Steaming Already-Cooked Tamales: A Quick Guide To Reheating Perfection

Tamales are a traditional Mexican dish that can be made with a variety of fillings, from meat to cheese to vegetables and even fruits. They are typically made with masa, a corn-based dough, and steamed to perfection. While making tamales from scratch can be a time-consuming process, reheating already cooked tamales is a much quicker and easier task.

The best way to reheat tamales and retain their original flavour and texture is by using a steamer. Simply fill your steamer with water, turn the heat to medium, and steam the tamales in their husks for 15 to 20 minutes. If you're short on time, you can also reheat tamales in an oven or microwave, but these methods may dry them out more.

How to steam already cooked tamales in a steamer

Steaming is a traditional way of cooking tamales, and it's important to understand the process to enhance the taste and texture of this classic dish. Here's a detailed guide on how to steam already cooked tamales in a steamer:

Preparing the Steamer:

• Fill the steamer pot with water: Ensure the water level is about 1 inch (2.5 cm) below the steamer basket or rack. This ensures that the tamales don't come into direct contact with the water, as this can make them soggy.
• Line the steamer basket or rack: Use a single layer of banana leaves or corn husks to line the steamer. This provides a barrier between the boiling water and the tamales, adding flavour and aroma.

Arranging the Tamales:

• Place the tamales: Spread the tamales across the steamer basket or rack with the open side facing up. If you have a large number of tamales, create a second layer, but avoid stacking more than two layers high. This ensures that the steam reaches all the tamales evenly.
• Avoid overcrowding: Leave enough space between the tamales to allow steam to circulate. Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking and sogginess.

Steaming the Tamales:

• Cover the steamer: Place the lid on the steamer to trap the steam and heat inside.
• Set the heat to high: Turn the stove to high heat to bring the water to a boil.
• Reduce the heat: Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to low or medium-low. This will create a gentle steam without drying out the tamales.
• Steam for 45-90 minutes: The steaming time can vary depending on the number and size of tamales. For smaller batches, 45-60 minutes is usually sufficient. For larger batches, steaming for up to 90 minutes may be necessary.
• Check the water level regularly: Keep an eye on the water level in the steamer and add more boiling water if needed. Ensure that the water level remains about 1 inch below the steamer basket or rack.
• Check for doneness: After steaming for the recommended time, carefully remove a tamale using tongs or a large spoon. Allow it to cool for a few minutes, then unwrap and check the consistency of the filling. If it's still sticky or doughy, return the tamale to the steamer for an additional 10-15 minutes.

Tips for Perfect Tamales:

• Prevent sogginess: Ensure that the corn husks or banana leaves used for wrapping are completely dry before steaming. Also, apply an even layer of filling to avoid sogginess.
• Maintain water level: Check the water level regularly to ensure there's enough water for steaming without letting it touch the tamales.
• Steam in batches: If you have a large number of tamales, consider steaming them in batches to ensure even cooking and prevent overcrowding in the steamer.
• Reheat gently: To reheat already cooked tamales, steam them for 15-20 minutes (25-30 minutes if frozen) until heated through. Alternatively, use an oven or microwave for reheating.

How to steam already cooked tamales in an Instant Pot

Steaming tamales in an Instant Pot is a quick and easy way to enjoy this Mexican treat. You can use fresh or frozen tamales and fill them with beef, chicken, or cheese. The pressure cooker method works well and only takes a few minutes. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Prepare the Instant Pot

Insert the trivet that came with your Instant Pot. Then, place a steamer basket on top of the trivet. If you don't have a steamer basket, you can use a vegetable steamer or a trivet with a small ramekin in the middle to help the tamales stand upright.

Step 2: Add Water

Pour 1 to 2 cups of water into the Instant Pot. This water will create the steam needed to cook the tamales.

Step 3: Prepare the Tamales

If your tamales are frozen, there is no need to defrost them first. Simply add the frozen tamales to the Instant Pot, ensuring that the folded side is down and they are placed around the ramekin. If your tamales are fresh, you can follow the same steps.

Step 4: Set the Timer

Close the lid of the Instant Pot and set the timer. For frozen tamales, set the timer for 15 minutes at high pressure. If your tamales are fresh, set the timer for 10-15 minutes.

Step 5: Natural Release

Once the timer goes off, do a natural release. This means you will let the pressure inside the Instant Pot go down naturally without opening the valve. This step is important to maintain the moisture inside the pot and ensure the tamales are tender.

Step 6: Open the Lid and Serve

After the natural release is complete, carefully open the lid of the Instant Pot. Use tongs or a spoon to remove the tamales from the pot and serve them hot. Enjoy your delicious, steamed tamales!

How to steam already cooked tamales in an oven

Steaming tamales is a great way to cook them, and you can use a few different methods to do so. If you're looking to steam already cooked tamales in an oven, here's a detailed, step-by-step guide to help you out:

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Tamales

First, preheat your oven to 225°F. This temperature ensures that your tamales cook in a moist environment without introducing too much dry heat. It's important to keep the temperature low to prevent the tamales from drying out.

Next, prepare your tamales according to your chosen recipe. You can use a variety of fillings, such as chicken, beef, pork, cheese, beans, or vegetables.

Step 2: Set Up the Roasting Pan

You'll need a roasting pan, preferably a turkey roasting pan, for this method. Pour some boiling water into the bottom of the pan, and place a roasting rack inside. The rack will elevate the tamales above the water, creating a steaming effect.

Step 3: Arrange the Tamales

Place your prepared tamales on the rack, stacking them no more than two layers high to avoid squishing them. It's important to keep the tamales close together to help them stay in position.

Step 4: Seal and Steam

Tightly cover the roasting pan with aluminum foil to lock in the steam. This step is crucial to ensure the tamales cook in a moist environment.

Step 5: Steam in the Oven

Place the covered roasting pan in the preheated oven. It's important to monitor the water levels during the cooking process, as the large surface area of the pan can cause the water to evaporate quickly. Add more water as needed to ensure the tamales are steaming and not roasting.

Step 6: Check for Doneness

Steam the tamales in the oven for 45 to 60 minutes. To check if they're done, carefully unwrap one tamale and see if the masa pulls away from the husk easily. If it does, your tamales are ready!

Step 7: Let Them Rest

Once the tamales are cooked, remove them from the oven and let them rest for about 10 minutes before serving. This resting period allows the masa to firm up slightly and gives you the perfect, tender texture.

And there you have it! You've successfully steamed already cooked tamales in your oven. Enjoy your delicious, tender, and flavorful tamales with your favorite sides and sauces.

How to steam already cooked tamales in a microwave

Steaming already cooked tamales in a microwave is a quick and easy way to enjoy this delicious Mexican dish. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you achieve the best results:

Prepare the Tamales:

• If your tamales are frozen, it is best to thaw them before steaming. You can leave them on the kitchen counter for an hour to reach room temperature, or defrost them in the microwave.
• Keep the corn husk intact during the steaming process. The husk helps retain moisture, maintain the shape, and ensure even steaming.

Set Up the Microwave:

• Choose a microwave-safe dish that is large enough to hold your tamales.
• Place a small amount of water in the bottom of the dish to create steam.
• Stand the tamales upright in the dish, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Leave enough space between each tamale for even cooking.
• Cover the dish with a lid or microwave-safe plastic wrap, leaving a small vent for steam to escape.

Steam the Tamales:

• Set your microwave to high power.
• Cook the tamales for 3-5 minutes per tamale. For example, cook four tamales for a total of 12-20 minutes.
• Rotate the tamales halfway through the cooking time to ensure even heating.
• After the recommended cooking time, check if the tamales are heated through. If not, return them to the microwave for an additional minute or two.

Serve and Enjoy:

• Allow the tamales to cool slightly before serving.
• Garnish with your favorite toppings such as salsa, sour cream, or guacamole.

Additional Tips:

• For extra moisture, brush the tamales with water or broth before microwaving.
• If you prefer a crispier texture, unwrap the tamales after microwaving and place them in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for a few minutes.
• Experiment with different fillings such as traditional pork, vegetarian, or seafood options.
• Always ensure that your tamales are thoroughly cooked. The internal temperature should reach 165°F to be considered safe to eat.

How to check if your tamales are cooked

Checking if your tamales are cooked is a little tricky. The colour of the dough and filling will get a little darker, but the cooked masa will seem soft and uncooked if you touch it while it's still hot. The best way to check is to taste one. Carefully remove a tamale from the pot and leave it to cool for about three minutes. If you try to pull the husk off before this time is up, it will stick to the masa and you will think it's undercooked. If the masa sticks after three minutes, it's not ready. Cook for another five minutes, then try again. If the husk is easily removed, the tamales are fully cooked!

Another way to check is to look at the colour of the corn husk. Cooked tamales gain a stronger yellow corn husk colour. You can also tell tamales are fully cooked when the corn husk has changed from white to off-yellow and the corn flour is not mushy. The internal temperature should be 165 F.

Frequently asked questions