The humble tortilla is the foundation for many tasty meals. Perhaps you prefer a traditional burrito, enchilada or taco.
However, you can use them for much more.
French toast wraps, migas, huevos rancheros in a tortilla bowl and chicken tortilla soup are just a few ways to use these whole-grain products.
Most tortillas come in a large pack with 20 or more pieces in the stack.
If you can’t use them all within a few days, you might want to freeze them. Use these simple steps on how to freeze tortillas.
How to Freeze Tortillas for a Few Weeks
You can freeze corn or flour tortillas. The procedure for how to freeze tortillas is the same for both varieties.
If you only need to freeze store-bought tortillas for a few weeks, leave them in their original store packaging.
If you only want to use one or two tortillas at a time, place a layer of wax or parchment paper between each tortilla.
This allows you to easily slide out one tortilla without having to defrost the whole package.
The tortillas will remain tasty when frozen at 0 degrees Fahrenheit for up to three weeks in their original packaging.
How to Freeze Tortillas for One to Six Months
When you only occasionally eat store-bought tortillas, you may need to freeze them for a longer period of time.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, you can freeze them for up to six months if your freezer is set to 0 degrees Fahrenheit or colder.
Long-term freezer storage for tortillas requires some additional preparation in order to maintain their freshness.
Remove the tortillas from their original packaging. Place a layer of wax or parchment paper between each tortilla.
Place the stack of tortillas in a freezer storage bag. Squeeze all of the air out of the bag. Label the freezer bag with the date.
Place the bag on a flat surface in the back of the freezer. Use the tortillas within six months of freezing.
How to Freeze Homemade Tortillas
Many people have a favorite recipe for homemade tortillas. Making them yourself is a good way to save money, especially if you need gluten-free or vegan tortillas.
If you just made a large batch of homemade tortillas and need to freeze them for future use, there are just a few extra steps you need to take compared to freezing store-bought tortillas.
Allow the tortillas to fully cool in a single layer on a flat surface for at least two hours. Flip them over to cool and dry for another hour.
This process allows any steam or extra moisture to dissipate. Water crystals freeze and ruin the texture of the tortillas when you thaw them.
Once the tortillas are cool and dry, layer each tortilla between a stack of foil or parchment paper.
Place the stack in a freezer bag. Squeeze out the air, and freeze for up to six months.
How to Defrost Frozen Tortillas
The easiest and best way to defrost one or more frozen flour tortillas is to put them in the refrigerator.
For a corn tortilla, place it in the toaster on the lowest setting. When they come out of the toaster, they’ll be warm and fresh. Use defrosted tortillas the same way as you use fresh ones.