Homemade Corn Tortillas

Have you ever tried making your own tortillas? These three-ingredient homemade  masa harina tortillas are easy as uno…dos…tres! All you need is masa harina, salt, hot water, and a tortilla press. Once they’re done cooking, you can go ahead and load them up with your favorite fillings for a fantastic and flavorful meal! Taco Tuesday? Why not Taco Everyday?!

What is Masa Harina?

Masa harina literally means “dough flour.” It’s a kind of flour made from dried corn kernels that are cooked and then soaked in a lime solution (calcium hydroxide, not the fruit) to make hominy. The soaking process is what gives corn tortillas that distinct sour flavor that makes them taste so refreshing. Masa is what you get when you mix the masa harina with water to form a corn dough essential to various staples in Mexican cuisine, such as tortillas and tamales.

What are the Benefits of Corn Tortillas?

While masa harina tortillas are ideal for those who are sensitive to gluten, they also come with a number of health benefits! A typical corn tortilla contains:

• 96 calories
• 20 grams of carbs
• 3 grams of protein
• 1 gram of fat
• 3 grams of fiber
• 8% of the DV for Magnesium

Tortillas made from corn are also 100% whole-grain, which is great for getting your daily dose of fiber in. Corn tortillas also tend to be smaller which can make them easier to hold which is great for serving kids!

How to Serve Up Your Masa Harina Tortillas

Whether you’re making tacos, enjoying a salad, or want to dish out a memorable family meal, there are plenty of ways to enjoy your tortillas! Get your apron on, your veggies prepped, and your taste buds ready!

• Simple Beans and Rice – Sometimes keeping it simple is the way to go! You can assemble delicious tacos or enchiladas with some Mexican red rice, refried beans, pickled veggies, tomatillo salsa, and vegan cheese.
• Time for Tofu – That’s right! Tofu is a fantastic choice for adding some savory protein to your tortillas. Sizzle up some strips, crumble into soyrizo, or deep-fry some chunks for a truly delicious experience.
• Go With Greens – The beautiful thing about tortillas are the countless ways in which you can fill them up. If you prefer your meals heavier on the veggies, our Sautéed Kale, Bean, & Avocado Salad is an excellent choice for pairing with these tortillas. If you’re a salad lover, go ahead and make your own to go with whatever else you’re having for taco night!
• Three Cheers for Chickpeas – While beans are a classic choice for tortillas, don’t count out the mighty chickpea! Whether roasted or mashed into a vegan tuna salad, you may find yourself pleasantly surprised by the combination of these lovely legumes and your tasty tortillas.

Simple Storage

If you end up with a surplus of tortillas after dinner, you have a few different ways of storing them, though you won’t want to leave them out much longer than twelve hours because then mold will begin to grow! If refrigerating, wrap in a sealable plastic bag or airtight container with pieces of waxed paper placed between them so they don’t stick. They’ll keep for up to two weeks in the fridge. Fan of freezing instead? Follow the same instructions for refrigerating! The tortillas will last about three to four weeks.

When ready to reheat, either place the tortillas in the microwave or stovetop! Feel free to spray with a little water to get them softer, if needed.

Handmade Corn Tortillas

Author: Kristie Middleton

5 from 6 votes

Homemade fresh corn tortillas…easy as Uno…Dos…Tres! These corn tortillas contain just 3 ingredients and are so delicious you'll never want to eat store-bought tortillas again.

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Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

Servings 10 tortillas

Ingredients

• 2 cups of masa harina
• ½ tablespoon of salt
• 1½ cups of hot water

Instructions

• In a medium bowl, combine masa and salt.
• Add hot water and stir until the mixture forms a sticky dough, adding a tablespoon more water if crumbly. If the dough is too sticky, add more masa, a tablespoon at a time.
• Allow dough to rest 30 minutes to 1 hour.
• Warm a cast iron skillet or non-stick pan on medium-high heat.
• Pinch off roughly 3 tablespoons of dough and form 2-inch balls.
• Using a tortilla press or rolling pin, flatten out into 4 to 6-inch rounds. Scrape off the tortilla press with a spatula. If the dough sticks, simply scrape off, roll into a ball again, and press.
• Cook on medium-high for 1 minute on each side until just slightly browned. Place in tortilla warmer, or covered in bread basket to stay warm until served.

Course dinner, Lunch

Cuisine Mexican

Keyword corn tortillas, gluten free, handmade tortillas, masa, mexican, soy-free, tortillas

More Delicious Mexican Recipes to Make:

• Pozole Soup
• Vegan Mollete
• Jackfruit “Pulled Pork” Tostadas
• Super Easy Everyday Vegan Burrito
• Vegan Cheese Quesadillas With Creamy Chipotle Bean Dip

Vegan Masa Harina Tacos recipe and step-by-step recipe photos by Kristie Middleton. Cover photo by George Dolgikh (Canva.com). Article written by Kristie Middleton and edited by Amanda Meth. Please note that this article may contain affiliate links which supports our work at World of Vegan.