Steaming Tamales: Stovetop Guide For Perfectly Cooked Treats

Tamales are a traditional Mexican dish made from corn dough and a sweet or savoury filling, which is then wrapped in corn husks and steamed. If you don't have a traditional Bote Tamalera steamer, you can steam tamales on the stove using a steamer basket, a plate, or even a splatter guard.

How to steam tamales on the stove without a steamer basket

Steaming tamales is much easier than rolling them, and you can easily rig up a DIY steamer setup without a steamer basket. Here's how to steam tamales on the stove without a steamer basket:

What you'll need:

• A pot with a lid
• A heat-proof plate
• Aluminium foil
• Water

Steps:

Step 1: Prepare your plate and foil

Scrunch aluminium foil into three balls of about 2 inches (5.1 cm) each. Place the balls into the pot and arrange them into a triangle shape. Balance your heat-proof plate on top of the aluminium foil balls.

Step 2: Add water

Pour water into the pot until it is about 1 inch (2.5 cm) below the plate. Be careful not to pour water up to the plate, as this can cause the tamales to get wet when the water boils.

Step 3: Arrange the tamales

Place the tamales onto the plate with the open side facing up. Spread them out so they steam evenly. If you have a lot of tamales, you can layer them on top of each other. Just make sure the plate is balanced before adding the tamales.

Step 4: Bring the water to a boil

Place the pot on the stove and turn the heat to medium. Wait for the water to boil, then reduce the heat to low. Put the lid on the pot to trap the moisture and heat, helping to steam the tamales.

Step 5: Steam the tamales

Set a timer for 1 hour and leave the tamales to steam. Check the pot occasionally to ensure there is still water under the plate, and add more if needed.

Step 6: Remove and serve

After 1 hour, use metal tongs to transfer the tamales to a plate. Let them cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your freshly steamed tamales!

Tips:

• If you're steaming frozen tamales, you can microwave them for a minute first to take off the chill.
• If you don't have aluminium foil, you can use a metal strainer or colander to suspend the tamales over the boiling water.
• You can also use an oven and roasting pan, a disposable pie pan, or a bowl and chopsticks to lift the tamales above the water.
• For extra moisture, cover the tamales with hydrated corn husks or aluminium foil before placing the lid on the pot.

How to set up your stove for steaming tamales

To set up your stove for steaming tamales, you'll need a large pot with a steamer basket, or a heat-resistant plate if you don't have a steamer basket. If using a plate, you'll also need some aluminum foil.

First, fill the pot with enough water to reach slightly below the bottom of the steamer basket or plate. If using a plate, create a base for it to sit on by making several large balls of foil and placing them into the pot. Place the plate on top of the foil balls and add the water—enough so that the level is just below the plate.

Next, prepare your tamales. Tamales are made with corn dough and a sweet or savoury filling, which is then wrapped in corn husks or banana leaves. Arrange the tamales in the pot, placing them vertically in the steamer basket or on the plate. If using a steamer basket, the open end of the tamale should be facing up to prevent water from getting inside. If steaming on a plate, you can lay the tamales flat.

Now you're ready to begin steaming. Cover the pot with a lid and bring the water to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium. You'll want to maintain a gentle simmer, so be sure to adjust the heat as needed. Remember to add more water from time to time to keep the steam going—tamales typically take 60 to 90 minutes to cook.

Finally, check your tamales for doneness. They're ready when they feel firm and the husk easily peels away. Remove a tamale from the pot and let it rest for a couple of minutes before trying to peel the husk. If the tamale isn't done, return it to the pot and continue steaming.

How long to steam tamales on the stove

Steaming tamales on the stove is a great way to cook them without drying them out. The process is simple, but it requires attention to ensure that your tamales don't end up soggy or dried out. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to steam tamales on the stove, with a focus on timing:

Preparing the Tamales and the Stove

Firstly, gather your ingredients and prepare your tamales according to your chosen recipe. This will involve making the corn dough, filling, and wrapping the tamales in corn husks or banana leaves.

Next, you'll need to set up your stove for steaming. You can use a steamer basket, or, if you don't have one, a heat-resistant plate will work. If using a plate, create a base for it to sit on by forming several large balls out of aluminium foil and placing them in the bottom of your chosen pot. Place the plate on top of the foil balls, and add water until it reaches just below the plate.

Arranging the Tamales

Arrange the tamales vertically in the steamer basket or on the plate, with the open end facing upwards. This arrangement will ensure that no water gets into the tamales. If your tamales can't stand vertically, you can lay them flat, but be careful to avoid any spillage of water into the tamales.

Steaming the Tamales

Cover the pot with a lid and place it on the stove. Turn the heat to high and bring the water to a boil. Once it's boiling, reduce the heat to medium. You want the water to bubble gently, not boil vigorously, as this could make the tamales soggy.

Timing the Steam

Let the tamales steam for 60 to 90 minutes. Check on them occasionally to ensure there's enough water, adding more as needed. Be careful not to spill water into the tamales when refilling.

Checking for Doneness

After the recommended steaming time, remove one tamale and check for doneness. The tamale is done when it feels firm, and the husk easily peels away. If the tamale doesn't feel firm or the husk is difficult to peel, return it to the pot and continue steaming for another 15-20 minutes.

Final Steps

Once your tamales are done, turn off the heat and carefully remove them from the pot. Allow them to cool slightly before serving.

Enjoy your freshly steamed tamales!

How to tell when tamales are done steaming

There are a few ways to tell when your tamales are done steaming. Firstly, you can check whether the corn husk has changed from a white to a very pale yellow colour. If the colour has changed, the tamales are likely done. Another way to tell is to remove a tamale and try to pull the husk away from the filling. If the husk comes away easily and cleanly, without any dough sticking to it, the tamales are done. If the husk doesn't peel away easily, or dough sticks to it, the tamales need to be steamed for a little longer. You can also check the texture of the tamale – if it feels firm, it's done.

How to steam frozen tamales on the stove

Steaming is the best way to cook a large batch of frozen tamales. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it on a stove.

What You Need:

• A deep stock pot or tamale steamer
• Corn husks (optional)
• Steamer basket insert
• Frozen tamales

Instructions:

• Remove the tamales from their plastic packaging, but keep the corn husks intact.
• Fill the bottom of your stock pot with water to just below the steamer basket insert. The water should not touch the tamales when they are placed in the steamer.
• Place the tamales upright in the steamer basket with the open end facing up. If they cannot stand upright, lean them against each other or use a ball of crumpled aluminium foil or a small ramekin to help them stay upright.
• Place the steamer basket insert into the stock pot and put the lid on.
• Bring the water to a rolling boil.
• Reduce the heat to low and steam the tamales for 25-30 minutes. If your tamales are thawed, steam them for 20 minutes.
• Turn off the heat and remove the steamer from the burner.
• Carefully open the lid, away from you, to prevent steam burns.
• Remove the tamales and serve warm. The corn husks are not edible, so your guests should remove them themselves.

Tips:

• Check the water level regularly and refill with boiling water if it gets too low.
• Do not overfill the steamer basket, as this may cause the tamales to cook unevenly.
• For extra flavour, you can cover the steamer basket insert with a layer of corn husks before placing the tamales on top.

Frequently asked questions