Tortillas are a staple diet in many parts of the world and are at the core of Mexican cuisine. They’re also long-lasting as they remain edible for up to 7 days at room temperature. But have you ever thought about freezing them? Some foods taste terrible once frozen.
So, can you freeze corn tortillas? Yes, it’s fine to freeze corn tortillas as long as you take measures against freezer burn. The tortillas can stay edible for 6 to 8 months when kept below 0°C. You can take the frozen tortillas out and use them for burritos, quesadillas, or taquitos instantly.
That being said, you need to know how to freeze the tortillas. Improper storage inside the freezer can spoil the tortillas or make them excessively dry and hard.
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How to freeze corn tortillas?
Most bread and flatbreads don’t undergo significant changes when frozen. The only thing to plan for is freezer burn, which drains out excess moisture from the food. It makes the food rough and discolored. To mitigate these risks, limit oxygen exposure by storing tortillas in a resealable bag first.
Here’s a complete process of freezing corn tortillas correctly:
- Completely cool the tortillas
If you’ve prepared fresh, hot tortillas at home, you need to cool them first. If you put warm tortillas in the freezer, the texture will degrade. Moreover, you will lose the fresh flavor of the masa hernia (alkalized corn flour). Therefore, place the tortillas individually in a pan at room temperature till they cool down.
- Stack the tortillas on top of each other with wax papers in between
After you’ve brought the corn tortillas down to room temperature, you can start the freezing preparation process. You’d need wax papers for this. First, place one tortilla on a plate/pan.
Then, place one wax paper on top of it, followed by the second tortilla and the second wax paper. Repeat the process until you’ve stacked up all the corn tortillas. This arrangement allows you to take out and thaw one tortilla at a time rather than the entire pack.
- Put the stack inside a zip-top plastic freezer bag
To protect the tortillas against freezer burn, you need to use an air-tight container or zip-lock freezer bag. Squeeze as much air out as possible if you’re using a bag. The goal here is to limit air exposure and oxidation.
- Store the tortillas flat inside the freezer
The last step is just as important. You need to place the tortillas flat in the freezer to maintain shape. Do not fold or curl as it can break the tortillas over time. If you find that the tortilla stack is too big for the freezer height, prepare two stacks instead.
You can also freeze store-bought tortillas in the same way. If you’re freezing for a short period, don’t take them out of the original packaging unless the packaging is not suitable for freezing. Instead, wrap the tortillas in aluminum foil before placing them in the freezer.
The same process entails preserving uncooked pressed tortillas. It’s mandatory to use wax paper to prevent the tortillas from sticking.
How long can you freeze corn tortillas?
Corn tortillas are a freezer-friendly food item. They aren’t much affected by the freezing process and stay fresh for long.
If stored in an air-tight container, you can freeze corn tortillas for 6 to 8 months. You can even extend the shelf life beyond the eight-month period. It requires maintaining the temperature at the same level.
Storing in plastic bags or air-tight containers is just as important. This would prevent water migration to the crust. Moreover, the ingredients and the mixing proportion do play a role in how long you can store corn tortillas in the freezer.
Can you freeze flour tortillas?
Instead of masa harina, you can also prepare soft tortillas with flour. They tend to be softer than corn tortillas. But are they freezer-friendly as their corn counterparts? It turns out they are.
You can store flour tortillas in the freezer and preserve them for future use. The freezing process remains the same as corn tortillas. Cool the tortillas down, stack them on top of each other with wax papers in between, pack in a zip-lock plastic bag, and store them in the freezer. They can stay in the freezer for 6 to 8 months.
Can you refrigerate corn tortillas?
Freezing is not the only way to extend the shelf life of food items. You can also refrigerate them. Yes, when it comes to corn tortillas, you can refrigerate them with ease.
Put the tortillas inside an air-tight container or aluminum foil and place it inside the refrigerator. Maintain the temperature between 0°C and 4°C for longer shelf life. But bear in mind the tortillas will only last for two to three weeks. Since tortillas aren’t frozen, there will be some degree of water migration. It will slowly degrade the quality even under refrigeration.
Moreover, you’ll probably be opening the fridge at a higher frequency than the freezer. It will affect the temperature. Fluctuating temperature accelerates the degradation process.
So refrigerate corn tortillas only if you need to preserve them for a few days or weeks. Otherwise, the freezer is a safer bet.
FAQs
Can you freeze store-bought corn tortillas?
Yes, you can freeze store-bought corn tortillas with the package itself. For best results, store inside a zip-lock plastic bag or air-tight container.
Can you freeze tacos?
Yes, you can freeze tacos. But you’d have to separate the ingredients and store them individually. You can freeze the items for three months.
How do you thaw frozen corn tortillas?
To thaw the frozen tortillas, place them in the refrigerator for a few hours. Then take them out and reheat them either in the pan or in the microwave.
Conclusion
In a time when food wastage is a growing concern, preserving corn tortillas is not only wise but also necessary. Freeze the tortillas in the way described above and use them later to save time and money. Especially for people who prefer home-cooked meals but lack time, frozen corn tortillas are an excellent choice.
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