Tamales are a traditional Latin American dish made of masa (corn dough) that is filled with meats, cheeses, chiles, or other ingredients, wrapped in corn husks or banana leaves, and then steamed. After spending at least an hour gently steaming in a pot, tamales are fully cooked but often very hot. This leads many to wonder – do tamales need to rest after steaming before eating?
The short answer is yes, allowing tamales to rest after steaming is highly recommended. There are a few important reasons why giving tamales time to rest can improve their texture and flavor.
Why Do Tamales Need Resting Time After Steaming?
There are three key reasons why tamales benefit from resting after they have finished steaming:
1. Allows The Masa To Firm Up
The masa (corn dough) of a tamale steams from the inside out. Even once the tamale has cooked through, the masa is still quite moist and soft immediately after steaming.
Letting tamales rest afterwards allows the masa to continue to set and firm up. This prevents the tamales from falling apart or becoming mushy when you go to handle and eat them.
2. Lets Moisture Distribute Evenly
As tamales steam, moisture levels can vary throughout the masa and fillings. The outer edges tend to dry out faster while the interior masa remains quite moist.
Giving tamales time to rest enables the moisture to redistribute more evenly throughout. This results in a more uniform, less wet masa texture.
3. Allows Fillings To Settle
The fillings inside a tamale are typically quite wet from steaming as well. Meat or cheese fillings in particular can use some time to reabsorb some of that moisture.
A short resting period allows fillings to settle so you don’t end up with a gush of hot liquid when you take your first bite.
How Long Should You Let Tamales Rest?
So it’s clear that allowing tamales to rest after steaming has benefits, but exactly how long should you let them sit before eating? Here are some general guidelines:
Minimum of 15 Minutes
Giving tamales at least 15 minutes to rest is recommended as an absolute minimum. This short time will allow the masa to start setting up and prevent mushiness.
30 Minutes – 1 Hour Ideal
Letting tamales rest for 30 minutes up to 1 hour after steaming is ideal. This gives the masa time to firm up nicely and the moisture to stabilize. Tamales will be much easier to handle and eat after resting 1 hour.
Can Be Held For 2-3 Hours
Tamales can technically be held and kept resting for 2-3 hours after steaming before serving. The masa does continue to firm up over this time. Just keep them wrapped in a towel or corn husks to retain moisture.
After 2-3 hours, tamales may start to dry out. Reheating briefly may be required if resting for this long.
Overnight Resting
Some recipes call for letting tamales rest overnight after steaming. This extended time allows the masa to become very firm.
The benefit is tamales hold their shape well for transporting or freezing. The downside is the masa can become very dry and crumbly unless kept wrapped in moist towels.
Tips For Letting Tamales Rest
Here are some tips to follow for allowing your tamales to properly rest after steaming:
– Keep Them Wrapped
Leave tamales wrapped in their corn husks or banana leaf wrappers while resting. This retains moisture and prevents drying out.
– Set Them Somewhere Warm
Place rested tamales in a warm oven, microwave, or cooler to allow the masa to continue setting up.
– Stack Carefully
If stacking rested tamales, don’t overload piles to prevent crushing or denting the softened masa.
– Check Doneness Before Eating
Unwrap a tamale after resting to check if the masa has firmed up enough for eating. If still too soft, re-wrap and let rest for longer.
How To Tell When Tamales Are Ready To Eat
Checking your tamales after the resting period to determine if they are ready involves looking for a few key signs:
– Masa Should Be Firm
The masa dough should have firmed up and be cohesive enough that it doesn’t fall apart when unwrapped.
– Husks Can Be Removed Cleanly
Corn husks should peel away from the masa easily without sticking or tearing it.
– Filling Should Be Settled
Any fillings inside should not spill out or leave an excessive amount of liquid when unwrapped.
– Texture Should Be Uniform
Check that the tamale has an even, consistent texture throughout the masa and filling when cut into.
How Resting Affects Different Tamale Fillings
The various fillings used in tamales are also affected by post-steaming resting time. Here is how common choices respond:
Meats
| Filling | Result of Resting |
|---|---|
| Shredded Chicken | Absorbs moisture, firms up |
| Shredded Pork | Becomes more cohesive |
| Ground Beef | Holds shape better |
Meat fillings benefit from resting time to allow moisture absorption and stabilization.
Vegetables
| Filling | Result of Resting |
|---|---|
| Cheese | Firms up, melts evenly |
| Potatoes | Moisture distributes |
| Corn | Absorbs excess liquid |
Vegetable fillings also see improved moisture distribution and stability when allowed to rest.
Cheeses
| Filling | Result of Resting |
|---|---|
| Cheddar | Fully melts |
| Oaxaca | Firms up |
| Cotija | Slight melting |
Cheese fillings use the resting time to allow melted cheese to set and solidify for better texture.
Serving Rested Tamales
Once tamales have been checked and rested sufficiently, they are ready to be served and enjoyed! Here are some serving tips:
– Serve Warm
Tamales are best when served warm after resting. Reheat briefly in the microwave if needed.
– Add Toppings
Offer traditional tamale toppings like salsa, crema, cilantro, and onion for diners to customize.
– Unwrap With Care
Use a fork and knife to gently peel off husks before eating to prevent masa breakage.
– Transport In Cooler
Wrap tamales well and pack into a cooler to keep warm if transporting to serve somewhere else.
Storing Leftover Tamales
For any leftover tamales after your meal, proper storage is important:
– Allow To Cool Completely
Let any uneaten tamales come fully to room temperature before refrigerating.
– Refrigerate Within 2 Hours
Get any leftovers into the fridge within 2 hours of cooking for food safety.
– Freeze For Long Term
Wrapped, cooled tamales can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in fridge before reheating.
– Reheat Gently
Microwave or steam leftovers to warm back up, checking for doneness to prevent drying out.
Conclusion
Allowing tamales to rest for at least 15 minutes after steaming, and optimally for 1 hour, ensures the masa firms up properly and fillings stabilize for the best texture and flavor. Keeping tamales wrapped while resting prevents drying. Check for doneness before serving. With a short resting period, tamales will be perfectly masa-stable and delicious to enjoy!