Need help to reheat tamales quickly? Tamales are a delicious and nutritious option to fulfill your hunger, however they can be quite labor intensive to make from scratch all the time and storing in a fridge or freezer is quite common.
As a result, microwaving tamales is a quick and easy to revive that fresh made taste for a tasty and delicious meal prep. The trick is microwaving tamales without drying out and keeping the original flavors.
How do you reheat tamales in the microwave? Moisten the husks with cold water or wrap each tamale in a damp paper towel and then plastic wrap. Place the prepared tamales on a microwave-safe plate and even space them apart.
Microwave on reheat setting or 70% power for 1 minute, then flip over on the other side and continue for another minute or until the internal temperature reaches 74 degrees Celsius or 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
If necessary, repeat with 30 second bursts until the desired temperature.
Tamales can be quickly served on a big family occasion. The corn husks wrappings can be used in place of plates and disposed of quickly.
With the abundant number of leftovers, it is essential to learn how to reheat tamales in the microwave for the best results and to ensure they do not dry or crumble.
Think about it this way, is it safe to reheat tamales in the microwave? How long does it take to reheat them in a microwave?
This article provides details about how to reheat tamales in a microwave. Answered below are frequently asked questions including the best way of reheating tamales in the microwave.
Can you reheat tamales in the microwave?
Yes, you can reheat the tamales in the microwave. As long as the internal temperature reaches 74℃ or 165℉, the reheated tamale is safe to eat.
Microwave appliances are not able to evenly distribute heat, thus making it unreliable for an item that is densely packed and covered with a wrapper, such as a tamale.
The microwave is the best option when in a hurry preparing a delicious and healthy meal. When using a microwave, the results might not be perfect, but the taste will still be delicious.
Do you microwave tamales in the corn husk?
Yes, it is recommended to microwave tamales in the corn husks to retain their shape and moisture content. The corn husks serve to envelop the masa and fillings to help the tamales fully cook on the inside.
Some of the things to do for the best results is ensuring that the husks moisten with cold water or taking the damp paper towel and wrapping it around the tamales. In addition to the damp paper towel, a sheet of plastic wrap can further lock in the moisture to make reheating a breeze.
The corn husk also remain intact when defrosting tamales in the microwave. This will prevent from losing its shape, drying out and also keeping the flavor inside while thawing before reheating.
How long does it take to warm up tamales in the microwave?
On average, it takes between 1 to 2 minutes to reheat tamales in the microwave. Time is based upon the number of tamales, size of each portion, and microwave wattage.
However, it is essential to closely monitor while microwaving to ensure it does not overcook and dry up.
Reheating tamales in the microwave is a faster, simple, and more convenient and any other method. Note that if the tamales are frozen, it is vital to defrostbefore reheating in the microwave.
Tips for reheating tamales in the microwave
To reheat tamales does not require a steamer and stovetop cooking, instead a microwave can do the job quickly. Without the proper method, tamales can end up crumbly, dry and lose their flavor.
Here are some helpful microwave tips to reheat tamales quickly:
- If the tamales are frozen, it is vital to defrost before reheating. Microwave on 30% or low power for 3 minutes to defrost prior to reheating.
- Once the tamale has been defrosted, the tamale must be flipped over to continue with the heating process for approximately 2 more minutes. A thawed tamale takes fewer minutes, about one minute on each side should be sufficient.
- After heating the tamale in the microwave for two minutes, remove the paper towel and plastic wrap and ensure the inside filling is fully reheated.
- The secret behind having the perfect microwaved tamale is making sure that it is wrapped in a damp paper towel and plastic wrap to keep the corn husk in place before microwaving.
- If the tamales has pork, beef, or chicken inside, check the internal temperature reaches 74 degrees Celsius or 165 degrees Fahrenheit so it is safe to consume.
Best ways to reheat tamales in the microwave
The best way to microwave tamales is to allow them to cook for approximately 2 minutes and making sure they are flipped at the halfway point to reheat evenly.
For individuals with limited time or preoccupied with different duties, using a microwave to reheat tamales is the best option. The time should be adjusted upwards depending on the number of tamales being microwaved.
Reheating tamales in the microwave is very quick and easy, but ensure that the tamales are monitored every minute so they do not dry up during the process.
To heat up, most common method is steaming tamales. It does take quite longer time compared to microwave, but they stay moist and prevent from drying.
To avoid from drying out, simply sprinkle water around the husk and wrap with a damp paper towel and a piece of microwave safe plastic wrap.
However, tamales can also be reheated in a microwave steamer as well. This maximizes the best of both worlds using steam to heat tamales near perfection in just a couple minutes.
Whether you are reheating more than one tamale, place them on a microwave-safe plate and space them evenly as to not overcrowd.
Adjust the power to 50% and microwave for a minute. This will help to heat up tamales slowly without burning or altering its texture and flavor.
Turn the tamales to the other side and continue microwaving for 60 seconds. Before serving, verify that the internal temperature is above 74 degrees Celsius or 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Afterwards, remove the plastic wrap, paper towel and peel off the husk, then serve and enjoy.
Reheating Tamales in Microwave: Conclusion
Using a microwave to reheat tamales is the easiest and fastest way. When done properly, it also doesn’t interfere with the texture or taste of the leftover tamales.
Wet the husk to prevent them from drying out and wrap the tamales with a damp paper towel and piece of plastic wrap. This will help retain some steam while trapping in the steam to make them hot very quickly and evenly.
The prepared tamales should arranged on a microwave-safe plate with space in between each piece. Make sure that the are not touching each other so that they heat up more evenly.
Tamales should be microwaved for 1 to 2 minutes on 50% power level. Flipping the tamales from one side to the other during the heating process allows the filling to reach 74℃ or 165℉ much quicker.
The slower the process of heating tamales, the more delicious the taste. If the temperature is too high and the tamales aren’t wrapped properly, they will overcook, dry out and turn crumbly.
Reheating tamales in the microwave in quite easy and only takes a few minutes to do it correctly. With very little effort, you can warm leftover tamales and serve them as a main course, side dish or simple snack.