Frelard's Recommended Cooking Instructions
Cooked: If you order tamales labeled as cooked, this means that they have already been steamed for you. Reheating is your best option for leftover cooked tamales. They can still be put in the fridge or freezer depending how long you want them to last.
Frozen: If you order tamales labeled as frozen, this means that the tamal has not been steamed in which the masa is still raw. Everything inside the tamal is cooked, however, so if you order uncooked, you need to steam them to cook the masa (corn flour). Often times, the uncooked tamales will be cold/frozen but if they are not, it means the tamales were made a couple hours before you got them.
Reheating and cooking our tamales is easy. You have several options depending on what you have available in your kitchen. Please note that the texture and flavor of the tamales will vary depending on which cooking and reheating method you use. Using a microwave to reheat a tamale increases the chances of making the tamale dough dry.
For best results and taste, we recommend a steamer which you can purchase with us for $39 if you order a dozen or more tamales. Regular price is $45.
Frozen: If you order tamales labeled as frozen, this means that the tamal has not been steamed in which the masa is still raw. Everything inside the tamal is cooked, however, so if you order uncooked, you need to steam them to cook the masa (corn flour). Often times, the uncooked tamales will be cold/frozen but if they are not, it means the tamales were made a couple hours before you got them.
Reheating and cooking our tamales is easy. You have several options depending on what you have available in your kitchen. Please note that the texture and flavor of the tamales will vary depending on which cooking and reheating method you use. Using a microwave to reheat a tamale increases the chances of making the tamale dough dry.
For best results and taste, we recommend a steamer which you can purchase with us for $39 if you order a dozen or more tamales. Regular price is $45.
Cooked tamales gain a stronger yellow corn husk color.
Queso Fundido Cooking Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 F
- Remove cover from the heart-shaped pan
- Once oven reaches 400 F, place Queso Fundido in middle rack and bake for 10 mins
- Once queso has baked for 10 minutes, switch oven to broil to 400 F degrees
- Once queso has baked for 10 minutes, switch oven to broil to 400 F degrees
- Broil for 2-3 minutes
- Turn off oven, take out pan (be careful, it’s hot!) and let it cool for a couple minutes before enjoying with your favorite chips or tortillas.
Tamale home kits
To prepare your home kits, follow the following instructions:
Assembly:
Steaming: follow cooking instructions below.
- Keep all ingredients refrigerated until ready to assemble. Do not keep ingredients for longer than 3-4 days as food will go bad.
- Once ready to assemble, pull out all ingredients and set them up on a prep area like a table or counter.
- Dunk the corn husks in a bowl with warm water for about 5 minutes until soft. Once soft, drain water and keep corn husks on prep area
- Pull out your masa and filling ingredients on your prep area
Assembly:
- Grab one corn husk and find the softer shiny side. Make sure to clean off any corn hairs off.
- Apply about 1/4 lb of masa onto the corn husk with your hands (make sure to wash your hands first). Spread it evenly throughout the corn husk leaving about an inch on all sides
- Spread about 1/4 lb of the filling onto the masa on the corn husk
- Now grab one end of the corn husk and fold it over to the middle by making sure the masa is getting detached from the corn husk. Repeat the same with the other side of the corn husk.
- Now you should have a closed masa bundle with just the ends left with an opening.
- Close up the corn husks from both sides and make sure the entire masa is now closed and covered
- Grab one corn husk and make thin strips. You will use this to tie the ends of the tamales.
- Tie each end of the tamal by making sure all filling and masa stays inside the corn husk.
- Here is a video showing similar instructions as above.
Steaming: follow cooking instructions below.
How to cook uncooked tamales
Option one: How to use a cooking steamer to cook tamales for the first time: (recommended for best results)
Option two: How to use a pressure cooker to cook tamales for the first time: (recommended by our wonderful customers)
- Set up your steamer by filling 1/2 with water
- Turn heat up to high and wait for water to start boiling
- Turn down heat to medium
- Next, arrange tamales around the steamer (they do not need to be thawed first - they can go from frozen into the steamer)
- If tamales are frozen or uncooked, steam for 45-60 minutes. No need to thaw. You can tell tamales are fully cooked when the corn husk has changed from white to off-yellow color and the corn flour is not mushy. Make sure that the water is not physically touching the tamales because if they do, this will make the masa mushy.
- Be aware that water in the steamer could run out. Check consistently while they are cooking and add water as needed.
Option two: How to use a pressure cooker to cook tamales for the first time: (recommended by our wonderful customers)
- We've been told by some customers that they have cooked our uncooked tamales in their pressure cookers. We've heard that they come out perfect like if they were steamed. We have never tried this ourselves but if you have a pressure cooker, you could give it a try. We've been told that 15 minutes will do. Remember to always follow your cooking equipment safety instructions.
How to store tamales
Can cooked tamales be stored?
Absolutely! Cooked tamales can be placed in the fridge for up to one week or freezer for a couple of months. The reheating process is the same as if they were uncooked especially if they are hard frozen. Just throw them in the steamer and they will have a great consistency again!
Can uncooked tamales be stored?
Also yes! Uncooked tamales can go in the freezer to last you for a couple of months without hurting the quality. Uncooked tamales in the fridge will go bad after 7 days so it's better to cook them or freeze them.
Absolutely! Cooked tamales can be placed in the fridge for up to one week or freezer for a couple of months. The reheating process is the same as if they were uncooked especially if they are hard frozen. Just throw them in the steamer and they will have a great consistency again!
Can uncooked tamales be stored?
Also yes! Uncooked tamales can go in the freezer to last you for a couple of months without hurting the quality. Uncooked tamales in the fridge will go bad after 7 days so it's better to cook them or freeze them.
How to reheat tamales
Option one: How to use a steamer to reheat tamales:
Option two: This is only for tamales that have been steamed. This option will leave the exterior of the tamales a little brown & crispy. This method is a common method used in Mexico especially in rural areas where families would light up a cooking fire and use a comal to lightly toast the tamales.
- Set up your steamer by filling 1/2 of steamer with water
- Turn heat up to high and let water boil
- Turn down heat to medium
- Next, arrange tamales around the steamer
- Steam for 20-30 minutes until soft
Option two: This is only for tamales that have been steamed. This option will leave the exterior of the tamales a little brown & crispy. This method is a common method used in Mexico especially in rural areas where families would light up a cooking fire and use a comal to lightly toast the tamales.
- Place a pan on a stove and set heat to medium
- Add a tablespoon of your favorite cooking oil
- Remove husk from tamales and place tamales on pan
- Flip tamales over every 1-2 minutes or until slightly brown
- When surface skin on tamales are brown, your tamales are ready.
Always follow safe cooking practices and instructions listed on your cookware and equipment.
