Heating corn tortillas comes so naturally for me as a Mexican that I never thought it could become an issue for someone else. Then I watched a woman in a popular TV cooking show spread some olive oil on a non-stick pan to heat tortillas, and I decided that a real Mexican mom’s advice could be helpful. Do you need olive oil? do you need a special pan? why do tortillas break after microwaving? Do not worry. I am here to answer your questions and teach you how to heat tortillas and keep them warm for your next taco night!
Heating tortillas is a really easy task, and as impossible as it can look, you don’t need anything on a pan to heat them!
The Chilango Way! According to my Mexican husband, the best way
This is the way I heat tortillas at home because my husband said that this way, the tortillas flavors take another level, and I might recognize it is true. The crunchy little burn edges are a smoky flavor delight!
- Turn on your gas stove to medium heat and place the tortilla on top of it; yes, open flame!
- Let it heat for around 7 seconds, then flip over and let it heat for another 5 seconds.
- You will know it is time to flip the tortilla when it becomes soft with nice, toasty edges.
Microwave – The lazy way
I don’t like heating the tortillas in the microwave as they cold down very fast and the texture changes a lot. But the microwave method is the fastest and easy way to do it. But! there is a secret to trying to save the tortilla texture and moisture.
How to warm tortillas in the microwave?
We are going to use paper towels or a clean kitchen towel.
- Rinse the paper towel with a bit of water and then squeeze the excess water.
- Use the damp paper towel to place the tortillas inside and fold the paper towel to wrap the stack of tortillas completely;
- Place on a microwave-safe plate or plastic bag and microwave for around 40 seconds.
The damp dish towel is super important; otherwise, the tortillas will start to break as soon as they cool down. After heating, wrap the tortillas in a clean kitchen towel to keep them warm.
If you are looking how to warm tortillas for your next Taco Tuesday check out this fantastic recipes Authentic Mexican Beef Barbacoa, Sirloin Steak Tacos, or what about some tacos de adobada?
El Comal – the hot skillet is a preferred method
Using a cast iron skillet or what we call comal, aka griddle is the Mexican home’s best method as it is fast and easy. This method will give you a better texture; the best part is you can heat many tortillas simultaneously! Use a nonstick pan or cast-iron skillet on top of the gas or electric stove until you achieve the desired texture.
- Set the stove to medium-high heat and allow the skillet to warm up
- Place the tortillas on top and let them heat until they look soft; it might take up to 40 seconds for the first batch.
- Flip over and heat for another 10 seconds.
What is the right texture for heated tortillas?
Fresh corn tortillas are hard and cold and are not eatable until you turn them into warm corn tortillas. The right texture is warm, stretchy, soft tortillas that can be easily folded to make tacos.
How to keep tortillas warm?
This is very simple! We have a round container named a tortillero! You can find tortilleros in most Mexican grocery stores in the US but don’t worry if you don’t have one. After heating, place the stack of corn tortillas in the middle of a clean kitchen towel and wrap them in it to keep them warm. If you need the tortillas to stay warmer for longer, you can cover the towel with aluminum foil or place them inside a pan with the lid on.
How to keep tortillas warm for a party or buffet?
Aluminum Foil: Wrap a stack of tortillas in aluminum foil. Preheat your oven to a low temperature (around 200°F or 90°C), then place the foil-wrapped tortillas inside to keep them warm until serving time.
Set up a buffet tray with a bit of hot water in the bottom and another tray on top with the tortillas. The tortillas will stay warm from the steam of the lower steamer tray, but it’s essential to have preheated each one beforehand. Keep the tray lid on to keep them warm.
Steamer, set a steamer and once the water is boiling add the tortilla packages and cover with the lid. You can leave the tortillas there in a low heat.
In Mexico, traditionally, during taquizas (festivities where tacos are served), there’s a large metal griddle where tortillas are constantly heated. Properly warming the tortillas is crucial to prevent them from breaking or becoming soggy when making the taco
What about flour tortillas?
You can use the same methods we used to heat fresh tortillas but use the open stove to heat flour tortillas or tortillas de harina. The tortillas de harina might take a little longer to warm up as they are bigger and thicker.
How to cook tortillas without oil?
The secret to not needing oil to heat tortillas is to ensure the griddle is hot. Let the griddle heat up for a couple of minutes, then reduce the temperature to medium heat. Place the tortillas on the griddle and heat for about 15 seconds; flip and heat for another 10 seconds or until the tortilla feels soft and pliable. Don’t ask me how or why, but I swear they won’t stick.
How to defrost tortillas?
- Transfer the tortillas from the freezer to the refrigerator overnight and allow them to thaw in the refrigerator.
- If you’re short on time, place the tortillas in a sealable bag to prevent water from entering and let them soak in room temperature water. Change the water every fifteen minutes until thawed.
- Alternatively, you can place them in a plastic bag and use the defrost setting on the microwave.
How to grill Tortillas
Place the tortillas on the grill and let them warm up. If your grill has a grate, placing them on the grate rather than directly on the grill is better. This way, they heat more evenly. Once you notice the tortilla softening, flip it over.
How to keep tortillas soft and stretchy?
Keep them warm, and do not microwave! Microwaving tortillas is just a sin; they lose texture, cool down super fast, and become chewy texture and breakable. If you want soft and stretchy tortillas, heat them on a griddle and save them inside a tortillero or a kitchen towel.
How to keep tortillas from falling apart?
If a tortilla starts to fall apart on you, it’s likely due to how you heated it. If you use the microwave or steam, there’s a higher chance of them falling apart. Heating them over the stove flame or on a griddle keeps them intact for longer. Also, be careful not to add too much weight or wet ingredients to your taco, as this can cause the tortilla to start breaking apart. And eat quickly! Tacos are meant to be eaten immediately, or the tortillas may get soggy and break.
Enjoy you tortillas calientitas!
I hope this video and post can shed some light on how to heat corn tortillas and how to keep them warm for longer. Tortillas are one of the most essential elements of Mexican food. Crispy tortillas are used for chilaquiles, fried tortillas for enchiladas, and tortilla shells are called tostadas in Mexico and are a must in many of our traditional recipes.
Now that you have warm tortillas for a crowd you are all ready to make this authentic carne asada recipe.
