Easy Homemade Tortillas are so much better than store bought and are perfect for dinner tonight! Easier than you think with just 5 ingredients – including water! Make tonight fiesta night with these great recipes: homemade Taco Seasoning, Slow Cooker Refried Beans, and Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken!
Homemade Tortillas
If you asked any member of my family what their favorite type of cuisine was…every single person would answer “Mexican!” We like it anyway we can get it: burritos, tacos, flautas, enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas…hungry yet??
I mean seriously, what’s not to love about Mexican food? Cheesy, spicy, amazing flavors and the most tender meat you can find. I love making Mexican-inspired dishes for my family and one of the best ways to make those meals extra-special is with homemade flour tortillas.
Why Make Your Own?
If you’ve never made tortillas before or maybe have never even had fresh tortillas – you are going to be in for a real treat! Here’s why you should make homemade tortillas:
- Because you want to save money! Tortillas are crazy inexpensive to make at home and fresh beats store bought every single time.
- Whenever you run out, you don’t have to make a trip to the store. Just make another batch!
- The flavor is so much better!
- You control the ingredients!
Better Than Store Bought
There is honestly nothing better than a fresh made tortilla. The flavor is unbeatable and once you’ve made them and realize how easy they are, you’ll be making our own homemade flour tortillas all the time
My husband loves these tortillas with this Crockpot Chili. Just spread on a little butter and then dip it in the chili – fantastic!
Just 5 Ingredients – Including Water
Yep. Really. Here’s what you’ll need:
- all purpose flour
- salt
- baking powder
- shortening
- water
How To Make Homemade Flour Tortillas
I found this recipe years ago in a magazine and it’s so easy! The dough comes together in a flash.
- Combine the flour, salt, and baking powder together in a small bowl.
- Add the shortening and mix together with fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Make a well in the center and add the water. Slowly incorporate the dry and wet ingredients until dough starts to form.
- Place dough on a floured surface and knead until dough is nice and smooth. Cover and let rest for 30 minutes.
- Divide dough into quarters and then each quarter into thirds for a total of 12 portions. Roll out each portion into a 6-7 inch circle.
- Cook the tortillas in a skillet over medium-high heat for about two minutes on each side or until puffed and lightly browned.
- Remove to a plate and cover with a towel to keep warm. Enjoy!
Fiesta Time!
Make your own spices to really give your meal some homemade flavor. Try this fajita seasoning or taco seasoning!
Minutes before you’re ready to eat, get a pan heated up and start cooking the tortillas. They take a couple of minutes on each side and then it’s off to a towel-covered platter where they can stay nice and warm while I finish up the remaining tortillas.
I love how easy Mexican food is to prepare and it’s a joy to make because I know my family is going to love it. These tortillas are going to be perfect for some quick quesadillas tonight after swim practice. I’ll make up some fresh guacamole and the boys – all three of them – will chow down for dinner 🙂
What To Serve With Homemade Tortillas
- Ultimate Crockpot Chili
- Mexican Rice
- Slow Cooker Refried Beans
- Homemade Taco Seasoning
- The BEST Slow Cooker Cowboy Beans
How To Make Homemade Tortillas
Homemade Flour Tortillas
Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 3 tbsp shortening
- 3/4 cup water
Instructions
- Mix flour, salt, and baking powder together with a fork.
- Add shortening and continue mixing with fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Make a well in the center of the mixture and add the water.
- Slowly incorporate the dry and wet ingredients until dough starts to form.
- Place dough on a floured surface and knead for several minutes until dough is nice and smooth.
- Cover and let rest for 30 minutes.
- Divide dough into quarters and then each quarter into thirds for a total of 12 portions.
- Roll out each portion into a 6-7 inch circle.
- Cook the tortillas in a skillet over medium-high heat for about two minutes on each side or until puffed and lightly browned.
- Remove to a plate and cover with a towel to keep warm.
- Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Originally published April 23, 2013.
Jocelyn @BruCrew Life says
Mexican is a staple around our house. I had no idea that tortillas were that easy to make!!! They look great!!!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Super easy Jocelyn! We make them all the time because we are Mexican fanatics 🙂
Kate says
Oh my gosh! I’m so excited that you shared this recipe! I LOVE fresh tortillas! I tried to make them once from a super complicated recipe and even bought a tortilla press for the occasion. They were a huge fail. So, I’m really excited to try these! Thanks again for sharing this!!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
This recipe is a cinch Kate and I’ve never had a problem with them. Definitely give it a try!
Megan @ The Pink Flour says
Mexican is definitely a favorite in my house too! I never knew tortillas could be so easy to make. Will definitely be trying these soon!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
They really are delicious and easy Megan! Definitely give them a try!
kellyprososki@hotmail.com says
how smart!! pinning for later use
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Super easy too! Thanks for the pin Kelly!
Daniela @frugal ain't cheap says
would butter or oil work as a substitute to shortening? I am not a fan of shortening. thanks
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Me either Daniela but it really is necessary in this recipe. Thanks for stopping by!
Maria says
Yes butter and oil work but it also works better if you use hot water to mix. I have been making this since I was 9 years old.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Great tip! Thanks Maria!
audrey says
I agree! hot water makes the BIGGEST difference! Makes them easier to handle and they are waaaay fluffier/softer. I have tried the butter/oil combo and i have to agree that shortening is the best route! Wish there was another way as well. Perhaps a butter/shortening combo would work too!
Deborah Ochoa says
Butter Crisco is great too
Meghan @ The Tasty Fork says
I’ve made corn tortillas but not flour. I’ll need to try this one out! I LOVE Mexican food!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Super easy recipe Megan! Definitely give it a try 🙂
Bill Beaman says
I just got a killer recipe that homemade tortillas will go perfect with! Thank you so much!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Perfecto!
Happy Valley Chow says
I have always wanted to try to make my own tortillas. Great job, they look fantastic!
Happy Blogging!
Happy Valley Chow
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
They are super easy and fast too!
Jennifer says
SO need to make these myself, we go through a pile of the store-bought ones every week… lately my kids are choosing wraps over sandwiches.
Thanks for sharing!
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(¸.•´ (¸.•`¤… Jennifer
Jenn’s Random Scraps
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Perfect Jenn! You might want make them a bit bigger for wraps.
YinMom YangMom Allie says
HUH!?! It’s that easy to make tortillas? I had NO idea… I am going to start making my own now! Do you think I could whip up a big batch and keep them in the fridge?
Ps those fish tacos look unbelievable! I wonder if my five-year-old would go for those. Hmmm, may have to try those too…
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I know right? If I do a double batch I’ve kept them in the fridge for a good 3-4 days with no problems. They haven’t lasted longer than that though 🙂
Kathy says
I need to try these! I have not had much luck with homemade tortillas for some reason. I would love them to work as Mexican food is our favorite as well!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
This recipe is super easy Kathy – I’ve never had them turn out poorly. Mexican is the best!
Mary@Back to the Basics! says
I LOVE tortillas! This is a great recipe!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thanks so much Mary!
tanya says
We are HUGE fans of Mexican foods! I never knew making tortillas was so easy-good bye store bought! Thanks for this recipe Trish!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Super easy Tanya and super good too!
Sarah K. says
I had no idea tortillas were so easy to make. I can’t wait to try this. Thanks for sharing it!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
They are super easy Sarah and soo good! Thanks for stopping by!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
I think I need to make these. BADLY. Mexican is, hands down, my favorite food EVER. Problem with these is I’d eat the whole batch!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Oh yeah, I have to hide these if I make them in advance. Dangerous stuff!