Instant Pot Tamales

Instant Pot Tamales are the easiest way to get a homemade tamale that is rather simple to make! Try these pressure cooker tamales today.

A pork tamales that are topped with a green chili sauce and a dollop of sour cream. An easy Instant Pot Mexican inspired dinner idea.

We used to be intimidated when it came to making tamales. While they are a bit of work you will find they are worth it.

Learn how to make pressure cooker tamales in no time. Use up some leftover pork or beef to speed up the process of making these easy tamales.

Why You Will Love This Tamales Recipe…

• Easy to make
• Can use pork, beef or chicken for filling, or go meatless
• Steam tamales in Instant Pot quickly
• No fuss recipe
• Wrapped in dried corn husks for a traditional flavor

• Dried Corn Husks – You can find these at the grocery store or buy them online to ship to home.
• Shredded Meat – we used Pork Carnitas meat but feel free to use any type of meat. Shredded chicken beef, etc.
• Butter
• Masa – Masa is a base to your tamales. You will form a thick dough that is the base of your tamales.
• Baking Powder
• Salt
• Water
• Green Chile Sauce – You are welcome to use a red sauce if you prefer.
• Cotija Cheese – Optional but it is a tasty topping for your tamales.
• Toppings – Salsa, sour cream, tomatoes, etc.

How to Make

Step 1: Soak your corn husks in water, for 30 minutes.

Step 2: Next, you will start by working on your masa mixture. You will want it to have a similar texture to play-doh, we share full instructions in the recipe card below.

Step 3: Drain water off the corn husks, and one at a time, do a thin layer of the masa on the husk. Fill with meat, then roll up using the corn husk to help fold over the masa.

Step 4: Pour water in the Instant Pot and place trivet in your pressure cooker. Place the tamales on the trivet.

Step 5: Place lid on the pressure cooker, and seal the lid. Pressure cook on high manual pressure for 18 minutes. Then allow 10 minutes of natural release.

Step 6: Push off the rest of the steam, open and serve up your tamales, with green or red sauce, and your usual toppings.

Storage and Reheating

Your tamales will store in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Make sure to store in an airtight container or bag.

For reheating, you will get a paper towel wet and ring out excess water. Wrap the paper towel around your corn husk tamale.

Place in the microwave and reheat them for 15-30 second increments. Then check and flip to ensure it is warmed through.

Repeat the reheating process until the leftover tamale is warmed.

What Do You Serve On Top Of Tamales

• Cotija Cheese
• Green chili sauce
• Enchilada sauce
• Sour cream
• Pico de Gallo
• Cilantro
• Tomatoes
• Guacamole
• Etc

You can honestly top your tamales however you would like. We tend to do just sauce, sour cream and cheese.

How Many Tamales Fit In Instant Pot

We were able to fit 10 in our 6-quart and 15 in our 8 quart instant pot. Now, depending on how big or small you make your tamales will affect how many fit in your inner pot.

You do not want to overstuff your inner pot as you want to allow the steam to evenly cook all your easy pork tamales.

Expert Tips

• Make sure to use butter and not margarine
• Spread the masa thinly on the corn husks. We did a few that had a bit too much and were overpowering on corn flavor.
• Make sure to soak the corn husks in water for 30 minutes. Then drain well.
• You can buy a masa spreader to help with even spreading on husks.

Practical notes

What meat to use for tamales?

When making tamales you can do a meatless tamale, add in shredded pork, beef, or even chicken. There is no wrong way to prepare your tamales.

What are tamales made of?

Tamales are made with a corn-based dough, tasty filling and topped with your usual toppings. A classic Mexican dish that has been around for years. u003cbru003eAs for the filling, this varies greatly. You will find some are meatless, others made with beef, pork or another type of protein.

What does a tamale taste like?

Tamales are a corn based flavor that is then filled with meat, in this cake shredded pork. Then the green chile sauce poured over adds a lot of flavor to the tamales.

What kind of sauce goes on tamales?

Tamales can be served plain or some call naked. Or drizzle on a cheese sauce, green chili sauce or even enchilada red sauce. u003cbru003eYou are welcome to use whatever sauce you want with this tamales instant pot recipe.

How long do tamales take to cook?

Not sure how long to steam tamales? Pressure cooking tamales it takes 18 minutes on high pressure with a natural release of 10 minutes. Also, remember it takes a bit for the pressure cooker to come to pressure.

Can we freeze tamales?

You can freeze these homemade tamales. allow the fresh tamales to cool down a bit. u003cbru003ePlace the corn husk covered tamales in an airtight container or freezer bag. Store up to three months in the microwave. u003cbru003eReheat in the microwave wrapped in a towel or even the oven!

Here are more Instant Pot Recipes

• Cheesy Instant Pot Enchilada Pasta
• 30 Freezer Meal Instant Pot Ideas
• Instant Pot Mexican Lasagna
• Dr. Pepper Pork Tacos
• Instant Pot Hawaiian Chicken

Ingredients

Makes 24 servings

• 24 corn husks, soaked in water for 30 minutes
• 2 cups shredded meat I used pork carnitas meat
• 3 sticks butter, melted
• 4 1/2 cups masa
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1.5 tablespoons salt
• 1/2 cup water, for instant pot
• 2-3 cups warm water, for masa mixture
• 1 cup green chili sauce, optional
• 1 cup Cotija cheese, optional
• Other toppings

Method

1. Start by soaking your corn husks in water for 30 minutes. You need your corn husks to soften up a bit.
2. While the corn husks are soaking you will work on your masa recipe.
3. Start by melting your butter and then pour in the baking powder and salt in your bowl. Give it a mix.
4. Now take your masa and slowly mix it in. Once you have the masa mixed in, slowly add in your water. You might not use all the water.
5. You want your masa mixture to be like play doh. If you reach that texture then stop adding water to your mixture.
6. Now take your corn husks and drain them from the water.
7. Using the slick side of the corn husk lay it down and then spoon on a thin layer of masa.
8. Take your cooked shredded meat, we used pork carnitas meat. Add around a teaspoon or two of meat. Then fold one side over, followed by the other side, and fold up one end to hold the tamale in place.
9. Pour the 1/2 cup water in the pot liner, and then place your trivet or silicone sling inside.
10. Lay your tamales with the folded side of corn husk down, and stack them up.
11. You might have to cook in batches depending on how big your Instant Pot is.
12. Place instant pot lid on, ensure the valve is sealed. Cook on high pressure for 18 minutes followed by 10 minutes natural release.
13. Once you release any leftover pressure serve and enjoy your Instant Pot tamales.
14. We topped our pork tamales with a green chili sauce, and cotija cheese.

Kitchen notes

Toppings:

Top with your favorite tamale toppings. We love using Cotija cheese or a Mexican crumbling cheese, Green chili sauce, cilantro, etc. Variation of Filling: You can do a meatless tamale if you want. Or use shredded chicken, beef, or pork like we did. Double Recipe: Make as many as you would like. If need batch cook your tamales.