So did you go crazy and buy loads of tortillas so you could save on your grocery budget? Good job! Or so you think. Upon reaching home, it finally hit you. You got way too many, and most of the tortillas will likely be put to waste like they did the last time you went crazy grocery shopping.
Man, we feel you. We’ve certainly thrown away tortilla wraps many times more than we care to admit, and it isn’t just a waste of money but a waste of good food as well!
And now you’re thinking, is there a way to save those tortillas? Can you freeze tortillas?
Short answer: Yes, you can. However, freezing them is not as straightforward as you think.
If you want to learn how to freeze tortillas, you should read this article! We’ll also throw in the answers to other important questions such as:
If you’re excited to know the answers, let’s get rolling!
Can You Freeze Tortillas?
Yes, you can! Here’s the secret we’ve been keeping under wraps—tortillas are one of the most freezer-friendly food items you can ever work with!
While tortillas are delicious when freshly made, you’ll be surprised to know that they can maintain their texture and taste even after being frozen. That’s why freezing them is the best way to extend their shelf life and save on time, reduce food waste, and save on both time and money.
But does this apply to all types of tortillas—homemade and store-bought tortillas? For example, can you freeze corn and flour tortillas? How about whole wheat tortillas? Yes, yes, yes, yes, and yes!
How Long Do Tortillas Last in the Refrigerator?
Before we unwrap the tips on how to freeze tortillas, let us first determine how long tortillas last so we can tell if doing all these steps would be well worth it.
When you store tortillas in the refrigerator, an unopened pack of tortillas can last for up to 1 month, while an opened pack of tortillas can last for only about 10 days.
When you properly store the tortillas in the freezer, they can last for about 6 to 8 months.
But there’s an exception to this rule—homemade tortillas. Since this type of tortillas doesn’t contain preservatives and humectants, they tend to dry out faster. However, with that said, the expected shelf life of frozen homemade tortillas is only 3 months.
Read: Can Tortillas Go Bad? How To Tell
How to Freeze Tortillas?
There’s something we need to confess. We exaggerated things and made it seem like freezing tortillas is complicated. The truth is, freezing tortillas is relatively easy!
All you need to do is ensure that no air will get inside your packed tortillas, and you’re good to go. (Hint: you need freezer bags and parchment for this)
To do that, here are some of the steps that you need to take if you wish to freeze corn tortillas or freeze flour tortillas.
1. Repack leftover tortillas.
If you’re working on an opened pack, it’s a great idea that you transfer them into a resealable freezer bag.
But before you do that, there are still some steps you need to make to ensure that they won’t break apart when you separate them after freezing.
First, you need to separate them one by one, then place a piece of parchment paper or wax paper in between the tortillas before restacking them.
This simple step can prevent them from sticking together, making it easy for you to get only a few pieces without having to thaw the entire stack.
- Fun Fact: Between the two, freezing corn tortillas is easier as it separates easily while frozen since flour tortillas might tear or break apart during the process.
2. Allow homemade tortillas to cool completely before freezing them.
This is an important step that you shouldn’t miss out on since the tortillas will become mushy, or they may break apart upon thawing when they weren’t completely cool when you froze them.
3. Double wrap homemade tortillas.
Since homemade tortillas are at greater risk of drying out, you need to give them added protection by wrapping them with aluminum foil or cling wrap before putting them in a resealable freezer bag.
4. Just toss an unopened pack of tortillas in the freezer.
If the pack of tortillas is still unopened, you don’t have to transfer them into a different freezer bag. Instead, you can store tortillas in their original packaging. Also, there’s no need for you to separate them.
If you plan on storing them in the freezer for up to 8 months, double bag them!
By this, we mean placing the bag of sealed tortillas inside a zip-top freezer bag for added protection.
Whether you have opened or unopened flour tortillas, it’s always a good idea to double bag to ensure that the tortillas won’t get freezer burn and remain as fresh as possible during those months.
- Pro Tip: Make sure to remove excess air from the bags before sealing them.
5. Lay the tortillas flat in your freezer.
This applies to all types of tortillas—even store-bought tortillas! Avoid piling them on other food or other uneven surfaces in your freezer. Instead, lay them flat to preserve their shape and prevent them from folding.
How to Defrost Frozen Tortillas?
Before using them again in your recipes, you need to thaw tortillas first. The good news is there are many ways on how to defrost tortillas. Here they are:
1. In the Countertop
This is the simplest method of all. You just need to let them sit at room temperature for a couple of hours. It’s that simple.
2. In the Microwave
If you wish to defrost the tortillas in the fastest way possible, just place them inside your microwave, tune into the defrost setting and allow the microwave to do its wonders for 30 seconds. Keep doing this until the tortillas are completely defrosted.
3. In the Oven
Place the tortillas in the oven for a few minutes or until then turn a bit brownish.
- Pro Tip: You can make tortilla chips by leaving the tortillas in the oven until they crisp up.
Wrapping It Up
Can you freeze tortillas? Yes, you can! Freezing tortillas comes with many benefits—saving time, money and preventing food waste. The best part is defrosting tortillas is pretty easy!
But more than that, you can quickly whip up your favorite recipes since freezing tortillas will ensure that you’ll have access to this versatile food ingredient anytime, all the time!
What are you waiting for? Get started on freezing your tortillas so you can extend their shelf life.
