Last Updated on March 27, 2024 by Share My Kitchen
Find out how to properly store fresh tortillas, which is a cornerstone of many Latin American cuisines.
Can You Freeze Corn Tortillas?
Both corn and flour tortillas can be frozen. Freezing tortillas is a great way to prolong their shelf life. It also allows you to make last minute tacos al pastor, burritos, quesadillas, fajitas, taquitos, doradas, or chicken enchiladas.
Remember to keep tortillas tightly sealed in their packaging to prevent freezer burn. For homemade corn tortillas, divide them into stacks of 5-10 tortillas. Then, each stack of tortillas should be wrapped tightly in aluminum foil or cling film before being placed in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. You should cut the tortillas in quarters prior to freezing them for future nachos, guacamole-worthy tortilla chips, or other Mexican dishes.
How to Properly Store Tortillas
Corn tortillas can be stored in their original packaging, or in a tightly sealed resealable plastic bag. They will stay good in the fridge for up to three to four days. Moreover, the preservatives in tortillas purchased from the grocery store can make them last much longer than homemade tortillas. You can also freeze both uncooked and cooked corn tortillas for longer storage.
Tips for Storing Corn Tortillas
Here are some tips for how to store and reheat corn tortillas:
- Let the tortillas cool completely before you store them. Fresh corn tortillas should be allowed to cool down to room temperature before being placed in the refrigerator or freezer. This will ensure that you get the best results. The texture of warm tortillas can become brittle and lose their fresh taste of the masa (ground nixtamalized corn) when exposed to sudden temperature drop.
- Frozen tortillas can be reheated on a comal or griddle. You can wrap the frozen tortillas in a towel and steam them in a microwave for 20 seconds to make it easier to separate individual tortillas from the stack. Now, to reheat tortillas from the fridge, just sprinkle them with some water, then place them on a griddle or comal. However, if they are frozen, you can simply place them directly onto the comal.
- Uncooked, pressed tortillas can be frozen. Keep fresh-pressed corn tortillas in a container with wax paper or parchment paper in between to keep them from sticking. Then, stack the tortillas in groups 10 and seal them in an oven-proof bag for easy, pre-portioned, and ready-to-cook batches. The tortillas should be defrosted at room temperature before you cook them for 30 seconds each side on a cast iron skillet, griddle or comal.
