Making mexican food is a labor of love so we are sharing 25 of the Best Instant Pot Tamales Recipes!
Don’t be scared off by the idea of making homemade tamales in the instant pot. It’s easier than you think, and much faster than cooking on the stove in a large pot or in the slow cooker.
Pressure cooker tamales may not be the traditional way to make mexican tamales but it is definitely the easiest way. If you ask us, it’s also the BEST way!
You don’t have to wait for special occasions to make tamales! It’s an easy way to make a small batch for your family.
Tips for Making an Instant Pot Tamale recipe:
- When cooking with the instant pot you always want to be sure you are using enough water for the pot to come to pressure. Most often one cup of water or chicken broth is enough.
- Check the recipe card to know whether to use a quick release or natural release.
- If tamales sit in the bottom of the instant pot, they can become mushy. Using a steamer basket allow for easy removal of the tamales and to avoid getting mushy tamales.
- Most recipes call for the tamales to be cooked using high pressure.
Tips for Folding Tamales (with corn husks):
There is no one perfect way to fold tamales, but here are some tips for how we fold them:
- The first thing to do is lay out the husk with the pointy edge (narrow end) closest to you on a clean work surface.
- Spread a thin layer of masa dough in the 2/3 top of the corn husk
- Add a little bit of the filling over the center of the masa in the middle of the corn husk (A common mistake is to add too much filling to the center of the dough.)
- Fold the right side over toward the center, and then do the same with the left side (it should overlap the other side)
- Finally grab the bottom of the husk and fold up towards the wide end or top of the husks. Be careful and try not to squeeze it too hard so that neither the tamale dough or filling spill out the open end.
- That’s it! Your tamales are ready for stacking in the inner pot!
- To make the process even easier, form an assembly line to fill many quickly!
How do I reheat frozen tamales in the Instant Pot?
- Set a steamer basket in place. Add tamales to the steamer basket, standing them up on their ends if possible. Close lid and set vent to the sealed position. Use the Steam button to select a steam time of 5 minutes for thawed tamales, and 15 minutes for frozen tamales.
Okay, let’s get to cooking! Which one will be your favorite instant pot tamales recipe?
Instant Pot Pork Tamales – Isabel Eats
Instant Pot Tamales filled with tender pork in a red chile sauce. Ready in only half the time compared to the usual preparation on the stove!
View the Recipe
[Instant Pot] Tamale Party! – Fueled By Instant Pot
With Instant Pot, tamales are much easier to pull off because the cooking process is so much faster and totally hands-off.
View the Recipe
Instant Pot Tamales
These tasty Instant Pot tamales with a smoky, saucy, spicy pork filling turn out tender and soft every time for a crowd-pleasing feast.
View the Recipe
Pork & Green Chile Tamales – Instant Pot Recipes
Making classic Mexican tamales can be an all-day project. The Instant Pot cuts the timing in half—streamlining the process by cooking the meat quickly and in the same pot that steams the finished tamales.
View the Recipe
Instant Pot Pork Tamales
An authentic recipe gets a modern twist by using an Instant Pot to cook the pork filling and steam the tamales.
View the Recipe
Instant Pot Tamales (With Pork Filling)
Learn how to make delicious Instant Pot Tamales with a pork filling. This includes homemade masa from scratch. You can do this!
View the Recipe
Make This Food Truck Favorite in Your Instant Pot
This Pork Tamale recipe tastes AMAZING! Plus, steaming your tamales in the Instant Pot doesn’t heat up your house!
View the Recipe
Instant Pot Pork and Roasted Green Chile Tamales
Making classic tamales can be an all-day project and lots of dirty dishes, but with the magic of an Instant Pot, you can make a little over a dozen tamales whenever the craving hits — in under two hours from start to finish.
View the Recipe
Instant Pot Red Chili Pork Tamales
You have to try these delicious Instant Pot Red Chili Pork Tamales! They are mildly spicy, full of flavor, and ready in over half the time!
View the Recipe
Instant Pot Chicken Tamales
Instant Pot Chicken Tamales made from scratch and ready in no time. Stuffed with a savory and delicious filling and wrapped in corn husks. Served with salsa verde. Perfect for any special occasion.
View the Recipe
Instant Pot Tamales (With Chili Beef) – Maricruz Avalos Kitchen Blog
Instant Pot Tamales: How to make them from start to finish.
View the Recipe
Instant Pot Tamales
These Instant Pot tamales are filled with a tasty green chile chicken filling and can be made in half of the time compared to the stovetop.
View the Recipe
Instant Pot Tamale Recipe
Homemade instant pot tamales are spicy and full of flavor, and they have a great texture.
View the Recipe
Instant Pot Chicken Tamales: Step By Step for Beginners
Make these simple, homemade Instant Pot chicken tamales in six easy steps with the help of photos and a video!
View the Recipe
Instant Pot Tamales
Instant Pot Tamales: There’s Angus. Then there’s the Certified Angus Beef ® brand.
View the Recipe
Instant Pot Tamales
Instant Pot Tamales are a delicious Mexican dish for a great weeknight meal. The flavor of the spices and chicken is a crowd-pleaser.
View the Recipe
Pressure-Cooker Tamales Recipe
For traditionally steamed foods like tamales, the Instant Pot or pressure cooker really comes in handy. We absolutely love the way it produces perfectly tender, fluffy tamales in about 15 minutes.
View the Recipe
Easy Instant Pot Tamales (with video)
Instant Pot Tamales are a homemade tamale that is steamed in the Instant Pot. Pressure cooker tamales are so easy to make.
View the Recipe
Instant Pot Pork and Green Chile Tamales
Making classic Mexican tamales can be an all-day project, but using an Instant Pot cuts the time in half—streamlining the process by cooking the meat quickly and in the same pot that steams the finished tamales.
View the Recipe
Instant Pot Tamales
Instant Pot Tamales with Cheese and Chiles are a great way to cure a Tex-Mex craving. There’s no need for a giant steamer pan when you have an Instant Pot.
View the Recipe
Instant Pot Shredded Beef Tamales
Beef Tamales cooked in the Instant Pot in half the time. Along with masa made with bacon drippings and filled with a flavorful shredded beef.
View the Recipe
Instant Pot Frozen Tamales
Did you know you can use your Instant Pot to steam frozen tamales? Well you can! This is a quick and easy way to perfectly cook a frozen tamale for lunch or dinner!
View the Recipe
How to Make Instant Pot Tamales without Lard (30 Minute Recipe)
Fill your Instant Pot Tamales with tender pork, chicken, beef, or your favorite vegetarian protein. They cook in a fraction of the time!
View the Recipe
Instant Pot Easy Cuban Tamales with Pork | Lana Under Pressure
Matzo Balls to Maduros: Reinventing my Cuban and Jewish Family Recipes for the Instant Pot
View the Recipe
Instant Pot Tamales with Chorizo and Potatoes
Tamales stuffed with chorizo and potato, made faster thanks to an instant pot!
View the Recipe