Steaming Tamales: How Long Does It Take?

Tamales are a traditional Mexican dish that can be cooked in a variety of ways, including steaming. The cooking time for tamales can vary depending on the recipe and the method of cooking. Generally, they are steamed to remain tender, and this can take anywhere from 10 minutes to 2 hours or more. The cooking time will depend on the size and thickness of the tamales, as well as the amount and type of filling. For example, tamales with meat fillings will take longer to cook than vegan or vegetarian tamales.

How to steam tamales in a pot

Steaming tamales in a pot is a great way to cook this traditional Mexican dish without needing a tamalera (a pot specifically made for cooking tamales). Here is a step-by-step guide on how to steam tamales in a pot:

Step 1: Prepare the Tamales

Fill the corn husks with masa dough and your chosen filling. You can use this method for sweet tamales as well as banana leaf tamales.

Step 2: Set Up the Pot

Add water to the bottom of a large pot or Dutch oven. The water level should be about 1-2 inches deep. If you are using a steamer basket, place it inside the pot now. If not, you can line the bottom of the pot with corn husks that are too small for wrapping.

Step 3: Arrange the Tamales

Place the tamales vertically in the pot or steamer basket, with the open side facing up. Stack them so they are stable and not falling over. If using a steamer basket, make sure they are standing upright and not overcrowded.

Step 4: Cover and Steam

Cover the pot with a lid and place it on high heat until the water comes to a boil. Once the pot is producing lots of steam, reduce the heat to medium or low. You can also cover the tamales with extra corn husks or aluminium foil before placing the lid on the pot. This will help to prevent too much moisture from escaping.

Step 5: Check for Doneness

Most tamales will take at least 45 minutes to steam but can take up to 1 hour or even 1 1/2 hours, depending on their size and the amount of filling. Start checking for doneness after 45 minutes. An easy way to tell if tamales are done is to unwrap one and see if the corn husk easily pulls away from the masa without sticking.

Step 6: Rest and Serve

If serving right away, remove the tamales to a platter and cover with a clean kitchen towel for about 30 minutes to let them finish cooking. They will still be hot when you serve them.

Tips for Steaming Tamales in a Pot:

• Keep an eye on the water level in the pot and add more water if needed.
• To test if the tamales are completely cooked, remove one from the pot and let it cool for a few minutes. The masa should be firm and not mushy.
• If reheating tamales that have already been cooked, steam them for 10-15 minutes or microwave them for 1-2 minutes.

How to steam tamales in an Instant Pot

Steaming tamales in an Instant Pot is a great way to save time on this traditional Mexican dish. The cooking time will be shorter than other methods but the assembly still takes a bit of time. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to steam tamales in an Instant Pot:

Step 1: Prepare the Tamales

First, you will need to prepare the tamales by filling them with corn dough and your chosen filling. You can find recipes for different fillings online or in cookbooks. It is often easier to fold the tamales like a package and tie them with a string or a piece of corn husk when making them in an Instant Pot. This will allow you to stack them in the pot instead of steaming them upright.

Step 2: Add Water to the Instant Pot

Fill the Instant Pot with about 1-2 cups of water. The amount of water you need may vary depending on the size of your Instant Pot and the number of tamales you are cooking. Place the steam rack or trivet that came with the pot on top of the water.

Step 3: Place the Tamales in the Instant Pot

Place the tamales upright in the Instant Pot, stacking them in concentric circles so there is space for the steam to circulate. Make sure the tamales are no longer than 4-5 inches so that the lid of the Instant Pot can close.

Step 4: Close the Lid and Cook

Close the lid of the Instant Pot and seal the steam valve. Set the pressure cook function to high pressure for 15-30 minutes, depending on the recipe you are following. After the cooking time is complete, allow for natural pressure release for at least 10-20 minutes before doing a quick release.

Step 5: Check if the Tamales are Done

Remove a tamale and unwrap it. The tamale is done when the corn husk easily pulls away from the masa without sticking. If it is not ready, put it back in the Instant Pot and continue cooking for a few more minutes.

Step 6: Serve or Store the Tamales

If you are serving the tamales right away, remove them to a platter and cover with a clean kitchen towel for about 30 minutes to rest. They will still be hot when you serve them. If you are not serving them immediately, let them cool completely and then refrigerate or freeze them.

Tips:

• It is important to make sure that the tamales are fully cooked before serving. The filling should already be cooked, but you don't want to eat raw dough.
• You can reheat leftover tamales in the Instant Pot or in the microwave.
• If you are making a large batch of tamales, you may need to cook them in batches to ensure even cooking.
• The cooking time may vary depending on the size and thickness of the tamales, as well as the amount of filling.

How to steam tamales in a Dutch Oven

Tamales are a traditional Mexican dish made from corn dough and a sweet or savoury filling. They are usually wrapped in corn husks or banana leaves and steamed. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to steam tamales in a Dutch oven.

Step 1: Prepare the Tamales

Firstly, prepare the tamales according to your chosen recipe. You can fill the corn husks with masa dough and a filling of your choice, such as pork, chicken, vegetables, cheese or dried fruits.

Step 2: Set Up the Dutch Oven

Place a steam rack or basket inside your Dutch oven. If you don't have a steam rack, you can use a metal colander turned upside down. Add water to the Dutch oven, ensuring that the water level is just below the rack or basket.

Step 3: Arrange the Tamales

Place the tamales on the steam rack or basket with the open end facing up. If you are cooking a large batch of tamales, you can stack them on top of each other.

Step 4: Steam the Tamales

Cover the Dutch oven with a lid and place it on the stove over medium heat. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let the tamales steam. The cooking time will depend on the size and thickness of your tamales, but it usually takes between 45 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes. Check the water level periodically and add more water if needed.

Step 5: Check for Doneness

After the recommended cooking time, remove one tamale and carefully open it. If the corn husk comes off easily and the masa dough is firm and not mushy, your tamales are ready. If not, continue steaming and check again in 15-minute intervals.

Step 6: Serve or Store the Tamales

If the tamales are done, remove them from the Dutch oven and let them rest for about 30 minutes, covered with a clean kitchen towel. This allows them to finish cooking and stay warm. Serve the tamales with your favourite Mexican sides, such as corn chips, guacamole, beans, or salsa.

You can also let the tamales cool completely and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze them for up to 4 months.

How to steam tamales in a slow cooker

Steaming tamales in a slow cooker is a great option if you aren't in a rush, as it keeps the moisture in the pot, making the tamales super moist and fluffy. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to steam tamales in a slow cooker:

Step 1: Prepare the Tamales

Fill the corn husks with masa dough and your desired filling. You can use this method for sweet tamales or banana leaf tamales as well. If you are using corn husks, soak them in hot water until they become pliable. This will prevent them from cracking when you spread the masa on them.

Step 2: Set Up the Slow Cooker

Place a rack in the slow cooker. If your slow cooker didn't come with a rack, you can use a colander or steamer basket with legs. Add water to the cooker until it reaches just below the surface of the rack.

Step 3: Arrange the Tamales

If you have an overturned small bowl or a large ball of tin foil, place it in the center of the slow cooker and lean the tamales against it, open ends up. If you don't have either of these, you can simply stack the tamales in the slow cooker. Make sure the tamales are open ends up and not overcrowded. If needed, fill in any open spaces with extra corn husks or aluminum foil to keep the tamales from falling over.

Step 4: Cover and Cook

Cover the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for about 3-6 hours. The cooking time will depend on the size and thickness of your tamales, as well as the amount of filling.

Step 5: Check for Doneness

After 3-6 hours, remove a tamale and let it cool for a few minutes. If the corn husk easily pulls away from the masa without sticking, your tamales are ready. If the masa is still sticking to the husk, continue cooking and check again in 15-20 minute intervals.

Step 6: Rest and Serve

Once your tamales are done, remove them from the slow cooker and cover with a clean kitchen towel. Let them rest for about 30 minutes to finish cooking. Don't worry, they will still be hot when you serve them. Enjoy your delicious, homemade tamales!

How to tell if tamales are done steaming

The cooking time for tamales varies depending on the recipe and the cooking method. Generally, they are steamed to remain tender, which can take anywhere from 10 minutes to 1 hour and 20 minutes or more. The cooking time will depend on the size and thickness of the tamales, as well as the amount of filling.

• Check the corn husk: One way to tell if your tamales are done steaming is to examine the corn husk. If the husk easily pulls away from the dough without sticking, it is likely ready. Even if the dough still looks squishy or undercooked, it will continue to cook and firm up as it cools.
• Internal temperature: Another way to ensure your tamales are cooked through is to check their internal temperature with a meat thermometer. The internal temperature of the tamales should reach 165°F to be considered safe for consumption.
• Unwrap and examine: To test if your tamales are done, remove one from the pot and let it cool for a few minutes. If the masa is firm and not mushy, and the filling is hot, the tamale is likely ready. If the masa is still sticky or squishy, it may need additional cooking time.
• Rest and re-test: If you are serving the tamales right away, remove them from the steamer and place them on a platter. Cover them with a clean kitchen towel and let them rest for about 30 minutes. This allows the tamales to finish cooking and cool down slightly before serving. You can then unwrap a tamale and check if the corn husk pulls away easily.
• Colour change: When cooked, the colour of the corn husk will change from white to an off-yellow or stronger yellow colour.

It's important to ensure that tamales are fully cooked before serving, as you don't want to eat raw dough. The meat inside should already be pre-cooked, but it's crucial to make sure that the masa dough is cooked through.

Frequently asked questions