Best Flour Tortilla Recipe

Flour tortillas have always been a staple in my life—soft, warm, and full of comfort. And contrary to popular belief, they’re not the enemy of a healthy diet. When paired with proteins, veggies, and yes—salsa!—they’re part of a balanced, nourishing meal.

So with all that love and none of the guilt, I’m excited to share my go-to recipe for homemade flour tortillas. I’m also letting you in on my little secret for making them extra soft—just like my tía used to make.

Before we start mixing our ingredients, make sure you have a clean surface; it could be granite or a large square chopping block large enough to roll out tortillas.

Ingredients for your best flour tortilla recipe

• 3 cups of all-purpose flour

• 1 cup of cold milk (the secret ingredient)

• Juice of 1 lime

• 1 teaspoon of baking powder

• 1 teaspoon of salt

• ⅓ cup of oil or lard

  
  

VEGAN VERSION: For vegan flour tortillas, swap the milk with water, eliminate the lime juice and skip Step 1 below.

SERVINGS: Depending on how big I roll out my tortillas, I will get about 12 tortillas from this amount of dough.

1. First, we add the juice of 1 lime to the milk and set aside for 5-10 minutes. This will make something like a buttermilk and will make the tortilla soft and tasty. While the milk is resting, we will work on steps 2-3.

2. Then, add the flour, baking powder, and salt into a mixing bowl and mix all the dry ingredients. It can be a quick mix with a fork.

3. Add oil, mixing it into the flour a little bit at a time, making sure it is spread evenly throughout the flour.

4. Add the milk into the mix and knead the dough. Everything should be incorporated into your bowl. Our goal is to have the dough feel soft and silky, not sticky. At this point, we should not add more liquids to our dough. However, if the dough feels too dry, you may add 2-3 tablespoons of regular milk, adding one tablespoon at a time and kneading after adding each tablespoon.

5. If the dough feels too loose, add ½ tablespoon of flour at a time and incorporate it into the dough until it is stretchy and soft but not sticky.

6. You now place the dough on a flat surface and roll the dough into single balls for about 10 minutes. The dough balls should be about 2 inches wide.

7. Let the dough balls rest for 20 minutes in a covered bowl.

8. Lightly flour your dough balls—this keeps them from sticking to the surface or the rolling pin. Sprinkle a bit of flour on your work surface as well. Now, grab your rolling pin—or as I like to call it, my trusty palote—and gently press down on the dough.

9. Roll out your dough evenly, starting from the center and working your way outwards. Turn the dough slightly after each roll to keep the shape round. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect—it’s the homemade charm that makes it special!

10. Keep rolling until you have a thin, even tortilla, about 8 inches wide or whichever size you want. When the dough is stretched thin enough to be slightly transparent, you’re ready to cook them. Let’s get to it!

    
    

    

    My Homemade Tortilla

Cooking Your Flour Tortillas

1. Begin by preheating your griddle or pan somewhere between medium and high heat. The griddle should be very hot because the tortillas need to cook quickly.

2. Once your griddle is hot enough, place your tortilla dough to cook on the hot griddle on one side for about 10 seconds, then flip the tortilla to the other side. I use my fingers, but you may use a spatula… I won’t judge you. 

3. Once it is flipped a first time, wait for the tortilla to blister. Once you see the whole tortilla has blistered, then you flip it one more time.

4. After your second flip, watch closely to ensure this side blisters and puffs up beautifully. If the tortilla isn’t as cooked as you’d like, feel free to flip it again and cook it a little longer to suit your taste.

   
   

My grandma prefers her tortillas evenly cooked, so she gently presses them down while they’re on the skillet. On the other hand, my tia—the queen of flour tortillas—swears by never pressing the tortilla as it cooks, letting it puff naturally for the softest texture. It’s up to you to decide which method you prefer!

And don’t forget the best part: enjoying your warm tortilla with a bit of butter. There’s nothing like the simple, irresistible joy of a fresh, buttery tortilla. Enjoy! 🌮✨

#Bestflourtortillarecipe

How to Use a Flour Tortilla

Flour tortillas are a delicious staple in many cuisines, especially Mexican and Tex-Mex. Here are some fun and easy ways to enjoy them:

1. Tacos

 Warm a tortilla and add your favorite fillings like seasoned meat, beans, rice, cheese, and veggies. Fold the sides in into a tasty, handheld meal.

2. Breakfast Burritos

Make a breakfast burrito by scrambling eggs with your favorite ingredients and wrapping them in a tortilla. In short, flour tortillas are incredibly adaptable, making them a must-have in your kitchen. Enjoy experimenting with different dishes and flavors!2.

3. Quesadillas

 Place a tortilla in a skillet, sprinkle cheese and any additional fillings on one half, then fold it over. Cook until the cheese melts and the tortilla is golden. Cut into wedges and serve with salsa or guacamole.

3. Tortilla Chips

 Cut tortillas into triangles and fry or bake them until crispy. These homemade chips are perfect for dipping in guacamole or salsa.

4. Wraps

 Use tortillas to create fresh wraps filled with veggies, lean proteins, and spreads like hummus. They're great for a quick, nutritious meal.