Tamales are a delightful and traditional Mexican dish enjoyed by many across the globe. These flavorful bundles of masa and filling, wrapped in corn husks, are typically steamed to perfection before serving. Steam tamales without steamer are essential in cooking as they ensure they are cooked thoroughly and retain their authentic taste and texture. But what if you don’t have a traditional steamer? In this article, we’ll explore how to steam tamales without a steamer, allowing you to indulge in this culinary delight without hassle.

Steaming Tamales: Basics and Benefits

Before we dive into the alternative steaming methods on how to steam tamales without a steamer, let’s understand the traditional steaming process. Steaming tamales involves placing them in a steamer over simmering water. This cooking method creates a gentle, moist heat that ensures the tamales cook evenly without becoming dry or overcooked.

Steaming preserves the flavors and textures of the tamales, keeping the masa soft and the fillings juicy. Additionally, it is a healthier cooking method compared to frying, as it doesn’t require any oil, making it a perfect choice for those looking for a nutritious meal.

Preparing Tamales for Steaming

To start the steaming process, you need to properly steam tamales without a steamer:

1. Soaking Corn Husks: Begin by soaking dried corn husks in warm water for about an hour until they become pliable and easy to work with.
2. Assembling the Tamale Filling: Choose your favorite tamale filling, whether it’s a delicious vegan birria or a flavorful meat option. Prepare the filling to your liking, ensuring it’s well-seasoned and ready to be wrapped.
3. Wrapping Tamales Securely: Take a soaked corn husk, spread a layer of masa on it, add the filling, and fold the husk to enclose the tamale. This process may require some practice, but the result is well worth it.

Steam Tamales Nutrition Chart

Serving Size: 1 tamale (4 oz / 113 g)

Other nutrients:

• Calcium: 66 mg (6%)
• Iron: 1 mg (6%)
• Potassium: 150 mg (4%)

This is just a sample nutrition chart, and the actual nutritional content of tamales will vary depending on the ingredients used. For example, tamales made with pork or beef will be higher in fat than tamales made with chicken or vegetables.

Steps to Steam Tamales Without a Steamer

With our easy-to-follow instructions, you’ll be enjoying perfectly steamed tamales in no time. Let’s get started to discover how to cook tamales without a steamer!

Gather Your Ingredients and Equipment

Here’s what you’ll need:

Ingredients:

• Corn husks
• Prepared tamale dough (masa)
• Your choice of filling (such as meats, cheese, or vegetables)
• Water

Equipment:

• Large pot with a tightly fitting lid
• Steaming rack or a heatproof plate

Preparing the Steam Tamales Without Steamer

1. Soak the Corn Husks: Begin by placing the corn husks in a large bowl and covering them with hot water. Let them soak for at least 30 minutes, or until they become pliable and easy to work with.
2. Prepare the Tamale Dough (Masa): While the corn husks are soaking, prepare your tamale dough (masa) according to your favorite recipe. Ensure it has the right consistency, neither too dry nor too wet, for easy spreading.
3. Assemble the Tamales: Once the corn husks are ready, take one and pat it dry with a clean towel. Lay the husk flat on a clean surface with the wider end at the bottom. Spoon a generous amount of masa onto the center of the husk and spread it evenly, leaving some space at the top and sides.
4. Add the Filling: Place a small amount of your chosen filling in the center of the masa. Be careful not to overfill, as it might lead to difficulty in sealing the tamales.
5. Roll and Seal: Carefully fold the sides of the corn husk towards the center, slightly overlapping. Fold the bottom end of the husk upwards to close the tamale. Secure it by tying a small strip of corn husk around the tamale, if necessary.
6. Repeat the Process: Continue the same process with the rest of the corn husks, masa, and filling until you have assembled all the tamales.

Steaming the Tamales

Now that your tamales are ready, it’s time to steam them to perfection. Follow these steps to steam tamales without steamer:

1. Prepare the Pot: Take a large pot with a tightly fitting lid and place a steaming rack or a heatproof plate at the bottom. Fill the pot with enough water to almost touch the rack or plate, ensuring the water level is below the tamales when they are placed inside.
2. Arrange the Tamales: Stand the tamales upright on the steaming rack or plate, keeping the open end of the husk facing up. Make sure they are tightly packed to prevent them from unfolding during steaming.
3. Cover and Steam: Put the lid on the pot and turn on the heat to medium-high. Allow the water to come to a boil, and then reduce the heat to medium-low. Let the tamales steam for about 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on the quantity and size of the tamales.
4. Check for Doneness: To check if the tamales are done, carefully open one and inspect the masa. It should be cooked thoroughly and have a spongy texture. If it’s still a bit wet or sticky, steam the tamales for a little longer.
5. Serve and Enjoy: Once the tamales are perfectly steamed, remove them from the pot and let them cool slightly. Unwrap the corn husks and serve your delicious homemade tamales with your favorite toppings and salsa. Enjoy the mouthwatering flavors!

Tips and Variations

• To add an extra layer of flavor, you can place a few soaked, dried corn husks on top of the tamales before covering the pot with the lid. This helps trap the steam and infuse the tamales with a subtle corn aroma.
• If you prefer a quicker steaming method, you can use an electric rice cooker. Place the tamales on the steaming tray, add some water to the cooker, and steam them for approximately 45 minutes to an hour.
• Experiment with different fillings to cater to your taste preferences. Traditional options include shredded chicken, pork, beef, or cheese, but feel free to get creative with vegetarian options like black beans, roasted veggies, or even sweet fillings like pineapple or chocolate.
• For added presentation, tie a colorful ribbon around the tamales once they are assembled and ready to steam. This makes them visually appealing and is a great touch if you’re serving them at a gathering or event.

Steaming Tamales in a Regular Pot

If you don’t have a steamer, don’t worry! You can use a regular stock pot or a large pot as an alternative steaming setup:

1. Create a Makeshift Steamer: Place a heatproof plate or a steaming rack at the bottom of the pot to keep the tamales elevated from the water.
2. Add Water: Pour enough water into the pot, but ensure it doesn’t touch the tamales when placed on the rack.
3. Steam the Tamales: Arrange the wrapped tamales on the steaming rack, cover the pot with a lid, and bring the water to a gentle simmer. Steam the tamales for about an hour or until they become firm and fully cooked.

Steaming Tamales Using Aluminum Foil

Another alternative method for steaming tamales is by using aluminum foil:

1. Create Foil Packets: Wrap each tamale tightly in aluminum foil, ensuring there are no openings for steam to escape.
2. Arrange in a Pot: Place the foil-wrapped tamales in a pot, stacking them carefully to avoid crushing.
3. Steam the Foil Packets: Add water to the pot, enough to create steam. Cover the pot with a lid and let the tamales steam for about 45 minutes to an hour.

Steaming Tamales in a Rice Cooker

A rice cooker can be a surprisingly effective steaming tool for tamales:

1. Add Water: Pour water into the rice cooker’s basin.
2. Arrange the Tamales: Place the tamales on a heatproof plate or a steaming basket inside the rice cooker.
3. Steam the Tamales: Turn on the rice cooker and allow the tamales to steam for approximately an hour or until fully cooked.

Steaming Tamales in a Pressure Cooker

Using a pressure cooker, such as an Instant Pot, can speed up the steaming process:

1. Add Water: Pour water into the pressure cooker according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Use the Steaming Rack: Place the tamales on a steaming rack inside the pressure cooker.
3. Pressure Cook the Tamales: Set the pressure cooker to the appropriate setting and steam the tamales for a shorter time compared to other methods, usually around 20-30 minutes.

Steaming Tamales Using a Homemade Tamale Steamer

If you’re feeling creative, you can build your own tamale steamer using household items:

1. Create a Steaming Setup: Take a large pot, add water, and place a heatproof plate or a steaming basket at the bottom.
2. Customize for Tamales: Arrange the tamales on the steaming basket and cover the pot with a lid.
3. Adjust the Heat: Steam the tamales over medium heat for approximately an hour, checking occasionally to ensure there’s enough water.

Pan Frying Tamales: An Alternative Approach

If you prefer a crispy texture for your tamales, pan-frying is a great option:

1. Heat a Skillet: Add a small amount of oil or butter to a skillet and heat it over medium heat.
2. Pan Fry the Tamales: Place the tamales in the skillet and cook them until they become golden brown on all sides.
3. Serve Immediately: Enjoy the pan-fried tamales while they’re still hot and crispy.

Deep Frying Tamales: A Decadent Twist

For a truly indulgent treat, try deep-frying your tamales:

1. Heat Oil: In a deep fryer or a large pot, heat vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C).
2. Fry the Tamales: Carefully lower the tamales into the hot oil and fry them until they are crispy and golden brown.
3. Drain and Serve: Remove the tamales from the oil and place them on paper towels to drain any excess oil before serving.

Reheating Tamales in the Microwave

If you have leftover tamales, you can easily reheat them in the microwave:

1. Wrap Tamales in Damp Paper Towels: To prevent the tamales from drying out, wrap them in damp paper towels.
2. Microwave on High: Place the wrapped tamales on a microwave-safe plate and heat them on high for about 2-3 minutes per tamale.
3. Enjoy Warm Tamales: Once they are heated through, your tamales are ready to be enjoyed once again.

Steaming Tamales in a Crockpot (Slow Cooker)

For a hands-off approach, try using a crockpot for steaming tamales:

1. Add Water: Pour water into the crockpot until it’s about half full.
2. Place Tamales in the Crockpot: Arrange the tamales in the crockpot, making sure they are not fully submerged in water.
3. Slow Cook the Tamales: Set the crockpot on low heat and let the tamales steam for 2-3 hours.

Summary

You don’t need a traditional steamer to enjoy how to cook tamales without a steamer. Whether you use a regular pot, aluminum foil, rice cooker, or pressure cooker, or get creative with a DIY setup, there are plenty of alternative methods to choose from. Embrace the versatility and creativity in tamale preparation, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different techniques to find the one that suits your taste best. Steaming tamales without a steamer is an accessible and enjoyable way to celebrate the richness of Mexican culinary traditions right in your kitchen.

Conclusion

Making tamales is an art that brings joy to both the cook and the diners. Steaming these delightful delicacies without a steamer is possible and offers you a chance to explore different cooking methods. Whether you choose the traditional stovetop pot, aluminum foil, rice cooker, or even pan-frying and deep-frying, each method brings its unique charm. So, get creative, experiment with the techniques, and enjoy making and steaming tamales in your special way.

Remember, the heart of tamale-making lies in the love and passion you infuse into each step. Happy steam tamales without steamer and bon appétit!

FAQs

• Can I steam frozen tamales without a steamer?
  • Yes, you can. Simply follow the same steaming methods mentioned earlier, but allow for extra steaming time to ensure they are heated thoroughly.
• How do I prevent tamales from sticking to foil or other surfaces?
  • To prevent sticking, lightly grease the foil or the surface you’re using for steaming before placing the tamales.
• Is it safe to steam tamales in alternative cooking vessels?
  • Yes, as long as you follow proper food safety guidelines and ensure the tamales are fully cooked before serving.
• Can I steam tamales without any equipment at all?
  • Yes, you can use a microwave or a stovetop pot with a lid to steam tamales without any specialized equipment.
• How to avoid overcooking or undercooking tamales?
  • It’s essential to keep an eye on the cooking time and occasionally check the tamales’ texture to achieve perfect doneness.