Published: · Modified: by Jenna Urben · This post may contain affiliate links
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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
Author: Jenna Urben
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!
5 from 6 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 14 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
Filling ideas: Savory tamales can be filled with shredded beef, fresh green chiles, shredded chicken, tender pork, seasoned black beans, or even seafood.
How to store cooked tamales: Place leftover tamales in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days. To freeze, place tamalesin a freezer safe container or bag and freeze for up to 6 months.
To reheat: Warm tamales in the oven, air fryer, or microwave until heated through.
Did you make this recipe?Please leave a star rating or review in the form below, then snap a picture and tag me @theurbenlife on Instagram!
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About Jenna Urben
Jenna Urben is the recipe developer, content creator, and storyteller behind The Urben Life. She has over 10 years experience adapting family favorite meals to fit allergy-friendly diets. Join Jenna as she shares delicious dairy-free recipes that are easy to follow with plenty of tips and alternatives.
Reader Interactions
Comments
Rosemary
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…..
Reply
Judy
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.Reply
Pamela Godbold
Quick release or natural?
Reply
Jenna | The Urben Life
Let the steam release naturally, for at least 10 minutes
Reply
Grace
Hi I was wondering how much of the mass dough I should put on each corn husk?
Reply
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.
Reply
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!
Reply
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)
Reply
maria Peterson
1= tamal
2+= tamalesCorrect, singular vs plural.
Reply
Carol
Can these be made low sodium?
Reply
Jenna | The Urben Life
Absolutely! Use filling and seasoning that fits your needs and preferences 🙂
Reply
Jules Shepard
Instant Pot Tamales? I guess I'll just have to give them a go - YUM!Reply
Jenna | The Urben Life
Yeah!!! Let me know what you think 🙂
Reply
Taylor
What's the best kind of tamal to buy? Tried looking for organic/nongmo if possoble..Reply
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
Reply
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!
Reply
Jenna | The Urben Life
Yay, I'm thrilled to hear that 🙂
Reply
Elena
Did you have to add water or anything like that to the pot?
Reply
Jenna | The Urben Life
Hi Elena, yes in step #3 place steamer rack in Instant Pot and add 1 cup water.
Reply
Amanda Martin
Oh I just love tamales! Never thought about using my instant pot - genius!
Reply
Jenna | The Urben Life
Thanks, Amanda! I hope you give it a try 🙂
Reply
Jen
I have always wanted to make tamales...feeling so inspired! The instant pot makes it so easy!Reply
Jenna | The Urben Life
LOVE THIS! Thanks for the comment 🙂
Reply
Brittany
Whaaaat? Never thought about making tamales in an instant pot! Can't wait to try.
Reply
Jenna | The Urben Life
Yayyy, let me know what you think!
Reply
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!
Reply
Jenna | The Urben Life
It's so much fun making them homemade from scratch 🙂
Reply
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.
Reply
Jenna | The Urben Life
I love that!!
Reply
Liz Chapman
We love love love tamales in our house! I can't wait to try out this recipe!Reply
Jenna | The Urben Life
Woohoo, I hope y'all love them 🙂
Reply
Lanell
We dont eat pork so this might be something we try...
Reply
Jenna | The Urben Life
Awesome! Yeah, fill them with whatever you want 🙂
Reply
Heather
I haven't had a tamale in so long. YUM! I need to try to make them one of these days.
Reply
Jenna | The Urben Life
Yay!! I hope you love em
Reply
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!Reply
Jenna | The Urben Life
That's it 🙂 Let me know what you think!!
Reply
Caitlin Golder
Looks so good! Think I need to try them out!!!!
Reply
Jenna | The Urben Life
I think so too 🙂
Reply
Raina
I still need to get an insta pot! Love this healthy alternative, thanks for sharing!
Reply
Jenna | The Urben Life
Yay, you're welcome 🙂
Reply
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!
Reply
Jenna | The Urben Life
Totally 🙂 I hope you do!
Reply
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!
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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
Reply
Leigh Suznovich
YUM, this is such an awesome way to make tamales!!
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Jenna | The Urben Life
So glad you think so too 🙂 Enjoy!
Reply
Michelle
This looks so good. Is it gluten free?
Reply
Jenna | The Urben Life
Thanks Michelle! Yes, it is 🙂
Reply
Nicole Hood
I need to get an Instant Pot! Love that you made these in 20min!
Reply
Jenna | The Urben Life
I love pressure cooking! I need to do it more often 🙂
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Shan Walker
I've never tried one but every time I see someone eating one - I want it. Thanks for this!
Reply
Jenna | The Urben Life
You're welcome! I hope you finally get to try one... or two 🙂
Reply
Becca Wilson
We really love tamales! I had no idea that you were capable of making them in the IP.
Reply
Jenna | The Urben Life
Totally, so much easier!
Reply
Rachel
Umm my husband would FREAK OUT for this meal! Totally pinning this to try this upcoming week!
Reply
Jenna | The Urben Life
WOO!!!! I hope y'all love them 🙂
Reply
Jordan | Read. Eat. Repeat.
I've never tried to make tamales before - this recipe seems pretty straight forward and tasty!
Reply
Jenna | The Urben Life
I hope you try it out 🙂 The IP is a total life saver
Reply
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