Authentic Homemade Tortilla Recipe
Learn how to make the BEST authentic homemade flour tortillas with this easy step-by-step recipe! Soft, chewy, and delicious, these tortillas are perfect for tacos, burritos, or quesadillas and taste so much better than store-bought.
Servings: 4
Calories: 309kcal
Ingredients
- 285 g Flour (about 2 1/4 cups)
- 26 g Vegetable Shortening (about 2 tbsp)
- 26 g Lard (about 2 tbsp)
- 1.5 g Salt (about 1/4 tsp)
- 145 ml Warm Water (about 2/3 cup)
- 1/4 tsp Baking Powder
Instructions
- In a large metal bowl, add flour and use your fingers to form a well in the center. Sprinkle in salt and baking powder. Place a spoonful of lard and a spoonful of shortening in the well. Pour very warm water into the center until it reaches the top of the well (this helps melt the lard). Slowly pull flour from the sides into the center and mix with your hands until a ball forms.
- Leave the dough ball in the bowl, cover, and let rest for about 30 minutes. This allows the gluten to relax and makes the tortillas easier to roll.
- Divide the dough into 5–6 equal portions. Roll each portion into a smooth round ball. Place a dough ball on a floured surface, press it gently, then roll it out with a rolling pin - flip, roll, flip, roll, until you have a thin, round tortilla. Try to keep it as circular as possible.
- Heat a non-stick skillet or cast iron pan over medium-high heat, with no oil. Cook each tortilla for about 30–60 seconds per side, until it browns lightly and begins to puff. Stack the remaining tortillas in a clean towel to keep warm before serving.
Notes
- Soft Dough Tip: The dough should feel soft and slightly tacky but not overly sticky. Add small amounts of flour if needed while kneading.
- Resting the Dough: Allowing the dough to rest helps relax the gluten, making the tortillas easier to roll out and softer after cooking.
- Cooking Tip: Cook tortillas on a hot skillet or griddle until light golden brown spots appear on both sides.
- Keeping Tortillas Soft: Stack cooked tortillas and cover them with a clean damp kitchen towel to help trap steam and keep them soft.
- Serving Suggestion: These homemade flour tortillas are perfect for tacos, quesadillas, wraps, and breakfast burritos.
- Storage: Store cooled tortillas in an airtight container or zip-top bag at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- Reheating: Warm tortillas in a dry skillet, microwave, or directly over a gas flame for the best texture.
- Freezing: Flour tortillas freeze well for up to 3 months. Separate with parchment paper before freezing for easier thawing.
Nutrition
Calories: 309kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 179mg | Potassium: 28mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 326IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 138mg | Iron: 4mg