A tamale maker is the person who blocks out a whole Saturday in December, buys masa by the sack and recruits the family to spread husks at the kitchen table. They already know how to make tamales. What they rarely have is the right gear for the long day: a pot that holds a full batch, a bowl big enough to beat the masa, a quicker way to spread it and a plan for the dozens that go into the freezer.
This guide lists nine gifts for that person, from named makers and trade publishers, and each pick says who it suits. Steamers get one pick only, because our tamale steamer guide compares them in depth, and masa and husks are covered in our masa harina for tamales picks. We have not used these products ourselves; the picks rest on listing, maker and publisher details and the reviews we name.
Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a restaurant kitchen looks for, product specifications and listing, maker and publisher details.
Quick verdict: what to give a tamale maker
For most tamale makers, give Tamales 101 by Alice Guadalupe Tapp: a beginner-friendly book from Ten Speed Press that still gives a seasoned cook new fillings to try. For someone who steams in a borrowed pot, the Gas One 20-Quart Stainless Steamer is the big gift, and for a stocking, the Mindful Design masa spreaders.
The rest cover the freezer, the masa bowl, the filling and three more books, including a picture book for the children who help at the table.
Five tamale gifts side by side
Five of the nine, one for each kind of tamale maker. All nine are described in full below.
| Gift | Who it suits | Gift type | What they get | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
![Tamales 101: A Beginner's Guide to Making Traditional Tamales [A Cookbook]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51dhb0WYI1L._SL500_.jpg)
Tamales 101 by Alice Guadalupe TappBest overall
|
Any tamale maker, new or seasoned | Main gift | Paperback cookbook | View on Amazon |
Gas One 20-Quart Stainless Steel Steamer PotBest big gift
|
A cook steaming in a stockpot today | Main gift | 20-quart steamer with rack and divider | View on Amazon |
Mindful Design Masa Spreaders, 2 PackBest stocking stuffer
|
Anyone who spreads masa by hand | Stocking stuffer | Two plastic masa spreaders | View on Amazon |
FoodSaver Compact Vacuum SealerBest for the freezer
|
A cook who freezes a big batch | Main gift | Vacuum sealer with starter bags | View on Amazon |
Too Many Tamales by Gary SotoBest for families
|
Families who make tamales with children | Small gift | Illustrated picture book | View on Amazon |
Our picks for the best gifts for tamale makers
We start with the gift that suits every tamale maker, then follow a tamalada from the steamer to the freezer: a pot, spreaders, storage, a mixing bowl and a slow cooker for the filling, then three more books.
1. Tamales 101 by Alice Guadalupe Tapp – A Whole Book on One Dish
Most cookbooks give tamales a few pages. Tamales 101 gives them the whole book, which is why it suits nearly every tamale maker, from the cousin making a first batch to the aunt who has run the family tamalada for years. The listing names Alice Guadalupe Tapp as the author and Ten Speed Press as the publisher, and gives a 208-page paperback first published in November 2002, sold by Amazon.com.
The subtitle calls it a beginner’s guide to making traditional tamales. For an experienced cook the value is less in the method, which they already know, and more in the range: a single-subject book is where a cook finds fillings their family never made. Publishers Weekly has no review of it, according to its book page, so this pick rests on the listing and the publisher.
We like a book as the first gift because it does not compete with the gear they already own, and it lasts longer than the season. It pairs naturally with the masa spreaders further down, and with the background in our guide to what tamales are.
Why we like it
- Single-subject book on tamales
- From Ten Speed Press, per the listing
- Written for beginners, useful for new fillings
- Sold by Amazon.com
Key specifications
| Model | ISBN 1580084281 |
|---|---|
| Who it suits | Any tamale maker, new or seasoned |
| Gift type | Main gift |
| What it is | Tamale cookbook |
| Size | 208 pages, per the listing |
| Material | Paperback |
| Care | Not applicable |
| Made in | Not applicable |
Why we recommend it
Give it to anyone who makes tamales once a year and wants to branch out, or to someone ready to make a first batch with help. It fits any kitchen and any budget conversation.
Skip it if they already own it; it has been in print for many years and is a common first tamale book.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Every page is about tamales
- Suits beginners
- Small and easy to wrap
Cons
- No independent review we could read
- First published in 2002
2. Gas One 20-Quart Stainless Steel Steamer Pot – Refill the Water Without Lifting the Lid
A tamale maker without a proper tamalera is usually steaming in a stockpot with a makeshift rack, which works until the water runs dry halfway through a batch. This Gas One pot fixes the main problem: a welded water-fill spout on the side lets the cook top up the water without lifting the lid and letting the steam out. The listing gives a 20-quart stainless steel pot with a stainless lid, a steam rack and a divider.
Gas One describes a capsule, three-layer bottom and says the pot works on any cooktop, including induction. Stainless steel has no coating or glaze in contact with food, which keeps care simple. The divider helps stand tamales upright in sections, and the same pot handles corn, crab and other steamed dishes the rest of the year.
Gas One is better known for camping stoves, and this is a simpler pot than the stainless steamers at the top of our tamale steamer guide. It is a different model from any steamer on that page, and the listing is sold by Amazon.com. For other ways to steam without a tamalera, see our tamale steamer alternatives.
Why we like it
- Welded water-fill spout, per the listing
- Rack and divider included
- Induction-ready capsule base
- Sold by Amazon.com
Key specifications
| Model | SPW-20C |
|---|---|
| Who it suits | A cook steaming in a stockpot today |
| Gift type | Main gift |
| What it is | Stainless tamale steamer |
| Size | 20 quarts |
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Care | Not stated on the listing |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Give it to the family cook who borrows a steamer every December, or who has outgrown a small one. Twenty quarts suits a family-size batch without taking over the stove.
Skip it if they already own a tamalera; a second pot is rarely welcome, and a book or the spreaders below make a better gift.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Water spout keeps the steam in
- Stainless with no coating
- Works on induction
Cons
- Gas One is a newer name in cookware
- Large to store
- Care not stated on the listing
3. Mindful Design Masa Spreaders, 2 Pack – Even Masa on Every Husk
Spreading masa is the slow part of any tamalada. Most families do it with the back of a spoon, and the thickness wanders from husk to husk. A masa spreader is a wide plastic paddle with guides that lay an even coat in one pull. The listing for this two-pack describes an ergonomic grip and precision guides for a steady masa thickness.
Each spreader measures about 2.15 by 5.6 by 5.5 inches, per the listing, and is made of a material the listing calls durable and food-safe. The listing says the design is dishwasher-safe, which matters at the end of a long day. Two in a pack means two people can spread at once, which is how a tamalada actually runs.
Mindful Design is a small brand that sells mainly on Amazon, and the listing is sold by Mindful Design. The listing does not name the plastic, so we cannot say more about the material than it does. It is still the most tamale-specific tool on this page and an easy add-on to any other gift.
Why we like it
- Two spreaders for two helpers
- Guides for even thickness, per the listing
- Dishwasher-safe design, per the listing
- Fits in a stocking
Key specifications
| Model | TN-1225041 |
|---|---|
| Who it suits | Anyone who spreads masa by hand |
| Gift type | Stocking stuffer |
| What it is | Masa spreaders |
| Size | 2.15 x 5.6 x 5.5 inches each |
| Material | Food-safe plastic (type not stated) |
| Care | Dishwasher-safe, per the listing |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Give a pair to the person who runs the spreading station, or tuck them in with a bigger gift such as the steamer or a book. They make the job quicker for helpers who are new to it.
Skip it if they prefer a spoon and have spread masa the same way for decades; some cooks will not change.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Built for one job, done well
- Two in a pack
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Plastic type not stated
- Small Amazon-first brand
- Single-purpose
4. FoodSaver Compact Vacuum Sealer – A Tamalada That Keeps in the Freezer
Nobody makes six tamales. A tamalada produces dozens, and most of them go into the freezer for January. Freezer bags work, but air in the bag dries the masa over time. A vacuum sealer pulls the air out first, and FoodSaver says on the listing that sealed food keeps fresh in the freezer up to five times longer.
This compact model stores upright to save counter space, has separate dry and moist settings and, per the listing, seals with 35 percent less bag waste than earlier FoodSaver models. The kit includes an 11-inch by 8-foot roll, three quart bags and two gallon bags, and works with all FoodSaver bags and rolls. FoodSaver gives the model number as 2115762.
For tamales, the moist setting suits steamed tamales once they have cooled. The listing is sold by Amazon.com. Our vacuum sealer guide compares larger machines; this one is not used on that page or any other.
Why we like it
- Dry and moist settings, per the listing
- Stores upright
- Starter roll and bags included
- Sold by Amazon.com
Key specifications
| Model | 2115762 |
|---|---|
| Who it suits | A cook who freezes a big batch |
| Gift type | Main gift |
| What it is | Vacuum sealer |
| Size | Compact, stores vertically |
| Material | Not stated |
| Care | Not stated on the listing |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Give it to the tamale maker whose freezer fills up every December. It also earns its place the rest of the year with meat, cheese and leftovers.
Skip it if they already own a vacuum sealer; a roll of FoodSaver bags is the better small gift then.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Protects frozen tamales from drying out
- Compact footprint
- Uses standard FoodSaver bags
Cons
- Bags are an ongoing cost
- Materials and care not stated on the listing
5. Too Many Tamales by Gary Soto – A Holiday Tamale Story
Every tamalada has children at the table, and this is the picture book about them. Too Many Tamales by Gary Soto, illustrated by Ed Martinez, is a holiday story about a family and a batch of tamales, told from the children’s side of the table. The listing gives a 32-page Puffin paperback, sold by Amazon.com.
Publishers Weekly reviewed the original edition in 1993. The review praises Martinez’s oil paintings in deep earth tones for conjuring family unity and the warmth of the holidays, and singles out the children’s faces when a second batch of tamales arrives. It also calls the plot too sentimental. We think that trade-off is fine for a book read aloud once a year.
It is the only children’s book on this page and not used anywhere else on the site. Give it with a set of spreaders so the youngest helper has a job of their own.
Why we like it
- A holiday story about a family and its tamales
- Reviewed by Publishers Weekly
- Illustrated by Ed Martinez
- Sold by Amazon.com
Key specifications
| Model | ISBN 0698114124 |
|---|---|
| Who it suits | Families who make tamales with children |
| Gift type | Small gift |
| What it is | Children’s picture book |
| Size | 32 pages, per the listing |
| Material | Paperback |
| Care | Not applicable |
| Made in | Not applicable |
Why we recommend it
Give it to the family that makes tamales together, or to grandparents who host the tamalada. It turns the yearly tradition into a story the children can own.
Skip it if there are no young children in the house; it is a picture book first.
Pros and cons
Pros
- A holiday tradition in story form
- Warm illustrations, per the review
- Inexpensive to add to another gift
Cons
- Plot called too sentimental by Publishers Weekly
- For children, not a cookbook
6. Winco 20-Quart Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl – Room to Beat a Full Batch of Masa
Masa for tamales is beaten with lard or shortening and broth until it is light, and a family batch fills far more than a normal mixing bowl. This Winco bowl holds 20 quarts and measures 18 1/4 inches across the outside, per the listing. That is room to work several pounds of masa by hand, or with a hand mixer, without spilling over the rim.
Winco is a long-standing restaurant supply brand, and the listing describes the bowl as heavy-duty, dishwasher safe and finished with a reinforced rim. It is plain stainless steel, so there is no coating or glaze in contact with the masa. Winco gives a one-year warranty against defects in workmanship.
The listing is sold by Restaurant Essentials, a third-party store. If they need smaller bowls too, see our mixing bowl guide; this 20-quart bowl is not used there or anywhere else on the site.
Why we like it
- 20-quart capacity, per the listing
- Plain stainless steel
- Dishwasher safe
- One-year Winco warranty
Key specifications
| Model | MXB-2000Q |
|---|---|
| Who it suits | A cook who mixes masa for a crowd |
| Gift type | Main gift |
| What it is | Large mixing bowl |
| Size | 20 quarts, 18 1/4 inches across |
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Care | Dishwasher safe |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Give it to the cook who mixes masa in a stockpot or a roasting pan because nothing else is big enough. It also suits salads, brines and anything else made for a crowd.
Skip it if storage is tight; a bowl this wide needs a home.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Holds a family batch
- Nothing to wear off
- Restaurant-grade build
Cons
- Bulky to store
- Sold by a third-party store
- No lid
7. Hamilton Beach 8-Quart Slow Cooker – The Filling Cooks While They Spread
Before anyone spreads masa, someone has to cook the filling: usually a pork shoulder or chicken simmered until it shreds, then folded into a red chile sauce. A large slow cooker takes that job off the stove while the steamer and the masa bowl take up the counter. This Hamilton Beach model has an 8-quart oval crock that, per the listing, holds a 6-pound roast or an 8-pound chicken.
It has three settings, Low, High and Keep Warm, and a built-in lid rest that doubles as a cord wrap. The stoneware crock and glass lid are dishwasher safe, per the listing, and Hamilton Beach gives a one-year warranty. The listing is sold by Amazon.com.
Because the crock is glazed stoneware, we checked for a maker statement on lead. In a brand-team answer on a retailer’s product page, Hamilton Beach says its specifications for all slow cookers and their components, including the earthenware crocks, prohibit any measurable amount of lead. Our slow cooker guide covers other sizes; this model is not used on that page.
Why we like it
- 8-quart oval crock, per the listing
- Keep Warm setting
- Dishwasher-safe crock and lid
- Maker statement on lead in its crocks
Key specifications
| Model | 33182 |
|---|---|
| Who it suits | The cook in charge of the filling |
| Gift type | Main gift |
| What it is | Slow cooker |
| Size | 8 quarts |
| Material | Stoneware crock, glass lid |
| Care | Crock and lid dishwasher safe |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Give it to the tamale maker who cooks the meat the day before and runs out of burners on tamale day. It earns its place for pozole and big pots of beans too.
Skip it if they already own a large slow cooker or a pressure cooker they like for fillings.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Big enough for a pork shoulder
- Simple dial controls
- Maker lead statement for its crocks
Cons
- Manual dial, no timer
- Heavy crock
- One-year warranty
8. Tamales by Daniel Hoyer – A Second Tamale Book for New Fillings
For the tamale maker who already owns Tamales 101, or who has made the same red pork tamales for twenty years, a second single-subject book is the way to find new fillings and wrappers. This one is by Daniel Hoyer, with photographs by Marty Snortum, and the listing names Gibbs Smith as the publisher and gives a 128-page hardcover from 2008.
Publishers Weekly has no review of it, according to its book page, and we did not find a publisher description we could read, so this pick rests on the listing alone. That is why it sits lower on this list than Tamales 101.
The listing is sold by Sea-Otter-Books, a third-party store, with a new copy as the lead offer when we checked. It is not used on any other page on the site, including our Mexican cookbook picks.
Why we like it
- Single-subject book on tamales
- Photographs throughout, per the listing credit
- Hardcover from Gibbs Smith
- Different from the Tapp book above
Key specifications
| Model | ISBN 1423603192 |
|---|---|
| Who it suits | A seasoned tamale maker |
| Gift type | Main gift |
| What it is | Tamale cookbook |
| Size | 128 pages, per the listing |
| Material | Hardcover |
| Care | Not applicable |
| Made in | Not applicable |
Why we recommend it
Give it to the cook who has mastered one family recipe and wants to try others. It pairs well with Tamales 101 for a two-book gift.
Skip it if you want a book with an independent review behind it; Chicano Bakes below has one.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Whole book on tamales
- Hardcover
- Not repeated elsewhere on the site
Cons
- No review or publisher description we could read
- Sold by a third-party store
- Published in 2008
9. Chicano Bakes by Esteban Castillo – Pan Dulce for the Tamale Table
The tamale table at Christmas usually has pan dulce and something sweet beside it. Chicano Bakes by Esteban Castillo covers that side of the holiday, and its full title names tamales alongside pan dulce and desserts. The listing gives a 224-page hardcover from Harper, published in November 2022 and sold by Amazon.com.
Publishers Weekly reviewed it and calls it perfect for home bakers looking to broaden their palates. The review lists classics such as tres leches cake, caramel flan and mantecadas, adaptations such as spiced pumpkin chocoflan, savory bakes such as molletes, and drinks including café de olla. It praises Castillo’s straightforward prose about family traditions. The review does not describe the tamale recipes, so we cannot say how many there are.
That is why we place it here as a gift for the tamale maker who also bakes, not as a tamale manual. It is not used on any other page on the site.
Why we like it
- Reviewed by Publishers Weekly
- Pan dulce, flan and holiday drinks
- Title names tamales too
- Sold by Amazon.com
Key specifications
| Model | ISBN 0063140519 |
|---|---|
| Who it suits | A tamale maker who also bakes |
| Gift type | Main gift |
| What it is | Mexican baking cookbook |
| Size | 224 pages, per the listing |
| Material | Hardcover |
| Care | Not applicable |
| Made in | Not applicable |
Why we recommend it
Give it to the cook who makes the tamales and the sweets for the same holiday table. It covers the café de olla too.
Skip it if they want a tamale-only book; Tamales 101 is the better fit.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Independent review supports it
- Covers the sweet side of the holiday
- Personal, readable writing
Cons
- Tamale coverage not described in the review
- More baking than tamales
How to choose a gift for a tamale maker
Ask what they steam in
A cook who steams in a stockpot with a rack will get the most from a proper steamer. One who already owns a tamalera needs something else: a book, the spreaders or the freezer kit. Our tamale steamer guide compares steamers if you want more choice than the one pick here.
Think about the whole day, not just the steaming
A tamalada has stages: cooking the filling, beating the masa, spreading, folding, steaming and freezing. The best gift fixes the stage that slows them down. For many families, that is the spreading or the masa bowl, not the pot.
Count the helpers
If the whole family spreads husks together, a two-pack of spreaders or the picture book for the children fits better than a single big tool. If one person does everything alone, the slow cooker and the vacuum sealer save them the most time.
Check materials that touch the food
Masa and filling sit in contact with the bowl, the crock and the pot for hours. We chose stainless steel for the steamer and the bowl, and the only glazed piece, the slow cooker crock, comes from a maker that gives a statement on lead. The spreaders are plastic, and the listing does not name the type.
Pair a book with a tool
Tamales 101 with the spreaders, or Too Many Tamales with a pair for the youngest helper, make a gift that is used on the day it is opened.
How we picked these nine tamale gifts
We looked for gifts that help with a real tamalada and that the cook probably does not own yet. We kept to one steamer, because steamers have their own guide, and left out masa harina and corn husks: the listings we checked did not show a full ingredient list, and our masa page covers them. Every pick was in stock with a new offer when we checked, from a named maker or a publisher. Six are sold by Amazon.com, one by its maker and two by third-party stores, which we say in each pick. Two brands, Gas One and Mindful Design, are smaller names that sell mainly on Amazon.
This page rests on listing, maker and publisher details, plus two Publishers Weekly reviews, for Too Many Tamales and Chicano Bakes, and a Hamilton Beach brand-team answer on lead in its crocks. None of these products appears on another page of the site. We searched the CPSC recall database by brand and found nothing listed for the products on this page.
Tamale gift questions, answered
What is a good gift for someone who makes tamales?
Tamales 101 by Alice Guadalupe Tapp suits almost everyone. For someone without a proper steamer, a stainless steamer with a water spout, such as the Gas One 20-quart.
What are good tamale making gifts for the holidays?
Gifts that arrive before the tamalada: masa spreaders, a big mixing bowl, a slow cooker for the filling and a vacuum sealer for the batch that goes into the freezer. Too Many Tamales is the holiday book for families with children.
Is a masa spreader worth it?
For a family that spreads dozens of husks, yes. The guides on the spreader help keep the masa an even thickness, per the listing, and a two-pack lets two people work at once.
What size steamer does a tamale maker need?
A 20-quart pot suits a family batch on a home stove. For big parties, our tamale steamer guide covers larger pots and two-pot sets.
Can I give masa harina or corn husks as a gift?
You can, but we left them out because the listings we checked did not show a full ingredient list. If you add them, check the label, and see our masa harina for tamales picks.
Our final pick for the tamale maker
If you can buy only one, give Tamales 101 to the cook who wants new fillings, and the Gas One steamer to the cook still steaming in a borrowed pot. For more ideas, see our gifts for Mexican food lovers and our guide to what tamales are.
And if the tamalada is not happening this year, see the menu or call to order.