Can You Freeze Tamales?

Can you freeze tamales? I am sure you are here because you want an authentic answer to this question. Read this blog post where I have not only answered this question but all other questions related to tamales.

Mexican cuisine has a long tradition of Tamales. These starchy, doughy, savory corn-based dishes are steamable in a banana leaf or corn husk. You can fill Tamales with meat, cheese, fruits, vegetables, or chilies.

Tamales are a special event. Tamales-making is a big part of Mexican culture. Tamales can be difficult to make, so it is worth making a few batches at home.

Can you freeze tamales to keep extra batches? Tamales can be frozen, and they will keep well in the freezer. Tamales can be kept fresh in the freezer for up to 3 months if they are properly packed and prepared. This will not affect their texture or flavor.

It will save you so much time if you know how to properly freeze tamales. This will allow you to make one batch and freeze it over several months.

We will show you how to freeze both cooked and uncooked Tamales, and the best thawing, reheating, and storage methods so that you always have delicious Tamales on hand.

Tamales are best frozen after they have been cooked.

This is a great meal that you can make ahead. Once you have prepared the tamales you can combine them in one pot. This will save you the effort of cooking the tamales raw once you take them out of the freezer.

You must pack the tamales properly after they are done cooking. The original corn husk wrap is not strong enough to withstand the extreme cold inside the freezer.

It is best to freeze cooked tamales. Uncooked fillings can change the flavor and texture of tamales when frozen. Therefore, freezing tamales after they are cooked saves more flavor, texture and quality.

How to Freeze Tamales

You would make a few extra batches of tamales before freezing. These tamales can be made exactly as you would if you were making them right away.

Freezing Cooked Tamales

After you have prepared the tamales, it is time to cut them into pieces.

This is how to freeze tamales for another day.

Allow to cool – Before freezing the tamales, you need to allow them to cool completely to room temp. Let the tamales cool on a rack for approximately an hour.

To ensure that they are completely cooled, check them often. You should not leave the tamales out too long, as they can spoil if left out for too long.

You can pack them – After the tamales are at room temperature, you can place them in their storage containers for freezing. The tamales can be placed in an airtight container. However, this limits the number of tamales that can be stored in a single container. Also, the containers take up a lot of freezer space.

You could also wrap each tamale in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. This will allow you to take out as many tamales you like, and not have to defrost them all.

Label – Seal the container well, regardless of whether it is a freezer bag or plastic freezer container. Label it with the contents and date of freezing. This will help you determine the best time to eat the tamales.

Freezing Uncooked Tamales

Masa, a soft dough used in making tamales is extremely perishable.

Uncooked tamales are best avoided as there is a greater chance that the masa or other ingredients might not be able to withstand the freezing process. They might lose their great texture and taste after freezing and thawing.

You can prepare the tamales ahead and freeze them in the freezer for later cooking.

This is how it works: Make the filling exactly as usual, then wrap the tamale in corn husk wrap, or leave the entire batch unwrapped and put in the freezer.

This is the best option, but it’s up to you. You can either wrap the filling in corn husk wrap or on its own, but you must place it in a freezer safe container.

The tamales could become damaged by frost and ice crystals if they are not stored in a freezer-safe container. They will also taste different when thawed.

Cooking Frozen Uncooked Tamales

There are two options when it comes to cooking frozen uncooked Tamales. The tamales can be left to thaw overnight in the refrigerator. After that, place them in the steamer and cook.

You can also place frozen tamales directly in the steamer to start cooking from frozen. You can steamer wrap tamales to make them from frozen.

If the filling was frozen separately, the dough and filling should be left in the fridge overnight. Then wrap them in corn husk wrap and steam the tamales.

You can steam the defrosted tamales for 25 minutes on medium heat. However, this will depend upon the size and amount of the tamales.

What is the maximum time that tamales can be frozen?

Tamales can be stored in the freezer up to six months if they are kept in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap and placed inside a freezer bag.

They will still be acceptable to eat, but the quality and flavor of the tamales will start to decrease and they won’t taste as good.

It is important to label the container with the date of freeze so that you can eat the tamales as soon as possible.

What Effect Does Different Fillings Have on Freezing?

Although most tamales can be frozen, it is important to pay attention to the contents of your tamales when freezing. Most fillings such as meat or shrimp freeze well and taste nearly the same when thawed.

For vegetable fillings, however, it is important that you note that frozen vegetables tend to become more watery and mushy once they have been thawed.

It is best to not overcook vegetable fillings before freezing. Even if the vegetable filling is not cooked, it can be thawed and then reheated to ensure it has the right texture. It shouldn’t become too soft or mushy.

Fillings made from dairy, such as cheese, can be difficult. It is possible for dairy to separate or become crumbly depending on its contents.

You should ensure that the cheese filling is well balanced to avoid it drying out or crumbling after freezing.

It is better to freeze tamales with cheese fillings for three months than to wait six months.

How to Reheat and Defrost Frozen Tamales

To thaw frozen Tamales, transfer the container from your freezer to the refrigerator. Allow the dish to thaw in the fridge for at least a few hours or overnight. There are many ways to heat tamales. To reheat the tamales, you can use a steamer for tamales. If you steam the tamales, leave the husks on them to ensure that the dough doesn’t stick to the steamer.

Thawed tamales can be reheated in the microwave. If you are reheating the dish in this manner, however, you will need to remove the husks. First, remove the husks. Next, place each tamale on a plate that is microwave-safe. Next, add a cup water to the same platter. This will ensure that the tamales stay soft while they heat up. Put in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.

It is also an excellent way to heat the tamales. Once again, take out the tamales’ husks and fry them in a skillet with a little oil for about 5-10 minutes. Keep turning the tamales until they are golden brown on all sides.

Finally, the oven can be used to bake the thawed Tamales. Place the tamales, with the husks removed, in a baking dish. Bake at 425°F for 30 minutes.

Can You Refreeze Tamales?

Refrigerating tamales is not recommended. The tamales will soften once they have thawed. The texture of the tamales will deteriorate if they are frozen again.

It will freeze fine but it will not thaw. The masa will dry out quickly and then fall apart. The tamales won’t taste as good as they should.

It’s a smart idea to make sure you have enough tamales in your freezer so that you don’t have leftovers.

Can you freeze tamales in foil?

Tamales can be frozen in foil. You can wrap the tamales in aluminum foil instead of wrapping them with plastic wrap. After wrapping the tamales with aluminum foil, place them in a large freezer bag. Seal it tight.

How do you Thaw Frozen Tamales?

It is better to let the tamales thaw in the refrigerator overnight if you don’t plan on reheating them from frozen. This is the best way to freeze the tamales. It also prevents them from being left at high temperatures that could lead to increased bacterial growth.

If you don’t have the time or desire to wait, you can keep the tamales in the refrigerator for a few hours to allow them to thaw enough to be heated up.

Do I need to Thaw Tamales before Freezing?

Tamales don’t need to be thawed before being reheated. However, it is a good idea to let them sit for about 30 minutes before heating them up on the stove, steamer or microwave.

Although you can steam tamales frozen from the freezer, it is best to give them at least half an hour to warm up before reheating.

Wrapping up

So, can you freeze tamales? Yes. It is safe to freeze tamales for later consumption. Most people make more tamales than they need to store in the freezer to be able to enjoy them again.

Tamales can take a lot of time. It is better to spend an hour making tamales one day and then freeze the rest.

You can save time by having some frozen meals in your freezer.