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.
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.
Cooked tamales gain a stronger yellow corn husk color.
How to cook uncooked tamales
Option one: How to use a steamer to cook tamales: (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 and add water (below the steam basket)
- Turn heat up to high and wait for water to start boiling
- Turn down heat to medium (keep the water at boil)
- Next, arrange tamales around the steamer (they do not need to be thawed first - they can go from frozen into the steamer)
- 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. Internal temperature should get to 165 F. 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. Always keep the water below the steam basket as you do not want tamales to be cooking in water.
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 kitchen equipment.
