Steaming Pre-Cooked Tamales: How Long Should You Heat?

Tamales are a delicious dish, but it can be tricky to keep them from drying out when reheating. The best method for retaining moisture and texture is steaming, which takes around 15-20 minutes for refrigerated tamales and 20-35 minutes for frozen. Simply fill a steamer with 2-3 inches of water, place the tamales in the basket, cover, and steam on a medium heat setting. Other reheating methods include using an oven, air fryer, instant pot, or microwave, but these are more likely to dry out your tamales.

How to steam pre-cooked tamales in a steamer

Steaming is the best way to reheat pre-cooked tamales as it helps them retain their original flavour and texture. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to steam pre-cooked tamales in a steamer:

Step 1: Prepare the steamer

First, fill the bottom of the steamer pot with 2 to 3 inches of water. Make sure the water doesn't touch the steaming basket. Then, place the steaming basket into the pot and cover it with a tight-fitting lid.

Step 2: Boil the water

Place the pot on the stove and turn the heat to high. Wait for the water to start boiling.

Step 3: Add the tamales

Once the water is boiling, use a pair of tongs to carefully place the pre-cooked tamales into the steaming basket. Keep the tamales in their husks.

Step 4: Steam the tamales

Cover the pot and reduce the heat to medium. Steam the tamales for 15 to 20 minutes. If the tamales are frozen, add an extra 10 minutes to the steaming time.

Step 5: Serve

After steaming, carefully remove the tamales from the steamer and serve them hot. You can pair them with sides like pork chilli verde or fresh homemade guacamole.

How to reheat pre-cooked tamales in the oven

Pre-cooked tamales can be reheated in the oven in a few simple steps. This method is a reliable alternative to steaming and helps retain the tamales' original flavour and texture.

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Firstly, preheat your oven to 325-425°Fahrenheit.

Step 2: Prepare the Tamales

Next, wrap each tamale in two or three layers of aluminium foil, removing as much air as possible. If you want a slightly crispier tamale, you can keep the husk wrapper on and place the tamales directly on a baking sheet, reducing the oven temperature to 350°Fahrenheit.

Step 3: Place Tamales in the Oven

Place the wrapped tamales in an oven-safe dish or on a sheet pan, leaving some space between them.

Step 4: Heat the Tamales

Put the tamales in the oven and heat for 15-25 minutes, depending on whether they are refrigerated or frozen. Flip the tamales over halfway through the heating time to ensure even cooking.

Step 5: Check the Temperature

Use a meat thermometer to check the tamales' temperature. They are ready to serve when they reach an internal temperature of 165°Fahrenheit.

Tips:

• If you want to add a crispy element to your tamales, you can char the husks on all sides before placing them in the oven.
• It is important to let frozen tamales thaw before reheating them in the oven to ensure even heating and prevent drying them out.

How to reheat pre-cooked tamales in the microwave

Tamales are a delicious Central and Southern American dish that can be customised with all sorts of fillings. They are best eaten fresh but can be frozen or kept in the refrigerator for two to three days.

The dough, called masa, is crafted with masa harina flour that comes from milled and nixtamalized corn. These starches help make tamales a filling meal, but undercooking or overcooking the masa can ruin a tamale. The texture can become dried out or soggy, and finding that middle ground again when reheating can be difficult.

Microwaving is the quickest way to reheat tamales, but it is also the method most likely to dry them out. Here is how you can reheat pre-cooked tamales using a microwave:

• Moisten the husks with cold water or wrap each tamale in a damp paper towel.
• Place the tamales on a microwave-safe plate, leaving space between them.
• Heat for one to two minutes.

It is important to note that tamales should be thawed in the refrigerator before reheating in the microwave.

• If you have a steamer, this is an excellent option for reheating tamales as it keeps them from drying out or overcooking.
• Using an oven is another reliable alternative for reheating tamales. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit, wrap each tamale in aluminium foil, and place them in the oven for 20 minutes, turning them over halfway through.
• An air fryer is a popular alternative for reheating tamales because it is fast, easy, and healthy.
• Reheating tamales on the stove will give them a crispy exterior while hopefully keeping the inside soft.

Remember, when reheating tamales, it is important to find a balance between too wet and too dry.

How to reheat pre-cooked tamales in an air fryer

Air fryers are a great way to quickly reheat tamales without making them soggy or dry. Here is a step-by-step guide to reheating pre-cooked tamales in an air fryer:

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Start by preheating your air fryer to a mid-range temperature, typically around 330-350°F (165-175°C).

Step 2: Prepare the Tamales

Moisten the husks or wrappings of the tamales with cold water. This helps ensure the tamales stay moist during the reheating process.

Step 3: Place Tamales in the Air Fryer

Place the tamales in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they don't touch each other. Leave some space between them for air to circulate.

Step 4: Reheat the Tamales

Reheat the tamales for 3 to 10 minutes, depending on the number and starting temperature of the tamales. Check on them periodically to ensure they don't overcook.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Once the tamales are heated through, carefully remove them from the air fryer and serve. You can enjoy them as is or with your favorite toppings, such as salsa, guacamole, or sour cream.

Tips:

• Preheat the air fryer before adding the tamales for even heating.
• Add a little water to the bottom of the air fryer to create steam and help keep the tamales moist.
• Reheat only as many tamales as you plan to eat, as they are best enjoyed fresh out of the air fryer.

How to reheat pre-cooked tamales in an Instant Pot

The Instant Pot is a great way to reheat pre-cooked tamales. Not only does it help you avoid drying out your tamales (a common problem with microwaves), but it's also useful if you don't have access to an oven or microwave.

Step-by-Step Guide to Reheating Pre-Cooked Tamales in an Instant Pot:

Prepare the Instant Pot:

• Add water to the insert pot of your Instant Pot. The amount of water will depend on the size of your pot, but aim for enough to create a steamy environment—around 1 to 2 cups should suffice.
• Use a steamer basket: Place a steamer basket inside the Instant Pot, on top of the water. This will keep your tamales from falling into the water. If you don't have a steamer basket, you can use the trivet that came with your Instant Pot, but it may be trickier to balance the tamales.

Prepare the Tamales:

• Keep the tamales in their corn husks. This helps retain moisture and flavor.
• Stand the tamales upright: If possible, stand the tamales upright on their ends in the steamer basket. This positioning exposes more surface area to the steam, allowing for more even heating.

Steam the Tamales:

• Close the lid of the Instant Pot and set the vent to the sealed position.
• Set the steam time: For thawed tamales, start with a steam time of 5 minutes. For frozen tamales, increase the time to 15 minutes. You may need to adjust the time depending on the size and number of tamales.
• Perform a quick release: Once the designated steam time is complete, do a quick release of the pressure and carefully open the lid.

Serve and Enjoy:

• Remove the steamer basket and tamales from the Instant Pot carefully.
• Serve the tamales while they're still hot. You can pair them with sides like pork chili verde or fresh homemade guacamole for a complete meal.

Tips for Reheating Tamales:

• If your tamales are frozen, allow them to thaw in the refrigerator before reheating. This will help ensure even heating and reduce the risk of drying them out.
• Reheating frozen tamales will generally take longer than refrigerated tamales. Add 5 to 10 minutes to the reheating time if starting from frozen.
• Always check the temperature of your tamales, especially if they contain meat. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), reheated foods should reach an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure food safety.

By following these steps, you can enjoy tender and flavorful tamales that taste like they're freshly made!

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