This homemade flour tortilla recipe is super easy to make with simple ingredients and is great to use for burritos, quesadillas, soft tacos, enchiladas, flautas, and more. If you ever wanted to try making flour tortillas in your own kitchen, now you can with this easy, authentic recipe.
Flour tortillas are an absolute staple in both Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine. If you think about any Mexican dish you’ve ever had, it’s probably either been served on top of a tortilla, inside of a folded tortilla or wrapped up by a tortilla. From enchiladas to soft tacos, and almost everything in between tortillas are a huge part of the Mexican food that we love so much. You can buy tortillas at the store – I do it all the time – but for a really authentic experience, you should absolutely try making them for yourself.
I started making homemade tortillas a few years ago. There was a local Mexican restaurant that had the best Mexican and Tex-Mex food I’ve ever had anywhere, and one of the best parts of all of it was the flour tortillas that they served. A friend of mine worked there, and she told me that the secret was that the restaurant made their own rather than buying bulk flour tortillas. That’s when I decided I needed to start making my own homemade flour tortillas when I made any dish that called for them. And that’s just what I did. Let me tell you, freshly-made tortillas absolutely change the game when it comes to your favorite Mexican or Tex-Mex dishes.
Homemade Flour Tortilla Recipe
These delicious tortillas are so simple, but they make an absolutely huge difference in any dish you use them in. Homemade tortillas are like nothing you’ve ever had before. They look like the tortillas you buy at the store, but that’s where the similarities end. These tortillas are bubbly, browned, and a bit crisp on the outside, but the inside is soft. They’re made with your choice of shortening or lard, so they have a richness and texture to them that’s like nothing you’ve ever gotten at your local grocery store. And with such an easy recipe, they’re worth making to go with your soft tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas, or anything else.
Why You’ll Love This Homemade Flour Tortilla Recipe
- They’re super easy to make.
- They only take a handful of simple ingredients.
- Homemade flour tortillas make store-bought tortillas taste like cardboard!
Tips and Variations
This is such an easy recipe, I had to really think about any tips that I might have for you. I finally decided on two tips that are very simple but make a big difference. I also have some great variations that you can use to change these up as you see fit.
Tips
- It’s important that you let the tortilla dough rest for an hour so the gluten can relax. If your tortilla dough has too much gluten density, it’ll puff up too much and be chewy.
- Stop cooking your tortillas as soon as they’re bubbly and beginning to brown. They’re thin, so it’s easy to overcook them.
Variations
The type of flour you use can change these tortillas drastically. Just by changing the flour, you can make all kinds of tortillas like:
- Gluten-free
- Whole wheat
Recipe FAQ
If you have questions about these homemade flour tortillas, then read on. The following FAQ answers the most commonly asked questions about tortillas.
What is the main ingredient in tortillas?
Depending on the type, the main ingredient in tortillas is either cornmeal or flour.
Why do you use hot water to make tortillas?
When you use hot water, it inhibits the formation of gluten in the dough and evenly distributes the fat throughout the dough. This helps keep the tortillas flat while cooking by preventing rising.
What texture should tortilla dough be?
Tortilla dough should have a smooth texture like playdough.
What can I use to make flour tortillas besides lard?
Shortening can be used in equal amounts to lard. This is not a recipe to make with butter, however.
Can you freeze homemade tortillas?
Tortillas freeze exceptionally well. Stack them in groups of five or 10 and wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. Then, place them in an airtight, freezer-safe container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
What can you eat with flour tortillas?
If you think about Mexican food, you realize that a huge percentage of the dishes involve tortillas, so there are a lot of ways you can enjoy these. Some great ideas include:
- Soft tacos
- Fajitas
- Quesadillas
- Taquitos
- Burritos
- Wraps
- Enchiladas
Storing and Reheating Homemade Flour Tortillas
Store your tortillas in an airtight container or heavy-duty resealable bag in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze them as described above for up to 3 months.
Homemade Flour Tortilla Recipe Ingredients
It only takes a handful of simple ingredients to make this recipe. You probably have all of them in your kitchen right now.
- All-purpose flour
- Vegetable shortening or lard
- Salt (add to hot water)
- Hot water (hot enough to handle when mixing dough)
How to Make This Homemade Flour Tortilla Recipe
Making these tortillas is just as easy as getting your ingredients out of the cupboard. It only takes a few minutes of prep, an hour of waiting, and a few minutes of cooking to make them.
Step 1: Combine Vegetable Shortening or Lard and Flour
Combine flour and the vegetable shortening or lard and mix together until there are no longer any lumps.
Step 2: Add Hot Water and Make the Dough
Add hot salted water to the flour mixture and mix until the dough comes together. Then, place the dough on a flat surface and work it until it’s soft and pliable.
Step 3: Rest
Lightly wipe a large bowl with vegetable oil and transfer dough into it. Then, cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and let it rest for about an hour.
Step 4: Make the Tortillas
Pinch off the dough and roll it into a ball about the size of an orange. Then, using a rolling pin, roll out the dough on the lightly floured surface to create a tortilla. Repeat with all the dough.
Step 5: Cook
Heat a large skillet, or frying pan, over medium-high heat and cook each tortilla for about a minute until light brown spots appear then flip over and cook the other side. Place cooked tortillas in a kitchen towel until ready to serve.
Try This Delicious Homemade Flour Tortilla Recipe Today
This homemade flour tortilla recipe is so easy to make, and the tortillas are better than any you’ve had, I can almost guarantee it. There’s nothing like homemade tortillas, and once you give these a try, I know you’ll agree. Make up a batch to use for everything from soft tacos to burritos, and I know you’ll never go back to buying your tortillas from the store again.
More Delicious Mexican Recipes You’ll Enjoy
Creamy Jalapeno Cilantro Salsa – This is a quick and easy salsa recipe that is perfect for dipping or great for drizzling over your favorite Mexican dishes like tacos, enchiladas, and more.
Air Fryer Mexican Street Corn – This air fryer street corn is a classic Mexican side dish that pairs perfectly with tacos, barbecue, or any other delicious main meal.
Chile Verde Recipe – This Chile Verde recipe is easy to make and packed with flavor. This is the perfect filling for burritos, tacos, or even to serve over rice.
And, this Crock Pot Queso from Deliciously Seasoned that you are sure to enjoy as well.
Homemade Flour Tortilla Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 cups all purpose flour
- 1¼ cup vegetable shortening
- 3½ cups hot water
- 1 tablespoon salt (add to hot water)
Instructions
- Add vegetable shortening to flour and mix until lumps are removed.
- Pour hot salted water into the flour mixture and mix dough until combined then place dough on a clean flat surface and work dough until dough is soft and pliable, about 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, lightly wipe with vegetable oil and place dough into the bowl. Cover with a clean dish towel and let rest for about 1 hour.
- Remove dough from bowl, pinch off dough and roll into a ball (about the size of a small orange).
- Lightly flour a flat surface and roll out each dough ball.
- Heat a large skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat and cook for 1 minute on each side or until light brown spots appear then flip over and cook the other side. Enjoy with your favorite Mexican dish.
Notes
Nutrition
Here are a few pics that are perfect to save to your favorite Pinterest boards on Pinterest. Also, you can follow us on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Remember to “like” or “follow” us on all social media.
