As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchasesTamales are a traditional Mesoamerican dish that originated in the early 8000 BC and has been widely adopted throughout Latin America. It is made of cornmeal flour filled with beef, chicken, pork, cheese, or veggies wrapped and steamed in a corn husk.
Making homemade tamales can be time-consuming and challenging to perfect. Preparing the dough, filling, and assembling the tamale takes some time. So buying frozen tamales is a convenient choice without compromising the quality.
This article will show you a bright and hassle-free way to eat your favorite tamales with the five best frozen tamale brands we have picked for you!
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Del Real Foods Tamales, Beef in Red Sauce | Weight – 24 Ounce Rating – 4.9/5.0 |
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Del Real Foods Cheese & Green Chile Tamales |
Weight – 4 Ounce (Pack of 6) Rating – 4.9/5.0 |
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Hormel Beef Tamales | Weight – 15 Ounce (Pack of 12) Rating – 4.8/5.0 |
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Hormel Tamales, Beef in Chili Sauce | Weight – (Pack of 3) 15 oz Cans Rating – 4.8/5.0 |
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New Mexican Green Chile Chicken Tamales | Weight – 2 Dozen Rating – 4.9/5.0 |
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Tamale Nutrition Facts
The nutritional content of tamales varies depending on the recipe, whether with meat filling or without filling. Meatless tamales are rich in carbs and fat, while protein is added when you opt for a meat-filled tamale. Let’s look into each calorie content of beef, chicken, and cheese tamales!
Calories in a Beef Tamale
Beef tamales are more popular amongst kids. It has 285 calories and is a good source of protein that helps develop muscle mass and growth. Besides protein, beef contains riboflavin, Vitamin B12, and B6, which help reduce tiredness.
Calories in a Chicken Tamale
Chicken tamales have approximately 305 calories but less fat than other meat. Also, chicken has the amino acid tryptophan, which helps produce and link the brain’s feel-good hormone. In addition, the chicken tamale is a better choice for diabetic and cardiac patients without any health risks.
Calories in Cheese and Green Chili Tamale
You will consume approximately 230.5 calories from cheese and green chili tamale per serving. Cheese has protein, fat, Zinc, phosphorus, and calcium, which are suitable for your bones and overall health. While green chili contains beta-carotene and vitamin c that help boost metabolism, cardiovascular health, and weight loss.
Fillings are rolled with corn masa, and corn contains fiber, vitamin B, and Zinc. The fiber from the corn leads to a good digestion process. The corn husk wrapper also has nutrient value, containing vitamin K and potassium.
The recommended daily intake should be 2000 calories for women and 2500 for men. Tamales can be vital in fulfilling your daily calorie intake and overall health development. Each layer of tamale has a good amount of nutrients. Generally, these are steamed, which means there’s no extra fat or oil from frying them, so they are treated as a healthy food choice.
5 Best Frozen Tamales of 2021
Del Real Foods Tamales, Beef in Red Sauce, 24 Ounce
The Del Real Foods Beef Tamales are prepared with the most authentic ingredients and packed in sustainable wraps, preserving the masa’s delicious flavor and soft texture.
These tamales can be heated in 3 different methods as follows:
- Wrap each tamale in a damp paper towel and place it in a microwave for about one minute;
- Heat tamales in a pouch by puncturing four holes and heating them in the microwave for 6 minutes; or
- Heat tamales in bulk by placing the pouches in boiling water for 30-40 minutes. After heating them with the method of your choice, let them stand for 1-2 minutes then these tamales are now ready to be served!
There are about six servings per 24 ounces pack, and though it is frozen, the masa remains fresh and soft after heating. The final layer is rich in beef seasoned in red chili sauce.
We have picked Del Real Foods Tamales as one of the best-frozen tamales for its quality, ingredients richness, ease of cooking, and deliciousness. Having the best tamales couldn’t get any easier!
Del Real Foods Cheese & Green Chile Tamales, 4 Ounce (Pack of 6)
Another Del Real Foods product that is perfect for cheese and chili lovers is the Cheese & Green Chile Tamales. The soft stone-ground masa is filled with a layer of green roasted chilies and Monterey Jack cheese, added with baking powder and some seasoning to make it more delicious, and finally, hand wrapped in a corn husk.
You don’t need to prepare anything; you can cook or reheat the tamales within minutes. To avoid destroying the tenderness, let it stand to reach room temperature before reheating or cooking.
The cooking process is super easy, just like the above heating methods. You can cook in a rice cooker or steamer at medium heat, microwave them, or reheat them on the stovetop. If you like frying them, you can use an air fryer to avoid excess oil and get crispy tamales outside and soft filling inside.
Your hungry tummy will thank you after having a low-calorie but delicious tamale as an appetizer, side dish, or entire meal.
Feel free to check out our 5 Best Frozen Egg Rolls Brands
Hormel Beef Tamales, 15 Ounce (Pack of 12)
Serving Hormel Beef Tamales can be a great alternative to beef curry. Hormel Foods’ beef tamales are 190 calories but have more protein than other dishes.
This canned tamale contains beef, tomato paste, corn flour, chili sauce, paprika, water, salt, and other spices. All ingredients are gluten-free. Beef is an excellent source of protein, tomatoes have antioxidants, and corn has fiber content that helps to digest.
You can purchase this Hormel tamale in packs of 4, 8, or 12, with each can containing six tamales for 15 ounces. These are free from artificial preservatives, but consuming them within the date printed on the packaging is recommended to ensure they remain fresh and tasty.
The corn masa is layered with beef filling seasoned in tangy chili sauce. Each tamale is individually wrapped in corn husk wrappers.
You can quickly heat the Hormel Beef Tamales using a microwave and serve them to eat soon after. You can also fry these using an air fryer at mid-range temperature.
Hormel Tamales, Beef in Chili Sauce (Pack of 3) 15 oz Cans
Beef tamales are undeniably more flavorful than any other tamales. You should try these Beef in Chili Sauce tamales from Hormel Foods to substitute fresh tamales.
It comes in a pack of 3 cans with 15 ounces in each can. Also, the can coatings do not contain BPA.
The ingredients are similar to the Hormel Beef Tamales mentioned above. All are preservative-free and have no artificial ingredients. They remain fresh and flavorful if consumed within the specified date in the packaging.
The reheating or cooking process is easy and quick, so these tamales can be served anytime as a snack or meal. But you can also spice up this canned tamale by making it a casserole. You can serve tamales with a delicious cup of chocolate drink or coffee.
Hormel beef tamales are a great choice with their affordable price and great taste.
To find the best coffee, you can read our top 6 Best coffee with chocolate notes
New Mexican Green Chile Chicken Tamales, 2 Dozen
For those who do not eat beef or pork but love tamales, the New Mexican Green Chile Chicken Tamales are the best option!
The main ingredients of these tamales are corn, chicken, green chili, cream of mushroom, yeast extract, white onions, granulated garlic, lime, and spices! All of these are fresh, gluten-free, and preservative-free.
Chicken tamales are full of nutrients. The chicken will fulfill the demand for protein, and the fiber from corn helps with digestion.
A pack of these frozen chicken tamales comes in 24 pieces, a decent amount to serve as a snack or meal for as long as one month. Also, with its ziplock packaging, keeping them in the fridge is a lot more convenient.
To reheat these frozen chicken tamales, you can steam them for 2-3 minutes regardless of whether you use a countertop, stovetop steamer, or a rice cooker. However, ensure the water level does not touch the bottom of the steamer.
You cook the traditional tamales in a slow cooker, but you can also cook these frozen tamales in the microwave. You place them in a circular pattern on a microwave-safe plate by wrapping them with a damp paper towel. You can add some grated cheese to them to amplify the taste. Also, you can fry using an air fryer. It requires no oils, though you can spray some non-stick cooking spray for better taste.
Final Words
The tamales presented above are all naturally processed, preserved, and safe to eat as a snack, appetizer, or main course. An easy-to-prepare treat that you can look forward to after a long and busy day!
Hopefully, this article has helped you find your favorite one among these five best tamale options!
