Did you Know that Do Tortillas Go Bad? Have you ever found yourself concerned about the expiration date of your tortillas? Or do you regularly wonder, “Do flour tortillas go bad, and how long can they last?” If you buy tortillas in bulk, you’ll be concerned about the expiration date. If the tortilla packaging does not carry an expiration date, you become even more concerned.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!
But don’t worry, since this page will explain all you need to know about the shelf life of tortillas, including how to store them.
So, without further ado, let’s get down to business.
Also Read :- Is Potato Good for Gastritis or Not?
What Exactly Are Tortillas?
Tortillas are a type of flat, thin unleavened bread that has become a staple in practically all families in both South and North America throughout the years.
Tortillas are often produced using corn flour or wheat flour, with the corn being combined with water and a little amount of salt.
Corn tortillas are commonly used in cuisines such as tostadas, chalupas, tacos, and enchiladas. Flour tortillas, on the other hand, are more commonly associated with foods such as burritos, which require a softer wrap.
With the surge in popularity of tortillas they are now utilized not only as a cuisine in Mexico, but also as wraps or as a substitute for bread when eating sandwich components.
You may serve your tortillas at room temperature or heated—the choice is entirely yours. Furthermore, you may bake tortillas or convert them into chips—the decision is yours. Tortillas, in a nutshell, have a moderate flavor and may be paired with nearly anything.
How Long Do Flour Tortillas Last?
Yes, tortillas will go bad at some time, just like any other meal. However, keeping your tortillas correctly—sealed against heat and moisture—will lengthen their shelf life and help retain their quality.
If you buy tortillas at the store, it is best not to open the package until you are sure you want to use them. In other words, the manufacturer’s seal is the greatest when it comes to preventing spoiling.
Once you’ve opened your store-tortillas, keep them in an airtight container to avoid temperature variations that might lead to moisture. Moisture may cause mold, which is why it’s best to store your tortillas in an airtight container.
Meanwhile, you’ll need to know what kind of tortilla you want to preserve. Furthermore, knowing where you will keep your tortillas can help decide their shelf life. Do you intend to store your tortillas in the refrigerator, pantry, or freezer? You must make a decision.
After the expiration date or the ‘best before’ date on the container, you may keep your tortillas in the freezer for an additional six to eight months. However, if you pick a different storage technique, such as refrigeration or storing in the pantry, the duration will alter.
For example, if you opt to store your flour tortillas in the fridge, you may anticipate them to last for another three to four weeks. Corn tortillas may be stored in the refrigerator for six to eight weeks.
If you have handmade flour tortillas, you may utilize them within two to three days of opening them. If you prefer to store your handmade flour tortillas in the refrigerator, they will last for five to seven days.
Tortillas: How to Store Them
While most baked goods may be stored at room temperature, tortillas are slightly different, which is why it’s a good idea to explain how you can store your tortillas.
At general, it’s best to store unopened tortillas the same way they were in the shop when you bought them. For example, if the unopened item was in the fridge when you bought it, make sure you put it back in the fridge when you get home.
Similarly, if you purchased your tortillas and kept them at room temperature, you must keep them at room temperature after you return home.
Every tortilla producer has their own recipe for keeping tortillas in order to keep them safe. Some producers opt to add preservatives to extend shelf life, whilst others choose not to add any preservatives, and those without preservatives must be refrigerated.
Not much will change if you open your tortilla packet. When this occurs, the first thing you should do is carefully wrap the leftover tortillas before returning them to their packaging. Use the seal if the tortilla packaging is resealable.
Some tortilla makers will require you to refrigerate your tortillas once they have been opened, while others will not. Most items will not last longer once opened, so if the maker hasn’t said otherwise, refrigerate to extend shelf life.
Tortillas Can Be Freezed
Yes, you may freeze tortillas unless the manufacturer specifically states that you should not freeze your tortillas. Sure, freezing your tortillas may affect the texture, but you shouldn’t be concerned if you want to extend their shelf life.
The most important thing to remember while freezing delicious Mexican dish is to keep it away from chilly air. In other words, you must carefully wrap them before freezing them. While there is packing, it is frequently inadequate—freezer bags or foil will suffice.
Another thing to think about is having a separator so that the tortillas don’t freeze together and become difficult to separate when you’re ready to use them.
Tortillas: How Long Do They Last?
Flour tortillas should keep in the pantry for seven days and in the fridge for three to four weeks.
Tortillas purchased at your local store should always include a best before date, which can help you determine how long your tortillas will remain. Even beyond the expiration date, your tortilla is okay to eat, but it will go rotten after a while.
After you’ve opened your tortilla packet, store it using any of the techniques suggested in this post, and it should last until the expiry date—or even longer. If you’re certain you won’t use your tortilla again, use it up and freeze the rest.
Assume the maker did not specify that you should keep your tortillas refrigerated after opening. In such situation, the safer bet is to refrigerate them for another four weeks—better than letting them spoil.
As I previously stated, depending on where the tortilla you purchased was stored, do the same when you get home. This is due to the fact that the majority of manufacturers do not propose any storage strategy, leaving you in the dark.
The easiest way to keep your flour tortillas fresher for longer is to freeze them. Unlike other preservation methods such as storing in the pantry or refrigeration, freezing is a long-term storage solution.
How Can I Tell If Tortillas Are Bad?
How can you tell if your tortillas have ruined now that you know what they are, whether or not they may go bad, and how you can keep them? This is crucial since you don’t want to get food poisoning.
The first step is to look for the most typical indications of food degradation. Check to check if your tortilla has any mould, discolorations, black spots, or a terrible odor. If you can confirm any of these, your tortillas have gone bad, and you should throw them away.
If, on the other hand, there are no such indications, your tortillas are still safe to eat.
All you have to do is select a proper storage technique based on how long you want them to remain—the freezer would be my first choice if I required them to stay for a few weeks longer.
Whether you are unclear whether your tortillas have gone bad using the methods described above, cut a little piece and taste it to determine if the flavor is recognizable.
Related Issues
- What Happens If You Consume Old Flour Tortillas?
Expired tortillas may harden, but they will still be safe to eat. However, you should be on the lookout for warning indicators such as black specks or mould on the surface of your tortilla. If you observe any of these indicators, please discard the tortilla and replace it with a fresh one from the shop.
- Can Consuming Old Tortillas Make You Sick?
Yes and no, since you may still eat expired tortillas a few days after they’ve expired, but it’s not a good idea to eat tortillas that have mold or black spots on them. You may become ill as a result of food poisoning.
- Should You Keep Flour Tortillas Refrigerated?
Yes, you may refrigerate flour tortillas, but only if you’ve opened the package and wish to extend its shelf life or match the expiry date. If you want to chill your tortillas, they will last three times as long.
- What Can I Do With Old Tortillas?
You may use your old tortillas in soup, whether it’s tortilla soup or another type of soup. You can have them mashed and blended into a posole dish, but it is all up to you. If you enjoy fresh tomato soup, this is also an option.
In conclusion
Yes, flour tortillas go bad after a while, but the shelf life is determined by the storage technique you use. If you choose freezing over refrigeration, your flour tortillas will last longer—six to eight months, to be exact.
You don’t have to freeze your flour tortillas; you may also keep them in the cupboard or the refrigerator, depending on your needs.
Now it’s your turn—please tell me in the comments how you extend the life of your flour tortillas, especially if you buy them in bulk. Please let me know if you’ve ever had terrible flour tortillas and how you handled it.
