Learn how to reheat tamales so they taste freshly made, even if you just dug them out of your freezer or refrigerator.
Tamales are one of those dishes that are well worth the effort of making from scratch. Between soaking corn husks, mixing masa harina into a dough, assembling and cooking the tamales, it’s not a short process. That’s why many people make a lot at once and freeze some. From sweet versions to savory cheese or chicken tamales, they always hit the spot. But knowing how to properly reheat tamales, whether refrigerated or frozen, is essential for the best flavor and to prevent them from drying out.
Tamales hold up amazingly well in the refrigerator or freezer, and they can be a meal on their own or part of a feast with chile verde pork and fresh, homemade guacamole. Warming up leftover tamales needs to be done correctly to keep them from falling apart and to maintain the tender, steamed texture of the filling. Here, we share various methods for reheating tamales so you can find what works best for you.
How to Reheat Tamales by Steaming
Steaming is the gold standard for reheating tamales. This method creates a humid environment that keeps the corn husks pliable and heats the filling through without causing it to fall apart. Fill your steamer (or use a large pot and steamer basket) with water and turn the heat to medium. Add the tamales, standing them upright and fitting them closely together to prevent them from falling over. Steam them for 15 to 20 minutes, adding an extra 10 minutes for frozen tamales.
In addition to returning cold tamales to their supple, tender consistency, steaming is great because you can fit a lot of tamales into a steamer at once or even set up two pots with steamer baskets. The downside is that you do need a steamer or steamer basket to set up this method correctly. Simply setting tamales into a shallow pool of water and simmering them can cause the tamales to become waterlogged and soggy.
How to Reheat Tamales in the Microwave
When you have serious tamale cravings and limited time, this is your best bet. The secret to a perfectly microwaved tamale is to wrap each one in a damp paper towel. Arrange them on a microwave-safe plate with space between them to allow heat to circulate, and then heat for one to two minutes.
While we love how quick this method is, keep in mind that it does risk drying them out more than other methods because a microwave is a drier environment than a steamer. Plus, you can microwave only two to three at a time. If your tamales are frozen, they will reheat more evenly once thawed, so transfer them to the refrigerator for a few hours before microwaving.
How to Reheat Tamales in the Instant Pot
The Instant Pot is great for recipes that would usually take hours in the oven, like Instant Pot pulled pork, but it’s also a helpful cooking tool for quick-cooking foods, such as tamales. Add 1 cup of water to the bottom of an Instant Pot insert and then add a trivet or steamer basket. Arrange the tamales on the trivet standing upright (open end up), close the lid and set to cook on high pressure. Cook for 5 to 10 minutes for refrigerated tamales and 10 to 15 minutes for frozen, adding more time as needed.
The sealed, moist environment of an Instant Pot mimics that of a stovetop steamer, but it takes less effort since you don’t have to monitor the heat under a pot while cooking. As a potential downside to using an Instant Pot, you are limited by the size of the insert in terms of how many you can reheat at once. This isn’t a big deal if you need to reheat enough tamales for a small group, but for a larger gathering, you may need to work in batches or consider another method.
How to Reheat Tamales in the Oven
If you don’t have a large steamer, a reliable alternative for reheating tamales is in the oven. Preheat the oven to 425°F and wrap each tamale tightly in a few layers of aluminum foil to trap the moisture as it warms. Cook for 20 minutes, turning them over halfway through for even warming. It may not make sense to fire up the oven for just a few tamales, but if you are expecting a crowd or your stovetop is out of commission, it will reheat them beautifully.
How to Reheat Tamales FAQ
Do you reheat tamales in the husk?
Regardless of the method you choose, we recommend reheating tamales in the husk. Corn husks protect the filling from drying out or absorbing too much moisture if steaming. Also, since the filling is usually made with a gluten-free, corn-based dough that can be delicate, the husk helps keep the filling intact.
How long do tamales last?
Most leftovers last three to five days in the refrigerator, and that applies to tamales as well. Frozen tamales last for three to four months. In either case, they should be stored in airtight food storage containers or bags to lock in their flavor and moisture. You can transfer frozen tamales to the refrigerator to thaw overnight or cook directly from frozen.
How do you reheat frozen tamales?
You can reheat frozen tamales using a steamer, Instant Pot, oven or even the microwave, though they will heat more evenly in the microwave once thawed. The method is the same as if the tamales were refrigerated, but you’ll need to cook frozen tamales longer so that they heat all the way through. You can insert an instant-read thermometer (we recommend Thermapen) through the husk into the center of the tamale to check if it’s ready. Make sure it reaches a temperature of 165 degrees or higher.
If you don’t have a thermometer, you can check how hot the tamales are using an old restaurant trick I learned when cooking fish: Insert a thin metal cake tester or skewer into the center of the tamale through the husk, then lightly and quickly touch the end of the tester to the inside of your wrist. If it’s still cool, it needs to cook longer, but if it feels hot, it’s ready.
What can you do with leftover tamales?
Besides reheating tamales and eating them as is, you can integrate them into breakfast scrambles, casseroles, or hearty chili or stew recipes. For new scrambled egg ideas, mix crumbled or chopped tamales into the skillet, right before the eggs are ready, so they just heat through. For a casserole, layer unwrapped tamales in a baking dish and top with your choice of cheese or cooked meat. Then, bake until hot throughout. To add extra bite or heft to chili, stir bite-sized pieces into the pot and gently simmer until hot.
