Ever made a big batch of delicious chicken tamales only to wonder how long you can safely keep them in your fridge? I’ve been there! Nothing’s worse than tossing out perfectly good tamales because you weren’t sure if they were still safe to eat. Today, I’m gonna break down everything you need to know about properly storing your chicken tamales and how long they’ll stay fresh and tasty.
Quick Answer: Chicken Tamale Shelf Life
For those in a hurry, here’s the short version:
- Cooked chicken tamales: Good for 3-4 days in the refrigerator (some sources say up to 7 days)
- Raw/uncooked tamales: Should be cooked within 4-5 days
- Vacuum-sealed tamales: Can last up to 3 weeks in the fridge
- Frozen tamales: Stay good for 1-2 months (up to a year if vacuum-sealed)
Now let’s dig deeper into keeping those tamales safe and delicious!
Understanding Tamale Storage Basics
Before we dive into specific timeframes, let’s understand why proper storage is so important for chicken tamales in particular
Chicken tamales contain meat, which makes them more susceptible to bacterial growth than vegetarian options. The warm moist environment inside a tamale can be the perfect breeding ground for bacteria like Salmonella E. coli, and Listeria if not stored correctly.
Plus, we want to preserve that amazing flavor and texture that makes tamales so special!
Refrigerating Cooked Chicken Tamales
Once you’ve cooked your chicken tamales to perfection, proper refrigeration is key to maintaining their safety and quality.
The 3-4 Day Rule (Sometimes 7)
Most food safety experts and sources agree that properly stored chicken tamales are typically good for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Some sources extend this to 7 days, but I personally prefer to stick to the shorter timeframe for chicken tamales to be extra safe.
How to Store Them Properly
To maximize shelf life in the fridge:
- Allow tamales to cool completely (but don’t leave them at room temperature for more than 2 hours)
- Store in airtight containers or sealed plastic bags
- Remove as much air as possible before sealing
- Label with the date they were made (trust me, this helps!)
- Keep refrigerated at 40°F (4°C) or below
- Store on upper shelves to prevent cross-contamination from raw meats
Vacuum Sealing for Extended Freshness
If you have a vacuum sealer, you’re in luck! Vacuum-sealed chicken tamales can last significantly longer – up to 3 weeks in the refrigerator. That’s because vacuum sealing removes air that contributes to spoilage and creates a barrier against moisture and contamination.
However, be aware that vacuum sealing doesn’t eliminate all risks. The anaerobic environment can actually promote growth of certain bacteria like Clostridium botulinum (which causes botulism), so proper refrigeration is still essential.
Raw/Uncooked Tamale Storage
If you’ve prepped tamales but haven’t cooked them yet, their shelf life is a bit shorter.
Raw tamales should be cooked within 4-5 days of being placed in the refrigerator. This shorter timeframe helps ensure the raw ingredients (especially the chicken) remain safe to eat.
Freezing Chicken Tamales: The Long-Term Solution
When I make tamales, I often make a big batch. Freezing is my go-to method for preserving them long-term.
Cooked Tamales in the Freezer
Properly frozen cooked chicken tamales can maintain their quality for 1-2 months. If vacuum-sealed, some sources suggest they can last up to 6 months or even a year!
How to Freeze Tamales Correctly
For best results when freezing:
- Cool tamales completely
- Wrap each tamale individually in aluminum foil or plastic wrap
- Place wrapped tamales in freezer-safe bags or containers
- Remove as much air as possible
- Label with the date
- Store at 0°F (-18°C) or below
Raw vs. Cooked for Freezing
While you can freeze both raw and cooked tamales, freezing them after cooking is usually recommended. This ensures food safety and better texture when reheated.
Thawing and Reheating Frozen Tamales
When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen tamales:
- Thaw safely – Preferably overnight in the refrigerator
- Never thaw at room temperature – This can lead to bacterial growth
- Reheat thoroughly – Until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C)
Best Reheating Methods:
| Method | Temperature | Time (Frozen) | Time (Thawed) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steaming | High | 30-45 mins | 20 mins |
| Oven | 350°F | 25-35 mins | 15-20 mins |
| Microwave | Medium/High | 3 mins, flip, 2 mins | 1.5 mins, flip, 1 min |
| Instant Pot | High | 15 mins | 10 mins |
Steaming often gives the best results for texture and moisture retention!
How to Tell if Chicken Tamales Have Spoiled
No matter how carefully you store them, it’s important to know the signs that tamales have gone bad:
Watch for These Warning Signs:
- Sour or off-putting odor: A significant change in smell is a strong indicator of bacterial activity
- Slimy or discolored masa or filling: Visual changes in texture or color are red flags
- Visible mold growth: Any presence of mold means immediate disposal
- Unusually soft or mushy texture: Excessive mushiness suggests decomposition
- Pink or orange discoloration: Unusual colors may indicate bacterial growth
When in doubt, throw it out! Food poisoning isn’t worth the risk.
FAQs About Chicken Tamale Storage
Can I leave chicken tamales out overnight?
Absolutely not! Leaving chicken tamales at room temperature for more than 2 hours puts them in the “danger zone” (40°F-140°F/4°C-60°C) where bacteria multiply rapidly. Always refrigerate promptly.
Is it safe to eat tamales that have been in the fridge for 5 days?
While some people might risk it, it’s generally not recommended. The risk of bacterial contamination increases significantly after day 4. If they smell and look fine, it’s a personal judgment call, but better to err on the side of caution with chicken.
Can I refreeze tamales after thawing?
Refreezing is generally not recommended as it negatively impacts texture and flavor. More importantly, each thaw-refreeze cycle increases bacterial growth risk.
Does reheating kill all bacteria in tamales?
Reheating to 165°F (74°C) will kill most harmful bacteria. However, some toxins produced by bacteria are heat-resistant and can still cause illness. That’s why proper storage before reheating is essential.
Are store-bought tamales safer than homemade for longer storage?
The storage guidelines are the same for both homemade and store-bought chicken tamales. The key factor is proper handling and refrigeration, regardless of origin.
How long do tamales last in a cooler with ice?
Tamales stored in a cooler with ice will only last as long as the ice keeps the temperature at 40°F (4°C) or below, typically no more than 2-4 hours. This method is only suitable for temporary transportation.
The Bottom Line on Chicken Tamale Storage
To sum it all up, your delicious chicken tamales will be at their best when:
- Refrigerated promptly after cooking
- Stored in airtight containers
- Consumed within 3-4 days (up to 7 if you’re feeling adventurous)
- Frozen for longer storage needs
- Always checked for signs of spoilage before eating
I’ve found that making a big batch and freezing portions works wonderfully for having tamales on demand without worrying about them going bad in the fridge.
Remember, proper storage not only keeps your tamales safe to eat but also preserves their amazing flavor and texture. There’s nothing quite like biting into a perfectly stored and reheated chicken tamale that tastes almost as good as the day it was made!
Do you have any special tips for storing your tamales? I’d love to hear about them in the comments!
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We use 100% USDA Choice Cuts for our Beef Barbacoa and Shredded Beef products.
Our pork comes from the USA and Canada.
Our beef comes from the USA.
Del Real Foods strives to keep the sodium level of our products as low as possible while delivering great flavor. In addition, we avoid preservatives without compromising the flavor and quality of the products. Please note the amount of sodium is per serving, the nutritional information is based on a 2 tsp serving size.
Yes, if pouch seals are closed and there are no pinholes or tears in the pouch itself. Some of our items contain sauce (i.e., Chile Verde, Barbacoa) and the pouches will not have a tight vacuum because the seal integrity would otherwise be compromised.
Yes, you may freeze the tamales (or any Del Real product except salsa) to extend the shelf life; it is important to freeze them before the sell-by date printed on the package. They will last up to 6 months frozen without serious quality degradation.
The sell-by date is located on the outer package. Another way to determine the sell-by date is by locating the lot number on the pouch and calling our Customer Service Department to provide you with the sell-by date.
Call: +1 (877) 545-7325
We don’t recommend using the product after the pouch has been open for more than 3-5 days.
Our Tamales may be refrigerated up to the sell-by date. However, we don’t recommend using the product after the pouch has been open for more than 3-5 days.Variation in temperature and storage containers may lead to a shorter or longer holding time.
No, the product must be frozen BEFORE the sell-by date.
Salsas are the only products we don’t recommend freezing for the reason that they get watery and lose flavor. However, they can be frozen prior to the “use by” date and not pose a food safety issue if thawed and consumed later.
Yes, you can freeze the tamales in the bag in which they were purchased.
Yes, our black containers are re-usable in a microwave oven.
Our Cheese Tamales are made with Monterey Jack cheese.
Yes, the corn used in the tamales is genetically modified. There are no products GMO-free due to a natural phenomenon in corn called cross-pollination. There are many types of GMO modifications in the United States and all of them are allowed except for Starlink. Del Real Foods corn products are Starlink free.
Our Tamales, including the masa, are fully cooked. Just heat and serve!
The fastest way to thaw any of our products is using the Thaw or Defrost feature available on most microwave ovens. Once the product is somewhat thawed, follow the directions on the packages to properly heat the product (Microwaves vary in strength and the product should be monitored as heated).
No, it is not recommended to refreeze any of the products.
It’s not recommended to heat up the Tamales in a crock pot. However, this method may be used to keep the Tamales warm. Do not steam for more than 4 hours.
Yes, preheat oven to 350˚F. Remove product from sleeve and pouch. Place in an oven safe pan, place about ¼ cup of water in pan with the product and cover with foil or oven safe lid. Reheat for 45-60 minutes or until product reaches 165˚F internal temperature. If frozen, thaw product first then follow same procedure.
Del Real Foods doesn’t recommend heating up the Tamales in the oven since they lose moisture and dry out. The preferred method is microwaving or steaming.
Yes, we wash and sanitize our production lines before production.
The Tamales contain corn starch. Del Real Foods tries to avoid any wheat or any other allergen ingredient in our products.
All of our tamales are wheat gluten free.
No, our Carnitas do not have any lecithin, wheat, egg, and or nut products. Del Real Foods strives to keep our products free of preservatives and/or allergens.
We do not test our products for gluten; however, we use gluten free ingredients.
No, At Del Real Foods we take pride in developing authentic products which are both delicious and free from MSG.
No, our tamales do not contain lard but are seasoned to be soft and flavorful.
Our Cheese and Green Chile tamales contain Microbial enzymes.
The products that are Keto Friendly are our Carnitas, Beef Barbacoa, Shredded Beef, Chicken Al Pastor, Pollo Asado, Shredded Chicken, Salsa de Molcajete Roja, Salsa de Molcajete Verde, and Restaurant Style Salsa.
Our vegetarian products include the Mexican Rice, Fire Roasted Red Salsa, Fire Roasted Green Salsa, and Fire Roasted Mild Salsa.
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