Craving authentic Mexican cuisine without spending hours in the kitchen? Get ready to discover the ultimate shortcut to mouthwatering tamales that will transport your taste buds straight to Mexico! Our foolproof Instant Pot method transforms frozen tamales into a steaming, flavor-packed meal in just 35 minutes, proving that delicious home cooking can be both easy and incredibly satisfying.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: Mexican
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 12 frozen tamales
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Remove frozen tamales from packaging and inspect for any freezer burn or damage.
- Pour 1 cup of water into the Instant Pot inner pot, ensuring it covers the bottom completely.
- Place the metal trivet or steamer basket inside the Instant Pot to elevate the tamales from direct water contact.
- Arrange frozen tamales vertically in a standing position on the trivet, ensuring they are not laying flat and have some space between them for even heating.
- Drizzle olive oil over the tamales to help prevent sticking and add a subtle flavor enhancement.
- Pour salsa evenly over the tamales, which will provide additional moisture and flavor during cooking.
- Secure the Instant Pot lid, ensuring the valve is set to "Sealing" position.
- Select "Manual" or "Pressure Cook" mode and set the timer for 25 minutes at high pressure.
- Once cooking cycle completes, allow a natural pressure release for 5-7 minutes.
- Carefully open the lid, using oven mitts to prevent steam burns.
- Check tamales' internal temperature with a food thermometer, ensuring it reaches at least 165°F (74°C).
- Remove tamales carefully with tongs and let rest for 2-3 minutes before serving.
- Optionally, garnish with additional fresh salsa, chopped cilantro, or sour cream before serving.
Tips
- Always use the trivet or steamer basket to prevent tamales from sitting directly in water, which can make them soggy.
- Arrange tamales vertically to ensure even heating and prevent them from sticking together.
- The olive oil drizzle is key to preventing sticking and adding a subtle flavor boost.
- Use a food thermometer to confirm the internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.
- Let tamales rest for a few minutes after cooking to allow the heat to distribute evenly.
- Experiment with different salsa varieties to customize the flavor profile.
- If your tamales are stuck together, gently separate them before cooking for best results.
- Don't skip the natural pressure release, as it helps complete the cooking process and keeps the tamales moist.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 420kcal
Carbohydrates: 54g
Protein: 14g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 20mg
