How to Make Instant Pot Tamales without Lard (30 Minute Recipe) (2024)

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

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