Chicken tamales are a delicious dish, but like many foods, they don’t last forever in the refrigerator. So, how long are chicken tamales good for in the fridge? Generally, cooked chicken tamales will stay good in the fridge for about 3 to 4 days if you store them properly. This applies to both homemade and store-bought varieties. Keeping them safe and fresh means knowing how to store them right and what to look for if they might be bad.
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Grasping the Shelf Life of Refrigerated Tamales
Knowing how long food lasts is important for health. Tamales have ingredients that can spoil. This includes the masa dough and the filling, like chicken. When you put tamales in the fridge, you slow down how fast bad germs grow. But chilling food does not stop germs completely. They still grow, just slower.
The shelf life of refrigerated tamales depends on a few things:
* How fresh they were when you first put them in the fridge.
* How well they were cooked.
* How you stored them.
* How cold your fridge is (it should be 40°F or lower).
Eating tamales after they have been in the fridge too long can make you sick. This is why understanding their shelf life is key.
Factors Affecting How Long Tamales Last
Different things change how long your chicken tamales stay good in the fridge. Paying attention to these things helps keep your food safe.
Freshness When Cooked
Tamales are best right after they are cooked. If you put them in the fridge soon after they cool down, they will last longer. Leaving cooked tamales out at room temperature for too long before chilling them lets bad germs start growing faster. The “danger zone” temperature for food is between 40°F and 140°F. Food should not be in this zone for more than two hours total. If tamales sit out for hours after cooking, their shelf life in the fridge goes down.
Ingredients Used
The ingredients in tamales can affect how long they last. Chicken is a meat that can spoil. How the chicken was cooked matters. Was it cooked all the way through? Were the other ingredients fresh? Some tamales might have cheese or other fillings that can also affect how long they stay good. Fresh ingredients and full cooking help tamales last longer.
How Tamales Are Stored
This is a big one. How you wrap and store your tamales in the fridge makes a huge difference. If air gets to them, they can dry out. They can also pick up smells from other foods. Worse, air lets germs reach them more easily. Proper wrapping and good containers help keep them fresh and safe for longer. We will talk more about how to store tamales in the fridge soon.
Fridge Temperature
Your fridge must be cold enough. The right temperature is 40°F (4°C) or below. If your fridge is warmer than this, food spoils faster. Germs grow more quickly at warmer temperatures. Check your fridge temperature sometimes to be sure it is cold enough for safe storage for tamales.
Deciphering Shelf Life: Homemade vs. Store-Bought
Does it matter if your chicken tamales are homemade or bought from a store or restaurant? Sometimes it does.
How Long Do Homemade Tamales Last In The Fridge?
Homemade tamales are wonderful, but they often have a slightly shorter shelf life than store-bought ones. Why?
* No Added Stuff: Homemade food usually does not have added things to make them last longer. Store-bought foods might have small amounts of stuff called preservatives.
* Cooking Methods: Restaurants and stores have very standard cooking methods. They cook things the same way every time. At home, cooking times and temperatures can change more. This might mean some parts were not heated quite as much, letting germs survive better.
* How Soon They Are Cooled: In a home kitchen, it might take longer to cool down a big batch of hot tamales before putting them in the fridge. This lets them spend more time in the danger zone.
For these reasons, how long do homemade tamales last in the fridge is usually 3 to 4 days. It is best to eat them within this time.
How Long Do Store-Bought Tamales Last In The Fridge?
Store-bought tamales might last a little longer, maybe up to 5-6 days if they were bought from a trusted place and kept cold on the way home. They might have been made using methods that help them last better. They also often come in sealed packages that protect them.
However, once you open the package, the shelf life is more like homemade. Stick to the 3 to 4 day rule once the package is open or if you are not sure how long they have been sitting in the fridge after buying them. Always look at the “use by” or “best by” date on the package if there is one. This date tells you how long the maker thinks they will be best quality. It is not always a strict safety date, but it is a good guide.
How To Store Tamales In The Fridge
Proper storage is perhaps the most important step to keep your chicken tamales safe and make them last as long as possible within that 3-4 day window.
Here are the best steps for safe storage for tamales:
- Cool Them Fast: If the tamales are hot, let them cool down to room temperature quickly. Do not leave them out for more than two hours. If it is very hot in your kitchen, make that one hour.
- Keep Them Wrapped: This is key. Keep the corn husk or banana leaf wrapper on the tamale. This helps keep moisture in and protects the tamale.
- Add More Wrapping: Once cooled and in their original wrappers, wrap them again. You can use plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Wrap each tamale tightly or wrap a few together. The goal is to keep air away from the tamale.
- Use a Good Container: Put the wrapped tamales into an airtight container. This could be a plastic container with a tight lid or a zip-top bag. Pushing air out of a zip-top bag before sealing it is a good idea. The container adds another layer of protection against air and other smells in the fridge.
- Put Them in the Coldest Part: Place the container of tamales in the main part of your fridge. Avoid putting them in the door, as the temperature changes more there. The back of the fridge is often the coldest spot.
- Label and Date: It is a good idea to write the date you stored them on the container or bag. This helps you remember when you put them in the fridge. This helps you keep track of the shelf life of refrigerated tamales.
By following these steps, you create a good environment for your tamales in the fridge. This slows down spoilage and keeps them safe to eat for the 3-4 days.
Signs Tamales Have Gone Bad
Even with great storage, tamales will eventually go bad. It is very important to know the signs. Eating expired tamales is risky. It can cause food poisoning.
Here are clear signs that your chicken tamales are not good anymore:
- Bad Smell: This is often the first sign. Fresh tamales smell like corn masa, steamed leaves, and the filling. Bad tamales will smell sour, musty, or just “off.” If it smells strange, do not eat it.
- Changes in Look: Look at the tamale dough and the filling.
- Masa: The masa dough should be soft and moist. If it looks very dry, hard, or has strange colors (like mold, which can be white, green, or fuzzy), throw it out.
- Filling: The chicken filling should look and smell like cooked chicken. If it looks slimy, has mold, or the color has changed in a bad way, it is not safe.
- Wrappers: While the wrappers might look less fresh, the signs of spoilage are on the tamale itself. But if the wrappers look moldy, definitely discard the tamale inside.
- Slimy Feel: If you take a tamale out of its wrapper and the masa feels slimy or sticky in a bad way (not just moist), this is a sign of bacterial growth.
- Strange Taste (Do NOT Taste to Check!): You should never taste food you think might be bad. If you somehow missed the other signs and the tamale tastes sour, bitter, or just wrong, spit it out and throw the rest away. Tasting a tiny bit is still risky. Rely on smell and sight first.
If you see any of these signs, do not try to save the tamale. Throw it away. It is not worth the risk of getting sick from eating expired tamales.
The Risks of Eating Expired Tamales
Eating food that has gone bad is dangerous. When food spoils, bad germs like bacteria grow. These germs can produce poisons (toxins) that make you sick. This is called food poisoning.
Symptoms of food poisoning can happen hours or days after eating bad food. They include:
* Throwing up (vomiting)
* Diarrhea
* Stomach cramps
* Fever
For most people, food poisoning is unpleasant but gets better on its own. But for some, like young children, older adults, pregnant women, or people with weak immune systems, it can be very serious and need a doctor or hospital visit.
This is why understanding how long tamales are good for in the fridge and watching for signs of spoilage is so important. Tamale food safety starts with proper storage and knowing when to say no.
Safe Storage for Tamales Beyond the Fridge
What if you make or buy more tamales than you can eat in 3-4 days? The fridge is not the only option for safe storage for tamales. Freezing is a great way to keep them for much longer.
Can You Freeze Tamales?
Yes, you absolutely can freeze tamales! Freezing stops the growth of germs. This lets you keep tamales for months. Freezing is the best way to store tamales if you are not going to eat them within a few days.
How to Freeze Tamales
To freeze tamales well, follow these steps:
- Cool Them Completely: Make sure tamales are fully cool before freezing. Putting hot or warm food in the freezer can partly thaw things already in there.
- Keep Original Wrappers: Leave the corn husk or banana leaf on the tamale.
- Wrap Tightly: Wrap each tamale (with its original wrapper) tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Make sure there is no air trapped.
- Add Another Layer: Put the wrapped tamales into a freezer-safe bag or container. A zip-top freezer bag works well. Try to get as much air out as possible before sealing.
- Label and Date: Write the date on the bag or container. This helps you know how long they have been in the freezer.
- Freeze Quickly: Put the tamales in the freezer right away. Do not let them sit on the counter.
How Long Do Frozen Tamales Last?
Frozen tamales kept properly can last for several months, maybe up to 6 months for best quality. They will likely still be safe to eat after that, as freezing stops germ growth, but the taste and texture might not be as good.
When you want to eat them, move them from the freezer to the fridge to thaw slowly. This usually takes about 24 hours for a few tamales. You can also steam them directly from frozen, but it will take longer to heat them through.
The Best Way To Reheat Refrigerated Tamales
Once your chicken tamales have been safely stored in the fridge, you need to heat them up the right way. Reheating food properly is another part of tamale food safety. You want to heat them all the way through to kill any germs that might have grown in the fridge.
Here are good ways to reheat refrigerated tamales:
Steaming (Recommended)
This is the classic and often the best way to reheat tamales. Steaming keeps them moist and gives them a nice texture.
- Get a steamer pot. If you do not have one, you can use a large pot with a steamer basket or even a metal colander that fits inside. Put an inch or two of water in the bottom of the pot.
- Place the tamales (still in their wrappers) in the steamer basket or colander above the water. Do not let the tamales touch the water.
- Bring the water to a boil, then turn the heat down to a simmer.
- Cover the pot tightly. Steam for 15-20 minutes for refrigerated tamales. If reheating from frozen, it might take 30-45 minutes.
- Tamales are ready when they are heated through. Be careful when you take them out, they will be hot.
Microwaving
This is fast but can sometimes make tamales dry or unevenly heated.
- Keep the tamale in its wrapper (or wrap it loosely in a damp paper towel if the wrapper is off).
- Place on a microwave-safe plate.
- Heat on medium power for 1-3 minutes per tamale. Cooking time will depend on your microwave and how many tamales you are heating.
- Check if it is hot all the way through. Be careful of hot spots.
Baking
Baking can work, but it can also dry tamales out.
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
- Wrap each tamale tightly in foil (even if still in the husk, wrapping in foil helps keep moisture in).
- Place on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.
No matter how you reheat, make sure the tamale is hot all the way to the middle. Using a food thermometer to check the inside temperature is the safest way. It should reach 165°F (74°C).
Tamale Food Safety: Best Practices
Beyond just how long chicken tamales are good for in the fridge, there are other rules for tamale food safety.
- Start Clean: Always start with clean hands, clean tools, and clean surfaces when making or handling tamales.
- Cook Properly: Make sure the filling and masa are cooked completely when you first make the tamales.
- Cool Quickly: As mentioned, get cooked tamales into the fridge quickly (within 2 hours, or 1 hour if it’s hot).
- Store Properly: Use tight wrapping and containers in a cold fridge (40°F or lower).
- Do Not Leave Out: Never leave cooked tamales out at room temperature for more than two hours. If they have been left out longer, throw them away.
- Know the Signs of Spoilage: Trust your eyes and nose. If in doubt, throw it out. Eating expired tamales is not worth the risk.
- Reheat Thoroughly: Always heat tamales to 165°F (74°C) in the middle when reheating.
- Do Not Reheat More Than Once: For safety and quality, only reheat a tamale one time.
Following these simple rules helps you enjoy your delicious chicken tamales safely. Safe storage for tamales, proper cooking, and mindful handling are all part of the process.
Summary Table: Tamale Shelf Life & Storage
Here is a quick look at how long chicken tamales last in different places.
| Location | Shelf Life | Best Storage Method | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Countertop | Max 2 hours (1 hour if warm) | None – dangerous! | Danger zone for bacterial growth. Throw away if left out longer. |
| Refrigerator | 3-4 days (sometimes up to 5-6 for store-bought) | Tightly wrapped in husk, then plastic/foil, in container | Keep at 40°F or lower. Check for signs of spoilage. |
| Freezer | Up to 6 months (for best quality) | Tightly wrapped in husk, then plastic/foil, in freezer bag | Keep at 0°F or lower. Thaw in fridge before reheating or steam from frozen. |
This table gives a quick guide to the shelf life of refrigerated tamales and other storage options.
Interpreting When Tamales Are Truly Gone
Sometimes food looks okay but might still be unsafe. While looking and smelling are great first steps, they do not always tell the whole story about bacteria you cannot see. The time limit is a more reliable guide for tamale food safety.
If your chicken tamales have been in the fridge for 5 days or more, even if they look and smell okay, it is safer to throw them out. Harmful bacteria can grow without making the food smell or look bad. Stick to the 3-4 day rule to be safe.
Thinking you can just cut off a moldy spot is also risky. Mold can have roots that you cannot see. Throw the whole thing away if you see mold.
Eating expired tamales is never a good idea. When in doubt, throw it out. Your health is more important than saving a tamale.
Best Way To Reheat Refrigerated Tamales – More Detail
Let’s look closer at reheating, as it’s key to enjoying chilled tamales.
Steaming: The Gold Standard
Why is steaming the best way to reheat refrigerated tamales?
* Keeps Moisture: The steam adds moisture back, keeping the masa soft and the filling tender. Other methods can dry them out.
* Even Heating: Steam heats the tamale gently and evenly all the way through.
* Traditional Method: Tamales are traditionally steamed, so reheating this way honors that process and gives the best texture.
Setting up a steamer is simple. You just need a pot, water, and something to hold the tamales above the water. You can buy steamer baskets for pots. Or, use a metal colander that fits in the pot with the lid on. Make sure the water is below the colander.
Put the tamales standing up, open-side up if possible, in the steamer basket. Do not pack them too tightly. Cover the pot and let them steam until they are hot all the way through. This takes around 15-20 minutes for refrigerated tamales.
Microwaving: Quick But Tricky
Microwaving is fast, making it tempting. But it can be hard to heat tamales evenly. The edges might get hot while the middle is still cold. Uneven heating is a tamale food safety risk because cold spots might still have active bacteria.
If you microwave, heat for a short time, then let it sit for a minute. Heat again. This helps the heat spread. Also, make sure the tamale is covered or wrapped in a damp paper towel to create some steam and prevent drying.
Baking: Dry Unless Wrapped Well
Baking refrigerated tamales is okay if you wrap them very well in foil. This traps moisture. Without the foil, they will become hard and dry. It takes longer than steaming or microwaving but can work if you do not have a steamer.
Always check the inside temperature to be sure it is 165°F (74°C).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are some common questions people ask about storing and eating tamales from the fridge.
Q: Can I leave cooked tamales out overnight?
A: No. Cooked food should not be left out at room temperature for more than two hours total. Leaving them out overnight means they have been in the danger zone for too long, allowing bacteria to grow to harmful levels. Throw them away if they have been left out overnight. This is a major tamale food safety rule.
Q: What is the best container for storing tamales in the fridge?
A: An airtight container is best. This could be a plastic container with a tight-fitting lid or a zip-top bag. Make sure the tamales are also individually wrapped inside this container to keep them fresh and protected.
Q: Can I eat tamales cold from the fridge?
A: While cooked food is technically safe to eat cold from the fridge (as long as it was stored properly and is within its 3-4 day shelf life), it is not recommended for tamales. Tamales are meant to be eaten hot. Eating them cold affects the texture and flavor. Also, reheating to 165°F is an extra layer of food safety, killing any bacteria that might have grown in the fridge.
Q: Do tamales need to be in the corn husk or leaf wrapper to be stored in the fridge?
A: Yes, it is best to keep the original wrapper on when storing tamales in the fridge or freezer. The wrapper helps protect the masa, keeps it moist, and adds flavor during storage and reheating.
Q: How can I tell if a store-bought tamale is bad before I open it?
A: This can be harder. Look for the “use by” date. If it is past that date, be cautious. If the packaging looks puffed up or damaged, that is a bad sign. If you open it and it smells bad or looks strange, do not eat it. When in doubt, throw it out. Checking signs tamales have gone bad is key.
Q: I reheated a tamale, but didn’t eat it all. Can I put it back in the fridge?
A: No. It is best not to reheat food more than once. When food is cooled, heated, and cooled again, it spends more time in the danger zone. This increases the risk of bacteria growth. Only reheat the amount of tamales you plan to eat right away.
Q: How long does it take for tamales to cool before I can put them in the fridge?
A: This depends on how hot they are and how many there are. Spread them out to cool faster. They should reach room temperature (around 70°F) within two hours. Then, they need to go into the fridge right away. Do not wait longer than two hours total from the time they finished cooking to when they are put in the fridge.
Following these guidelines for safe storage for tamales, being aware of the shelf life of refrigerated tamales, watching for signs tamales have gone bad, and reheating properly will help you enjoy your chicken tamales without worry. Remember, tamale food safety is simple: keep hot food hot, cold food cold, and when in doubt, throw it out.