Homemade Tortillas Recipe

Making homemade tortillas is a simple yet rewarding process that brings the authentic taste of fresh, soft tortillas right to your table. Whether you’re preparing them for street tacos, wraps, or just to enjoy with a bit of butter, this recipe is straightforward and uses basic pantry ingredients.

With just a little time and effort, you’ll have a dozen delicious tortillas ready to elevate any meal.

Homemade Tortillas Recipe

Ingredients:

3 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons lard

1 cup hot tap water

Instructions:

Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix them together until well combined.

Add Lard: Cut in the lard using your fingers, a pastry cutter, or the mixer on a low setting. Mix until the flour mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Add Water: Gradually add 1 cup of hot tap water to the mixture. Continue mixing until the dough starts to come together. The dough should be soft but not sticky.

Rest the Dough: Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Let it rest for at least 45 minutes. This helps the dough to relax, making it easier to roll out later.

Shape the Dough: After resting, divide the dough into 12 equal portions for street-size tortillas or larger portions if you prefer bigger tortillas. Roll each portion into a ball.

Roll Out the Tortillas: On a lightly floured surface, use a rolling pin to roll out each ball of dough into a thin, round tortilla. Aim for an even thickness.

Cook the Tortillas: Heat a seasoned cast iron skillet over medium heat. Once hot, place one tortilla at a time in the skillet. Cook for about 30 seconds to 1 minute on each side, or until bubbles form and the tortilla develops golden brown spots. Adjust the heat as needed to prevent burning.

Serve or Store: Once cooked, place the tortillas in a clean kitchen towel to keep them warm and soft. Serve immediately with your favorite fillings or store in an airtight container.

Notes:

Texture: These tortillas should be soft and pliable, perfect for folding or rolling without breaking.

Customization: You can adjust the size of the tortillas based on your needs. For larger burritos, make fewer, larger tortillas. For smaller tacos, divide the dough into more portions.

Substitutions: If you don’t have lard, you can substitute it with vegetable shortening or butter, though lard gives the most authentic flavor and texture.

Resting Time: Allowing the dough to rest is crucial as it makes rolling out the tortillas much easier and results in a more tender texture.

Cooking: If the tortillas puff up while cooking, that’s a good sign! It means the dough was kneaded and rested properly.

Storage: Store leftover tortillas in a plastic bag at room temperature for a day or two. For longer storage, refrigerate or freeze them. Reheat in a skillet before serving to restore their softness.

Flavor Variations: You can add herbs or spices to the dough for flavored tortillas, such as garlic powder, cumin, or chopped cilantro.

Nutrition Information:

YIELDS: 12 tortillas | SERVING SIZE: 1

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?

Yes, you can substitute whole wheat flour for a healthier option.

However, the texture may be slightly denser, and you may need to adjust the amount of water.

Can I make the tortillas ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can make the tortillas ahead and store them at room temperature for a day, or in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Just reheat them in a skillet before serving.

What can I use if I don’t have lard?

You can substitute lard with vegetable shortening, butter, or even vegetable oil.

Each will give a slightly different texture and flavor.

Why do my tortillas come out hard or stiff?

This could be due to overcooking or not letting the dough rest long enough.

Make sure to cook each tortilla just until it develops light brown spots and is still soft.

Can I freeze the tortillas?

Yes, tortillas freeze well. Layer them with parchment paper and store them in a zip-top bag.

Thaw at room temperature or reheat directly from frozen in a skillet.

How can I make my tortillas fluffier?

Fluffier tortillas can be achieved by rolling them out slightly thicker and ensuring your dough is well-rested.

Also, cooking them in a hot skillet helps them puff up.

Can I use these tortillas for making chips?

Yes, you can cut the tortillas into triangles and bake or fry them to make homemade tortilla chips.

Do I need a tortilla press to make these?

No, a rolling pin works perfectly fine.

However, a tortilla press can help achieve a more uniform thickness and round shape.

What should I do if my tortillas shrink after rolling them out?

If the tortillas are shrinking, the dough might need more resting time.

Let the dough balls rest for a bit longer before rolling them out again.

Can I add flavors to the dough?

Yes, you can add various herbs or spices like garlic powder, cumin, or even chopped cilantro to the dough for flavored tortillas.