pork tamales

Making classic tamales can be an all-day project and lots of dirty dishes, but with the magic of an Instant Pot, you can make a little over a dozen tamales whenever the craving hits -- in under two hours from start to finish.

Instant Pot Tamales Recipe with Pork and Roasted Green Chile

pork shoulder boneless

kosher salt

pepper freshly ground

canola oil

onion

garlic

chicken broth

Hatch chiles (roasted, peeled, and diced )

corn husks

lard

salt

baking powder

masa harina (corn flour) (see notes)

Season the pork generously with salt and pepper. Select Sauté on the Instant Pot and warm the oil. In batches, sear the pork until browned on all sides, about 3 minutes a side. Using tongs or a slotted spoon, transfer the pork to a plate. 

Add the onions to the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and translucent, about 3 minutes. 

Stir in garlic for 1 minute, return the pork to the pot, add the broth and chile, and give everything a good stir. 

Lock the lid in place and turn the valve to Sealing. 

Press the Manual/Pressure Cook button and set the cook time for 1 hour at high pressure.  

Let the steam release naturally for about 10 minutes, then turn the valve to Venting to release any residual steam. 

Carefully remove the lid and, using a slotted spoon, transfer the pork mixture to a bowl. Using 2 forks, shred the pork. 

Season with salt and pepper if needed, stir well and let cool to room temperature. Using pot holders, lift out the inner pot, rinse well, and return the inner pot to the Instant Pot housing.

Instant Pot Pork Green Chile: 

Soak corn husks in water for an hour before using, rinse well with running water to take off any dust or corn husk fibers. To keep corn husks pliable and easy to work with, keep in water while filling tamales. Place a handful of wet corn husks in a colander to drain before using.

Prepare Hojas (Corn Husks):

Combine lard, salt, and baking powder using an electric mixer, beat at medium-high speed until well whipped, about 1 minute.

Add one-fourth of the masa at a time to the lard, beating between additions until thoroughly incorporated.

Slowly add chicken stock and continue beating until dough is light and has a soft and spreadable hummus-like texture. If it’s too dry, mix in a little more broth; if your dough is too loose, add more masa harina until you get the desired texture. 

Cover the masa and set aside.

Masa:

Place the wide end of the husk on the palm of your hand, narrow end is at the top. Starting at the middle of the husk spread 2 tablespoons of the masa with the back of a spoon in a rectangle or oval shape, using a downward motion towards the wide-bottom edge. Do not spread the masa to the ends; leave about a 2-inch border on the left and right sides of the husk. 

Spread Masa:

Spoon 1 ½ tablespoons of filling down the center of the masa. Fold both sides to the center; finish off by bringing the pointed end of the husk toward the filled end. Make sure it’s a snug closure so the tamal will not open during steaming. Secure by tying a thin strip of corn husk around the tamal. This will keep the tamal from unwrapping during the steaming process, especially if the husk is too thick and will not stay folded. 

Fill Corn Husks:

Pour 1 cup water into the Instant Pot and insert the steam rack.  

Arrange a few corn husks on the bottom of the rack. 

Place the tamales on the corn cusks, standing them upright. Lock the lid in place and turn the valve to Sealing.

Press the Manual/Pressure Cook button and set the cook time for 38 minutes at high pressure. Let the steam release naturally for about 10 minutes, then turn the valve to Venting to release any residual steam. 

Carefully remove the lid and transfer the tamales to a plate. Let stand for 15 to 30 minutes to set up before serving.

Steam Tamales in an Instant Pot:

Drizzle tamales with diced roasted green chile.

Serve:

I have all your books and I Truley enjoy all your recipes.
I lived in EL Paso for many years and my daughter and part of her family still live there.
When you mover away you miss the Franklin Mountains, and the wonderful food that you cannot get anywhere else.
We miss our Daughter and Granddaughter that are still there and don't get there often enough..

I make green tomato and tomatillo sauce w added Serrano peppers.

This was my first time making tamales. I love the ease of using the instant pot. The pork was delicious. I forgot to buy Hatch Chiles. I found some canned Chipotles in sauce in my pantry. I used about 6 if them but I rinsed them first before adding them to my instant pot. It turned out very good. I cannot wait to make these year after year!

Stroke of genius to make tamales in a pressure cooker!  The thought did cross my mind but I was afraid it could a blown out mess.  Mine was perfect and tasty, although I did add some garlic and a cayenne blend seasoning to the masa.  Be sure to allow them to congeal for 30 minutes after steaming!

Thank you for this recipe! I was searching for a tamale recipe I could make in my instapot, and after reading many yours resonated with me the most. I like how you describe the texture to be “hummus like,” which is pretty accurate and helpful. I also appreciate how you explained the process to be similar to baking a cake, where you slowly incorporate the dry and wet ingredients. I used my own filling mixtures, rotisserie chicken and veggies instead of pork. They turned out awesome and I will definitely make these again!! Thanks Yvette!

I've always wanted to learn how to make tamales, My Mom &amp; Grandma's were always the best

Made it to the T and came out wonderful, didn’t really have time to make the masa so I store bought it. Gotten so many compliments on it but also have shared the recipe with many , thank you. 

Thank you Yvette, I was going to try steaming tamales in my insta pot this year! Now I won’t feel like I’m experimenting. Love your recipe, I’m going to give a try this year. I had a great amount of tomatillos in my garden this year and so we’re going to have plenty of fresh green Chile sauce! Yay, To easy fresh tamales anytime! 

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