Tamales are delicious. But sometimes we have to cook them frozen and this can throw a spanner in the works and derail your normal cooking methods. How do you cook tamales that are frozen? Well, there are several methods that you can choose from.

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But the one that you go with will depend on what you have on hand. In this article, we are going to go over the best methods out there for cooking frozen tamales.

But before we dive right in we are going to give a quick answer that those of you that are in a rush can reference and quickly get the information you need. So, without further ado, let us dive right in!

How To Easily Cook Frozen Tamales At Home

For those of you that do not have the time to scroll through this article in its entirety, in this section we will quickly go over all the techniques that we cover in the main body of this article. There are fifteen ways that you can cook frozen tamales from frozen. Below is a list of them all:

Try Using a Tamale Steamer
Try Using a DIY Steamer
Try Using an Electric Pressure Cooker
Try using a Microwave
Try Baking them in the Oven
Try Baking them in a Toaster Oven
Try Grilling in the Oven
Try Using a Rice Cooker
Try Using a Slow Cooker
Try Using a Sous Vide Cooker
Try Boiling Them
Try Using a Barbecue
Try the Traditional Cooking Method
Try Deep Frying Them
Try Pan Frying Them

If you would like quick concise instructions or recipes on how to use these methods, we recommend that you go to the bottom of this article and take a close look at the recipe cards where you can get quick concise information on how to do each of the above methods.

The best way to cook tamales from frozen is by steaming them. So, make sure to check out that section in both the main body of this article and the recipe card section.

You Could Use A Steamer For Tamales

Using a tamale steamer is one of the traditional methods of cooking tamales. This is one of the best ways to eat more than one dozen tamales at a time. By steaming them you are certain to make your tamales moist, delicious, and absolutely amazing.

Because you can steam more than ten tamales in one steamer at a time you will be able to provide for large numbers of guests quickly even if your tamales are frozen solid.

Tamale steamers are amazing, but there are sure to be both pros and cons surrounding this method. In the next section, we are going to take a closer look at the pros and cons of this method. So, without further ado, let us dive right in!

What Are The Pros And Cons Of This Method?

There are several pros and cons of using tamale steamers. Among the best reasons to use this method are as follows:

You can cook twelve or more tamales at once, this depends on the size of your steamer. But this means that you can use this method to easily cook large quantities of tamales for your guests.
The dough of the tamale itself will stay moist and soft if you use a tamale steamer. This will mean that your food will be extra tasty the way it was intended to be.
By using this method you will be able to evenly steam your tamales even if the steamer is full to the brim with tamales.

Now that we have had a look at the pros of using a tamale steamer let us take a closer look at the cons:

One issue with this method is the fact that you will need to keep a constant eye out for the water level of the boiling water. It can easily get too low if you are not careful.
The last bad thing about this method is the fact that it can be hard to transport the tamales while they are in the steamer. But if you just need it at home you will be perfectly fine using it.

How Do You Use A Tamale Steamer To Cook Tamales?

So, tamale steamers are fantastic. But how do you use them properly? Well, in this section we are going to try our best to answer that question. So, let’s get started!

The first thing you need to do is take your frozen tamales out of the wrapping, be careful to keep the corn husks intact while you do this. Next, you will need to add about one and a half cups of water to the bottom of the steamer.

You may need to add more or less water depending on how big your pan is. But a general rule of thumb is that your tamales should not be touching the water when they are in the streamer.

Once you have added the water you should then place the tamales inside while making sure to keep them upright when they are in the steaming basket. The tamales should be in a kind of circular pattern and lean against each other to keep them all upright.

In order to do this, you may need an item in the center of the steamer. You could try using aluminum foil or ramekin which you can keep in the center of the steaming basket.

After that, you will need to put that steamer insert into the steamer itself and put the lid on top. Allow the water to reach a rolling boil before you reduce the heat and let the tamales steam for between twenty-five and thirty minutes.

Remember that a thawed tamale will only take about twenty minutes to steam while a frozen one will take between twenty-five and thirty minutes to cook through properly.

After that time has elapsed you can turn the heat off and take the steamer off the burner. Next, you should open the lid and take the tamales out of the steamer.

It is best to eat them while they are hot. Just remember to inform your guests to take off the corn husks before they are eaten.

You Could Try Making A DIY Steamer

If you do not have a tamale steamer you can fashion your own if you have the right stuff on hand. You will require a stockpot and a steaming basket, bamboo steamer, or some kind of insert that will fit inside the pan when you have the lid on.

When you are fashioning your own steamer you will need to be careful not to steam more than one layer of tamales at any one time.

This is not an easy way to steam tamales and we do not recommend this method to you unless you do not have an appropriate steamer.

How Do You Use A DIY Steamer To Cook Tamales?

But how exactly do you use this kind of DIY steamer? The first thing you need to do is take the plastic packaging off the tamales while taking care not to rip the corn husks from the tamales.

You will then need to add about a cup and a half of water to the bottom of the steaming pan. You may need more or less depending on how big the steamer is. Next, you can place the tamales in the steaming basket while taking care that they are all standing up.

Make sure to only put one layer of tamales in the steamer. After that, you will need to put the steamer in the pan and close the lid. Allow the water to boil and then reduce the heat so that the tamales can steam for between twenty-five and thirty minutes.

Once that time has elapsed you will need to take the steamer off the heat and open the lid. Take the tamales out and enjoy!

You Could Try Using An Electric Pressure Cooker

Another great way to cook tamales from frozen is to use an electric pressure cooker. This method is easy, quick, and makes your tamales taste absolutely amazing. It keeps them moist and succulent, which is just how they are intended to be enjoyed.

What Are The Pros And Cons Of This Method?

The next thing we need to take a closer look at is the pros and cons of this method. First, we are going to talk about the pros of using an electric pressure cooker:

Depending on how large your pot is you will be able to fit between six and twelve tamales in a pressure cooker.
This method is super quick and easy to do so you will be able to have lovely hot tamales in mere moments.
This is a hands-free method. All you need to do is put the tamales in the instant pot and adjust the temperature every so often.
By using this method you will be able to simply use a keep-warm function which will allow you to keep your tamales warm while you want your guests to arrive.
This method assures the fact that your tamales will be moist and evenly cooked regardless of whether the pot is full or not.

Now that we have taken a look at the pros of using an electric pressure cooker to cook frozen tamales, Let us take a look at the cons of using this method:

In order to use this method, you will need a steamer basket to put inside your instant pot. So, if you do not have one you may not be able to use this method.
If you use this method you will not be able to check the water level when the instant pot pressurizes Because of this, all the water may evaporate before your tamales are done which could cause the pot to burn.

How Do You Use An Electric Pressure Cooker To Cook Tamales?

Now that we know the good and bad points of this method we can start looking into how it would work. The first thing you will need to do is take the plastic packaging off the tamales while taking care not to ruin the corn husks on each tamale.

Next, pour between one and a half cups of water into the bottom of the instant pot, this amount may change depending on how big your electric pressure cooker is.

You just need to make sure the water does not come to the top of the trivet, on top of that, water should not touch the tamales.

Next, put the tamales in the steamer, making sure that they are upright and that the open part of the corn husk is facing upward. When the tamales are being placed in a circle they should be leaning on each other.

Once they are all stood upright you must then close the lid and allow them to cook for approximately fifteen minutes if the tamales are frozen and five minutes if they are not.

Once the tamales have been cooked you will need to take them out and enjoy them while they are hot. You can also leave them in after the instant pot has cooked them and this will keep them warm until you are ready to enjoy them!

You Could Try Using The Microwave

Sometimes we just want to enjoy a nice warm tamale for lunch and there is limited time which prevents you from cooking them in a steamer. But you can use a microwave to quickly and efficiently cook your tamale from frozen.

You can only use between one and two tamales at a time in a microwave so make sure that you take this into consideration.

What Are The Pros Snd Cons Of This Method?

This is a great and easy method to use, but what are the pros and cons of using it? Well, let’s start by exploring the pros first:

This is a super easy method to use. All you need to do is place your frozen tamales in the microwave and press a few buttons.
This is a convenient method and one that you will be able to use just about anywhere that has a microwave.
This is a super quick method and does not require a pan to heat up or anything special like that. Simply put them in a microwave and wait a few minutes.

Next, we will take a look at what the cons of cooking frozen tamales in a microwave are:

If you use this method your tamales will be less moist than they usually would. This is due to the fact that they are not steamed and are not able to retain as much moisture as they need.
You may need to do an extra step to keep the tamales from being inedible. You must wrap them up with a wet paper towel before you put them in the microwave.

How Do You Use A Microwave To Cook Tamales?

Now that we have explored this method of cooking tamales we will need to take a closer look at how exactly it works.

The first thing you will need to do is take all the plastic wrapping off the tamales while taking care not to rip or take the corn husks off. Next, you will need to take paper towels and wet them before you wrap the tamales in the paper towels.

Once you have done that you will need to put the plate with your tamales wrapped in paper in the oven. You will indeed need to put the microwave on fifty percent for about three minutes.

Once that time has elapsed you will need to turn the tamales over and put the microwave on for between one and two minutes on full power. Once that time has elapsed you can take the tamales out and enjoy them while they are hot.

You Could Try Cooking Them In The Oven

The issue with cooking tamales in an oven is that they have a tendency to dry out if you are not careful. But, this can be a pretty good way to actually cook tamales.

As long as you know the trick to doing it right. But, before we dive into that, let us take a look at what the pros and cons are of this method.

What Are The Pros And Cons Of This Method?

First, let us take a look at the pros of this method:

One thing that is good about this method is the fact that you can cook quite large amounts of tamales at once.

Not that many good points about this method. So, let us take a look at the cons:

This method can take quite a long time to prep as it involves wrapping the pan and tamales in aluminum foil and preparing water before you can start.
With this method, your baked tamales are likely to be quite dried out and will not be as nice as tamales that have been steamed as it is intended.
Using water in an oven can cause safety issues if you are not careful. So make sure to take precautions before you attempt this method.

How Do You Use An Oven To Cook Tamales?

But how do you cook tamales in an oven? Well, let us take a closer look at the method.

You will need to start by preheating the oven to about 325 degrees Fahrenheit, take any packaging on the tamales off, and take care not to damage the corn husks.

Next, get a pan of water and palace it in the oven so that there is a moist environment for the tamales. Wrap the tamales in foil and take care not to damage the corn husk.

Now all you need to do is palace the tamales in the oven for between twenty-five and thirty minutes before you take the tamales out of the oven and enjoy them while they are hot.

You Could Bake them In A Toaster Oven

Using a whole oven to bake just a few tamales seems like a waste doesn’t it. If you want to bake one to two tamales we recommend that you use a toaster oven where you can use less power to heat up your tamales quite quickly.

What Are The Pros And Cons Of This Method?

The pros of this method are as follows:

You can quickly bake a few tamales without heating up the whole kitchen unnecessarily.

The cons of this method are as follows:

This method assures that your tamales will not be as moist and succulent as they usually would.
There are several extra steps that make the prep time longer than it needs to be. One of the more time-consuming steps is wrapping the tamales in foil.
This method means that your tamales will take up to forty-five minutes to cook your tamales completely.

How Do You Use A Toaster Oven To Cook Tamales?

The steps to heating up frozen tamales in a toaster oven is pretty similar to cooking them in a regular oven. You will need to start by preheating the oven to about 325 degrees Fahrenheit before you take the tamales out of their packaging.

Make sure that the tamales are doubled wrapped in aluminum foil before you put them in the toaster oven. You will need to allow them to cook for approximately twenty-five minutes before you flip them and allow them to cook for another twenty minutes.

You Could Use A Panini Grill

If you have not tried using a panini grill to cook your tamales you are missing out.

Although this might seem like a strange method you will be surprised to learn that by grilling your tamales in a panini grill they will stay quite moist and have a lovely grilled exterior.

What Are The Pros And Cons Of This Method?

The pros of using this method are as follows:

This method takes about the same amount of time as a steamer to cook the tamales. So, you do not have to lose time by using an alternative method.
The masa stays quite moist when you use this method which is nice and keeps the tamales nice and succulent as they should be.
This is an excellent method to use if you just want to cook one or two tamales.

The cons of using this method are as follows:

This is a hands-on method that requires you to always be present to flip the tamales when they are half cooked.

How Do You Use A Panini Grill To Cook Tamales?

This method is super simple and just about anyone should be able to do it with ease.

You will need to start by heating up your panini griddle, it should be on a medium to high heat. Take the packaging off your tamales while you take care to keep the corn husks on the tamales.

Now you need to place the tamales in the griddle and close the lid so that they can cook from all directions. Your tamales will need to cook for approximately ten minutes before you open the griddle and flip the tamales.

Once you flip them you should close the lid and allow them to cook for another ten minutes.

You Could Try Using A Rice Cooker

Did you know that you can cook tamales in a rice cooker as long as you have a steamer basket? This is a great method that will cook frozen and defrosted tamales alike.

You just need to take care not to let too much water accumulate in the bottom of the rice cooker as the tamales cook.

What Are The Pros And Cons Of This Method?

The pros of using a rice cooker to cook tamales are as follows:

This is a quick method that is as effective and quick as steaming tamales with a steamer.

The cons of using a rice cooker to cook tamales are as follows:

This method will require you to own a steamer basket.
With this method, you will need to watch the water level as it can fill as the tamales cook or lower as they cook which can reduce the likelihood of them cooking as they should.

How Do You Use A Rice Cooker To Cook Tamales?

If you want to try this method you will need to start by adding water to the bottom of the rice cooker and then taking the wrapping off the tamales before you place them in a circle inside the steaming tray.

After that, you will need to place the tamales in the rice cooker and allow them to cook for between twenty and twenty-five minutes. At the halfway point you will need to check how high or low the water is and make adjustments as needed.

You Could Try Using A Slow Cooker

If you want to cook tamales that will be transported, the best way you can do that is to use a slow cooker. This method is one of the best slow methods that results in near-perfect tamales every time.

What Are The Pros And Cons Of This Method?

The pros of using this method are as follows:

This is the kind of method that is hands-free. So you can simply put your tamales in the cooker and leave them to cook as needed.
This method allows you to keep your tamales warm even after they have been cooked.
This method means that your tamales are very likely to stay moist as they should.
You Can use this method if you need to transport your tamales and keep them warm during the transit.
This method allows you to keep your tamales warm at a party or event with ease.

The cons of using this method are as follows:

This method ensures that your tamales will take longer than normal to cook.
You will need a steamer insert that will fit inside a slow cooker with the lid on.
You will need to make sure that the tamales are small enough to fit inside the slow cooker while the lid is on.

How Do You Use A Slow Cooker To Cook Tamales?

You will need to start by putting water in the slow cooker and turning it on. Take the packaging off the tamales and then put them inside the slow cooker in a circle. Put the lid on and leave them to cook for approximately an hour.

You Could Try Using A Sous Vide Cooker

A sous vide cooker can be a great way to cook tamales. It may take more than an hour, but your tamales will be well cooked and totally worth it.

What Are Rhe Pros And Cons Of This Method?

The pros of using this method to cook tamales are as follows:

Your tamales will be evenly cooked and moist.
By using this method you will be able to alter the temperature as needed.

The cons of using this method are as follows:

This method will take more than an hour until the tamales are done and ready to eat.
If you use a sous vide cooker you will not be able to fit a lot of tamales in at any one time.
You will need to take care that the bag does not spring any leaks when you use this method as.

How Do You Use A Sous Vide Cooker To Cook Tamales?

You will need to start by taking the packaging off the tamales and then placing three to four tamales in a sous vide bag and sealing the bags once you are done.

Next, preheat the sous vide cooker to about 130 degrees Fahrenheit before you carefully put the sealed bag into the water bath. You will then need to leave the tamales to cook for approximately one hour.

Check the bag every so often to make sure that there are no leaks.

You Could Try Using A Barbecue

If you are camping you can also enjoy tamales by simply throwing them on the grill and barbecuing them to perfection. This may change the original taste of tamales, but the crisp outside is certainly something that you will enjoy.

What Are The Pros And Cons Of This Method?

The pros of cooking tamales using this method are as follows:

You can grill more than twelve tamales at the same time.
By grilling your tamales you will have a crispy exterior which can appeal to many people.
Grilling tamales adds a lovely smoky flavor to the tamales.

The cons of cooking tamales using this method are as follows:

Your tamales will not be as moist as they should be.
You will need to wrap your tamales in tin foil to trap moisture.
You may find it hard to discern when your tamales are finished cooking.

How Do You Use A Barbecue To Cook Tamales?

You will need to start by preheating your grill at a medium heat. Take all the plastic wrapping off the tamales and make sure that the corn husks on and intact. Double wrap your tamales with tin foil and then put them on the grill.

You can put them in a pan before you close the lid and allow your tamales to cook for approximately ten minutes, Flip them at the ten-minute mark, and then allow them to cook for between fifteen and ten minutes until they are done.

You Could Try Frying Them

You can also try frying your tamales. This method will mean that your tamales will have a delicious crispy exterior that really adds to and enhances the flavors.

What Are The Pros And Cons Of This Method?

The pros of using this method of cooking tamales are as follows:

This method assures that your tamales will cook quickly and effectively with little effort.
Your tamales will have a delicious crispy exterior that is both unique and delicious.

The cons of using this method to cook tamales are as follows:

You can not cook your tamales from completely frozen and they will need to be at least slightly thawed for this method to work as it should.

How Do You Fry Tamales?

You will need to start by taking your tamales out of the freezer and then letting them thaw in the refrigerator. After that, you will need to heat up some oil in a deep fryer pan and then take the tamales out of their packaging.

Next, place your tamales in the frying basket and lower them into the oil. Allow them to fry for between two and three minutes and they turn a beautiful golden color.

Now all that is left is to take the tamales out of the fryer, allow them to cool, and then enjoy them while they are warm.

How Are Tamales Served?

Now that your tamales have been cooked, you might be wondering what the best way to serve them is. Below is a list of the best ways you can serve tamales to your guests or family:

You can serve your tamales with salsa or guacamole of your choice. There are many recipes out there that you can access and follow. So, take your pick.
You can smother the tamales with green chili sour cream sauce or just an enchilada sauce that you really love.
You can make a batch of seasoned rice or refried beans to act as a side dish to your tamales.
You can make a green side salad to act as a side dish to your tamales. This is a delicious, healthy, and refreshing option to go with tamales.

How Do You Keep Leftover Tamales?

So, everyone has eaten their fill of tamales and now you have a couple that you want to store for lunch later that week. What is the best way to store your leftover tamales?

Well, tamales taste just as good the next day so it is always worth keeping them for later. The best way to store them is to keep the corn husks on them and put them in a container that is placed in the fridge.

Using this method you can rest assured that your tamales will be good to eat for the next two to three days.

It is not recommended to freeze tamales that have already been thawed and cooked so make sure not to do that.

Frequently Asked Questions

In this section, we are going to answer some of your most frequently asked questions about cooking tamales from frozen. So without further ado, let us get started!

How Long Do You Boil Frozen Tamales?

If you want to boil tamales you will need to make sure that they stay in the water for between twenty and twenty-five minutes.

This method can be a bit tricky to get the hang of so make sure to find a good recipe out there to follow as we were not able to cover this specific method in our article.

Should Tamales Be Thawed Before Cooking?

You do not need to thaw them but it is recommended that when you cook your tamales they are at least partially thawed. It is entirely up to you what you do though.

Can You Cook Tamales In An Air Fryer?

Yes you can, all you need to do is lightly spritz the tamales with oil so that they do not fry out and put them in the air fryer for between twelve and twenty-two minutes. Make sure to follow a recipe for this method as it can be a bit tricky.

How To Easily Cook Frozen Tamales At Home

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Active Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Cooking frozen tamales is quick and easy. Just take your chosen number of tamales out of the freezer, place them in a steamer and steam them for half an hour. It's best to serve them hot because that's when they taste best.

Materials

Tamales
Water
Tongs

Tools

Steamer
Tongs
Cup of water
Aluminum foil

Instructions

Remove the tamales from the freezer: Take your chosen number of tamales out of the freezer. Remove any plastic bags you may have put them in.
Prepare the steamer: Add one and a half cups of water to the bottom of the steamer.
Place the tamales inside the steamer basket: Put the tamales inside the steamer. They should be upright, so use some aluminum foil in the center to keep the tamales standing up. Also, make sure that the tamales aren't touching the water.
Steam the frozen tamales: Put the lid on top of the steamer and then turn it on. Make sure that the water comes to a boil before you reduce the heat and allow the tamales to steam. They need to be steamed for a minimum time of 25 minutes, ideally 30 minutes.
Remove tamales from the steamer and serve: Once the tamales are soft, you can turn the steamer off and use the tongs to take the tamales out. They are ready to serve immediately, just remove the husk.

Author
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Jess Smith

Hi, my name is Jess Smith, and I love cooking in my spare time. Around three years ago, I decided to give up my day job as a teacher to pursue my passion for food. While I have enjoyed sharing tips and tricks on Social Media, I have decided to expand my horizons through this blog.

Through this blog I hope to help others learn the basics and more intricate details of cooking. I know from personal experience how frustrating it can be to cook a meal, only to realize you are missing one ingredient from your list. This is why I love to write articles chatting readers through some great substitutes that can be used in an emergency.

I hope you will find this blog useful, and that it will help you to develop your culinary skills, to help you cook up a storm!