I love this Mexican food called chicken flautas so I tried making it at home. I bought this big pack of corn tortillas so after using half of it to make my chicken flautas, I got plenty of corn tortillas leftovers. I thought I will just leave them in the fridge for future use. The next thing I knew when I decided to use it up after a month, it has mold in it. Maybe I should have just frozen it but I don’t know if it’s okay to do so. Is it okay to freeze corn tortillas?
Thank you for that question about freezing corn tortillas. Molds and mildew are common culprits in food spoilage due to improper storage.
While corn tortillas are best consumed fresh, storing them in the freezer is okay. Keeping it frozen will surely prolong its shelf life. It’s best to thaw it first before using it so it won’t stick. You may or may not warm it up after thawing before you using it for your next recipes. It’s all up to you how you want to have it.
Can You Freeze Corn Tortillas?
- Freezing tortillas is an option for those who want to extend their shelf life. Tortillas are best consumed fresh yet there’s no other way to preserve it longer than freezing it.
- To freeze tortillas, simply stack them inside some freezer bags or containers then put them inside the freezer. Don’t forget to label them with dates.
- In freezing tortillas, you may or may not put some wax paper between each sheet as they each will just come off after thawing. It will become a bit stiff after thawing.
- Thaw tortillas as it is in the refrigerator for 1-2 days, not in the microwave. It could be warmed through the microwave or by quickly dipping in hot oil before using for any desired recipes.
- Freezing tortillas will not affect their taste, quality, and nutritive value at all. The taste and nutrition of tortillas are still the same even after it has been frozen or not.
- Frozen tortillas are still consumable even after a couple of months in the freezer. You can use it for any dish you want to have with it.
How to Freeze Corn Tortillas?
Freezing corn tortillas is simple and easy. Here are the steps to follow:
- Wash your hands properly and dry them thoroughly before handling the tortillas.
- For tortillas with opened or has no more packaging, repack them into freezer bags or containers. Vacuum as much air as possible before sealing the packaging.
- Label the packaging with the date of expiry from the original packaging or the date when you repacked it if the original packaging is not available.
- For tortillas with the original packaging still intact and unopened, leave the packaging as it is. Be sure to check if the expiry date is still visible, but if not; label the packaging with the date when you checked it before freezing.
- Store them inside the freezer and they should still be consumable for up to approximately 6 to 7 months on average.
- It is very important to check the expiry date of corn tortillas before buying or freezing them. If the date of expiry is not visible on the packaging before buying, do not buy it!
- For tortillas you bought with expiry dates still visible but got erased eventually, it is safer to check their appearance first before you freeze it. The presence of molds and discoloration is an indication of spoilage. Discard them immediately.
How To Use Up Extra/Leftover Corn Tortillas?
Corn tortillas are a staple in Mexican cuisine. They’re used to make tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and so much more. But what do you do when you have extra corn tortillas? Here are five delicious ways to use up your leftover corn tortillas:
1. Make homemade chips – Corn tortillas can be cut into strips and fried to make delicious homemade chips. Serve them with salsa or guacamole for a tasty snack.
2. Make taquitos – Taquitos are small rolled tacos that are typically fried. To make them, simply roll up some shredded chicken or beef in a corn tortilla and fry until crispy. Serve with sour cream or salsa for dipping.
3. Make enchiladas – Enchiladas are a classic Mexican dish that can be made with corn tortillas. To make them, simply fill a corn tortilla with your favorite filling (shredded chicken, beef, cheese, etc.), roll it up, and place it in a baking dish. Top with enchilada sauce and cheese, and bake until hot and bubbly.
4. Make tostadas – Tostadas are basically flat tacos. To make them, simply fry or bake a corn tortilla until crisp. Top with shredded chicken or beef, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and whatever else you like on your tacos. Serve with salsa or guacamole for dipping.
5. Make chilaquiles – Chilaquiles is a Mexican dish that typically uses up leftover tortillas. It’s made by frying or baking corn tortillas and then breaking them into pieces. The pieces are then simmered in a sauce (red or green) until soft. The dish is then topped with cheese, sour cream, and whatever else you like on your tacos.
So there you have it – five delicious ways to use up your leftover corn tortillas. Next time you find yourself with extra tortillas, try one of these recipes and enjoy!
Corn Tortillas Recipes
Chicken Flautas
A palatable Mexican dish made of shredded chicken fillet wrapped in corn tortillas, fried to perfection, and topped with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, avocado, cheese, and sour cream.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjHtNsIQbuE
Cheese Taquitos Recipe: Healthy Mexican Recipes & More
Another yummy and enticing Mexican dish made of cheese wrapped in corn tortillas, crispy baked and not fried, topped with lettuce, cheese, cream, and tomato salsa.
Homemade Chicken Enchiladas
A very spicy and cheesy Mexican dish yet so yummy and delicious. It is made of shredded chicken meat, onions, and various cheeses wrapped in corn tortillas, topped with more cheese and enchilada sauce, then baked to perfection.
Wrap Up
Yes, you can freeze corn tortillas. Frozen corn tortillas will last for 6-8 months in the freezer. Here is how to do it: place a single tortilla between two pieces of wax paper, put the package in a freezer bag and seal it tightly, then label your package with today’s date. A quick way to defrost frozen tortillas is by microwaving them for 10-15 seconds before using them.
How often do you buy and freeze tortillas? Do you have any tips for freezing corn tortillas that I didn’t mention in this article? Let me know in the comment section below.