Can You Freeze Tamales? Easy Guide to Freeze Tamales

Name: Can You Freeze Tamales? Easy Guide to Freeze Tamales
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: Please check the end of the post for recipe ingredients.; If you don't find any, let me know in comments.

Ayub KhanandRehmat DietitianMarch 15, 2023Last Updated: April 12, 2023

4 minutes read

Table of Contents

In this article, you will know the answer to the query “Can You Freeze Tamales?“.

Tamales are delicious food. You can make them without meat, especially if you’re having a vegetarian dinner with your family and friends.

Tamales are a favorite around the world. Mexico, Colombia, and Guatemala are among the countries where they are eaten.

They often have tamales during the holidays. Christmas and the New Year are both traditional times for tamales to be served.

To make Tamales, you need cornflour, tomato sauce, green chilies, and stewed onions.

Shredded chicken or pork is mixed with these ingredients.

Corn husks are wrapped around them, then steamed over boiling water until they are completely cooked.

Do you think you can freeze Tamales? Yes, you can freeze tamales.

The flavor will not be the same as freshly made tamales, however.

When preparing your holiday meals, you might want to consider freezing them.

Preparing some in advance and freezing them for later use is an option.

Does Freezing Affect Tamales?

If you want to make a recipe to freeze, tamales would be a good option.

Fresh corn leaves that are young and tender, which aren’t commonly found in grocery stores, can be used.

Tamales prepared this way will have a unique flavor from those prepared at the market or supermarket.

Tamale flavors, tastes, and textures will not change if they are frozen.

When you thaw and reheat them, you will notice some changes.

Tamales change when heated. Make sure you follow the instructions carefully.

Tamales require considerable preparation time, which makes them very difficult for people with busy schedules.

Tamales should be double wrapped and placed in freezer-quality zip bags.

You must remember that you are preparing unbaked food for your meal when you freeze your tamales.

Due to this, you should use a container with a lid or cover them with plastic sheeting and secure them properly.

When you thaw the frozen tamales, make sure to label the package so you know if they are real Mexican tamales.

How to Freeze Tamales?

You can freeze tamales in their traditional wrapping.

It is necessary to wrap them in plastic first, then place them inside a heavy-duty freezer bag.

When wrapping them with plastic, be sure to remove as much air as possible before freezing.

You can also cook them first and freeze them afterward.

Before freezing, make sure they are cooled down.

After they are cooled down, place them into a heavy-duty freezer bag, sealed with a freezer-quality zip bag.

When you thaw the frozen tamales, make sure to label them so you can tell if they are genuine Mexican tamales.

You can keep them in the freezer for up to six months, which is good if you plan on hosting a big family gathering during the holidays.

How to Thaw and Reheat Frozen Tamales?

TaThawing tamales overnight in the refrigerator is recommended.

You can begin preparing them early before you leave for work the next day because this will take 8 to 10 hours.

Thawed tamales should be wrapped in a paper towel and microwaved for about 25 seconds or until warm.

Alternatively, you can thaw them overnight in the fridge and then cook them as you normally would, but the preparation preparations will take more time.

Steaming them for about ten minutes is another option.

Tamales can also be fried in a sauté pan with hot water or vegetable oil, then seasoned with salt and pepper.

Rather than thawing frozen tamales at room temperature, it’s best not to do so because it will ruin their texture and flavor.

Fresh corn leaves should be wrapped around frozen tamales before freezing them.

Those wrapped in plastic or wax paper won’t taste as good as those wrapped in cloth.

How to Tell if Tamales are Bad?

TaTamales make a great meal for your family and friends.

The best part is that they can be frozen and reheated whenever you like, which is why it’s one of the best homemade meals you can prepare at home.

To ensure your tamales last longer with the right amount of quality, you should periodically check their expiration dates if you have already stored some in your freezer.

In case Tamales have already passed their sell-by dates, you should know if they are bad or not, so you can dispose of them right away.

The presence of mold or discoloration on tamales indicates that they are already rotten.

Before eating tamales, you should always check the whole batch to detect any spoiled ones in case you missed one.

You may notice an unusual odor and taste in your tamales if molds are present.

It is possible that mold will appear as white or dark spots on the tamales, and they usually grow inside, so you may have to cut them open to check for mold inside.

Keep in mind that the quality of your tamales will depend on how well you stored them in the freezer.

Conclusion

As a result, tamales are a timeless treat that many people have enjoyed for centuries.

If you want to experience how good this traditional meal tastes in your own home, don’t forget to ask your friends and neighbors to share them with you.

Any leftovers should be frozen immediately so they will still be fresh and delicious when you are ready to eat them.

Wrap your tamales in fresh corn leaves before freezing them if you want them to taste just like they were fresh from the oven.

Whenever you are ready to serve your frozen tamales, thaw them overnight in the fridge, then heat or steam them until they are warm.