Table of Contents Show
A flour tortilla is also known as a wheat tortilla, and it might not be the healthiest type of tortilla, but it can be delicious and easy to make as well. Flour tortillas are made from finely ground wheat flour, and their processing tends to determine how long it will last.
Storage method is another thing you need to take note of. All foods have a short lifespan, especially if they are not stored properly.
Yes, flour tortillas do go wrong eventually. While it can be okay to eat when it expires but when it has mold, you have to discard it. To preserve it, you must keep your flour tortilla well stored and sealed against moisture and heat. Most companies have preservatives added to their tortilla flour but note that this doesn’t mean it won’t go wrong eventually.
Flour tortillas might be more popular than some tortillas, but there are still so many things people don’t understand about this flatbread. They work best for your enchiladas, and you can as well throw them in soup too. The ways you can use flour tortillas are numerous.
Flour tortillas are generally considered safe enough to eat a few days after their expiry date.
However, this is no reason to go ahead and use flour tortilla even when it’s way past its best-before date. There is no reason you shouldn’t store up on flour tortillas, but before doing that, read on to know if it goes bad and the best storage options.
What Exactly Are Flour Tortillas?
Flour tortillas are made with all-purpose flour but specifically, corn or wheat flour is used, it is combined with salt, baking powder, lard, and water. The process of making flour tortillas can take a while to master, but there are store-bought ones to save you from the stress.
It is a popular option in Mexican cuisine for wrapping foods like tacos, chalupas, burritos, and enchiladas.
This soft and warm tortilla can be used in making burritos or some people enjoy using it in soup as well, but technically it is a thin flatbread that can use to hold any type of filling. Flour tortillas can be enjoyed in place of bread in sandwiches as well.
The flavor is mild enough to go with anything, and you can make it into chips to enjoy as snacks. This tortilla is versatile, and homemade ones let you decide what type of flour and ingredient is used. A flour tortilla is pliable and suitable for wrapping and filling.
Can Flour Tortillas Go Bad?
Flour tortillas are edibles, so it has to go bad eventually, but it is made with very few ingredients; hence they will stay fresh for a very long time. To retain the quality of flour tortillas for a very long time, especially homemade ones, you need to have them stored properly away from heat and moisture.
Flour tortillas will stay intact even after their best-before date, but you must watch out for signs indicating it has gone bad.
The flour used in making the tortilla can also determine how fast it can go bad. It has also been discovered that you can cook flour tortilla that has gone bad to restore it and using a vinegar wash before frying it can also make it better. If it is stored properly, it can extend its shelf life, depending on whether it has been opened or not.
Tortillas are not made the same way which means they are going to have different expiry dates. If your tortilla is opened, or they are homemade ones, it should last 3 to 4 days before the air gets to them but unopened ones stored in the freezer can last 6–8 months.
How To Store Flour Tortillas Properly
How long do tortillas last? To answer this question properly, you need first to know how to store them, as this will determine how long it plans to last.
Tortillas can last anywhere from 1 week to 2 months, but this will be based entirely on how you preserve them. Some store-bought tortillas come with a dry preservative mixture, but here is a table analyzing how you can store it for your homemade tortilla.
| Unopened/Past Best Before Date | Pantry/Cupboard | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flour tortillas | 7 days | 3–4 weeks | 6–8 months |
| Corn tortillas | 7–10 days | 1–2 months | 6–8 months |
| Homemade tortillas | 2–3 days | 5–7 days | 6–8 months |
| Spinach and other flavored tortillas | 7 days | 1 month | 6–8 months |
| Wheat tortillas | 7 days | 3–4 weeks | 6–8 months |
Any tortilla can last anywhere from 3 weeks to 2 months; however, if you are going to store them in batches then best to have them frozen.
Can you freeze flour tortillas? Any tortilla can last anywhere from 3 weeks to 2 months; however, if you are going to store them in batches, then best to have them frozen.
The unopened ones can last a whole month if stored in the fridge, but the moment it is opened, the shelf life has been reduced, so wrap them in aluminum foil before storing them; this will make them last a lot longer.
Can You Freeze Flour Tortillas?
Yes, you can freeze flour tortillas, and the same can be done to corn tortillas as well. Freezing is an excellent way to extend the shelf life of your flour tortillas; it can stay at least 5 to 6 months in that frozen state without going bad if stored properly.
Tortillas can be frozen for two months without any change in the quality, and to prevent freezer burn, you should keep flour tortillas tightly sealed in their package.
However, keep in mind that the longer they are frozen, the more likely they are to diminish in quality over time, hence anything longer than two months is not advised.
How Can You Tell if Flour Tortillas Have Gone Bad?
The first sign you should watch out for to let you know if flour tortillas have gone bad is the texture.
Flour tortillas are very pliable, but they will start getting even stiffer, and if there is any spot of mold on the surface, then it has gone bad. If you are still not sure whether it has gone bad, then you have to sniff it; if there is an odd odor, it should be discarded.
It might be hard to detect if the tortilla is spoiled from the smell, but you can always be sure it has gone bad if there is any discoloration. If you still can’t find anything, you have to taste it; if you get a rotten dirty flavor, you must toss out your flour tortilla.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if you eat expired flour tortillas?
Flour tortillas can last after their expiration date, and it is good to go, but if it has turned moldy, they can be unappetizing. Tortillas that have passed their expiration date will become hard and can be used in soups instead, and consuming numerous moldy/bad flour tortillas can upset your stomach and make you sick.
How long do flour tortillas last after the expiration date?
Flour tortilla stored in the pantry should last a week after its expiration date but if it is stored in the refrigerator, then it should last 3–4 weeks before it goes bad. Homemade tortillas should also be safe to consume for 2–3 days in the pantry after their printed date; refrigerated ones should be consumed in 5–7 days.
Can you freeze tortillas?
Yes, you can freeze tortillas. Flour and corn tortillas have been discovered to last longer when it is stored frozen. Keep it tightly sealed in its package before freezing; this is to prevent freezer burn.
Wrapping Up
The traditional Mexican flour tortillas can make you change your mind about not storing up tortillas. There are also many things you can do with flour tortillas, so you don’t have to worry about it going bad before you use it all up.
However, you can also use a flour tortilla that has passed its expiration date to make a standard tortilla soup or homemade salsa verde! You might have to wash it with vinegar or cook it before using, though.
