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 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.
Try these recipe next:
- Homemade Tomatillo Salsa
- Crispy Ground Beef Flautas
- Vegan Street Corn Dip
- Dairy Free Enchiladas
- Spicy Avocado Crema
- Dairy Free 5 Layer Dip
Instant Pot Tamales
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
SHOP THE POST
Pamela Godbold
Quick release or natural?
Jenna | The Urben Life
Let the steam release naturally, for at least 10 minutes
Grace
Hi I was wondering how much of the mass dough I should put on each corn husk?
Jenna | The Urben Life
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
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
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
1= tamal
2+= tamales
Correct, singular vs plural.
Carol
Can these be made low sodium?
Jenna | The Urben Life
Absolutely! Use filling and seasoning that fits your needs and preferences 🙂
Jules Shepard
Instant Pot Tamales? I guess I'll just have to give them a go - YUM!
Jenna | The Urben Life
Yeah!!! Let me know what you think 🙂
Taylor
What's the best kind of tamal to buy? Tried looking for organic/nongmo if possoble..
Jenna | The Urben Life
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
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
Yay, I'm thrilled to hear that 🙂
Elena
Did you have to add water or anything like that to the pot?
Jenna | The Urben Life
Hi Elena, yes in step #3 place steamer rack in Instant Pot and add 1 cup water.
Amanda Martin
Oh I just love tamales! Never thought about using my instant pot - genius!
Jenna | The Urben Life
Thanks, Amanda! I hope you give it a try 🙂
Jen
I have always wanted to make tamales...feeling so inspired! The instant pot makes it so easy!
Jenna | The Urben Life
LOVE THIS! Thanks for the comment 🙂
Brittany
Whaaaat? Never thought about making tamales in an instant pot! Can't wait to try.
Jenna | The Urben Life
Yayyy, let me know what you think!
Julie
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
It's so much fun making them homemade from scratch 🙂
valmg @ Mom Knows It All
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
I love that!!
Liz Chapman
We love love love tamales in our house! I can't wait to try out this recipe!
Jenna | The Urben Life
Woohoo, I hope y'all love them 🙂
Lanell
We dont eat pork so this might be something we try...
Jenna | The Urben Life
Awesome! Yeah, fill them with whatever you want 🙂
Heather
I haven't had a tamale in so long. YUM! I need to try to make them one of these days.
Jenna | The Urben Life
Yay!! I hope you love em
Marcie
I've never been too impressed with tamales, but I think I just haven't had GOOD ones before. This recipe looks awesome and I'm excited to try! Plus, any excuse to use my Instant Pot!
Jenna | The Urben Life
That's it 🙂 Let me know what you think!!
Caitlin Golder
Looks so good! Think I need to try them out!!!!
Jenna | The Urben Life
I think so too 🙂
Raina
I still need to get an insta pot! Love this healthy alternative, thanks for sharing!
Jenna | The Urben Life
Yay, you're welcome 🙂
Marysa
I absolutely love tamales, but I've never made them before. This sounds like a really easy way to make them in the instant pot. I'll have to give this a try sometime!
Jenna | The Urben Life
Totally 🙂 I hope you do!
Karla Cook
I keep hearing about the Instant Pot but it's not something I've used before. Sounds like it would be a very handy appliance to have. Your tamale recipe looks yummy!
Jenna | The Urben Life
I really like it 🙂 It took me awhile to get used to it, but it's great for fast weeknight meals
Leigh Suznovich
YUM, this is such an awesome way to make tamales!!
Jenna | The Urben Life
So glad you think so too 🙂 Enjoy!
Michelle
This looks so good. Is it gluten free?
Jenna | The Urben Life
Thanks Michelle! Yes, it is 🙂
Nicole Hood
I need to get an Instant Pot! Love that you made these in 20min!
Jenna | The Urben Life
I love pressure cooking! I need to do it more often 🙂
Shan Walker
I've never tried one but every time I see someone eating one - I want it. Thanks for this!
Jenna | The Urben Life
You're welcome! I hope you finally get to try one... or two 🙂
Becca Wilson
We really love tamales! I had no idea that you were capable of making them in the IP.
Jenna | The Urben Life
Totally, so much easier!
Rachel
Umm my husband would FREAK OUT for this meal! Totally pinning this to try this upcoming week!
Jenna | The Urben Life
WOO!!!! I hope y'all love them 🙂
Jordan | Read. Eat. Repeat.
I've never tried to make tamales before - this recipe seems pretty straight forward and tasty!
Jenna | The Urben Life
I hope you try it out 🙂 The IP is a total life saver