Steaming Tamales in the Oven (Dutch oven)
- Preheat your oven to 225 degrees-250 degrees Fahrenheit. Low temperature is the best as high temperatures could dehydrate your tamales.
- Put a steam rack inside the Dutch oven.
- Place your tamales on top of the steam rack in an arranged manner, with the open ends facing up.
- Add a cup of hot water into the Dutch oven and cover with a lid.
- Steam for 40-50 minutes. The temperature inside the oven is convenient to warm the water, keeping up the steam, cooking the tamales as well.
- Carefully remove your tamales from the oven, serve.
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. ...
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.
How long should you steam tamales?
Steam the tamales over medium-low heat for 90 minutes if using two pots, or two hours if using one pot, adding more water as needed every 20 or 30 minutes. The tamales are cooked when the masa is firm to the touch and does not stick to the corn husk when opened. Serve them hot with tomatillo salsa.
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 long do tamales take to steam?
Steam the tamales for 35 minutes. Bring the water to a light boil. 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 cook tamales in a steamer?
2:404:58How 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.
How much water do I put in a steamer for 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 tell if tamales are done steaming?
If the masa sticks after 3 minutes, then it's not ready. Carefully fold and return to pot. Cook 5 minutes longer, then re-test. If husk is easily removed, tamales are fully cooked!29-Nov-2017
Do tamales need to sit after steaming?
They have to stick around the tamale properly, otherwise the structure will fall apart, so they must be malleable to do so. Once cleaned and separated, put them in a pot of water, bring it to boil, then let them sit in the hot water for one to two hours until they are soft.
Can you stack tamales in a steamer?
To use the steamer, simply fill the pot with water up to the water line, add the steamer insert and stack the tamales upright in the pot.30-Oct-2015
Can you make tamales without corn husks?
How To Make Tamales Without Corn Husks. You can use parchment paper or foil paper as a substitute for corn husks. Cut out parchment paper about 4 inches wide, add dough in the center and flatten. Place filling in the center.22-Jul-2019
How do I fix sticky masa?
Masa has to be kneaded in order to achieve the proper texture. When you add water to masa harina, the texture will seem dry, crumbly and will barely hold its shape. If you add more water, it will get very sticky and almost impossible to work with.22-Dec-2015
How do you know when the masa for tamales is ready?
Test the masa by taking a small piece (1/2 teaspoon) and dropping it into a cup of warm water. If it floats it is ready; if it sinks, add a little more lard, beat for another minute and test it again. Repeat this process until the masa floats. Pour the masa mixture into a bigger bowl.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.
Tamale-Steaming Basics
Steaming tamales is what keeps the masa and fillings soft and delicious. The steam provides the heat to cook them through and the moisture to keep them from drying out. When you steam tamales, you want to keep the tamales in the steam but not in the water. Any part of the tamales that sit in the water turn out soggy.
Use a Steamer Basket
Put your steamer basket in a large stockpot. Add about 1 inch of water. You don't want the water to come into the steamer basket because you don't want the tamales sitting in the water.
Steam Tamales Without a Basket
Don't have a steamer basket? 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.
Cook in a Pressure Cooker
Is your pressure cooker collecting dust? Pull it out to steam your tamales. Put about 1 cup of water in the bottom and then add the included strainer basket.
How to Steam Tamales in a Steamer Basket
Add a little water (about 1 inch) into a deep pot. Insert a steamer basket inside the container. Let the water be precisely below the steamer basket.
Use of a metal rack
In a deep pot, set a circular metal rack. Add almost an inch of water into it to rest just below the rack top.
Use of an aluminum foil
Rip up a couple of pieces of aluminum foil and crumple them into balls – 3 of them (almost 2 inches – width and height.).
Steaming Tamales in the Oven (Dutch oven)
Preheat your oven to 225 degrees-250 degrees Fahrenheit. Low temperature is the best as high temperatures could dehydrate your tamales.
Steaming Tamales in a Rice Cooker
In a rice cooker bowl, place in a rack. Add at least 2 inches of water (not more than 5 inches.). The water should be below it. You don’t want the rack submerged in hot water.
Final thoughts
We all love tamales, don’t we? – The pockets of corn dough stuffed with either sweet or tangy fillings, wrapped in corn husks or banana leaves. The fillings vary from cheeses and meats to vegetables, fruits, mole and chilies.
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!