Fill your Instant Pot Tamales with tender pork, chicken, beef, or your favorite vegetarian protein. Thanks to cooking in the pressure cooker, they’re done in a fraction of time. Yields about 1 dozen savory tamales!
Easy Lard-Free Tamales
If you’re wanting to make tamales at home but are short on time, this Instant Pot tamales recipe without lard is for you!
I grew up enjoying tamales around the holidays, especially on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve. It's a special tradition that I hope to carry on! Now that my husband and I are hosting holidays and celebrations in our home, I wanted to learn how to make tamales from scratch. They're fun to make and a family favorite. Plus you can't beat that savory fluffy bite.
Ingredient Notes
- Masa: Make masa from scratch using masa harina, water, and vegetable oil. No lard, no problem!
- Filling: Savory tamales can be filled with shredded beef, fresh green chiles, shredded chicken, tender pork, seasoned black beans, or even seafood.
How to Make Instant Pot Tamales
I have made these tamales on numerous occasions and feel confident in saying they're pretty fail-proof and forgiving.
Step 1: Cook your filling
Start by preparing your filling or multiple fillings. Tamales are commonly stuffed with pork, chicken, beef, beans, and cheese. Once your desired fillings are cooked, set aside.
Step 2: Make the masa
To make the masa dough, combine masa harina, water, and vegetable oil together in a small mixing bowl. Mix using your hands until a soft dough forms.
Step 3: Assemble the tamales
Next up, assembling! Prepare your workstation by laying out several dry corn husks along with the prepared filling and masa. To assemble each tamal, use your fingers or the back of a spoon to spread an even layer of masa in the middle of the corn husk.
Arrange a small amount of filling down the center of the masa, then carefully fold the corn husks closed. Do this by pressing the masa dough together, then rolling the corn husk, and folding the bottom.
Step 4: Prepare the pressure cooker
Finally, get ready to cook the tamales in the Instant Pot! Place steamer rack in the Instant Pot and add about 1 cup of water.
Step 5: Steam the tamales
Place assembled tamales in the Instant Pot standing up. To cook tamales, secure lid of the Instant Pot and set the valve to pressure cooking position. Set the timer to high pressure for 30 minutes, then allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes.
If the masa looks undercooked, add a splash more water to the Instant Pot, and cook for an additional 10 minutes on high pressure. Additionally, I like to let my cooked tamales sit for 10-15 minutes to continue to firm up. To serve, unroll tamales from the husk and enjoy!
Storage Tips
- Leftovers: Place leftover tamales in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- To freeze: Freeze tamales in a freezer safe container or bag and freeze for up to 6 months.
- How to reheat: Warm them in the oven, air fryer, or microwave until heated through.
Related recipes
Want more quick and easy recipes? Try these next:
- Air fryer ground beef flautas are loaded with your favorite filling and cook in 10 minutes.
- Baked beef chimichangas come together with juicy meat and creamy refried beans. They're quick and easy to make, flavorful, and freezer friendly!
- Classic dairy free enchiladas are simple, healthy, and sure to become a family favorite recipe in no time!
- This brisket taco recipe comes together with leftover smoked brisket, warm tortillas, and your favorite taco toppings.
- Crock-Pot barbacoa tacos are easy to make with fall apart tender shredded beef. The meat is cooked low and slow in a rich sauce full of chipotles, onion, garlic, and spices.
- These soft shell tacos come together with ground beef, homemade seasoning, and toppings of your choice. This recipe comes together in one pan, in under 30 minutes. Great for an easy weeknight dinner!
- Serve chips and dip on the side! Here are some of my favorites: Homemade guacamole, tomatillo salsa, spicy peach salsa, mango habanero salsa, and avocado lime crema.
Instant Pot Tamales without Lard
Equipment
Ingredients
- 14 corn husks approximately
For the masa
- 2 cups masa harina
- 1 ½ cups water
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
For the filling
- 1 pound pork, chicken, beef, beans, vegetables, etc.
Instructions
- Rinse the corn husks and place them in a large bowl. Fill with warm water to cover and set aside.
- To make the masa, combine 2 cups masa harina, 1 ½ cups water, and 1 tablespoon vegetable oil together in a small mixing bowl. Mix using your hands until a soft paste-like dough forms.
- Drain corn husks and carefully pat dry. Prepare your workstation by laying out several dry corn husks along with the prepared filling and masa. Place steamer rack in the Instant Pot and add about 1 cup of water.
- To assemble each tamal, use your fingers or the back of a spoon to spread an even layer of masa in the middle of the corn husk.
- Arrange a small amount of filling down the center of the masa, then carefully fold the corn husks closed. Do this by pressing the masa dough together, then rolling the corn husk, and folding the bottom.
- Place assembled tamales in the Instant Pot standing up. To cook tamales, secure lid of the Instant Pot and set the valve to pressure cooking position.
- Set the timer to high pressure for 30 minutes, then allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes.
- If the masa looks undercooked, add a splash more water to the Instant Pot, and cook for an additional 10 minutes on high pressure.
- Additionally, I like to let my cooked tamales sit for 10-15 minutes to continue to firm up.
- To serve, unroll tamales from the husk and enjoy!
Notes
Rosemary says
My masa was too dry so it didn’t spread well. Next time I’ll add a little more water or oil. Also my corn husks kept splitting. Did I not let them soak long enough? They are in the insta pot now so I’m excited to try them…..
Judy says
Do you use any seasonings, I didn’t see any listed in recipe. I need to get a steamer rack for my insta-pot so I can try this.
Pamela Godbold says
Quick release or natural?
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Let the steam release naturally, for at least 10 minutes
Grace says
Hi I was wondering how much of the mass dough I should put on each corn husk?
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Hi Grace 🙂 Great question! I'd say to use about 1/4 cup of dough, then use your fingers or back of a spoon to spread an even layer of the dough in the middle of the husk.
Laura says
Hi - by (the ingredient) tamal, do you mean masa? Isn't tamal the singular of tamales? I'm confused by what ingredients I need for this recipe!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Sorry for the confusion, Laura! Correct, you will need masa harina. The brand I use Maseca, has two bags and one of them says Tamal on it. I will make a note of it in the recipe.
Here's the exact product I have: https://amzn.to/2yWzRNU (affiliate link)
maria Peterson says
1= tamal
2+= tamales
Correct, singular vs plural.
Carol says
Can these be made low sodium?
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Absolutely! Use filling and seasoning that fits your needs and preferences 🙂
Jules Shepard says
Instant Pot Tamales? I guess I'll just have to give them a go - YUM!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Yeah!!! Let me know what you think 🙂
Taylor says
What's the best kind of tamal to buy? Tried looking for organic/nongmo if possoble..
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Hi Taylor, thanks for your comment! I have only used Maseca Tamal Instant Corn Masa Mix to make tamales.
Bob's Red Mill has an organic masa harina, that can be used to make tortillas and tamales. Here's a link to that, if you're interested in checking it out: https://amzn.to/2R36h0x
Jessica says
This looks so delicious yet simple to make! I've never tried making my own tamales at home, but you're definitely inspired me to give it a go!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Yay, I'm thrilled to hear that 🙂
Elena says
Did you have to add water or anything like that to the pot?
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Hi Elena, yes in step #3 place steamer rack in Instant Pot and add 1 cup water.
Amanda Martin says
Oh I just love tamales! Never thought about using my instant pot - genius!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Thanks, Amanda! I hope you give it a try 🙂
Jen says
I have always wanted to make tamales...feeling so inspired! The instant pot makes it so easy!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
LOVE THIS! Thanks for the comment 🙂
Brittany says
Whaaaat? Never thought about making tamales in an instant pot! Can't wait to try.
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Yayyy, let me know what you think!
Julie says
I've always wanted to make tamales, but I have never done it. Maybe I can try your recipe, my family loves this type of food. I've really got to get myself an instant pot, I keep hearing about them!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
It's so much fun making them homemade from scratch 🙂
valmg @ Mom Knows It All says
I haven't had tamales in ages. I love my electric pressure cookers, they have become my favorite appliance and I use one almost every night if I'm cooking.
Jenna | The Urben Life says
I love that!!