How Long Are Tamales Good For In The Fridge? Solved

Last Updated on September 12, 2024 by Shari Mason

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Tamales, an essential component of Mexican cuisine, are tasty treats made by wrapping a mixture of meat, vegetables, and sometimes fruit in a generous layer of corn husks.

Because tamales are made with various components, each has a unique shelf life.

So how long do tamales last in the fridge? Can you freeze tamales? Let’s find out. 

How Long Will Tamales Stay Good In The Fridge?

Tamales can be stored in the fridge for 6-7 days or frozen for up to 6 months. They will stay fresh and delicious for several days if properly stored in an airtight container.

Cooked and uncooked tamales can last in the fridge for up to a week, store-bought tamales can last up to a few weeks, and leftover tamales’ shelf-life is up to 3 days.  

Tamales are a traditional Mexican dish consisting of masa dough in corn husk wrappers or banana leaves with sauced meat, cheese, or vegetables. [1] 

Read: Why Are My Tamales Taking So Long To Cook?

Tamales Shelf Life In The Fridge

Cooked

Cooked tamales can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week or in the freezer for several months. If left at room temperature, cooked tamales last up to 2 days.

Reheating frozen tamales is just the same technique as if they were uncooked. Place them in the steamer basket to restore their original consistency.

Read: What Cheese Do Mexican Restaurants Use?

Uncooked

Uncooked tamales last longer if frozen, but they can last in the fridge (without meat) from 4 days to 1 week. Do not leave raw tamales. Cook them right away if you dont have a refrigerator.

You can freeze uncooked tamales if you dont have plans of cooking them sooner to extend their shelf-life. Even homemade tamales can still be stored in freezers for up to 4-6 months.

If left at room temperature, uncooked tamales can last only an hour. 

Read: What To Do With Leftover Enchilada Sauce?

Instant https://eatpallet.com/what-to-do-with-leftover-enchilada-sauce/

Instant tamales last longer in the fridge for up to a few weeks. The freezer even extends its shelf life.

Although instant tamales are never as tasty as traditional ones, they are more convenient due to the shorter half-time cooking time.

Left Over

Leftover tamales should be refrigerated immediately and can last in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. To keep your tamales fresh, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Or, roll them properly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent bacteria from contaminating them. Reheat tamales in the air fryer when you’re ready to eat them.

How To Properly Store Tamales In The Fridge

To properly store tamales in the fridge, allow them to cool to room temperature first. 

Airtight containers or ziplock bags in the fridge or freezer help fresh tamales last longer without deforming them.

“I’m not a chef, but I’m passionate about food—the tradition of it, cooking it, and sharing it.”

– Zac Posen, American Fashion Designer

If you stack tamales, place a napkin between each layer to absorb excess moisture. The more moisture the napkins absorb, the fewer ice crystals form that can interfere with the corn dough.

If you need to keep your tamales at room temperature, wrap them with plastic or a baking sheet. 

This will keep air away from viruses already inside, slowing their growth. [2]    

How To Tell If It Has Gone Bad

Texture

Bad tamales drip with a sour liquid. It is an indication of advanced stages of rotting. 

If even one tamale is leaking, the entire batch is likely spoiled. Do not attempt to eat and throw them away immediately to avoid any health risks.

Smell

Filling and the dough of spoiled tamales will have a sour smell. In the same way as regular foods that spoil.

You must use the refrigerator to defrost the frozen tamales while preparing them.

Appearance

When the cornbread becomes pink or orange, it’s decaying. If it began off yellow and then changed color, throw it. Do not eat tamales in that color.

You may notice molds, too, that are gray or green. Before spreading inside, it frequently spots the corn husk or banana leaf wrapping.

Don’t just eat the wrapper. Spots signify spores on the inside. Spores can make you sick despite being invisible. [3] 

FAQs

In Summary

Storing tamales in the fridge for 2-3 days is only recommended if you plan to eat them after a couple of days. Keeping tamales refrigerated is better than unrefrigerated tamales.

You can also store cooked tamales under plastic wrap at room temperature for two hours and uncooked tamales for one hour. The tamales will be safe with no early signs of spoilage.

Cooked and uncooked tamales will stay tasty in the fridge for about seven days or in the freezer for up to six months if stored in an airtight container or vacuum-sealed plastic bag.

Cooked or uncooked tamales must be refrigerated properly in a ziplock or freezer bag to prevent spoilage and extend their lifespan.

References:

1. https://www.britannica.com/topic/tamale-food
2. https://food.unl.edu/how-food-spoils
3. https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/HYG-5564-11
4. https://www.almanac.com/content/freezer-storage-times-how-long-can-you-freeze-foods