Pasta, noodles & bread · Breads & wraps
Corn tortilla
Small, thin flatbread of nixtamalized corn masa; the base of tacos, enchiladas and tortilla chips.
Also called: tortilla de maíz, tortillas
Photo: David Boté Estrada, via Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA-2.0)
What it is
Corn tortillas are pressed from masa (nixtamalized corn dough) and cooked on a griddle. They are smaller and thinner than flour tortillas, with a distinct toasted-corn flavour, and are naturally gluten-free. They break when cold, so they are warmed or briefly fried before folding. Spanish 'tortilla' is a potato omelette, which is unrelated.
How it’s used
- Tacos
- Enchiladas (lightly fried, then sauced)
- Chilaquiles and tortilla chips
- Tostadas
- Tortilla soup
Characteristics
- Taste
- Toasty, earthy corn.
- When cooked
- Heat on a dry comal or in a little oil until pliable; stack in a cloth to keep warm.
- Sold as
- fresh, frozen
- Cooking uses
- Commonly cooked, Suitable for frying, Suitable for grilling
- Common in
- Mexican, Tex-Mex, Guatemalan, Salvadoran, Central American
Storage
Refrigerated. Refrigerate once opened and use within days; freeze for longer.
Diet, allergens and safety
No major allergens in typical versions.
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Dairy-free
- Egg-free
- Gluten-free
- Nut-free
- Soy-free
- Caffeine-free
- Naturally gluten-free; some brands blend in wheat flour, so check labels.
Nutrition per 100 g
- Energy
- 218 kcal
- Protein
- 5.7 g
- Carbohydrate
- 44.64 g
- Fat
- 2.85 g
- Fibre
- 6.3 g
- Sugars
- 0.88 g
USDA FoodData Central: Tortillas, ready-to-bake or -fry, corn.
Substitutes
Optional — what works if you don’t have it, and how it changes the dish.
- Flour tortilla — Fine for soft tacos; changes flavour and is not gluten-free.
Related ingredients
Recipes with corn tortilla
See all 17
Birria de res
Mexican · 4 h · 563 kcal
Black bean tacos
Mexican · 25 min · 388 kcal · Vegetarian
Carnitas
Mexican · 3 h 10 min · 611 kcal
Chilaquiles rojos
Mexican · 35 min · 291 kcal · Vegetarian
Cochinita pibil
Mexican · 4 h 20 min · 675 kcalEnchiladas rojas
Mexican · 50 min · 551 kcal · Vegetarian
Enchiladas verdes
Mexican · 55 min · 645 kcal
Huevos rancheros
Mexican · 30 min · 485 kcal · Contains egg
Mole poblano
Mexican · 2 h 45 min · 739 kcal
Pepián de pollo
Guatemalan · 1 h 45 min · 712 kcalPlato típico hondureño
Honduran · 55 min · 867 kcalPozole rojo
Mexican · 2 h 55 min · 500 kcal
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