How To Keep Tortillas Fresh Longer

If you’ve ever traveled to Mexico, you’ll know nothing beats the taste and smell of a freshly prepared tortilla. While fresh tortillas taste like a slice of heaven, stale tortillas can be akin to eating a thin slice of cardboard. If your fresh tortillas go stale before you eat them all, you’ll want to find ways to help them stay fresh longer.

To keep your tortillas fresh longer, you must store them in an airtight container with all the air removed. Tortillas can last a month or longer in the fridge, and up to three months in the freezer. Separate tortillas with wax paper when freezing them, and let them thaw slowly overnight in the refrigerator before reheating them. Avoid leaving tortillas in the pantry after you open the package.

Whether you celebrate Taco Tuesday religiously or you just like to bring tortilla wraps for lunch once in a while, you’ll want to keep the tortillas in your home fresh and tasty. Below is a list of several easy ways to keep your tortillas fresh for longer, as well as a list of common mistakes to avoid when storing your tortillas for longevity.

How Long Do Tortillas Last Before They Go Bad?

Several variables influence how long tortillas stay fresh, including the type of tortilla, and how they are stored. Generally speaking, tortillas stay fresh for about one week when stored in the pantry, one month when stored in the fridge, and three months when stored in the freezer. To help your tortillas taste fresh and delicious for longer, you’ll want to follow the tips listed below.

A Note On Flour Tortillas Versus Corn Tortillas

It’s important to mention that there are two distinct types of tortillas used in most households. There is the classic corn tortilla, made of masa (corn flour), which is often small or “taco sized” and gluten-free. Then there are the flour tortillas, which are typically used for burritos, wraps, and large tacos.

Due to the ingredients and types of flour used, corn tortillas generally last longer than flour tortillas. White flour will go bad faster in the pantry than corn. This is particularly true when they are stored at room temperature. Regardless of which type you buy, the methods to help tortillas last longer listed below will work for either variety.

Seven Ways To Help Your Tortillas Stay Fresh Longer

1. Store Them In An Airtight Bag

The most important step to keep your tortillas fresh for longer is to store them in an airtight container. Some tortillas come in a Ziplock-style bag, while others come in a bag with a simple twist tie. 

If the existing packaging does not provide an airtight seal, transfer your tortillas to a secure Ziplock bag that can comfortably fit your tortillas.

2. Remove All Air From Bag Before Storing

Not only do you want an airtight container for your tortillas, but you also want to remove all the air from the container they are stored in. This is why a bag is much better than using old Tupperware when it comes to tortilla storage.

Removing the air from the bag will significantly reduce the risk of moisture release, and will therefore keep your tortillas from going bad.

3. Quickly Freeze Tortillas You Won’t Use

Since tortillas last three months or longer when stored in the freezer, it’s smart to put tortillas you won’t use quickly in the freezer. If you tend to buy tortillas by the kilo, then consider freezing half the kilo and keeping the other half for immediate use.

When freezing tortillas, it becomes even more important to use an airtight container, as the freezer will quickly dry out tortillas that aren’t properly sealed.

4. Separate Each Tortilla With Wax Paper When Freezing

If you freeze your tortillas, consider separating them with wax paper. You can separate them individually or in clusters of 5 or so. This will make it easy to separate them when you want to thaw out just a portion. 

If you freeze all your tortillas without lining them with wax paper, it will be difficult or impossible to separate them.

5. Keep Them In The Fridge Once You Open Them

Tortillas are purchased in room temperature sections of the grocery store, but once they are opened, you should put them directly in the fridge. The shelf-life of tortillas in the fridge is about 4 times longer than those kept in the pantry. There is no benefit to leaving tortillas in the pantry, so just store them in the fridge.

6. Thaw Your Tortillas Gradually

Remember, when you take tortillas out of the freezer, you want to let them thaw gradually. This will help them retain their moisture and shape. If you throw frozen tortillas into the microwave, you may end up with tortillas that are part dry and part wet. 

Place frozen tortillas in the fridge and let them thaw overnight. This gradual thawing will help them taste almost as fresh as they did on the day you froze them.

7. Always Reheat Them Before Serving

One final and crucial tip to keeping your tortillas fresh and delicious longer is to remember to reheat them before serving. The best way to heat a tortilla is to use a hot non-stick pan and cook each side for a few seconds (between five and 30 seconds, depending on your stovetop). 

This will slightly toast both sides of the tortilla, releasing fragrant aromas and flavors that will help them taste as if they were freshly made.

Six Mistakes To Avoid When Storing Tortillas 

1. Don’t Leave Open Tortillas In The Pantry

Remember to always relocate your tortillas to the fridge or freezer once you break the seal. Since tortillas last so much longer in the fridge or freezer, there is no reason to leave them in the pantry unless you plan on using them all within a day or two.

2. Never Put Unsealed Tortillas In The Fridge Or Freezer

You must ensure your tortillas are properly sealed before putting them in the fridge or freezer. If you keep them in their original bag, ensure there are no holes, and that the seal is strong. If you are unsure about the quality of the bag, transfer the tortillas to a sturdy Ziplock freezer bag.

3. Don’t Microwave Frozen Tortillas

Never make the mistake of throwing rock-hard and frozen tortillas in the microwave. This will result in tortillas that are wet, dry, or both. Instead, allow the tortillas to thaw overnight. 

If you don’t have that kind of time, allow tortillas to thaw at room temperature for an hour or so while you prepare the rest of the meal.

4. Try Not To Wait Too Long Before Freezing Fresh Tortillas

If you plan to freeze your tortillas, do so sooner rather than later. Don’t open your tortillas and then wait a week to freeze them. Frozen tortillas are only as fresh as the day they were frozen, so freeze them right away to lock in the fresh flavors.

5. Don’t Forget To Reheat Tortillas Right Before Serving

The key to helping older tortillas taste fresh is reheating them in a hot pan right before you eat them. This heating method unlocks new flavors and makes even old tortillas taste as though they were freshly cooked.

6. Avoid Thawing And Freezing Tortillas More Than Once

If you freeze a large stack of tortillas, you should separate them with wax paper. You never want to thaw and then refreeze tortillas, especially multiple times. Doing so will cause the tortillas to break down, and you will be left with cracked tortillas that are likely to fall apart when you handle them.

Wrapping Up How To Keep Your Tortillas Fresh Longer

Tortillas are a staple in Mexican cuisine, and tacos are prepared in kitchens around the world. To keep your tortillas fresh and delicious for longer, you must keep them in a sealed container with all the air removed. Once you open a package of tortillas, you should relocate them to the fridge or freezer. Allow frozen tortillas time to slowly thaw naturally, and remember to reheat your tortillas on a hot non-stick pan before serving them.

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