Get ready to transform your kitchen into a Mexican culinary paradise with these mouthwatering Instant Pot Tamales that will make your taste buds dance! Forget spending hours in the kitchen - this easy recipe brings the rich, traditional flavors of Mexico right to your dinner table in just 90 minutes. Whether you're a seasoned home cook or a curious food adventurer, these tender, savory tamales are about to become your new favorite comfort food that will impress family and friends alike.
Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 1 hrs
Total Time: 1 hrs 30 mins
Cuisine: Mexican
Serves: 12 tamales
Ingredients
- 2 cups masa harina
- 1/2 cup vegetable shortening
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1/2 cup green salsa
- 12 corn husks
Instructions
- Begin by soaking the corn husks in warm water for about 30 minutes. This will make them pliable and easier to work with when wrapping the tamales.
- While the corn husks are soaking, prepare the masa dough. In a large mixing bowl, combine the masa harina, baking powder, and salt. Mix well to combine the dry ingredients.
- Add the vegetable shortening to the masa harina mixture. Using your hands or a pastry cutter, blend the shortening into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gradually add the chicken broth to the masa mixture, mixing with your hands or a spatula until a soft, pliable dough forms. The consistency should be similar to peanut butter. If the dough is too dry, add a little more chicken broth as needed.
- In a separate bowl, combine the cooked shredded chicken with the green salsa. Mix well to ensure the chicken is evenly coated with the salsa.
- Once the corn husks are softened, remove them from the water and pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel. Lay one husk flat on a clean surface, with the wider end facing you.
- Take about 1/4 cup of the masa dough and spread it evenly over the lower two-thirds of the corn husk, leaving about an inch of space at the bottom and a small margin on the sides.
- Place about 1-2 tablespoons of the chicken and salsa mixture in the center of the masa. Be careful not to overfill, as this can make wrapping difficult.
- To wrap the tamale, fold the sides of the corn husk over the masa and filling, then fold the bottom up to encase the filling. The tamale should be tightly wrapped but not overly compressed.
- Repeat the wrapping process with the remaining husks, masa, and filling until all tamales are assembled.
- Prepare the Instant Pot for cooking. Add 1 cup of water to the bottom of the pot and place the trivet inside. Arrange the tamales upright in the pot, with the open end facing up. If you have a steamer basket, you can also use that to hold the tamales.
- Seal the Instant Pot lid and ensure the valve is set to the sealing position. Set the Instant Pot to cook on high pressure for 60 minutes.
- Once the cooking time is complete, allow for a natural pressure release for about 10-15 minutes, then carefully switch the valve to venting to release any remaining steam.
- Once the pressure has fully released, open the lid and carefully remove the tamales from the pot. Let them cool slightly before serving.
- Serve the tamales warm, optionally with additional green salsa or your favorite toppings. Enjoy your delicious homemade tamales!
Tips
- Corn Husk Preparation is Key: Always soak your corn husks for at least 30 minutes to ensure they're flexible and won't crack while wrapping.
- Masa Consistency Matters: Aim for a peanut butter-like texture when mixing your masa dough. Too dry? Add a little extra chicken broth.
- Don't Overfill: Use just 1-2 tablespoons of filling per tamale to make wrapping easier and prevent bursting.
- Vertical Placement is Crucial: Always stand your tamales upright in the Instant Pot to ensure even steaming.
- Natural Pressure Release: Allow 10-15 minutes of natural pressure release for the most tender, perfectly cooked tamales.
- Make Ahead Friendly: These tamales can be prepared in advance and refrigerated or frozen before cooking, making meal prep a breeze.
- Experiment with Fillings: While this recipe uses chicken and green salsa, feel free to try different proteins or vegetarian fillings to suit your taste.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 220kcal
Carbohydrates: 20g
Protein: 12g
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 35mg
