Tamales are one of my favorite foods and we tend to either make them or buy them in bulk so we can store them in the freezer for whenever we’re ready to serve them.
There are a few tricks and tips I can pass along about how to cook frozen tamales that I’ve learned from the dozens of times I’ve done this at home.
It’s really not a difficult task and it produces delicious, moist tamales, just the way they were intended to be enjoyed when they are made.
The secret to reheating frozen tamales is preparation. If you take the time to prepare your tamales before cooking, it will definitely pay off in the end.
How to Cook Frozen Tamales
There are actually five easy ways to cook frozen tamales. I’ll give you each method so you can decide which is right for you.
- Steaming on the stovetop
- Steaming in the Instant Pot
- Baking frozen tamales
- Cooking in the microwave
- Cooking on the grill
Steaming Frozen Tamales on the Stovetop
This classic method keeps the masa moist and fluffy. Follow this step-by-step guide for steaming frozen tamales. Note: There is no need to thaw them first.:
- You’ll need a steamer basket, a pot with a lid, and some foil or a damp cloth to cover the top of the tamales while they’re steaming.
- Fill the bottom of the pot with water and set the steamer basket inside. Make sure the water doesn’t touch the bottom of the steaming basket. Heat the water until it boils.
- Place the tamales in the steamer basket, standing up, if possible.
- Cover the top of the Tamales with foil or a damp cloth or paper towel to hold in the moisture.
- Put the lid on and let the tamales steam. For 1-4 frozen tamales, steam for 25-30 minutes. For 5 or more, steam for 35-40 minutes. If you’re steaming them from thawed instead of frozen, they will take about 20 minutes. Check the water level every 10 minutes and add more water as needed.
- After the prescribed time, take out one tamale and check for doneness. They’re done when the masa is warmed all the way through and no longer cold in the center. Continue cooking, if necessary.
Steaming Frozen Tamales in the Instant Pot
If you have an Instant Pot or pressure cooker, you can use it to quickly steam frozen tamales. This is my preferred method, in fact. It’s super quick and easy. Here are the steps to take:
- Pour a cup of water into the base of the Instant Pot. Set the trivet or the steamer basket inside, making sure that the water level is below the basket.
- Set the tamales standing up inside the Instant Pot.
- Close the lid and set the vent to sealing. Set to cook for 15 minutes on the steam setting.
- When the time is up, allow a full natural release of pressure before you open the lid.
- Remove the tamales carefully, unwrap them, and enjoy.
Baking Frozen Tamales
Baking tamales are a great way to enjoy them if you don’t have a steamer or another option, like an Instant Pot. Here’s how to do it:
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C).
- Unwrap the tamales from their packaging and rewrap them in tin toil.
- Place them in a baking dish in the oven.
- Bake the Tamales for 25-30 minutes until the masa and the tamales are hot throughout.
- If desired, remove the foil and let them cook for an additional 5-10 minutes or until the tops are crispy.
Microwaving Frozen Tamales
I’m going to preface this with microwaving is not the best way to reheat tamales to keep them nice and moist. The microwave tends to dry out the masa and leave you with a dry tamale. So you will need to take extra precautions to avoid dryness.
- Keep the corn husk on the frozen tamale, but wrap it also in a damp paper towel.
- Place the tamale on a microwave-safe plate in the microwave.
- Cook for approximately 3.5 to 4 minutes.
- If cooking two or more frozen tamales at a time in the microwave, wrap them individually in a damp paper towel and cook for 7 minutes. You may need to rotate them halfway for even cooking.
- For a thawed tamale, wrap it in a damp paper towel and heat for 2 to 2.5 minutes.
Grilling or Smoking
The smoky flavor from the grill or smoker will elevate this traditional Mexican dish to a new level. Just follow the simple steps below, and you’ll enjoy perfectly grilled tamales in no time.
- Allow the tamales to thaw in the refrigerator overnight. This will ensure that the tamales heat properly on the grill without overcooking. It’s very difficult to cook them from frozen on the grill without overdoing it.
- Preheat the grill or smoker.
- Leave the tamales wrapped in corn husks.
- If grilling 1-3 tamales, set them spaced apart on the grill. If grilling 4-12 tamales, stand them up and tie them together with butcher twine. Place the bunch, standing up, in the center of the grill.
- Grill on indirect heat for 10-12 minutes. To ensure that the tamales are fully cooked, use a digital thermometer to check the internal temperature has reached 165°F.
Serve your reheated tamales with your favorite salsa and enjoy a delicious Mexican treat.
Whether you prefer steaming, baking, or grilling, these methods will ensure that you’ve properly cooked your tamales and they come out moist and flavorful, rather than dry.
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Laura is a home cook, with 25 years experience behind the stove, who spends an extraordinary amount of time in the kitchen cooking. She loves making new recipes and finding wonderful new things to eat, both at home or abroad. She spends a lot of time researching, crafting, and perfecting her recipes and currently has a cookbook in development.