Contents
- 1 Privacy & Transparency 🎄
- 2 The Main Causes of Soggy or Mushy Tamales
- 3 Should You Give Up at Some Point?
- 4 Extra Information About how do you fix mushy tamales That You May Find Interested
- 4.1 How To Fix Mushy Tamales [Super EASY Method]
- 4.2 How To Fix Mushy Tamales – Mexicali Blue
- 4.3 What to Do if Tamales Are Soggy (And How to Avoid It)
- 4.4 How do you fix mushy tamales? – Daily Delish
- 4.5 4 Tips on How To Fix Soggy Tamales – Miss Vickie
- 4.6 Why Are Tamales Mushy? Reasons & How To Fix It!
- 4.7 Why Are My Tamales Taking So Long To Cook? Solved (2023)
- 4.8 Why is my masa mushy? – Seasoned Advice
- 4.9 Why are my tamales mushy? – Foodly
- 5 Frequently Asked Questions About how do you fix mushy tamales
- 5.1 How come my corn tamales are soggy?
- 5.2 How come my tamales are so soft?
- 5.3 What occurs if the masa is too moist?
- 5.4 What happens if tamales are overcooked?
- 5.5 How can I get my tamales to be crisp?
- 5.6 How are tamales revived?
- 5.7 How are tamales made hard?
- 5.8 My masa is too soft; why?
- 5.9 How do you make tamale masa less sticky?
- 5.10 How long does it take to steam 30 tamales?
- 5.11 When steaming tamales, can they be stacked?
- 5.12 What happens if I steam tamales with too much water?
- 5.13 Are tamales steamed with or without a lid?
- 5.14 Can undercooked tamales be cooked again?
- 5.15 How many hours should I steam six dozen tamales?
Below is information and knowledge on the topic how do you fix mushy tamales gather and compiled by the monanngon.net team. Along with other related topics like: How do I fix my mushy tamales, Why are my tamales slimy, Can you bake tamales instead of steaming them, Why is my tamale masa sticky, Tamale troubleshooting, How to keep tamales moist, Tamales taking too long to cook, Eating undercooked tamales.
x Mushy Tamales [Super EASY Method]
Tamales are a delicious dish enjoyed by nearly everyone. They are made with a filling, wrapped with some type of corn-based dough, and steamed to perfection so that they are moist and tasty. But what if your tamales come out mushy or soggy? After all, there is such a thing as tamales being too moist.
To fix mushy tamales, you must first determine the cause of the problem, which in most cases is the wrapping not being tight enough before steaming the tamales, too much filling, or not cooking the tamales long enough. Once you’ve determined the cause, you can make the necessary adjustments and then steam the tamales for a bit longer until you get the right texture.
The Main Causes of Soggy or Mushy Tamales

While authentic tamales are meant to be moist and fairly soft on the outside, they are not meant to be too soft or soggy. The first thing you’ll want to do is make sure you’ve wrapped the tamales tight enough before you steam them. The masa dough used to make the tamale shell will absorb too much of the steam if the tamales aren’t wrapped well enough. This allows the steam to get underneath the wrapping and into the filling, causing too much moisture in the wrapping. This is what makes the tamales soggy.
The same happens when you put too much filling in the tamales before wrapping them. With too much filling on the inside, the wrap will never be tight enough, and it will cause the steam to get inside the tamale, causing sogginess.
Finally, paying attention to the cooking time listed in the instructions is also very important because taking the tamales out of the steamer too soon can result in mushy or soggy tamales.
We’ve determined that wrapping your tamales properly, not over-filling the tamales, and steaming them for the right amount of time can help prevent mushy tamales, but let’s take a look at a few other things to keep in mind when making homemade tamales.

First of all, tamales are made with a wrapping made out of a corn-based mix, and a dough called masa harina dough. Make sure you use dried masa harina and not cornmeal. If you use corn husks for the wrap, you have to first hydrate them by soaking them in water for roughly two hours.
Why should you do this? Because the soaking in water allows the husks to stretch out so that they don’t crack while you’re wrapping your tamales. Always pat them dry with a paper towel after removing them from the water so they aren’t too moist. Then add just the right amount of tamale filling before wrapping the tamales. If you see any filling coming out of the husk, you’ve put too much in there.
When you re-steam the tamales, which normally takes around 15 minutes, remove them from the steamer and check them. If they appear soggy or mushy, place them back in the steamer and cook them for a few additional minutes, then check them again. Check to make sure filling isn’t coming out of the tamales, and make sure the wrap isn’t too loose. Make adjustments if you can, and keep re-steaming the tamales a few minutes at a time until their texture is just right.
Should You Give Up at Some Point?
Normally, you can remove some of the sogginess and moisture from the tamales. The methods mentioned above usually work. It’s pretty rare to get to the point where repairing the tamales isn’t possible, so don’t sweat it too much.
Don’t have corn husks for your tamales? See our post about the best substitutes for corn husks when making tamales.
Extra Information About how do you fix mushy tamales That You May Find Interested
If the information we provide above is not enough, you may find more below here.
How To Fix Mushy Tamales [Super EASY Method]
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Author: answerpantry.com
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Rating: 4⭐ (366407 rating)
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Highest Rate: 5⭐
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Lowest Rate: 2⭐
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Sumary: These QUICK tips will help you learn how to fix mushy tamales in no time!
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Matching Result: If they appear soggy or mushy, place them back in the steamer and cook them for a few additional minutes, then check them again. Check to make …
- Intro: How To Fix Mushy Tamales [Super EASY Method] Privacy & Transparency 🎄 We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. An example of data…
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Source: https://www.answerpantry.com/how-to-fix-mushy-tamales/
How To Fix Mushy Tamales – Mexicali Blue
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Author: mexicali-blue.com
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Rating: 4⭐ (366407 rating)
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Highest Rate: 5⭐
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Lowest Rate: 2⭐
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Sumary: If your tamales are coming out mushy, there are a few things that could be happening. First, you could be using too much masa. When making tamales, you want to use just enough masa to bind the ingredients together. If you use too much, it will make the…
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Matching Result: Lard the soggy tamales and wrap them up, place them in the oven for 5 minutes more, and check them. Place them in a heated pan, cover, and cook …
- Intro: How To Fix Mushy Tamales – Mexicali BlueIf your tamales are coming out mushy, there are a few things that could be happening. First, you could be using too much masa. When making tamales, you want to use just enough masa to bind the ingredients together. If you use too…
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Source: https://www.mexicali-blue.com/how-to-fix-mushy-tamales/
What to Do if Tamales Are Soggy (And How to Avoid It)
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Author: survivalfreedom.com
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Rating: 4⭐ (366407 rating)
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Highest Rate: 5⭐
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Lowest Rate: 2⭐
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Sumary: Tamales are a delicious addition to any family dinner or holiday. Instead of being baked or grilled, this traditional Latin-American dish is steamed to perfection. If this step is not done correctly, it will not
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Matching Result: To fix soggy tamales, wrap them and put them back in the steamer for 5 additional minutes and re-check them. Or, wrap them in a damp paper towel and cook on …
- Intro: What to Do if Tamales Are Soggy (And How to Avoid It) Tamales are a delicious addition to any family dinner or holiday. Instead of being baked or grilled, this traditional Latin-American dish is steamed to perfection. If this step is not done correctly, it will not lead to an…
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Source: https://survivalfreedom.com/what-to-do-if-tamales-are-soggy-and-how-to-avoid-it/
How do you fix mushy tamales? – Daily Delish
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Author: dailydelish.us
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Rating: 4⭐ (366407 rating)
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Highest Rate: 5⭐
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Lowest Rate: 2⭐
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Sumary: ..Advertisements.. CONTINUE READING BELOW To fix soggy tamales, wrap them and put them back in the steamer for 5 additional minutes and re-check them. Or, wrap them in a damp paper towel and…
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Matching Result: To fix soggy tamales, wrap them and put them back in the steamer for 5 additional minutes and re-check them. Or, wrap them in a damp paper towel and cook on …
- Intro: How do you fix mushy tamales? ..Advertisements.. CONTINUE READING BELOW To fix soggy tamales, wrap them and put them back in the steamer for 5 additional minutes and re-check them. Or, wrap them in a damp paper towel and cook on high for 14-20 seconds. Soggy tamales usually means that…
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Source: https://dailydelish.us/faq/how-do-you-fix-mushy-tamales/
4 Tips on How To Fix Soggy Tamales – Miss Vickie
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Author: missvickie.com
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Rating: 4⭐ (366407 rating)
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Highest Rate: 5⭐
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Lowest Rate: 2⭐
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Sumary: How to fix soggy tamales? The best part about the tamales is that you can steam them for long hours and you will not have to worry about a thing.
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Matching Result: Once you wrap them up properly, you can put them in the steamer again for a few minutes. As usual, 3-5 minutes should do the trick for you …
- Intro: 4 Tips on How To Fix Soggy Tamales – Miss Vickie how to fix soggy tamales Tamales is a traditional Mesoamerican dish. It is made out of masa, which is a dough prepared specifically for tamales. To make masa, corn needs to be nixtamalized and then steamed in the corn…
Why Are Tamales Mushy? Reasons & How To Fix It!
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Author: foodandfizz.com
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Rating: 4⭐ (366407 rating)
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Highest Rate: 5⭐
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Lowest Rate: 2⭐
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Sumary: Why Are Tamales Mushy?
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Matching Result: If your tamales are mushy, the wrapping is usually the cause. If you do not properly wrap your tamales and go to steam them, the masa will end …
- Intro: Why Are Tamales Mushy? Reasons & How To Fix It! Why Are Tamales Mushy? There are several different styles of tamales that originate in Mexico, Central, and South America. Tamales are made from masa and a variety of filling that is then steamed in a wrapping such as a corn…
Why Are My Tamales Taking So Long To Cook? Solved (2023)
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Author: eatpallet.com
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Rating: 4⭐ (366407 rating)
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Highest Rate: 5⭐
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Lowest Rate: 2⭐
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Sumary: While Tamales are undeniably delicious, telling when the tamales are fully cooked might be tricky because of the wrapper. Why are my tamales taking so long to cook…
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Matching Result: If you steam tamales too long, they become soggy. To fix soggy tamales, drain extra moisture from them. Place them on a damp paper towel or a steam rack.
- Intro: Why Are My Tamales Taking So Long To Cook? Solved (2023) Last Updated on December 31, 2022 by Shari Mason While Tamales are undeniably delicious, telling when the tamales are fully cooked might be tricky because of the wrapper. If you’re asking, “Why are my tamales taking so long to…
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Source: https://eatpallet.com/why-are-my-tamales-taking-so-long-to-cook/
Why is my masa mushy? – Seasoned Advice
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Author: cooking.stackexchange.com
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Rating: 4⭐ (366407 rating)
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Highest Rate: 5⭐
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Lowest Rate: 2⭐
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Sumary: When I steam my tamales, the masa becomes mushy. What am I doing wrong and how can I prevent this?
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Matching Result: Something that will help is tearing the leave of the tamales and get tying it around the pot or put a bag …
- Intro: Why is my masa mushy? When I steam my tamales, the masa becomes mushy. What am I doing wrong and how can I prevent this? Cascabel♦57.8k24 gold badges176 silver badges314 bronze badges asked May 14, 2012 at 16:00 JanetJanet711 gold badge1 silver badge2 bronze badges I know this thread is…
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Source: https://cooking.stackexchange.com/questions/23749/why-is-my-masa-mushy
Why are my tamales mushy? – Foodly
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Author: foodly.tn
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Rating: 4⭐ (366407 rating)
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Highest Rate: 5⭐
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Lowest Rate: 2⭐
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Sumary: My tamales are mushy or have stuck to the husk… This is a sign that they have not been left in the steamer, pot, or oven long enough to cook properly. … If you…
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Matching Result: How do I fix soggy tamales? Put the tamales in the microwave and cook them on high for 15 seconds. Once the microwave stops, pull them out and …
- Intro: Why are my tamales mushy? My tamales are mushy or have stuck to the husk… This is a sign that they have not been left in the steamer, pot, or oven long enough to cook properly. … If you peel away the husk and the masa has stuck, broken, or…
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Source: https://foodly.tn/tips/4-1129/
Frequently Asked Questions About how do you fix mushy tamales
If you have questions that need to be answered about the topic how do you fix mushy tamales, then this section may help you solve it.
How come my corn tamales are soggy?
Your tamales may have been overcooked, which is why they are still soft. Overcooking results in soggy tamales.
How come my tamales are so soft?
Finally, the steaming time might be too long, causing the tamales to become mushy and fall apart. Tamales are a portable meal-in-one that comes with a wrapper that can be eaten anywhere. If the filling is not cooked, the tamales will not be able to hold their shape and will fall apart.
What occurs if the masa is too moist?
Masa harina needs to be kneaded to achieve the right texture; if you add water, it will appear dry, crumbly, and barely hold its shape; if you add more water, it will become extremely sticky and nearly impossible to work with.
What happens if tamales are overcooked?
If you cut into an over-steamed tamale, it will disintegrate, the masa will become tough and chewy, and the filling will become dry and crumbly. When they become soggy or mushy, they won’t taste good.
How can I get my tamales to be crisp?
Make sure there is no air between the layers of aluminum foil when wrapping each tamale, then place them in the preheated 425° oven for 20 minutes, turning them over halfway through.
How are tamales revived?
Aluminum foil should be wrapped around each tamale two or three times. Tamales should be squeezed to release any trapped air. Tamales should be placed with space between them in an oven-safe dish or sheet pan. Tamales should be heated in the oven for 20 minutes.
How are tamales made hard?
When the masa is firm, place the tamales in a steamer basket over boiling water, cover, and steam for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
My masa is too soft; why?
They should steam until the tamale easily peels away from the husk; the wetter your masa dough is, the longer the tamales will need to steam. I think you’re probably either making the masa dough too wet to begin with or you’re not steaming them long enough.
How do you make tamale masa less sticky?
Lard (or oil) adds amazing flavor and keeps the cooked tamale from sticking to the husk. If lard is not your jam, then just use vegetable oil or melted shortening. When you start, the masa will be very sticky, like wet bread dough.
How long does it take to steam 30 tamales?
Arrange tamales around the steamer, bring water to a boil, reduce heat to medium, and steam for 20 to 30 minutes, or until tamales are soft.
When steaming tamales, can they be stacked?
Remember, if you don’t have a steamer you can make do by using a large pot with a wire rack raised at the bottom. Cover the pot and steam the tamales for 2 hours. It’s okay to stack them in layers.
What happens if I steam tamales with too much water?
A common error when making tamales is adding too much water; by the time the water reaches boiling and flows over the steamer basket or strainer, the bottom of the tamales have already been soaked; this can cause the masa to take longer to cook and result in the tamales being overly moist.
Are tamales steamed with or without a lid?
Yes, you can steam tamales with the lid on because it will produce more steam and keep the water in the pot from evaporating. However, you should check the water level periodically to make sure it doesn’t run out.
Can undercooked tamales be cooked again?
If that doesn’t work, try cutting the tamale open and spooning the filling onto a warm tortilla. First, try reheating the tamale in a moist environment, like a steamer or a covered pot with a little water in the bottom.
How many hours should I steam six dozen tamales?
For frozen tamales, add at least 60 minutes to the timer depending on how thawed they are before cooking. It’s preferable to check for doneness every 15-20 minutes after 1 and half hours to prevent overcooking the tamales. Typically, you will need about 90 minutes to thoroughly steam fresh tamales.