A tamalera is a tall pot with a rack that holds tamales upright above simmering water, and that is all it is. Plenty of families steam tamales every December without one, using a stockpot, a pasta pot or whatever tall pot is in the cupboard, with something underneath to keep the tamales out of the water.
This guide covers the tamale steamer alternatives that work: a pasta pot with a deep strainer insert, a multi-use pot with its own tamale insert, a steamer basket made for a stockpot, and a plain tall stockpot with foil and a plate. For each, we say how many tamales it suits, what it asks of you, and what to buy if you need it.
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 verified buyer reports.
Why cooks look for a tamale steamer alternative
- Once-a-year use. A 20-quart tamalera takes a lot of cupboard space for a pot many families use mainly at Christmas.
- A small batch. A dozen tamales from the store or a neighbor do not need a pot built for sixty.
- Induction cooktops. Many traditional tamaleras are plain aluminum, which will not work on induction. A stainless pot you already own may.
- A pot that earns its keep. A pasta pot or stockpot steams tamales in December and makes pozole, pasta and stock the rest of the year.
The method does not change with the pot. The University of Maryland Extension’s tamale recipe adds a couple of cups of hot water to the steamer, lines the rack with corn husks, stands the tamales up, covers them with more husks, a clean dish towel and the lid, and steams them over medium heat for 60 to 75 minutes, adding hot water if needed. If you have no steamer, the same recipe says loose pieces of aluminum foil in the bottom of the pot can work as the rack. Every alternative below is a way of meeting those few conditions: tamales upright, above the water, under a tight lid.
Quick verdict: the best tamale steamer alternative
For most kitchens, the best tamale steamer alternative is a tall pasta pot with a deep strainer insert, such as the Cooks Standard 12-Quart Pasta Pot Set: the insert holds tamales upright above the water, the pot works on induction, and you will use it for pasta and stock all year. For a small batch, the Granite Ware 8-Quart 3-in-1 Stock Pot comes with its own tamale insert. If you already own a tall stockpot, you need nothing at all: foil and an upturned plate do the job. If you make tamales by the hundred every year, though, buy a real tamalera; our guide to the best tamale steamer covers them.
Below are the five alternatives side by side, then each in detail, then how to set up any tall pot as a steamer.
Five tamale steamer substitutes at a glance
Our five picks, one for each kind of cook, with the details each maker or listing states. All five are reviewed in full below.
| Alternative | Method | Best for | Size and stove | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Cooks Standard 12-Quart Stainless Pasta Pot SetBest overall
|
Pasta pot, deep strainer insert | Family batches, year-round use | 12 qt; induction compatible | View on Amazon |
Granite Ware 8-Quart 3-in-1 Stock PotBest for small batches
|
Pot with tamale insert | A dozen or two tamales | 8 qt; enameled steel | View on Amazon |
HOMICHEF 21-Quart Pasta Pot with StrainerBest for big batches
|
Large pot, strainer insert | Tamaladas and big families | 21 qt; induction, per listing | View on Amazon |
TrueCraftware 16-Quart Aluminum Steamer BasketBest insert for your pot
|
Deep basket in a stockpot | Owners of a 16-qt stockpot | 9 3/4 in wide, 8 3/8 in tall | View on Amazon |
Tramontina Gourmet 24-Quart Stainless Stock PotBest plain stockpot
|
Stockpot, foil and plate | Big batches, many other uses | 24 qt; all stoves incl. induction | View on Amazon |
Five ways to steam tamales without a tamalera
1. Cooks Standard 12-Quart Stainless Pasta Pot Set – A Deep Insert That Holds Tamales Upright
A pasta pot is the closest thing to a tamalera that most cooks would buy anyway. Its deep, perforated strainer insert sits above the bottom of the pot, so the water stays below and the steam rises through the holes, which is exactly what a tamale rack does. Stand the tamales in the insert, open end up, add water to just below the insert’s base, and cover.
Cooks Standard lists this set as a 12-quart pot with a strainer insert, a shallower steamer basket and a lid, in 18/10 stainless steel with an aluminum disc bottom. The listing says it works on gas, electric, ceramic, glass and induction cooktops, is oven safe to 500°F and is dishwasher safe. The maker does not give the insert’s height or a tamale count, so check that your tamales stand with the lid closed; for typical home-size tamales a 12-quart pot is a family batch, not a tamalada.
The deep insert has one more advantage over a plain pot: when the tamales are done, you lift them all out at once. The shallow steamer basket in the same set is for vegetables and dumplings, not upright tamales.
Why we like it
- Deep strainer insert plus a steamer basket and lid, per the listing.
- 18/10 stainless steel with an aluminum disc bottom.
- Works on induction, gas and electric, according to the listing.
- Oven safe to 500°F and dishwasher safe.
Key specifications
| Model | 2568 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 12 quarts |
| Material | 18/10 stainless steel, aluminum disc bottom |
| What holds the tamales | Deep strainer insert |
| Stovetops | Gas, electric, ceramic, glass, induction |
| Oven safe | To 500°F |
| Cleaning | Dishwasher safe |
| Tamale count | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
This suits families who steam a few dozen tamales a year and want a pot that cooks pasta, corn and stock the rest of the time, including on an induction cooktop.
Skip it if you make tamales for a crowd; a 20-quart tamalera or the larger pots below hold far more.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Deep insert lifts out with the tamales in it.
- Induction compatible.
- A pasta pot the rest of the year.
Cons
- Insert height and tamale count not stated.
- No refill spout; lift the lid to add water.
- Third-party seller on Amazon when we checked.
2. Granite Ware 8-Quart 3-in-1 Stock Pot – A Small Pot With Its Own Tamale Insert
Not every tamale day needs a 20-quart pot. For a dozen or two tamales, this 8-quart pot from Granite Ware is a small, light alternative that comes with the insert already made for the job. The listing describes the set as an 8-quart stock pot with lid, a tamale and drainer insert, a canning rack for four pint or five half-pint jars, and a two-piece 7-inch bowl.
Granite Ware is enameled steel, so the food surface is a vitrified enamel coating rather than bare metal. Cinsa, which makes Granite Ware, says its porcelainized steel products are free from heavy metals such as cadmium, selenium and lead. The listing adds that the pot is free of PFOA and PTFE, dishwasher safe except for the rack, and withstands temperatures up to 950°F.
Two limits. An 8-quart pot is a small batch, and taller tamales may not stand under the lid. And the maker does not say whether the pot works on induction; enameled steel is usually magnetic, but check with a magnet before you rely on it.
Why we like it
- Tamale and drainer insert included, per the listing.
- Maker statement that its enamel is free of lead and cadmium.
- Also a small water-bath canner, with a jar rack.
- Dishwasher safe except the rack, according to the listing.
Key specifications
| Model | 322510 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 8 quarts |
| Material | Enameled steel |
| What holds the tamales | Tamale and drainer insert |
| Stovetops | Not stated |
| Oven safe | Withstands up to 950°F, per the listing |
| Cleaning | Dishwasher safe except the rack |
| Tamale count | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
This suits couples and small households who steam store-bought or gifted tamales, and anyone who also wants a small pot for canning jam.
Skip it if you make your own tamales by the batch; 8 quarts will not hold a full recipe.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Insert made for tamales.
- Light enameled steel.
- Canning rack and bowl included.
Cons
- Small capacity.
- Induction compatibility not stated.
- Enamel can chip if knocked.
3. HOMICHEF 21-Quart Pasta Pot with Strainer – Tamalera Capacity in a Pasta Pot
If you make tamales with the whole family, you need the volume of a big tamalera. This HOMICHEF set gives you that volume in a pot you can also use for corn on the cob, crab or a big batch of pasta. The listing describes a 21-quart stainless steel pot with a full-depth stainless steel strainer insert and a stainless steel lid, with a base 6 mm thick, riveted brass handles and induction compatibility.
A tall strainer insert is a good tamale rack: the tamales stand in it, the steam rises through it, and the whole batch lifts out when it is done. HOMICHEF does not give the insert’s height or a tamale count. As with any pot without a refill spout, you will need to lift the lid to top up the water during a long steam, so keep a kettle of hot water ready.
The listing makes health claims about nickel in other stainless steels; we do not repeat them. What matters for tamales is the size, the deep insert and the lid. HOMICHEF also lists a six-year product warranty.
Why we like it
- 21-quart pot with a full-depth strainer insert, per the listing.
- Thick 6 mm base, according to HOMICHEF.
- Induction compatible, per the listing title.
- Six-year product warranty stated by the maker.
Key specifications
| Model | 701P21 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 21 quarts |
| Material | Stainless steel pot, 21/0 stainless insert |
| What holds the tamales | Full-depth strainer insert |
| Stovetops | Induction, per the listing |
| Oven safe | Not stated |
| Cleaning | Not stated |
| Tamale count | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
This suits families who hold a tamalada every year and want tamalera capacity without a pot that only does one job.
Skip it if your stove or sink is small: a 21-quart pot full of water and tamales is heavy and tall.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Big-batch capacity.
- Deep insert lifts the whole batch out.
- Long stated warranty.
Cons
- No refill spout.
- Heavy when full.
- Listing makes health claims we cannot back.
4. TrueCraftware 16-Quart Aluminum Steamer Basket – Turns a Stockpot Into a Tamalera
If you already own a 16-quart stockpot, you may only need the insert. Most folding vegetable steamer baskets are shallow and sit low, which suits broccoli but not tamales. This foodservice steamer basket is the opposite: a deep, straight-sided aluminum basket that stands in the pot on embossed feet, with a tall handle to lift it out.
TrueCraftware lists the basket as 9 3/4 inches in diameter and 8 3/8 inches tall, with a 9 1/4-inch base, half-inch perforations for steam flow, a rolled edge and a 5-inch handle, made for a 16-quart stockpot. An 8 3/8-inch wall stands taller than most tamales, and the feet keep the basket’s base off the bottom of the pot so water can sit underneath.
The catch is fit. It is sized for a 16-quart stockpot of a particular diameter, so measure the inside of your pot before you buy: the basket needs to drop in with a little room around it and the lid still has to close. Aluminum is light and heats quickly; it should be hand washed, as aluminum can discolor in a dishwasher (general kitchen advice; TrueCraftware does not state care).
Why we like it
- 8 3/8 inches tall, per the listing, deep enough to stand tamales.
- Embossed feet keep the base clear of the pot bottom.
- Half-inch perforations for steam flow.
- Tall handle lifts the whole batch out.
Key specifications
| Model | TC-SKB02 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | For a 16-quart stockpot |
| Material | Aluminum |
| What holds the tamales | Deep perforated basket on feet |
| Stovetops | Depends on your pot |
| Oven safe | Not stated |
| Cleaning | Not stated |
| Tamale count | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
This suits cooks who already own a good 16-quart stockpot and want a proper tamale rack without buying another pot.
Skip it if you do not know your pot’s inside diameter; a basket that does not fit is no use.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Deep enough for upright tamales.
- Light and inexpensive to store.
- Works with a pot you already have.
Cons
- Fits only pots of the right diameter.
- Bare aluminum; care not stated.
5. Tramontina Gourmet 24-Quart Stainless Stock Pot – A Big Pot, Foil and a Plate
The oldest tamale steamer alternative needs no insert at all, just a tall pot with a lid. Nancy Lopez of Mexican Made Meatless describes making a few large balls of scrunched aluminum foil, setting an upside-down plate on top, adding water that stays below the plate, and standing the tamales on it. Food Republic reports a family method that lines the bottom of the pot with husk trimmings and leans the tamales against a foil ball about three inches across, or a corn cob or a sturdy cup, open side up.
For that you want a big, heavy pot, and Tramontina’s 24-quart Gourmet stockpot is one. The listing gives 18/10 stainless steel with an impact-bonded tri-ply base, a stainless lid, riveted cast handles, compatibility with all stovetops including induction, oven safety to 500°F and dishwasher safety, with a lifetime warranty. Twenty-four quarts is tamalada size, and a pot like this makes stock, pozole and menudo for a crowd the rest of the year.
What you give up is convenience. There is no rack to lift out, so you take the tamales out one at a time with tongs, and the plate-and-foil platform is less steady than a basket. Make sure the water never reaches the plate; Lopez’s warning is not to get water on the tamales.
Why we like it
- 24 quarts, the size of a large tamalera.
- 18/10 stainless with a tri-ply base, per the listing.
- Works on all stovetops including induction, according to Tramontina.
- Lifetime warranty stated in the listing.
Key specifications
| Model | 80120/003DS |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 24 quarts |
| Material | 18/10 stainless steel, tri-ply base |
| What holds the tamales | Foil balls and an upturned plate (not included) |
| Stovetops | All, including induction |
| Oven safe | To 500°F |
| Cleaning | Dishwasher safe |
| Tamale count | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
This suits cooks who want one very large pot for tamales, stock and seafood boils, and are happy to improvise the rack.
Skip it if you want to lift a whole batch out at once; choose a pot with an insert instead.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Large capacity from a known maker.
- Induction compatible.
- Lifetime warranty.
Cons
- No rack or insert included.
- Heavy and tall when full.
How to set up any tall pot as a tamale steamer
These steps combine the University of Maryland Extension’s recipe with the stockpot methods described by Nancy Lopez of Mexican Made Meatless.
- Raise the tamales above the water. Use a deep insert, a steamer basket, or foil balls with an upturned plate. The extension recipe says loose foil pieces can stand in for a rack.
- Add water to just below the rack. A couple of cups to start, according to both sources, and never enough to touch the tamales.
- Line the rack with husks. The extension recipe lines the rack with corn husks before the tamales go in.
- Stand them up, open end up. Pack them closely enough to support each other, but, in Lopez’s words, without squeezing them in too tightly.
- Cover well. More husks, a clean dish towel, then the lid, as the extension recipe does.
- Steam and check the water. The extension recipe gives 60 to 75 minutes over medium heat; Lopez allows about 1 hour 30 minutes over medium-low. Add hot water as needed.
- Test one. They are done when the husk comes away easily from the dough, and they firm up as they rest, per the extension recipe.
Masa makes or breaks the result as much as the pot does; our guide to the best masa harina for tamales covers the flour.
What about bamboo and electric steamers?
Bamboo steamers. Every source we read stands tamales upright, and a bamboo steamer’s tiers are shallow, so tamales would have to lie flat. That is our own reasoning rather than a tested finding, and it is why there is no bamboo pick here. Bamboo steamers are excellent for dumplings; see our bamboo steamer guide.
Electric steamers. Countertop steamers can steam tamales in small batches, though tier height and timer length limit what fits. We cover them separately in our guide to the best electric tamale steamer.
When a real tamalera is worth it
A tamalera does two things the alternatives here mostly do not. Some have an outside spout for adding water without lifting the lid, and the largest are built to hold a whole tamalada in one pot. If tamale day is a family tradition with dozens of people and hundreds of tamales, our tamale steamer guide is the place to start. For the story behind the dish, see what are tamales.
Tamale steamer alternative questions, answered
How do you steam tamales without a steamer?
Use any tall pot with a lid. Raise the tamales above the water with a deep insert, a steamer basket, or foil balls topped with an upturned plate, add a couple of cups of water below them, stand them upright, cover and steam. The University of Maryland Extension gives 60 to 75 minutes over medium heat.
Can I use a pasta pot to steam tamales?
Yes, if the strainer insert is deep and sits above the water. Stand the tamales in the insert, keep the water below its base, and cover tightly. A deep insert also lets you lift the whole batch out at once.
What can I use instead of a tamale steamer rack?
Loose pieces or balls of aluminum foil, with or without an upturned plate on top, according to the University of Maryland Extension and Mexican Made Meatless. Food Republic also describes lining the pot with husk trimmings and leaning the tamales against a foil ball, corn cob or sturdy cup.
How much water do I put in the pot?
A couple of cups to start, enough to steam without reaching the tamales. Check it during cooking and add hot water as it boils away.
How long do tamales take in a stockpot?
The University of Maryland Extension recipe gives 60 to 75 minutes over medium heat; Mexican Made Meatless allows about an hour and a half over medium-low. They are done when the husk peels away cleanly from the masa.
And if you would rather leave the steaming to someone else, Julia’s Mexican Restaurant is at 5402 N Highway 6 in Houston; call to order.