If you want to freeze tortillas, you need to make sure that they are stored properly. This means you need to separate the tortillas from each other so they do not shred. Also, it would be best to pack the tortillas in an airtight wrap. You should also label and date the wrapping.
Keep tortillas in their container securely closed to avoid freezer burn. Stacks of five to ten homemade corn tortillas should be used for freezing. Before putting each stack of tortillas in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag, wrap each stack tightly in aluminum foil or cling film.
Can You Freeze Tortilla?
As you may already be aware, there are numerous varieties of tortillas. Over 35 distinct tortilla varieties were on display. These tortillas can all be put in the freezer. Before freezing, always let the tortillas cool. When you wrap them, be sure to keep in mind the suggested freezing technique.
How to Freeze Tortillas?
With good results, tortillas can be frozen for a few weeks in their original shop packaging. To preserve the quality and freshness of your tortillas, if you intend to keep them in the freezer for a longer period (or if you’ve produced fresh tortillas that have completely cooled off! ), follow these instructions.
- Take away the retail packaging.
- Wrap the tortilla stack firmly in freezer paper, foil, or plastic wrap. (Note: America’s Test Kitchen advises placing a piece of parchment or wax paper between each tortilla to prevent them from adhering together if you wish to remove individual tortillas from the freezer rather than defrosting the entire stack.)
- Put inside a freezer bag with a gallon capacity. Be sure to close the bag tightly after removing all extra air.
- After giving the package a name and a date, put the tortillas in the freezer’s back. For this task, you might find our printable Freezer Labels useful.
Separate Tortillas without Shredding
When you freeze tortillas, you may wonder how to separate them without shredding them. There are a few ways you can do it, though.
A good way to freeze tortillas is to place them in a freezer bag. The best way to do this is to ensure the bag is thick enough to prevent the wraps from coming together. This method can help keep tortillas from clumping together, which can lead to a lot of waste.
Another way to keep tortillas from clumping is to use a thin layer of breadcrumbs. You can also use parchment paper to help bind the layers together.
If you have some flour tortillas sitting around, you may be tempted to try freezing them. Although this is a great way to store them, it’s not always a smart idea.
Label and Date the Packing
When you freeze tortillas, it is important to label and date the packing. This will ensure that you will know how long to keep them.
Storebought tortillas usually have a best-by date printed on the packaging. The best-by date is the last date the manufacturer vouches for the quality of the product. Usually, tortillas are good for 5-7 days after the best-by date.
However, the shelf life of store-bought tortillas may vary. For example, organic tortillas with limited ingredients may not last as long as basic versions.
To keep tortillas fresh, it is important to store them in an airtight container. To do this, wrap the tortillas in aluminum foil and put them in a freezer bag. You should put a label outside the freezer bag with the date the tortillas were frozen.
Store in an Airtight Wrapping
Whether you’re looking to store extra tortillas for use in your future meal plans or want to have some on hand for a quick and easy dinner, freezing them in an airtight wrapping is an ideal solution. Here are some tips to help you freeze them properly.
First, check the expiration date on the packaging. While not necessarily an indicator of quality, it can give you an idea of how long you can store your tortillas. It’s important to note that the storage time varies from brand to brand.
Secondly, place the tortillas in a freezer-safe, resealable container. If you’re going to store a lot of tortillas, you may want to consider using a divider to keep them from sticking together. This can also prevent the tortillas from drying out.
How to Defrost Frozen Tortillas?
The best approach to thaw frozen corn or flour tortillas, according to Mission Foods, is to place them in the refrigerator for one or two days or until they are defrosted. When you try to rip them apart, they won’t cling together.
In our tests, defrosting a small package of tortillas by simply leaving them on the counter for about an hour was successful.
Last but not least, Chef David J. Alvarez suggests this clever method! Corn tortillas can be defrosted in the toaster. He advises viewers to put two frozen corn tortillas (not just one) into each toaster slot and wait for 1-2 minutes. They will emerge from the steam soft and prepared for usage.
Why should you Freeze Tortillas/Wraps?
I can think of a few justifications for freezing tortillas and wraps.
1. To Save Money
Depending on your location, local sales, and the grocery stores you have access to, tortilla prices might vary greatly.
For instance, at nearby stores, a bag of 10 large, branded tortillas costs approximately $6. The same kind of tortillas, however, cost $4.99 for bags of 20 at Costco.
Essentially, you’re getting twice as many tortillas for the same price. You can purchase 30 tortillas for $6 in some places. What a significant difference.
You might want to load up on tortillas when you visit Costco if, like me, you live far from one. The wraps can be kept fresher for longer by freezing.
Know that I share your concerns about supporting local businesses. You may read my opinions on Costco and other big box stores here.
2. To Reduce Food Waste
I’m not the only one who sometimes overspends at the supermarket.
I often return home with more food than we can consume before it spoils since I enjoy grocery shopping and am so enthused about food.
I feel bad about wasting it after that.
Freezing food is a great way to reduce food waste and also waste less money (because food waste = money waste!)
3. To Save Time
If you’re the kind of person who likes to make things from scratch (and I often am), using your freezer is a great way to cook in bulk and store food for later use.
I’ve made tortillas before, and I want to find the time to do it again because I wouldn’t say I like all the preservatives in store-bought wraps.
When you make your own, you can make a quadruple batch once a month and freeze them later!
Can you Freeze Tortilla Dough?
Yes, tortilla dough can be frozen. Either the entire dough ball or smaller pieces of it can be frozen.
It is advised to flatten the ball of tortilla dough before freezing it in its entirety.
It will defrost more quickly this way than a circular ball would.
When you thaw the dough, keep it in a bag, covered in plastic, or in a food container, preferably in the refrigerator, to keep it from drying.
The tortillas can alternatively be made and rolled out. When not in use, store them with a layer of parchment paper between them.
How to Thaw Tortilla Dough?
It is preferable to keep the tortilla dough ball wrapped in plastic while defrosting.
The dough can be kept in the refrigerator or on the kitchen counter.
Because tortilla dough can dry out quickly, it’s crucial to keep it covered to maintain all the liquid within.
For tortillas to be soft and fluffy, you need that moisture.
Take out as many tortillas as you need to thaw individually from the freezer. They should be placed in a sizable bag that can be sealed.
After being divided, tortillas defrost in roughly fifteen minutes.
What Happens When you Freeze Tortillas?
The shelf life of tortillas can be extended by freezing them, allowing you to preserve them for at least 6 to 8 months after the best-buy or manufactured-by date.
Place the tortillas in the package they came in if you purchased them from a store.
Wrap firmly made-at-home tortillas in plastic wrap, a resealable bag, or a vacuum sealer.
Less airy tortillas maintain their freshness longer and store better than loosely packed tortillas. They may experience freezer burn.
The quality of the tortillas may decline overall if you store them for more than six months.
How to Freeze Flour Tortillas?
One of the most important things to remember while freezing flour tortillas is that they need to be kept in the proper type of container. If you don’t, they could freeze and lose nutrients while being frozen.
These are the ideal places to keep freezer bags if you have any. They are reusable and have an airtight seal to keep your tortillas fresh.
Tin foil or plastic wrap are also good options if you don’t vacuum seal your food or have freezer bags. Just wrap a stack of tortillas in the material, then freeze them.
Another factor to consider is waiting until tortillas have completely cooled before storing them. Moisture will otherwise become trapped within!
Do Flour Tortillas Go Bad?
Unfresh flour tortillas are possible.
Depending on how they were produced, they might only last a few days at room temperature and a week or so in the refrigerator.
Because of the preservatives added during manufacturing, store-bought flour tortillas have a significantly longer shelf life than homemade tortillas. However, they can still degrade and become brittle, limp, or moldy (yuck).
Conclusion
Tortillas are fantastic in a wide variety of cuisines and foods, from soups to enchiladas, taquitos to tacos, and they serve as the foundation for so many amazing dishes. Although fresh tortillas can keep for quite a time, it’s a good idea to have a few in the freezer just in case you run out or want to ensure the longest possible shelf life. You’ll get terrific tortillas that work in any recipe if you keep these points in mind while you freeze tortillas.
