How to Store Tamales
Yes, tamales need to be refrigerated or frozen, they shouldn’t sit out for long. This guide covers how to store cooked and uncooked tamales in the fridge, plus the best way to freeze a big batch so nothing goes to waste.
Quick Answer: How Do You Store Tamales?
Cooked tamales keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 6 months. Uncooked tamales can be refrigerated for 2 to 3 days or frozen the same way. Always let them cool to room temperature before storing.
Whether you just finished a big batch or have a few tamales left over from a smaller one, storing them right is what keeps all that work from going to waste. Cooked and uncooked tamales don’t store quite the same way, and the fridge and freezer each have their own best practices too.
I’ll walk you through exactly how to store tamales at every stage, cooked, raw, in the fridge, or in the freezer, so you know your next batch will taste just as good reheated as it did fresh out of the steamer.
Storing Tamales Safely
Yes, tamales need to be refrigerated or frozen, they shouldn’t sit out for long, especially after a big tamalada (tamale-making party) when you’ve made way more than one meal’s worth. Below I’ll walk you through the best way to store tamales in every situation, cooked or uncooked, fridge or freezer.
For exact timeframes on how long they’ll last, I break that down in full in my How Long Do Tamales Last guide.
Storing Uncooked Tamales Overnight
Sometimes you’ve made the masa, prepped the fillings and corn husks, and wrapped the tamales, but don’t have time to steam them the same day. That’s completely fine, I do this myself, prep one day, steam the next.
Uncooked tamales can also be frozen if you need more time, more on that below.
How to Store Uncooked Tamales Overnight in The Fridge
Place the wrapped uncooked tamales standing up and angled either on a large baking sheet or standing up in a container. Don’t crowd or flatten them, or the masa and fillings can spill out.
Cover with a layer of plastic wrap or cling wrap. No plastic wrap on hand? Aluminum foil works too. You want them sealed, but not squeezed.
Place the container in the fridge overnight. The next day, they’re ready to go straight into the tamalera or steamer basket, or your Instant Pot if that’s your steaming method.
For banana leaf tamales, they can be stacked, just not too high or squeezed together, and covered the same way.
So how long are tamales good for in the fridge uncooked? Steam them within 2 to 3 days, don’t wait longer, or the masa can start to turn.
Uchepos or sweet corn tamales are the exception, prepare and steam those the same day since their thinner consistency doesn’t hold up to overnight storage.
Uncooked Tamales Safety Tip
Uncooked tamales with vegan fillings tend to last a bit longer than vegetarian ones with cheese, since dairy spoils faster than plant-based fillings. Meat-filled tamales need extra care, they carry a higher risk of bacteria that can cause both spoilage and foodborne illness.
How to Store Cooked Tamales in The Fridge
After steaming, any leftover tamales can be safely stored for later.
Cooked tamales shouldn’t sit out unrefrigerated for more than a couple of hours, especially ones filled with cheese or meat.
Let the tamales cool to room temperature before storing. Touch them to check, they should no longer be warm, and the corn husk will peel away more easily once cooled.
Once cooled, place them in an airtight container, wrap in aluminum foil, or use a large resealable bag, then refrigerate. Cooked tamales keep in the fridge for up to 5 days.
When you’re ready to eat them, you can reheat on a comal, in a frying pan with a little oil, in the air fryer, or with warm water in a tamalera or steamer. My how to reheat tamales guide covers all the methods in detail.
Storing Tamales in The Freezer
These freezer tips work for both uncooked and cooked tamales, and yes, you can freeze homemade tamales safely either way.
You’ll need one of the following: a large freezer bag, a freezer-safe container, or aluminum foil.
Some people spread the tamales on a baking sheet to harden in the freezer first, then transfer them to a bag or container. I think that’s an extra step you don’t need after everything else you’ve already done, so when I freeze tamales, I just pack and go.
Just like the fridge method, you want the tamales to be at room temperature before freezing.
Arrange as many as you can in the container or bag without squeezing them, especially uncooked ones. Leaving a little room between them also means they won’t freeze into one solid block, so you can pull out just a few at a time instead of thawing the whole batch. Squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing, that’s really all there is to how to freeze tamales properly.
If you’re using foil instead, wrap the tamales tightly in layers, with no exposed spots, to prevent freezer burn and keep the flavor intact.
I also like to tuck a paper towel or two into the bag or container. It helps absorb excess moisture and keeps the tamales from drying out, something my family has always done when freezing food, not just tamales.
Should You Leave The Corn Husks On The Tamales?
My mom, my sisters, and I always leave the corn husks on when storing cooked tamales, and I suggest you do the same. The husk acts as an insulator, keeping other fridge or freezer smells from seeping into the tamales, and it also helps them hold onto their moisture.
When frozen, you’ll notice ice crystals forming on the husks. That’s completely normal, it’s actually the husk doing its job, protecting the masa underneath.
Yes, you can freeze tamales in the husk, in fact I’d recommend it, since the husk protects the masa as I mentioned above.
Should You Freeze Tamales?
Tamales are always best warm, straight out of the steamer. But around the holidays, or for any special occasion, most of us end up making way more than we can eat in one sitting. Freezing them means nothing goes to waste, and that same masa aroma filling your kitchen isn’t just a once-a-year thing.
Pair a batch with a warm cup of ponche navideño during the Christmas season, and you’ve got a meal ready to go anytime, holidays or not.
How Long Can You Freeze Tamales?
Frozen tamales stay good for up to 6 months, though this varies a bit by filling. Vegan and vegetarian tamales hold up for the full 6 months, while meat-filled ones are best used within 1 to 2 months for food safety and quality.
Ready to cook a batch straight from frozen? My how to cook frozen tamales guide covers five different methods, no thawing required.
If you’ve got tamales getting close to that 6-month mark, don’t let them go to waste. Turn them into tamazole or crisp them up as tamales waffles, or top them with a fried egg for breakfast tamales, three easy ways to use up the last of a batch.
Tamales Recipes to Try
Check out our archives for these delicious tamales recipes to try.
- Birria Tamales
- Piña Colada Tamales
- Masa for Tamales No Lard Recipe
- Pibipollo, Vegan Tamales for Day of the Dead
- Jalapeño and Chihuahua Cheese Tamales
- How Long Does It Take to Cook Tamales on the Stove?
- Tamazole: Vegan Tamal in Pozole
- Tamales Waffles
Gracias
I’m so happy you stopped by. If you have any questions or want to let me know how you liked this guide, do leave a comment. Muchas gracias, I appreciate you!
Mexican Tamales Cookbook
Did you know I wrote a cookbook all about tamales? Go on and check it out. It’s loaded with tips, tricks, photos, and delicious vegan tamales and vegetarian tamales recipes.
Click here to preview it and buy it!
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Nancy Lopez is a Mexican-born published cookbook author and recipe developer with 20+ years of cooking experience. Raised in the U.S. and now living in North-Central Mexico, she creates authentic vegan and vegetarian Mexican recipes rooted in tradition and tested for real home kitchens. Read more…
