How to

A tamale is a Mesoamerican dish made with masa, a dough created from nixtamalized corn. The product is steamed in a corn husk or banana leaf, which can be used as a plate or discarded.

Tamales contain a filling such as meat, cheese, vegetables, or fruit, depending on the recipe. These dishes can be sweet or savory, and they can be eaten as a main course or as a side.

Dating back as far as 8,000 to 5,000 BCE, the tamale originated in Latin America. The dish is thought to have been introduced by indigenous cultures in Mexico and Guatemala before spreading throughout the continent.

There are different ways to reheat fresh and frozen tamales for optimum results, including in a steamer or an oven.

The Best Way to Reheat Tamales

The best way to reheat leftover tamales is to steam them in a basket. Because this is the way tamales are cooked originally, using a steaming basket helps retain the original flavor and texture of the dish.

Here’s how to reheat your tamales in a steamer:

1. Fill the steamer to just below the steamer base with water and turn the heat to medium
2. Steam the tamales in their husks for 15 to 20 minutes by placing them in a steamer basket over the steam. If you’re using frozen tamales, increase the cooking time to 10 to 15 minutes
3. Remove the tamales from the steamer and serve

7 Best Simple Ways To Warm Up Tamales

Here are seven alternative ways to reheat tamales if you don’t have a steamer:

How to Reheat Tamales in an Oven

Reheating frozen tamales and fresh tamales in the oven is easy and helps conserve the product’s texture, when done correctly.

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F
2. Squeeze the tamales to remove trapped air
3. Cover each tamale with aluminum foil
4. Place the tamales in an oven-proof dish, leaving space between each tamale, and then put the dish in the oven
5. Flip the tamales onto the other side 10 minutes into the baking process
6. Bake the tamales for 10 minutes more (20 minutes total) if fresh, or 20 minutes more (30 minutes total) if frozen
7. Remove from the oven and enjoy

Using aluminum foil to reheat tamales in the oven is crucial because reheating the tamales without foil can damage the texture of the tamale.

How to Reheat Tamales in an Air Fryer

Reheating fresh or frozen tamales in an air fryer is quick and easy.

1. Switch on the air fryer and set it to a medium heat
2. Moisten each tamale’s corn husk with cold water
3. Place the tamales in the air fryer basket, and air fry them for 5 minutes. Add an extra 3 to 5 minutes for frozen tamales
4. Remove the tamales carefully from the fryer basket and leave them to cool before serving

How to Reheat Tamales in a Microwave

Reheating tamales in a microwave is quick. However, reheating tamales in a microwave can cause the tamales to lose their original texture, so it’s not the ideal method. Microwaving tamales is the best method for when you’re in a rush and not concerned about the tamales drying out.

1. Wrap each tamale in a damp paper towel
2. Arrange each tamale on a plate or dish that’s microwave safe, making sure there’s adequate space between each tamale
3. Reheat the tamales for 1 to 2 minutes on medium-high heat
4. Remove the tamale from the microwave and enjoy

If you’re using frozen tamales, thaw them in the refrigerator for at least 5 hours before microwaving them.

How to Reheat Tamales on the Stove

Reheating your tamales on the stove brings out their flavor and can give the outside a crispy texture, so it’s a great method for people who prefer their tamales crunchy.

1. Discard the corn husks from the tamales
2. Add a teaspoon of vegetable oil such as olive oil or rapeseed oil to a pan
3. Heat the pan for 2 minutes until the oil is warm
4. Put the tamales in the pan and cover the pan with a lid
5. Remove the lid and flip the tamales every couple of minutes
6. Remove the tamales from the pan after 10 minutes, or when the tamales look golden

How to Reheat Tamales in an Instant Pot

If you’re short on time, you can reheat the tamales in a pressure cooker such as an instant pot.

1. Put your Instant Pot on a high heat
2. Dampen your tamales with water
3. Place the tamales in your Instant Pot with adequate space between each tamale
4. Let the tamales heat for 10 minutes
5. Remove the tamales from the Instant Pot and allow them to cool before serving

How to Reheat Tamales in a Slow Cooker

If you’re not in a rush, you can reheat tamales in a slow cooker. This method of cooking is easy and requires minimum effort.

1. Set the slow cooker to a high temperature
2. Sprinkle each tamale’s husk with water
3. Place the tamales in their husks in the pot with the open ends facing up. Make sure there’s space between each tamale
4. Cover the pot and reheat the tamales for an hour
5. After an hour, check the internal temperature before eating. The temperature should be at least 165°F

How to Reheat Tamales on the Grill

Reheating tamales on the grill gives them a crispy texture and smoky flavor. This method works best with thawed tamales and isn’t suitable for frozen tamales

1. Heat the grill to medium
2. Wrap the tamales in aluminum foil for extra moisture (optional)
3. Place the tamales on the grill with adequate space between them
4. Grill for several minutes on one side
5. Flip the tamales and grill them on the other side for several minutes. Once the husks are blackened, the tamales are ready

FAQs About Reheating Tamales

Here are some commonly-asked questions about tamales and their answers.

How to Keep Tamales Moist When Reheating

The best way to keep your tamales moist when reheating is to use a steamer. If you don’t have a steamer and you’re reheating your tamales in the microwave, wrap each tamale in a damp paper towel before placing it on a microwave-safe plate.

When reheating tamales in the oven, cover the tamales in foil, or dampen the tamales if using an air fryer or instant pot. If you want your tamales to be moist, not crispy, avoid reheating them on the stove.

Can You Steam Tamales the Next Day?

You can steam tamales the next day. Once you’ve cooked the tamales, place them in the refrigerator for up to a week. During this week, you can reheat the tamales using any of the methods listed above.

Do You Microwave Tamales in the Corn Husk?

You should microwave tamales in the corn husk. However, you should wrap the corn husk in a damp paper towel or dampen the corn husk before microwaving the tamales.

Defrosting scallops correctly is important for preserving their flavor and texture. There are numerous ways to thaw frozen scallops.

The best way to thaw sea scallops is overnight in the refrigerator.

Thawing Scallops in the Refrigerator

Thawing scallops in the refrigerator is the best way to defrost them, though this method takes longer than other methods. When scallops are left in the refrigerator, they thaw gradually and have a low chance of spoilage.

Thawing scallops in the refrigerator takes at least 12 hours, and the only equipment needed is a bowl and some plastic wrap.

Follow these steps to thaw scallops in the refrigerator:

1. Set the refrigerator to 37°F. This is the ideal temperature for defrosting frozen scallops
2. Remove the scallops from the package and place them in a bowl. The bowl should be large enough to fit all the scallops with some extra space for the ice to melt
3. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or use the bowl’s sealable lid
4. Place the bowl on a low shelf in the fridge, where the temperature is usually the lowest. Don’t overcrowd the shelf or allow the bowl to come into contact with other foods to prevent the transfer of odors and flavors
5. Avoid placing the scallops in a drawer. The drawers in a refrigerator are usually temperature-controlled to keep fresh fruit and vegetables at their optimum temperature and may not be suitable for thawing scallops.
6. Leave the scallops in the fridge overnight to defrost. In the morning, check if they’ve defrosted fully by pressing one scallop gently with your finger. If the scallop still feels hard or icy, leave the bowl in the fridge for a few hours longer
7. Use scallops fridge-thawed scallops within two days, and keep them covered and refrigerated until use

Pros:

• Spoilage is unlikely — Chances of spoilage are reduced by defrosting the scallops gradually at a controlled temperature
• Preserves flavor and texture — Scallops retain their natural moisture, and their delicate flavor and texture aren’t affected

Cons:

• Takes a long time — This method can’t be used for a quick, last-minute meal. Scallops take a long time to defrost in the fridge and require that you plan ahead
• Requires lots of fridge space — The scallops need to be put in a large bowl and placed away from other foods

Using Cool Water to Defrost

Defrosting in cool water is a quick way to thaw scallops properly when you’re in a hurry. Using cold running water to defrost scallops quickly doesn’t affect the scallop’s flavor or texture.

You can defrost scallops in 30 minutes using a large bowl of cold tap water and a resealable plastic bag. Here’s how:

1. Place the frozen scallops in a resealable plastic bag and seal the bag, expelling as much air as possible from the bag
2. Place the sealed bag of scallops in a large bowl and fill the bowl with cold tap water
3. Leave the scallops to stand in the bowl of water for 30 minutes, replacing the water with fresh cold water every 10 minutes
4. Check the scallops after 30 minutes by pressing one gently with your finger. The scallop should feel soft. If the scallop is hard, it’s still frozen, and you should repeat this process, leaving the bowl to stand for another 10 minutes

Pros:

• Convenient — This method doesn’t take much time or attention, making it a good option when you don’t have time to leave the scallops in the fridge overnight
• Preserves flavor and texture — This method doesn’t affect the scallop’s delicate texture or flavor

Cons:

• Takes a long time — This method takes lots of time and attention. You can’t leave the scallops to defrost on their own
• Affects flavor and texture — The scallops can become soft and mushy if water gets into the bag

Defrosting Scallops in the Microwave

Defrosting scallops in the microwave is the fastest way to thaw scallops when you’re in a hurry, but it’s the most dangerous method because the scallops start to cook if left in the microwave for too long, and bacteria begin multiplying if the scallops become too warm.

To defrost scallops in the microwave, you need a large microwave-safe bowl, preferably made of glass, and some thick paper towels:

1. Remove the scallops from their packaging and place them in a large microwave-safe bowl. A glass bowl is the best type of bowl to prevent the transfer of odors and flavors
2. Cover the scallops with a layer of thick, 3-ply paper towel to prevent the scallops from cooking
3. Place the scallops in the microwave for 30 seconds, using the defrost setting or on 30% power. Settings that are too hot will cook the scallops, making them tough and chewy
4. Open the microwave after 30 seconds to check if the scallops have defrosted. If they’re still cold or hard, defrost them for another 30 seconds. Continue checking every 30 seconds until the scallops have thawed
5. Cook the scallops immediately after defrosting them in the microwave

Pros:

• Convenient — This method is quick
• Easy — This method doesn’t require much attention

Cons:

• Affects texture — Scallops defrost quickly and may start cooking if left in the microwave for too long, resulting in a tough texture
• Prone to bacteria growth — Scallops may become too warm in the microwave and if they aren’t cooked immediately after defrosting, bacteria start to multiply and contaminate the food

Don’t Forget to Read the Defrosting Instructions

Defrosting recommendations differ for some types of scallops, and sometimes, defrosting the scallops before cooking them isn’t necessary at all.

Cook frozen scallops without thawing them first if the scallops are breaded. Sear frozen, breaded scallops in a hot pan with a few drops of vegetable oil.

Follow the defrosting and cooking instructions on the scallop’s package. Frozen scallops can be broiled in the oven or pan-seared without being defrosted first. Broil or pan-sear frozen scallops by coating them with melted butter and seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Common Mistakes When Defrosting Scallops

Avoid these common mistakes when defrosting scallops:

• Opening and closing the fridge door frequently — This causes the temperature inside the fridge to fluctuate as warm air enters the fridge. Open the fridge door as little as possible when defrosting scallops inside
• Defrosting at room temperature — Leaving scallops on the counter to defrost at room temperature increases the risk of bacteria growth, which makes the seafood dangerous to eat
• Placing scallops in the sun to defrost — Scallops left to defrost in the sun quickly become too warm and may spoil
• Defrosting in a leaky bag — When defrosting scallops using the cold water method, make sure that the plastic bag is fully sealed and that water can’t get in. If the scallops come into direct contact with water, their texture will deteriorate

Conecuh sausage (pronounced Cah-nek-ah) is a sausage made by the Conecuh Sausage Company and named after Conecuh County, Alabama, United States. The sausages are available in six flavors, including original, hickory, all-natural hickory (no MSG), spicy & hot hickory, cajun, and cracked black pepper.

The smoked sausage is made using a blend of pork and spices and is known for its smoky and savory flavor.

Cook Conecuh sausages thoroughly before eating them because, even though the links are lightly smoked before they’re packaged, the meat is still raw. These sausages contain no preservatives, so store the meat in the fridge or freezer.

How to Cook Conecuh Sausage in the Oven

Cooking Conecuh sausage in the oven is easy and makes the sausage crispy and evenly cooked. Cooking in the oven will take 25 to 30 minutes if the link is cooked from raw, and 35 to 40 minutes from frozen.

Ingredients and Materials:

• Defrosted or frozen Conecuh sausages
• Nonstick baking sheet or a large cast iron skillet
• Kitchen tongs
• Oven mitts
• Meat thermometer

Instructions:

• Preheat the oven to 400°F and place the baking pan, covered with the baking sheet or parchment paper, onto the middle oven rack
• Remove the sausages from the packaging and poke a hole in each inch of sausage using a fork or a knife. This will render the fat quicker, resulting in a tastier cooked sausage
• Cut the sausages into 4-inch pieces for a shorter cooking time, or leave them as they are before placing them onto the pan and in the oven
• After 10-15 minutes (raw) or 20-25 minutes (frozen), remove the sausages from the oven using oven mitts, and turn the sausages using kitchen tongs to brown the bottom sides
• Place the sausages back in the oven for another 10-15 minutes (raw) or 20-25 minutes (frozen), while keeping an eye on them to ensure they don’t burn. Remove them from the oven when the internal temperature of each sausage reaches 165°F (measured with a meat thermometer) and serve immediately with a dipping sauce of choice

Conecuh sausage can be included in popular baked dishes such as cornbread, baked beans, pizza, hash brown casserole, and macaroni and cheese. The link can also be used in appetizers such as bacon-wrapped sausage, Conecuh wontons, or as pigs in a blanket.

How to Grill Conecuh Sausage

Grilling Conecuh sausages is easy and gives crispy, smoky results. Grilling takes between 10 and 12 minutes to cook raw sausages and up to 15 minutes for frozen sausages. Increase grilling time for an electric grill and decrease the total time if using a gas grill.

When using a charcoal grill, wait until the charcoal is ashed over before placing the sausages on the grill. Grilling Conecuh sausages requires constant attention to ensure the sausages don’t burn.

Ingredients and Materials:

• Defrosted or frozen Conecuh sausages
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• Kitchen tongs

Instructions:

• Light the charcoal, gas, or electric grill, and set to medium to high heat. Add a layer of cooking oil to the grill grates and leave to preheat for 10 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 275°F
• Cut the Conecuh sausages into 6-inch chunks, prick the sausage casings with a fork or knife, and place the sausages on the grill plates with space between each sausage
• Use the kitchen tongs to turn the sausages every two to four minutes to ensure an even sear
• Remove the sausages from the grill when they are golden brown on all sides and have reached an internal temperature of 165°F
• Allow the sausages to rest for 10 minutes before serving

The grilled sausage can be used in many popular grilled dishes, such as hotdogs and sausage kebabs. The links go well with grilled veggies like onions and peppers and are delicious when marinated.

How to Cook Conecuh Sausage on the Stove

Pan-frying or boiling on the stovetop is one of the most popular ways to cook Conecuh sausage because it’s fast, easy, and only requires a pot or skillet. Pan-fried sausage can be added to many dishes and only takes 9 to 15 minutes, depending on the method used.

Ingredients and Materials:

• Conecuh sausage
• 2–3 cups of water (for boiled sausages)
• 1 tablespoon of cooking oil (for pan-fried sausages)
• Kitchen tongs
• A large cast-iron skillet or non-stick pan (for pan-frying), or pot (for boiling)
• Meat thermometer

Instructions:

Pan-fried sausages:

• Add 1 tablespoon of oil to the pan and warm over medium-high heat
• Cut the sausage into 4- or 6-inch pieces and poke the sides a few times with a fork or knife
• Add the sausages to the heated pan, and fry for 9 to 12 minutes, turning them every 2 to 3 minutes with kitchen tongs
• Test the internal temperature of each sausage using the meat thermometer after at least 6 minutes, and remove the sausages when the internal temperatures reach 165°F and the outsides are golden brown

Boiled sausages:

• Bring the water to a boil and add cut 4- or 6-inch sausage pieces to the pot (don’t prick holes in them as the flavors will be lost in the water), cover the pot with a lid, and heat over medium to high heat
• Ensure the sausages remain covered by about 1 inch of water, and keep the pot covered with a lid. Rotate the sausages bottom-side-up after five minutes, replacing the lid after rotating them
• Cook the sausages for another 10 minutes, turning twice more during this time to ensure an even cook
• Remove the sausages when they are golden brown, and the internal temperature is 165°F

Pan-fried Conecuh sausage can be added to several popular dishes such as hash browns, breakfast burritos, pasta, stir-fries, and stews. Boiled sausage can be added to jambalaya, gumbo, and soups. Several Conecuh sausage recipes are on their website, including Conecuh sausage cornbread!

Cooking Conecuh Sausage: Tips & Tricks

The stove-top, pan-frying method is the fastest way to cook Conecuh sausages, and the grilling method brings out the most flavor from the links. Boiling the Conecuh sausage is the healthiest way to prepare it, and the oven-bake method is the easiest. Simmering the sausages at medium heat, with any technique, will extract the most flavor.

Cook sausages to an internal temperature of 165°F before eating them. Links that don’t reach this temperature are unsafe to eat. Test the temperature with a meat thermometer, or cut the sausage open and check that it’s fully cooked — firm, not runny, and dark or pale in color rather than bright pink.

This article explains how to reheat biscuits so that they taste like freshly baked biscuits. Incorrectly heating frozen biscuits causes the biscuits to become dry and lose their original flavor. Frozen or leftover biscuits don’t have to end up in the trash.

Reheating Frozen Biscuits: Oven, Microwave, and Toaster Oven

Reheating frozen biscuits is easy as long as you use one of the methods on this list. The best way to reheat frozen or leftover biscuits is to bake them in the oven.

Oven

Preparation and cooking time: 10 minutes

Oven cooking is the best way to reheat frozen biscuits because the even heat distribution warms the biscuits thoroughly. This method is also best for reheating big batches of biscuits at once.

You will need:

• An oven
• Parchment paper
• A large baking tray or baking sheet
• Aluminum foil

Here’s what to do:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F
2. Place a layer of parchment paper on the baking tray
3. Spread the biscuits on the paper 1-inch apart
4. Cover the biscuits with aluminum foil
5. Place the tray in the oven and wait 5–7 minutes for the biscuits to reheat
6. Remove the tray and serve the biscuits as you prefer

Toaster Oven

Preparation and cooking time: 10 minutes

A toaster oven is the next best alternative to a traditional oven for reheating frozen biscuits. Toaster ovens give frozen or leftover biscuits a freshly-baked taste and are ideal for reheating small batches of biscuits.

You will need:

• A toaster oven
• Parchment paper
• A toaster oven tray
• Butter (optional)

Follow these instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F
2. Line the toaster oven tray with parchment paper
3. Place the biscuits on the paper 1-inch apart
4. Brush the biscuits with butter to keep them moist (optional)
5. Bake the biscuits in the toaster oven for 6–8 minutes until they’re thoroughly reheated
6. Remove the tray and serve the biscuits while they’re hot

Microwave

Preparation and cooking time: 3 minutes

Microwaving frozen biscuits is the quickest way to reheat them. To ensure the biscuits retain their moisture and flavor, wrap them in a damp paper towel.

You will need:

• Microwave
• Damp paper towels (enough to wrap each biscuit individually)
• Microwave-safe plate or container

Here’s what to do:

1. Set the microwave to a medium heat setting
2. Wrap each biscuit in a damp paper towel
3. Place the wrapped biscuits on a microwave-safe plate or in a container
4. Place the plate or container inside the microwave and heat for 45 seconds
5. Remove the biscuits and check that they’re warm enough. If parts of the biscuits are still cold to touch, heat them for another 15 seconds
6. Continue to microwave the biscuits in 15-second increments until they’re warm enough, then serve

Stove

Preparation and cooking time: 3 minutes

Reheating frozen biscuits on the stove is just as quick as using a microwave, but takes some extra care. This method works well because it doesn’t alter the texture of the biscuits during reheating.

You will need:

• A stovetop
• Aluminum foil
• Butter or olive oil
• A medium or large pan

Follow these steps:

1. (Optional) Brush the biscuits with butter or olive oil to give them flavor
2. Wrap the biscuits individually in aluminum foil
3. Preheat the pan to a medium heat
4. Place the wrapped biscuits in the hot pan, reduce the heat to low, and cover with a lid
5. Remove the lid and flip the biscuits every 30 seconds to evenly cook them, then return the lid
6. Cook the biscuits for up to 3 minutes, then remove and carefully unwrap a biscuit to test it
7. If the biscuit is warm enough to your taste, remove the rest of the reheated biscuits and switch off the heat
8. Serve the biscuits alone or with your preferred toppings

Reheating Leftover Biscuits

The most common leftover biscuits are homemade, KFC, Red Lobster, Odom’s Tennessee Pride, Cheddar Bay, Popeye’s, and Pillsbury biscuits. The easiest way to reheat leftover biscuits is by microwaving them.

Preparation and cooking time: 3 minutes

You will need:

• Microwave
• Damp paper towels
• Microwave-safe plate or container

Follow these instructions:

1. Set the microwave to a medium heat setting
2. Wrap the leftover biscuits in damp paper towels
3. Place the wrapped biscuits on a microwave-safe plate or in a container
4. Place the plate or container inside the microwave for 30 seconds
5. Check the temperature of the biscuits and microwave them for another 10 seconds if they’re not warm enough

Some tips for reheating biscuits are:

• Wrap the biscuits in damp paper towels so they retain their moisture while reheating
• Brush the biscuits with melted butter before or after reheating them to give them a freshly-baked taste
• After reheating the biscuits, keep them warm by storing them in an insulated container until they’re ready to be served

Storing Biscuits

To properly store leftover biscuits, wait until they’ve completely cooled, then wrap them in cling film or aluminum foil and place them in an airtight container. Store the container in a cool, dark cupboard or in the fridge. Biscuits with ingredients like cheese or cream cheese should always be stored in a refrigerator.

Leftover biscuits can also be frozen — wrap them in aluminum foil and freeze them in separate Ziploc bags. Leftover biscuits stored in a refrigerator or pantry last for one week. Frozen biscuits maintain their quality for two to three months.