only difference is while fresh tamales take 90 minutes to steam, the frozen ones will take 150 minutes to steam. So in this case keep track of water levels in regular intervals.

Did you make this recipe?

Bunch up 3 aluminum balls and place them in a pot. Tear off 3 equal-sized pieces of aluminum foil and bunch each of them into a ball that's about the size of your fist. Set each ball into the bottom of an 11-quart (10.4 liter) pot.

Did you make this recipe?

Put 2 cups (473 ml) of water and a steamer basket into a pressure cooker. Pour 2 cups (473 ml) of water into the bottom of a pressure cooker, then unfold and set a steamer basket into the pot.

Did you make this recipe?

Pour 1 cup (240 ml) of water into the pot and add a steamer basket. Measure 1 cup (240 ml) of water into the inner pot of your instant pot. Unfold a steamer basket or steamer rack and set it in the pot. The basket should be raised up enough so that the water doesn't come through the basket.

About This Article

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Jessica Gibson, and Vanna Tran, a trusted member of wikiHow's volunteer community. Vanna Tran is a home cook who started cooking with her mother at a very young age. She has catered events and hosted pop-up dinners in the San Francisco Bay Area for over 5 years.

1: Steam Tamales on Stove

Tamales are a dish that will take some time to prepare, but they’re worth the time and effort. If you don’t have access to a steamer, there’s no need to worry! You can use your stovetop with boiling water to let it steam tamales before serving.

2: Steam Tamales in Pressure Cooker

If you’re cooking tamales in a pressure cooker, this is the easiest way to do it without a steamer. It’s also one of the most popular ways to make them because they are cooked super quickly and taste delicious with all that flavour from the broth and masa dough wrapped inside.

3: Steam Tamales in Microwave or Crockpot

You can also cook tamales in a crockpot or microwave without any problems.

4: Steam Tamales in an Iron Skillet

If you don’t have a steamer or another cooking device, you can also use an iron skillet to steam your tamales.

5: Steam Tamales in Rice Cooker

If you’re cooking a large number of tamales, this is the best option for steaming them without access to any other equipment because you can place them in the rice cooker pot so it will be able to steam both items at once. Plus, this method requires less water than others, saving extra time while also creating that delicious flavor!

6: Steam Tamales in an Instant Pot

If you have an Instant Pot, this is a great way to steam tamales without access to any other equipment.

7: Steam Tamales in a Wok

You can steam tamales in a wok by filling it with water and placing the steamer basket over the top. You’ll want to watch your food closely because you don’t want to overcook, but this is an easy way to cook up some delicious Mexican cuisine quickly!

The Basics of Steaming Tamales

The goal of heating tamales is to cook them or heat them through so they'll be soft and moist. If your tamale recipe calls for cool or warm water when preparing your masa, you'll need to steam your tamales for 30 minutes to one hour because your masa won't be fully cooked when you start the steaming process.

Arranging the Tamales

You can arrange your tamales lying down, piling them on top of each other, or you can arrange them standing up. If you're lying them down, face the opening of the corn husk upward so the insides don't fall out when you lift the tamales out of the pan. If you arrange your tamales standing up, arrange them so the open end is facing up.

Steaming Without a Steamer Basket

Metal and bamboo steamer baskets aren't the only setups that work for steaming tamales. Other techniques may take some ingenuity and finesse, but they can certainly get the job done.

Other Methods for Heating Tamales

Steaming isn't the only way to heat tamales, although it is arguably the best method because of the abundant moisture. Some of the other methods won't get you a traditional outcome, though they will still yield tasty food.

Testing Tamales for Doneness

Cooking tamales fully is important for both quality and food safety. An undercooked tamale can be gummy and pasty. It can also present a risk of foodborne illness, especially if your filling includes a protein such as meat or beans.

How to reheat tamales in a steamer

The gold standard of reheating tamales, steaming helps the Mexican delicacies retain their original flavor and texture. Fill your steamer with water, and turn the heat to medium. Keep your tamales in their husks and steam for 15 to 20 minutes, adding an extra 10 minutes if your tamales are frozen.

How to reheat tamales in an oven

A reliable alternative to steaming, reheating tamales in the oven is a simple, quick method. Preheat your oven to 425°, and wrap each tamale tightly in a few layers of aluminum foil, making sure there is no air. Place them in the oven for 20 minutes, turning them over at the halfway mark.

How to reheat tamales in an Instant Pot

When you want a delicious lunch but don’t want to think about preparing it, turn to a good pressure cooker. Once your Instant Pot is heated to high, dampen your tamales and let them warm for about 10 minutes. Make sure they’re spaced apart so that they’ll all be thoroughly cooked.

How to reheat tamales in a microwave

When you have serious tamale cravings, this is your best bet. The secret to the perfect microwaved tamale is to wrap each in a damp paper towel. Arrange on a microwave-safe plate, making sure there is space between them. Heat the tamales for one to two minutes.

How Do You Reheat Frozen Cooked Leftover Tamales?

Using a steamer, cook the leftover frozen tamales for about 20-40 minutes. You can also use an insert above a pot filled with boiling water. Cook the tamales for about 40 minutes. Follow the instructions above to use an Instant Pot, a slow cooker, or a skillet to reheat your tamales.

How to Freeze Tamales Properly?

After cooking your tamales, cool them to room temperature in their corn husks. The best way to do this is to place the tamales on wire cooling racks. Once cool, place the tamales in resealable freezer bags, removing as much air as possible, or in a freezer-safe airtight container. Tamales can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months.

How to Reheat Tamales in the Oven?

Preheat the oven to 350℉. Tightly wrap each tamale in foil and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 25-30 minutes, turning at the halfway mark. Check to ensure the tamales are heated throughout and enjoy.

Can You Steam Frozen Tamales?

Yes, steaming is one of the best ways to cook frozen tamales and reheat them. All you need is a steamer insert set above boiling water. Cooked tamales will take 25-40 minutes, and uncooked tamales will take 45-60 minutes. Be sure to keep an eye on the water to ensure it doesn’t run out.

How to Cook Frozen Tamales (Step-by-Step Instructions)

Because of their rich and satisfying flavor, tamales are considered by many to be a comfort food. They freeze well as long as they are properly stored. So go ahead and make a big batch of tamales. Keep reading to find out how to freeze and defrost tamales, so you can enjoy them whenever you want to!