How to Cook Frozen Tamales (Fresh or Cooked Instructions)

Do you have frozen tamales in the freezer and aren’t sure how to cook them? This guide walks you through five different ways how to cook frozen tamales, no thawing required, whether they’re homemade ones you froze for later or a batch a friend or neighbor gifted you.

In my house we always make sure to freeze extra tamales, both uncooked and already-steamed, so we always have some tucked away for weeks or even months down the road.

My mom does the same and often sends my siblings home with extras just so nothing goes to waste after a big batch. Tamales take real work to make, so freezing what you don’t eat right away just makes sense.

Whichever method brought you here, I’ll show you exactly how to get those frozen tamales cooked through and back on your plate, moist and flavorful, just like they were the day they were made.

Why Mexican Families Freeze Extra Tamales

Making tamales has never been a small task. Between preparing the masa, cooking the filling, and wrapping each one by hand, most families only make tamales a few times a year, so when they do, they make a lot.

My mom makes like a hundred or more tamales just for Christmas! It’s common to end up with far more than can be eaten in one sitting, which is exactly why freezing the extras has become such a normal part of the process.

In my family, we always freeze a portion of whatever batch we make, some uncooked and ready to steam later, some already cooked and just needing to be reheated.

My mom does the same, and more than once she sent me home with a bag of her extras to freeze for myself. Tamales are a labor of love and should never be wasted, so let’s make sure you get yours cooked just right.

How to Cook Frozen Tamales

The good news is that you don’t need to defrost the tamales before cooking them! Let’s begin.

Tamalera Pot Frozen Tamales

In my opinion, the tamalera is best way to steam tamales -this is also the best option when you have a dozen or more tamales to steam. You don’t need to defrost them first and you can use the same method for uncooked frozen tamales or cooked frozen tamales. 

Step One: Pour in enough water to reach the indicated line in the tamalera pot.

Step Two: Place the steamer rack back in place, arrange the frozen tamales upright without overcrowding. If steaming banana leaf tamales you can stack them but don’t pack in too tight. 

Step Three: Place the lid on the pot then turn the heat to medium-high heat. Allow the water to come to a boil and when you see steam coming out turn stove to medium heat. 

Step Four: Steam uncooked frozen tamales for 60 minutes and cooked frozen tamales for 35-40 minutes.

Step Five: To check that the tamales are cooked through carefully use tongs to remove one from the pot. Let it sit for at least 5 minutes, then unwrap. If it peels away easily then they’re done, if not the masa dough will stick to the corn husk so steam another 20 minutes before checking again. 

Large Pot Frozen Tamales

If you don’t have a tamalera, a large pot is a reliable alternative. You’ll need a steamer basket or rack to cook the tamales. You can follow the same steps for both uncooked frozen tamales or cooked frozen tamales. The only difference is the cooking time. You can also cook smaller amounts than with a larger tamalera. 

Step One: Place your steamer basket or rack inside the pot. Pour in enough water until it reaches just the bottom of the basket.

Step Two: Arrange tamales upright without overcrowding, for banana leaf tamales you can stack them. 

Step Three: Cover the lid with aluminum foil and make a small hole in the center. Secure the lid on the pot. 

Step Four: Turn the heat to medium-high heat. Allow the water to come to a boil and when you see steam coming out turn stove to medium heat.

Step Five: For uncooked tamales steam for 60 minutes and for cooked tamales steam for 35-40 minutes before checking for doneness. 

Instant Pot Frozen Tamales

You can follow the same steps for both uncooked frozen tamales or cooked frozen tamales. The only difference is the cooking time. The benefit of this method is that you can cook from 1-4 frozen tamales. 

Step One: Pour in one cup of water into the pot and place a steam basket or trivet inside the pot. 

Step Two: Place tamales upright without overcrowding on top of the trivet, for banana leaf tamales you can stack them. 

Step Three: Secure the lid on the pot, move the valve to seal or sealing.

Step Four: For uncooked tamales set to manual Pressure Cook, High, and 35-40 minutes. For cooked tamales set the timer to 20-25 minutes.

Step Five: Let the programs finish and allow for a natural release before removing tamales. 

Microwave Frozen Tamales

When using the microwave it’s recommended that you use pre-cooked frozen tamales. The initial proper cooking process is necessary both for food safety, and to achieve the correct internal temperature of the tamales. 

Step One: Place cooked frozen tamales in a single layer on a microwave-safe plate.

Step Two: Place a damp paper towel over the tamales to help both defrost and prevent the tamales from drying out. (If you want you can also cover with microwave-safe plastic wrap to lock in more moisture.)

Step Three: Set to high and cook for 3-4 minutes before carefully flipping over the hot tamales and microwaving for another 3-4 minutes. You can add a few more drops of water to the paper towel if it feels dry. 

Step Four: If after this time you still have cold tamales then continue microwaving at intervals of 1-2 minutes until they are defrosted and heated through. Allow to rest for 2 minutes before eating to avoid burning yourself. 

Air Fryer Frozen Tamales

Just like the microwave method, when using the air fryer to cook frozen tamales you can only use pre-cooked tamales. The number of tamales you can cook at a time will depend on your air fryer size. Please note that this method may yield tamales that are a bit dryer than steaming. 

Step One: Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C).

Step Two: Arrange the frozen tamales in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overcrowding. (You can spray the basket with oil before arranging the tamales.) 

Step Three: Cook for 10 minutes before flipping them over – at this time you can unwrap the tamales for a crispier texture if desired. 

Step Four:  Air fry for another 5-10 minutes or until they are warmed through. 

How to Serve These Tamales

No matter which method you use for cooking your frozen tamales, you can serve them just the same as when you make fresh tamales all in one day.

Tamales go great with your favorite salsa or hot sauce, sour cream, and with rice or refried beans on the side.

Additionally warm drinks like atole, chocolate caliente, and champurrado make a perfect combination.

You can serve your cooked tamales as a quick dinner, for celebrations, holidays and special occasions. 

Want to turn your cooked tamales into something different? Try them in tamazole, a pozole with a tamal right in the bowl, or turned into tamales waffles for a fun weekend breakfast.

If your tamales aren’t frozen, just cold leftovers from the fridge, check out my full guide on how to reheat tamales instead, it covers a few extra methods like the comal.

For more ideas on what to pair with your tamales, browse my full tamales side dishes guide.

How to Store

If you have any leftover tamales, allow them to first come to room temperature, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. 

For food safety, do not refreeze tamales that have already been previously frozen.

Try These Tamales Recipes

• Tamales Rojos
• Tamales Verdes
• Bean and Cheese Tamales 
• Cheese and Jalapeño Tamales
• Pineapple Tamales
• Strawberry Tamales

Frozen Tamales FAQ

What if you don’t have enough tamales to fill the pot?

You can use extra corn husks or aluminum foil to fill in the empty space and keep them upright. Don’t lay them down because the fill could spill out.

Do you thaw frozen tamales before cooking?

Nope! You can cook frozen tamales or steam uncooked frozen tamales while they’re still frozen. 

What if too much steam is escaping from the pot?

You can cover the top of the pot with aluminum foil, make a small hole in the center, secure lid tightly, and steam per instructions.

Can I cook frozen tamales in the oven?

I don’t recommend it. Ovens use dry heat with no real moisture, so frozen tamales tend to come out dried out and tough instead of soft and fluffy. Steaming, whether in a tamalera, large pot, or Instant Pot, keeps the masa moist the way it’s meant to be, so I’d stick with one of those methods instead.

How do I know when frozen tamales are done cooking?

Carefully remove one tamale with tongs and let it rest for a few minutes before unwrapping. If the masa peels away from the husk cleanly, it’s done. If it sticks, rewrap it, return it to the pot, and cook for another 15 to 20 minutes before checking again.

What’s the difference between cooking uncooked and already-cooked frozen tamales?

Uncooked frozen tamales need longer since the masa has to cook through completely, not just warm up. Already-cooked frozen tamales just need to be heated back through, so they take noticeably less time across every method in this guide.

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