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Making your own Homemade Corn Tortillas is an easy way to add more homemade deliciousness to taco night with your very own, hot-off-the-pan corn tortillas!
A step by step guide on how to make the best corn tortillas you’ll ever eat, and only 3 ingredients!!
Step-by-step photos and instructions are below!
Everyone has tacos on Tuesday, right? Why not kick your weekly habit up a notch with these homemade corn tortillas?
I have to admit – if given the choice between flour and corn tortillas, I almost ALWAYS opt for flour. Something about store-bought corn tortillas didn’t strike me as terribly fabulous. Rubbery, and kind of flavorless – I didn’t see the point. Turns out I was missing out – only because I hadn’t yet attempted to make my own! This is of a technique than a complicated recipe, these have a lovely pronounced corn flavor to complete your meal.
I live in Phoenix, so I have easy access to Mexican grocery stores, restaurants and food trucks. I first began making my own corn tortillas when watching a lady in the store making tortillas to order for customers to purchase and take home. She was like a dream to watch, mix, roll, press, cook, flip and wrap.
I finally got up the courage to ask her for her hot tips on how to make tortillas, and she laughed!! Not really AT me, but because to her – it was like an automatic function. She grew up watching her mother make them, and gained the skill as she got older and began cooking for her own family. She showed me how to mix the dough, and how it should “feel” when it was ready to be rolled into balls and cooked. Showed me the proper heat, and how to keep them warm and soft. I did not grow up with a mama who made tortillas, but I feel like she was an excellent substitute!
I have been making my own ever since, and always keep a bag masa flour in the pantry, in case taco fever strikes (it does, about once a week actually!) Flour tortilla lovers – try these corn tortillas at home and let me know if you are a convert, like me!
I have included step-by-step photos and instructions, as well as tips and tricks in the post. If you’d rather skip all that, scoot right on down to the full recipe card located at the bottom of the post.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! As long as you check the product you use – the masa harina is gluten free (as is water and salt)
Just grab a rolling pin, and roll out to a very thin, even circle. It will take longer, but homemade tortillas are so worth it!
Humidity is your friend! Using a tortilla warmer is a good option, but wrapping in a clean towel will also do the same job. If you make them ahead, just heat in the microwave wrapped in a paper towel
Recipe Ingredients and Possible Substitutes
The full list of ingredients and quantities is found in the printable recipe card below.
- Instant Yellow Corn Masa Flour – also known as masa harina, buy this with the regular flour in the baking aisle of most grocery stores, or grab it from Amazon.
- Water – you’ll want this to be hot water – not boiling, as you’ll be handling the dough soon after mixing, but hot from the tap.
- Salt– this flavors the tortillas, but you can absolutely leave it out if you wish.
Equipment notes for Homemade Corn Tortillas:
- TORTILLA PRESS – You don’t NEED a tortilla press for this, but it sure is handy and makes quick work out of the task of rolling them out. You can get them online (or if you live in Phoenix, many grocery stores carry them. Mine is made of heavy plastic, but the aluminum/cast iron kind are super cool too – like this Tortilla Press (affiliate link)
- TORTILLA WARMER – A tortilla warmer (affilate link) is also pretty handy – it keeps them warm, and makes them soft and pliable, ready to use. If you don’t have one, a towel will work just fine – just keep them covered WELL.
- CAST IRON SKILLET – I’ve used a non stick skillet before, but much prefer the even heating of my cast iron. I use my smaller one for this, and it’s perfect. It’s this 10.5 Inch Cast Iron Skillet (affiliate link)
How to make Corn Tortillas
Make the dough
In a large bowl, add the corn masa and the salt and mix well.
Add the hot water, and mix into a soft dough (it should be about as firm as a soft cookie dough).
Add more water if needed.
Line a tortilla press with a zip lock bag (I just cut down the sides). Sheets of plastic wrap, parchment paper and wax paper also works well.
Divide the dough into roughly 20 dough balls.
Place 1 ball onto the lined tortilla press and …. press.
Cook the tortillas
Carefully remove the tortilla from the press, and add to a large cast iron pan or large skillet – heated at medium-high heat.
Let the tortilla cook about 30 seconds, until the edges look like they’re drying… then flip
Cook a further 45-60 seconds, then flip again – the tortilla will puff up.
Add tortilla to a towel line tortilla warmer.
Repeat with remaining balls of dough.
Kylee’s Notes
What to do with leftovers
Substitutions/Additions
Freezing instructions
Want some ideas on how to use your fresh corn tortillas?
- Spicy Soft Chicken Tacos. Kick your Taco Tuesday habit up a notch! Topped with anything you like, this is a recipe you’ll make again and again. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or for sharing with friends on the weekend!
- Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup. Hearty and warming with just the right amount of spice, blended with cheese, topped off with jalapenos, cilantro, and crispy tortilla strips.
- King Ranch Chicken Casserole. A classic recipe using chicken layered with a creamy sauce studded with peppers and onions, then baked in a casserole dish with cheese and corn tortillas.
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Homemade Corn Tortillas
Recommended Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups instant yellow corn masa flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1.5 cups hot water
Directions
- In a large bowl, add the corn masa and the salt and mix well.
- Add the hot water, and mix into a soft dough (it should be about as firm as cookie dough).
- Add more water if needed.
- Line a tortilla press with a zip lock bag (I just cut down the sides)
- Divide the dough into roughly 20 dough balls
- Place 1 ball onto the lined tortilla press and …. press.
- Carefully remove the tortilla from the press, and add to a medium hot cast iron skillet.
- Let the tortilla cook about 30 seconds, until the edges look like they’re drying… then flip
- Cook a further 45-60 seconds, then flip again – the tortilla will puff up.
- Add tortilla to a towel line tortilla warmer.
- Repeat with remaining dough balls.
Notes
- Are corn tortillas gluten free? Yes! As long as you check the product you use – the masa harina is gluten free (as is water and salt)
- How to make corn tortillas without a press? Just grab a rolling pin, and roll out to a very thin, even circle. It will take longer, but homemade tortillas are so worth it!
- How to keep homemade corn tortillas soft – humidity is your friend! Using a tortilla warmer is a good option, but wrapping in a clean towel will also do the same job. If you make them ahead, just heat in the microwave wrapped in a paper towel.
- Keep the dough covered while cooking the tortillas.
- If the dough gets dry, add some more water. Too wet? Add a little more masa.
- Flip the tortillas when you start seeing brown spots.
Nutrition Facts
Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Missy - Getting Fit to Find Myself says
I used to dislike corn tortillas too. However, over time I have come to like them a lot! In fact often times I choose them over a flour tortilla. I am terrible in the kitchen so I think I will just have to buy them for now! I may have to change my menu for tonight! Your tacos look amazing and I want those now!
Kylee says
I just dislike store bought corn tortillas. I love them hot and fresh from my own pan, though! Thanks for stopping by!
Karen @ Karen's Kitchen Stories says
I can’t wait to try these! I feel the same way you do about store bought corn tortillas, unless I fry them of course, lol! These look wonderful.
Kylee says
I ALWAYS fry the store bought ones to warm them. But there’s something so much home-ier about making them yourself, right?
Lynda@fitnessmomwinecountry says
We do tacos about 3 times a week. No joke, my family loves them. White corn tortillas are the go to for us. I am not a fan of yellow corn. We do so many different variations of them. They are so easy and kid friendly.
Kylee says
You could use white corn masa to make these, no problem! Thanks for stopping by!
Georgina says
Homemade Corn Tortillas – Love the idea Kylee and your make of it! <3
Kylee says
Thanks, Georgina – I appreciate you stopping by!
Cassi says
Just 3 ingredients to make a tortilla? Definitely something I’d like to try!
Kylee says
Absolutely!! Makes it almost criminal NOT to try, right?
Julie at Hostess At Heart says
I love this Kylee! I have a tortilla press and have tried making them once. My recipe wasn’t amazing by any means. We like corn so I’ll be giving your recipe a try.
Kylee says
Thanks, Julie – you’re already halfway there if you have the press! The key to keeping them soft and pliable and yummy is the humidity – either in a towel, or the warmer – it’s essential to the final product! Thanks for stopping by!
Vet Leow says
I do like having corn tortillas to snack on when I am at home watching movies, it makes lots of sense to make them hot yourself instead of buying them… Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Kylee says
Thanks, Vet !
Tara says
Love these, I can stand and watch the ladies in old town in San Diego make these for hours. I love tortillas!!
Kylee says
I love watching other people cook, too. It’s mesmerizing. Hope you try this out at home!
Rebecca Jo says
I’m not a fan of store bought corn tortillas but do love them at local mexican restaurants . I totally need to try this! It has to be healthier then the flour ones.
Kylee says
I feel the same way, Rebecca Jo! I like them when they’re hot and fresh. The corn tortillas are definitely healthier, the flour ones have… lard. Which isn’t a reason not to make them, because…. yummy – but if you are watching your intake for health reasons, corn is the way to go!
Jessie @ The Acquired Sass says
I, like you, was NOT a corn tortilla fan, but I had only ever had them from a store bought package & they just tasted rubbery.
Maybe the trick really is making them myself.
Do you find the homemade ones store well?
Kylee says
I wouldn’t know, Jessie – we scarf the entire batch in one taco eating session.
I’d assume they’d be good for a few days, reheated in a microwave, and kept in a towel to prevent drying.
Lisa @ Lisa the Vegetarian says
Such a good idea! I love making Mexican food at home (one of my favorites!), but I’ve never attempted to make homemade corn tortillas before. In fact, it never even crossed my mind as something I could do! I will have to bookmark this and give it a try.
Stopping by from the blog hop!
Kylee says
Thanks for stopping by, Lisa! I’d love it if you tried this and let me know how it goes!
Ansh says
I do hear you! I Never likes tortillas unless I was eating them in a restaurant that house made them. So by default I never like tortillas until I made them at home and corn tortillas are my absolute favorite. Taco Everyday 😀
Kylee says
I’m so with you, Ansh!
Mayuri Patel says
Yummy home made corn tortillas. I make wheat ones but your recipe makes it looks so easy to make the corn ones.
Kylee says
It really is easy, Mayuri. I’d love to see your wheat ones. Is it on your blog?
Storybook Erin says
Yum Tacos!! I have to admit, I think I’m going to like your blog because I am not the best cook (even though my mom also included me in the kitchen from a young age) and sometimes I get stuck making the same meals OVER and OVER again.
I’m excited to try some of your suggestions!
Kylee says
I hope you find something you like here, Erin! I think most of my recipes are pretty easy and quick – just right for the beginner cook!
Katie Crenshaw says
I absolutely LOVE corn tortillas. I so much prefer them to the flour ones. I have always wanted to learn how to make them, but have been intimated by the process. You make it look so easy. Perhaps I should try after all. When corn tortillas are fresh, they are all the better!
Kylee says
SO easy, Katie! Thanks for stopping by!
Mary says
Looks easy enough and can’t wait to try them.