Flour Tortillas: Ditch the Store-Bought and Make Your Own!
Let’s be honest, store-bought tortillas can be a bit, well, boring. They’re fine in a pinch, but they often lack flavor and that fresh-from-the-kitchen appeal. This recipe for homemade flour tortillas is a game-changer. Not only is it incredibly easy, but the results are miles ahead of anything you’ll find pre-packaged.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Flour Power: This recipe makes enough for a crowd (around 24 tortillas!), and it all starts with 4 cups of all-purpose flour.
- Leavening Love: Baking powder gives our tortillas a slight rise, making them nice and fluffy.
- Salty Goodness: A sprinkle of salt adds depth of flavor to the dough.
- The Secret Ingredient: Lard is a traditional ingredient in Mexican cuisine, and it adds both flavor and helps the tortillas achieve that perfect texture. Don’t worry, if you don’t have lard, vegetable shortening will work in a pinch.
- H2O: Water is key for developing the gluten in the dough, which gives the tortillas their structure.
Making the Magic Happen:
Here’s a quick rundown of the process:
- Dough Time: We’ll start by mixing all the dry ingredients together, then adding the fat and water to form a soft dough.
- Knead to Know: A quick knead helps develop the gluten and creates a smooth, elastic dough.
- Ballin’: We’ll divide the dough into equal pieces and roll them into balls – these are going to be our future tortillas!
- Rollin’ in the Dough: One by one, we’ll use a rolling pin to flatten each ball into a thin circle.
- Sizzle Sizzle: Finally, we’ll cook the tortillas in a hot skillet until they’re golden brown and delicious.
The Tortilla’s Potential is Endless:
There’s a reason tortillas are a staple in Mexican cuisine – they’re incredibly versatile! Here are just a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing:
- Spicy Beef Burritos: Load them up with your favorite fillings for a fiesta in your mouth.
- Chicken Quesadillas: A cheesy, melty dream come true.
- Homemade Chicken Fajitas: Sizzle up some chicken and peppers, then wrap them up in these beauties.
- And So Much More! The possibilities are endless – use them for tacos, wraps, enchiladas, or anything your heart desires.
Keeping Your Tortillas Fresh:
Homemade tortillas are best enjoyed fresh, but you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 24 hours or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Bonus Tip: Did you know you can freeze tortillas? They’ll keep for up to two months! To prevent them from sticking together, you can either flash freeze them on a baking sheet before storing them or separate them with wax or parchment paper.
So ditch the store-bought tortillas and give this recipe a try. You won’t be disappointed!
PrintFlour Tortilla Recipe
This recipe for homemade flour tortillas is a game-changer. Not only is it incredibly easy, but the results are miles ahead of anything you’ll find pre-packaged.
- Total Time: 1 hour
Ingredients
- 4 cups flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons lard (or vegetable oil)
- 1 ½ cups warm water
Instructions
- Mix dry ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Cut in fat: Using your fingers, rub the lard into the dry ingredients until it resembles cornmeal.
- Form dough: Add warm water and mix until a soft dough forms.
- Knead and shape: Knead dough on a lightly floured surface for a few minutes until smooth. Divide dough into 24 equal pieces and roll each into a ball.
- Cook tortillas: Preheat a skillet over medium-high heat. Roll out each dough ball into a thin circle. Cook tortilla in the hot skillet until bubbly and golden brown on both sides. Keep cooked tortillas warm in a tortilla warmer or wrapped in a clean towel while you cook the rest.
- Prep Time: 30
- Cook Time: 30
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 10
- Calories: 86
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 138mg
- Fat: 1g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 1mg