Southwestern homemade flour tortillas are a simple but delicious twist on plain flour tortillas. They will quickly become a must-have on taco night!
Homemade tortillas. The best thing ever, right? Of course I can’t be normal and post a recipe for plain flour or corn tortillas.
Nooooo….I add some of my favorite taco seasoning. (If you love that taco seasoning as much as I do, make sure to make a large batch of it!)
Adding taco seasoning to plain tortillas just so happens to be a very, very good choice. It gives them the perfect southwestern flavor, just right to make them a little different and more special than a plain tortilla.
And can I tell you how amazing they are as the vessel for cheese quesadillas?
Tortillas are simple to make and you don’t even need a tortilla press to make them. It might make them prettier and more uniform but I love the rustic look. They are easy to roll out and perfectly delicious. Sure, I’d love a tortilla press but I have kitchen gadgets coming out of my ears already.
I don’t have a tortilla warmer either. Where do people keep all of these things? I line one of my Le Creuset pans with parchment paper to keep these tortillas nice and warm without getting soggy. I think it looks pretty, too.
If you’re planning to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, make sure to add these to the menu along with some of the dishes listed below.
More Southwestern Recipes
- Taco Salad (always a favorite!)
- Southwestern Black Bean Dip
- Southwestern Stuffed Mini Sweet Peppers (SO good!)
- Taco Chicken Tenders
- Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken
- Fajita Stuffed Chicken
Homemade Flour Tortillas
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (whole wheat flour can be substituted for up to half of the flour)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup hot water, more if needed
- ⅓ cup shortening
Instructions
- Mix flour and salt in large bowl; set aside.3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon salt
- Measure out hot water in a 2 cup glass measuring cup (microwave safe); add shortening. Microwave for 1 minute. Stir well until shortening is completely melted. If necessary, microwave in 10 second increments until shortening melts and water is very hot.⅓ cup shortening, 1 cup hot water, more if needed
- Pour the shortening mixture into the bowl with the flour; mix well until mixture forms a ball. If necessary, add more hot water in 1 tablespoon increments. The dough will be somewhat sticky but should form a ball.
- Cover with a clean kitchen towel; set aside for at least 1 hour. This step is important because the hot water hydrates the flour, ensuring that the tortillas are soft and pliable.
- When ready to bake tortillas, heat a cast iron skillet over medium heat until hot. Meanwhile, divide dough into 12 balls; on a clean surface, using a rolling pin, roll each ball thinly as possible.
- When pan is hot, place 1 tortilla in the pan for 10 to 15 seconds, until it puffs up in places and is lightly freckled with light brown spots. Using tongs, flip tortilla over and bake another 10 seconds. Adjust heat if tortillas are browning too quickly. Remove from pan, place on a plate, and cover with a clean towel. Continue cooking tortillas, as directed.
Notes
- Cooking tip: Be sure pan is hot enough before cooking the tortillas. If it’s not hot enough, the tortilla gets too dry and crispy. It should be lightly freckled with brown spots but not black spots. It’s okay if the tortilla puffs up in spots.
- Testing note: We tested this recipe several different ways. Hydrating the flour with the hot water/shortening was by far the best way to achieve soft pliable tortillas.
- Storage & reheating: Cool flour tortillas completely before placing them in a zip-top bag. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze them for up to 3 months. Reheat the tortillas in a skillet over medium heat for about 15 seconds on each side until warm and pliable; they can also be eaten at room temperature.
- Originally posted as Southwestern Homemade Tortillas which included 1 teaspoon taco seasoning. Recipe retested and revised 9/2024.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did You Make This?Share a comment and rating below! I love hearing what you think!
Very easy to make. I would like to increase the taco seasoning for more flavor; would I need to adjust any other tortilla ingredients?
No, if you want to increase the taco seasoning flavor, I’d leave all other ingredients the same.
Doing. This. Yeah.
I have never made homemade tortillas, despite the constant push that they’re so much better than store bought. To be honest it’s just out of pure laziness.. But, I love these ones! They’re seasoned..that makes it so much better! I’d totally do what your daughter is doing and just eat them as is! oh YUM!
Love this!
Homemade flour tortillas? holy yum! These look seriously amazing, need to try!!! And I love the pictures of E, so cute :)