We’ve made plenty of tamales and have made enough mistakes to know what really works. Let’s learn how to long to steam tamales so they come out tender and moist! Instant pot, stove top, and slow cooker instructions included.
Let’s learn the best way to steam tamales because there is nothing worse than spending hours creating a beautiful tamal to under or over cook it, right?!
This traditional Mexican dish is cooked through a steaming process and for best results you want to cook them low and slow so they turn out tender and soft and not sad soggy tamales.
So let’s talk about how long that takes and a couple different ways to do it.
The best and easiest way to steam tamales is in a pot specifically made for cooking tamales called a tamalera. However, over the past few years, I’ve tested multiple different ways to steam tamales including in a pressure cooker, in a regular large pot with a steamer basket, even in the slow cooker. Last Christmas season I tested hundreds of tamales in the process.
I’ve made plenty of tamales—in plenty of ways—and I’m really excited to share the most successful steaming process with you today.
All the methods below are for cooking raw tamales not frozen tamales. Let’s learn how long to steam tamales so they come out perfectly delicious every time!
You can overcook tamales, yes. Over-steamed tamales may turn soggy and fall to pieces if they spend too long in the steamer, so keep a close eye on them and get them out as soon as you think they are ready. If you are cooking a large batch of tamales, they will take longer to steam than if you do a small batch.
How Long To Steam Tamales In A Slow Cooker
This is a great option is you aren’t in a rush. An advantage of using a slow cooker to cook tamales is that the moisture stays in the pot making them super moist and fluffy.
Step 1: Fill, wrap and fold tamales (try my chicken with pumpkin mole tamales!) Just like with the Dutch oven method, I find it is easier to fold the tamales like a package and tie with a string or piece of corn husk. That way I can stack them in the pot instead of steaming them upright.
Step 2: Place a rack in the slow cooker. Add water until it reaches just below the surface of the rack. If you don’t have a rack, line. the bottom with leftover corn husks. Use enough so they are above the level of the water. Stack the tamales in the slow cooker.
Step 3: Place a dishtowel under the lid to absorb water that condenses on the lid. Cover and cook on HIGH for about 3-6 hours.
Step 4: Remove a tamal and unwrap. If the corn husks easily pulls away from the masa without sticking it is ready.
Step 5: If serving right away, remove the tamales to a platter and cover with a clean kitchen towel for 30 minutes to rest. They need this time to finish cooking all the way. Don’t worry, they will still be hot when you serve them.
Step 6: Serve tamales or let cool completely and refrigerate or freeze.
How Long To Steam Tamales In An Instant Pot
Follow these simple steps for (almost) instant tamales. The cooking time will be shorter but the assembly still takes a bit of time.
Step 1: Assemble the tamales with corn dough and filling (follow instructions for my braised beef tamales for example). I find it is easier to fold the tamales like a package and tie with a string or piece of corn husk when making them in an Instant Pot. That way I can stack them in the pot instead of steaming them upright. My Instant Pot is not tall enough to steam them standing up.
Step 2: Fill the Instant Pot with 1 cup of water. Place the steam rack or trivet that came with the pot on top of the water.
Step 3: Place the tamales upright in the Instant Pot, stacking them in concentric circles so there is space for the steam to move around them.
Step 4: Close the lid, seal the steam valve, and pressure cook set to high pressure for 15 minutes followed by natural pressure release for at least 20 minutes before a quick release.
Step 5: Remove a tamal and unwrap. They will seem squishy but they firm up as they cool. If the corn husks easily pulls away from the masa without sticking it is ready.
Step 6: If serving right away, remove the tamales to a platter and cover with a clean kitchen towel for 30 minutes to rest. They need this time to finish cooking all the way. Don’t worry, they will still be hot when you serve them.
Step 6: Serve tamales or let cool completely and refrigerate or freeze.
How to tell when tamales are done cooking
FAQ
How long should tamales be steamed?
Why are my tamales soggy after steaming?
What happens if masa is too wet?
What to do if tamale masa is too sticky?
How do you steam tamales on a stovetop?
To steam tamales on the stovetop using a pot and steamer basket, follow these steps: Fill the pot with water up to 1-inch below the steamer basket. Bring the water to a boiling state over medium heat. Place the tamales in the steamer basket, with open-side up, and avoid overcrowding. Cover the pot with a lid.
How much water do you use to steam tamales?
So, if you use 2 cups of water to steam on the stove top, you would just use 1 cup of water for steaming in the instant pot. How long do you steam tamales in the instant pot? You should steam them for about 20 minutes while cooking on high pressure.
Can You steam tamales in an Instant Pot?
If you’re following a recipe for steaming tamales on the stovetop and want to steam in the instant pot instead, simply halve the amount of water you would be using. So, if you use 2 cups of water to steam on the stove top, you would just use 1 cup of water for steaming in the instant pot. How long do you steam tamales in the instant pot?
Should you steam tamales for an odd number of hours?
In some traditional Mexican households, it is believed that steaming tamales for an odd number of hours brings good luck, while an even number is considered unlucky. So if you want to ensure good fortune, opt for an odd number of hours when steaming your tamales!