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.
Gurvy Green says
YUM, your photos are amazing. I am not the biggest fan of the shortening, I see someone else had asked for a substitution as well, have you tried making this with an alternate ingredient other than the shortening?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I don’t use shortening a lot either but I find it really is best for this recipe. Others have tried with butter and it just doesn’t work out as well.
Lindsay says
These look good! Do they store OK?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
For a couple days Lindsay but probably not much longer than that. Thanks for stopping by!
Carrie Groneman says
Stopping by from Sweet sharing Mon and great recipe. Printed and will give it a try! Carrie, A Mother’s Shadow
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Awesome! Thanks Carrie!
Kyleigh @ Petite Chouette says
I prefer wraps to sandwich bread any day and making my own is even better! Have you tried substituting your flour for other kinds and seeing how it worked? Did it turn out okay? I was thinking maybe coconut flour…
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I haven’t Kyleigh but I would LOVE to know how they turn out if you give it a go!
Karen says
I was just told to cut salt intake. What is the taste like without it?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
You could maybe try reducing it first instead of totally eliminating it? Let me know how it goes!
Susan says
Just made them and they were great!!! Perfect recipe. I was making them before with melted butter, but this way is better. Thanks!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Woohoo! Thanks Susan!
Chaya says
If i wanna save these in a container… How long will they last?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
They should be good for a couple of days Chaya.
Debra Anderson says
Last time I had fresh made tortillas was when I was little & lived in southern Texas!! I love flour tortillas for wrap sandwiches. Will have to try these. I know they will be a larger tortilla for using as a wrap. Thanks for the recipe.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
They really are amazing! Thanks Debra!
Marissa says
We go through so many tortilla’s every week for so many different reasons! I cannot wait to try this! I got super excited when I read the recipe and saw how easy it looked:D I keep finding awesome recipes from your site and my husband just rolled his eyes and said,”Oh boy, another mess in the kitchen!” LOL!
Do you think it would work out find if I used self-rising flour and omitted the salt and baking powder?
Thanks and keep posting these awesome recipes!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
That’s a great idea Marissa and definitely worth a try if you have self-rising flour on hand. Let me know how it goes!
john says
anyone tried adding sourdough to the mix
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I sure haven’t John but let me know if you give it a try!
mgrace says
Authentic Mexican tortillas are never made with shortening always use lard, you might not think so but there is a difference. Otherwise great recipe, and terrific step by step directions
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
You are correct but lard can be hard to come by for some people. Thanks for the great feedback!
Christina says
How about highrollers I would love to make them home made
Christina says
How about a receipt for high rollers I would love to make them home made
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Hi Christina! I’m afraid I don’t even know what high rollers are! If you can describe them to me I might be able to find one for you though 🙂
Kari says
Hello! Could I use butter flavored shortning?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
It would definitely change the flavor but it should work!
Kim H. says
Do you happen to know if coconut oil would work in place of the shortening?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I haven’t tried that Kim but if you do, let me know how they turn out!
Barbara says
I saw this recipe and was a little skeptical….I just made them for lunch and it was terrific!! Will save this one!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Excellent Barbara! So glad you enjoyed the recipe!