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What can I use if I don't have a tamale steamer?
Steaming tamales without a steamer basket requires a setup that lifts the tamales above boiling water and also allows steam to penetrate them. You can use a metal colander or an overturned bowl in a pot of boiling water with chopsticks balanced on top. You can also grill or pan fry tamales.
Can you cook soup in a tamale steamer?
ARC tamales steamer are not only suitable for steaming foods such as tamales and crawfish, it can also be a soup pot or fried pot for chicken frying and fish frying.
How much does a tamale steamer cost?
$25 to $65Tamale steamers can cost anywhere from $25 to $65, depending on the size you're looking for and where you're shopping.
How do you make a steamer for tamales?
Pour water into a pot with a tight-fitting lid, then devise a way to prop a metal strainer or colander above the water and close the pot so that the steam doesn't escape. Wrap each tamale individually in aluminum foil. Get the water boiling, place the wrapped tamales in the strainer, and put on the lid.
How long does it take to steam tamales?
Steam the tamales for 35 minutes. Bring the water to a light boil. Place the tamales vertically, open-side up in the steamer, but don't pack them too tightly or they won't have room to expand. Cover with some extra corn husks. Cover and steam until the corn husk easily pulls away from the tamal, about 35 minutes.
How many tamales can you steam at once?
Don't steam more than 2 layers of tamales at a time as this makes it difficult for the steam to reach the middle layers.
What are tamale pots made of?
Different materials conduct heat in different ways. The most common materials for tamale steamers are aluminum and stainless steel.
How many tamales fit in a 16 quart steamer?
Aluminum Tamale Steamer- Stockpot 16 qt - Vaporera de Aluminio para Tamales. This tamale steamer holds about 4 dozen tamales.
Can you steam tamales in a bamboo steamer?
Tamales should be steamed – standing up on their closed ends. A neat trick is to place a traditional Chinese bamboo steamer in a wide pan containing 1 inch water, and place a small bowl upturned in the centre. Rest the tamales around the bowl standing on their closed ends, leaning into the middle.
Can you bake tamales instead of steaming them?
Putting tamales in the oven is an excellent alternative to steaming and reheating them. If you're baking tamale, put them in the oven to 425F and wrap them tightly in aluminum foil to keep them from becoming airborne. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees for 20 minutes, turning the cookies halfway through.
Do you have to steam tamales?
Steaming tamales, as opposed to baking them, keeps the dough soft and tender. You can steam tamales in a regular pot with modifications if you don't have a vegetable steamer.
Can you steam tamales wrapped in foil?
Use a piece of Reynolds Wrap® Aluminum Foil to completely wrap each tamale. PLACE a steamer basket in a large, wide, pot (or use a steamer insert in a pot). Add as much water as possible without coming above the level of the steamer. Layer the tamales into the pot, cover, and steam for 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Can you steam tamales lying down?
If they can't stand vertically, you can lay them flat on the plate. Cover the pot with the lid and bring the water to a boil before reducing the heat to medium. Similar to using a steamer basket, it will take 60–90 minutes for the tamales to cook. Check the pot often to ensure there's enough water.
How long does it take to steam a frozen tamale?
25-30 minutesStand tamales upright when steaming several at a time.. For 1-4 frozen tamales cover and steam for 25-30 minutes. For 5 or more tamales cover and steam for 35-40 minutes. For thawed tamales (any amount) cover and steam for 20 minutes.
Why are my tamales mushy?
If you steam too much, the tamales will become soggy and soft, and they will fall apart as soon as you try to slice them. It is widely accepted that steaming is the most effective method of preparing tamale, despite the fact that there are several other options. Steam for 35-40 minutes if you make 5 or more tamales.
Can you steam tamales in a rice cooker?
If you're in a pinch and don't have a steamer, you can steam tamales in a rice cooker. Just add a cup or two of water to the rice cooker, place the tamales on the steamer basket or rack, and turn on the cooker. The tamales will be done in about 30 minutes.
Key considerations
The capacity of a tamale steamer could be a few quarts or as many as 80 quarts. The larger the steamer, the more tamales you can cook at once. Because tamales can take up to an hour to cook, a larger size is best if you’re cooking for a crowd. Notably, a large tamale steamer will be more cumbersome to use, clean, and store than a smaller one.
Features
The majority of tamale steamers are made of aluminum or stainless steel.
Accessories
Tamale wrappers: Powernutri Corn Husks for Tamales While you could strip corn cobs of their husks to create your tamales, a simpler method is to buy husks specifically for making tamales, such as these husks from Powernutri.
Tamale steamer prices
Inexpensive: Tamale steamers under $30 tend to have the lowest capacities, usually 12 quarts or less. They tend to be less durable and are often made of aluminum.
Tips
If you’d like a larger tamale steamer but have limited counter space, seek a taller option. With a tall steamer, you can vertically stack the tamales, allowing you to cook more at once.
What is a Tamale Steamer?
Tamales are a traditional Mexican dish. It was a type of food that was inherited by the ancient Indians of Mesoamerica. To cook or steam tamales you need a special type of pot, called Tamale Steamers or Tamale Cookers.
Buy the Best Tamale Steamers of 2021
Finding the best tamale steamer for your money isn’t always easy. Luckily our team has done all the research for you. Here”s an overview of the top 10 tamale steamers that will give you the best quality for making delicious Mexican tamales.
Frequently Asked Questions about Tamale Steamers
A lot of tamales can fit in a steamer. A tamale steamers can probably hold between 40 and 50 tamales. We wouldn’t recommend it however. It’s advisable not to steam more than 2 layers of tamales at the same time. This will make it difficult for the steam to reach the middle layers.
Final Thoughts
We hope this article about the best tamale steamers will help you with making the right choice. Of course, people have different preferences but we are sure you’ll find one that you love in this extensive article.
1. The Overall Best Tamale Steamer
For steaming tamales and more, consider this 12-quart stockpot and steamer set with two steaming inserts. The stainless steel pot has an aluminum inner core for even heating, on top of all the advantages you get with cooking with stainless steel.
2. The Best On A Budget
With over 10,000 reviews on Amazon, this is the best tamale steamer for steaming up to a dozen tamales at a time. This 3-quart pot is made of stainless steel and is dishwasher safe, though the manufacturer recommends washing it by hand.
3. The Best For Large Batches
For some, tamales are party food, and to serve a hungry crowd you’ll need a huge steamer. This 32-quart aluminum pot comes with a matching steam rack and lid that hold up to 120 tamales. It’s an affordable pot for its size and essential for dozens of holiday tamales. Plus, the pot’s riveted handles conveniently stay cool while cooking.
4. The Most Stylish Tamale Steamer
Here’s a pot with a steamer insert that has a little more flair than other options. This 3-quart aluminum pot has an enamel exterior in light blue with matching stay-cool, soft-grip material covering the handles on the lid, insert, and pot.
Nice To Have: High-Quality Masa Harina
Bob’s Red Mill is known for its high-quality whole grains and flours, and their masa harina comes in this conveniently resealable 22-ounce bag. Made from nixtamalized corn (corn soaked in limewater), this is an essential tamale ingredient that can also be used to make tortillas, pupusas, and more.
Also Great: A Pound Of Corn Husks
Corn husks are another essential tamale ingredient, and with this 1-pound bag of corn husks you’ll be set to wrap about 4 dozen tamales. They’re wide, so wrapping the husks around the masa filling is easy.
Did you make this recipe?
Line the steamer with a single layer of banana leaves. Place the banana leaves into the steamer to provide a barrier between the boiling water and the tamales. Make sure that the entire base of the steamer is covered with the leaves.
About This Article
This article was co-authored by Vanna Tran, a trusted member of wikiHow's volunteer community. Vanna Tran is a home cook who started cooking with her mother at a very young age. She has catered events and hosted pop-up dinners in the San Francisco Bay Area for over 5 years. This article has been viewed 672,899 times.
All About Tamales
Whilst they are considered to be a traditional Mexican dish, tamales actually have multiple traditional original recipes from a variety of countries.
How to Steam Tamales
How to cook tamales? The most common way of steaming tamales is by using a steamer with multiple compartments. A pressure cooker or slow cooker can do in a pinch. Homemade tamales are amazing, especially pork tamales.
I want to reheat or steam frozen tamales..
If you have not made the tamales fresh from scratch, or perhaps have frozen a batch, you can definitely still steam frozen tamales.
So, can I bake tamales in the oven instead of in a steamer?
Absolutely! There are countless ways to steam your tamales, as long as they are encased in the vital corn husk or banana leaf coverings.
My tamales are mushy or have stuck to the husk..
This is a sign that they have not been left in the steamer, pot, or oven long enough to cook properly.
Where did I go wrong with my tamales?
Making tamales as a beginner isn’t always the easiest thing to do. There is skill and a whole lot of luck involved to make every batch perfect every time.
What about the husks?
Corn husks or banana leaves are used to encase the tamale and keep them in their structure. Husks can often be quite stiff, so it is recommended to wash them thoroughly and peel them apart in cold water to loosen them up.
