How Long Do Tortillas Last: The Best Ways to Keep It Fresh

Tortilla is popular in the kitchen of many homes, especially amongst weight watchers. It is versatile as it can be eaten in more ways than one. You have the freedom to add different ingredients as desired. In many instances, we end up buying a lot, and in the end, we are not able to consume it all. With this, it is important to know how long do tortillas last?

Before eating tortilla that has been untouched for some time, know first if it is still in good condition. Unfortunately, it does not come with an indefinite shelf life. Time will come that it will spoil. Read this post to know more about its shelf life and some of the best storage methods to retain its freshness.​

The most important thing to note is that there is no universal answer to the question. There are different factors that will come into play, such as the way it is stored, and more importantly, the type of tortilla that you have at home.

In the case of homemade tortilla, they can only last for about two days when they are left at room temperature. In the fridge, on the other hand, it can last 5 to 7 days. Meanwhile, in the freezer, you can keep it for up to half a year.

Interested in making your own homemade tortilla? Here is a short video that shows how it can be done:

Meanwhile, in the case of flour tortilla, you can keep it in the pantry for up to one week. In the refrigerator, it can last up to four weeks and in the freezer, more than eight months.

More so, with corn tortilla, you should also look at the best by date. Even after the best by date, it will still be good for up to ten days when left at room temperature, eight weeks in the fridge, and eight months in the freezer.

A common choice amongst people who are serious about their diet, whole wheat tortilla will last for seven days when you leave it at room temperature. In the freezer, it lasts for three weeks to one month, and in the freezer, you can keep it for eight months.

Another popular choice for weight-watchers is spinach tortilla. In the case of the latter, you can leave it in the pantry for seven days, in the refrigerator for 4 weeks, and in the freezer for eight months.

Keep in mind, however, that all of the things mentioned above apply only to an unopened pack of tortilla. Once it has been opened, follow the expiration date stated by the manufacturer.

How To tell If Tortilla Has Gone Bad​

The shelf life mentioned above should just provide you with a rough guide. Before eating tortilla, the best thing that you can do is to perform a visual inspection and see if it is still in its good condition. If it seems like it has already spoiled, just throw it away.

You should perform a quick visual inspection of tortilla. One of the most common signs that it is gone off is when it is already too hard to be folded. They can also crumble or break. Pay attention as well to the change in color, which can be darker than the usual.

Because of the changes in moisture and humidity, there can also be an appearance of molds. This is especially true if the tortilla pack has already been opened and exposed to air.

Smelling tortilla is also a practical way to know if it is still in good condition. When it is fresh, you will notice a strong subtle scent of the flour. When it has gone bad, on the other hand, the odor will be rancid and unpleasant.

How To Store Tortilla

To be sure that tortilla will remain in its best condition, one of the most important is to not open the packaging unless you are ready to consume it. Once it is opened, it will easily attract air and other external elements that could possibly speed up spoilage.

If the tortilla has already been opened, be sure to keep it in an airtight bag before it is stored. If it is left in the pantry, make sure that it is not too hot. Keep it away from direct sources of heat, such as the sun.

The best place to store the tortilla is in the fridge. The freezer works best for long-term storage. When it is inside the fridge, see to it that constant temperature is maintained. If there are fluctuations, this can contribute to spoilage of tortilla.

To prolong the shelf life of tortilla, avoid touching them by hand, especially those that you intend to keep for a long time. You can consider using a clean tong. If your hands are dirty, bacteria can be transferred to the tortilla and in the end, this can lead to contamination.

Conclusion​

How long do tortillas last? As pointed out in the discussions above, this will depend on the specific type of tortilla that you have as well as the manner of storage. In this case, here is a summary of the things you have to know:

Homemade Tortilla:

Flour Tortilla:

Corn Tortilla:

Whole Wheat Tortilla:

Spinach Tortilla: