XLNT Tips for How To Store Tamales
Photo by Caleb Adams
Americans waste over 119 billion pounds of food every year. This practice is bad for the environment and your wallet. However, improper food storage can ruin the flavor and texture of your food or cause you to get sick. XLNT has made millions of tamales during the company's 125 years in the industry. As a result, we know a few things about how to store tamales.
How To Store Tamales
Do you want to save your leftover lunch tamale for dinner, plan your meals for the week, or learn how to properly store your tamales long-term? Follow these guidelines to ensure your tamales are fresh, tasty, and safe every time.
What Is the Best Way To Store Tamales?
The best storage method for tamales depends on when you plan to eat them. We freeze XLNT tamales before shipment to ensure they stay fresh for as long as possible.
How Long Can Tamales Sit on the Counter?
You shouldn't leave meats, seafood, poultry, produce, and other foods that require refrigeration at room temperature for more than two hours. Learn how to store tamales you do not plan to eat within two hours in the refrigerator or freezer. If you are enjoying your tamales outdoors or in another location where the temperature is over 90° F, eat, refrigerate, or freeze your tamales within one hour.
How Long Do Tamales Last in the Fridge?
If waiting longer than two hours, it is best to store your tamales in the fridge. Make sure to seal them well to avoid dryness and absorption of other flavors.
You can safely store thawed tamales in the refrigerator for up to four days, but it is best to eat them as quickly as possible to reduce the risk of food poisoning. When storing tamales in the fridge, don't overcrowd them and make sure the temperature stays at or below 40° F.
How Long Are Frozen Tamales Good For?
If you don't plan to eat your tamales within four days, store them in the freezer. When properly wrapped, frozen tamales will stay fresh for up to eight months.
How To Wrap Tamales for Storage
Learning how to store tamales requires that you also learn how to properly wrap your tamales for storage. The best option for you depends on your preference, what you have available, and food storage safety.
Traditional Tamale Wrapping Methods
When XLNT got its start selling tamales off a pushcart in 1894, we wrapped our tamales in corn husks. Many traditional cooks still use this method. Other popular natural tamale wrappers include plantain leaves, tortillas, chard, and banana leaves.
Modern Tamale Wrapping Methods
Modern wrapping methods for tamales include:
• Parchment paper wrappers
• Food-safe sacks
• Aluminum foil sheets
• Plastic wrap or bags
• Metal, glass, or plastic storage containers
When wrapping tamales for freezing, alternate layers of paper or plastic between the tamales to prevent them from sticking to each other.
How To Reheat Stored Tamales
Once you have learned how to store tamales, you need to know the best ways to reheat them without ruining the texture or flavor. These tamale tips will help you get tastier results when reheating your tamales.
Quick Reheating
You can quickly reheat a room-temperature tamale by putting it in a 300-degree oven for a few minutes. A few flips in a hot skillet will also do the trick. Alternatively, you can heat your tamales in the microwave for two minutes.
Traditional Techniques
Whether out of the refrigerator or the freezer, there are many classic ways to cook tamales. Steaming, baking, air frying, and grilling all produce delicious results.
If it's your first time, try traditional steaming. It takes a little more time to steam your XLNT tamales but we think this is the best way to get a moist, delicious result. Make sure your tamales sit above the water and the pot doesn't boil dry.
How To Store Tamales for Shipping
Have you moved away from Southern California and found yourself craving our tamales? Maybe you just sent your kids off to college and want to give them a taste of home? XLNT has got you covered.
As the oldest continuously operating Mexican food brand in the United States, we know how to store tamales for shipping and we are proud to share our California lunch staple with you! We use the latest food science techniques to ensure our products arrive safely on your doorstep. Visit us online to place your order.
Sources and Additional Reading:
https://www.feedingamerica.org/our-work/reduce-food-waste
https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/are-you-storing-food-safely