8 Recipes For Your Leftover Corn Tortillas (2024)

Has anyone else ever noticed that corn tortillas, as compared to their delicious counterpart, flour tortillas, are sold in HUGE quantities? I understand that corn tortillas are historically smaller than flour (which come in packs of 8-12), but is there really a need to sell them only in packs of 30? I pretty much buy them for 2 recipes and I’m often left with quite a bit of lonely leftovers. I don’t like wasting food and I’m always up for trying new recipes, so here’s a great list I’ve found of putting your leftover corn tortillas to hard work!

8 Recipes For Your Leftover Corn Tortillas (1)

Source: BakedByRachel.com

1. Homemade Tortilla Chips

Sometimes you just want some tortilla chips, whether or not you already have them in your pantry. Or maybe you need some tortilla strips to add to your bowl of tortilla soup or to the top of your southwestern salad. Well, if you’ve got corn tortillas in your house, you can make your own! It’s as simple as cutting into triangles or strips, seasoning and baking!

BakedByRachel.comhas a delicious looking recipe for baked seasoned tortilla strips, so head over to her site and give it a try!

8 Recipes For Your Leftover Corn Tortillas (2)

Source: TheWanderlustKitchen.com

2. Chilaquiles

Chilaquiles are as tasty as their name is exotic. It is a traditional Mexican dish that is most often served at breakfast or brunch, but variations like adding chicken has made this into a dinner meal as well. Your corn tortillas will be turned into lightly baked chips, and then added to a simmering skillet of flavored tomatoes with all types of goodies. Top with cheese and avocado for a great brunch!

VisitheWanderlustKitchen.comfor this delicious recipe and many more inspired by kitchens across the globe!

8 Recipes For Your Leftover Corn Tortillas (3)

Source: PlainChicken.com

3. King Ranch Chicken Soup

I’ve never made King Ranch Chicken Casserole but I’ve only heard wonderful things about it. This soup is another version that alway receives rave reviews and will use up that handful of corn tortillas you’ve got! It’s a quick cooking soup that uses rotisserie chicken and has tons of flavor, probably a little on the spicy side! Oh, and it looks pretty too!

Check outPlainChicken.comfor this recipe and many more on one of your favorite ingredients: chicken!

8 Recipes For Your Leftover Corn Tortillas (4)

Source: CantStayOutOfTheKitchen.com

4.Taco Lasagna

Put a spin on Italian night with this latin version, Taco Lasagna. This Tex-Mex meal has all your favorites: ground beef, onions, peppers, beans and much more. You can’t go wrong!

CantStayOutOfTheKitchen.com‘s version uses flour tortillas, but there’s absolutely no reason you can’t substitute corn! Go for it!

8 Recipes For Your Leftover Corn Tortillas (5)

Source: LilLuna.com

5. Cream Cheese & Chicken Taquitos

I’ve never met a taquito I didn’t like and these cream cheese and chicken ones are next on my list! Traditional taquitos are usually just packed with meat and probably don’t offer much in the way of nutrition. This version uses cream cheese, chicken and spinach! I’d also wager you could add whatever veggies you want to make this your own, and something the kids will enjoy.

For this recipe and other yummy Mexican themed meals, get over toLilLuna.com!

8 Recipes For Your Leftover Corn Tortillas (6)

Source: SimplyRecipes.com

6. Mexican Tostadas

Tostadas are a wonderful dinner for a summer night or an evening where you have little time for cooking. Or maybe you just want to eat a flat taco? The tostada is for you. Simply fry up a corn tortilla and then top with your average taco goodies.

SimplyRecipes.comhas a great recipe for Mexican Tostadas. You’ll also find a great collection of others perfect for your own cooking skills!

8 Recipes For Your Leftover Corn Tortillas (7)

Source: PinchOfYum.com

7. Skinny Chicken Enchiladas

As if enchiladas weren’t tasty enough, this recipe is a healthy (SKINNY) version. Now you don’t need to feel so guilty for indulging in one of your favorite comfort foods. Additionally, your crock pot will help you prepare the chicken, so that’s one less step for you. Score!

PinchOfYum.comis one of my personal favorite good websites. Be sure to visit for this recipe and many others!

8 Recipes For Your Leftover Corn Tortillas (8)

Source: WearyChef.com

8. Quesadillas

Most of the time when you think of a quesadilla you probably imagine flour tortillas. They are a little more pliable than corn, and you can make larger tortillas with them. However, you can basically create any quesadilla you want using a corn tortilla! Breakfast, sweet or savory- they are all at your fingertips! Just like this spicy spinach quesadilla- tons of flavor and fewer carbs than making with a flour tortilla.

Check outWearyChef.comfor this tasty quesadilla. You’ll also find recipe roundups and even weekly dinner menus!

8 Recipes For Your Leftover Corn Tortillas (9)

Related Images:

  • Bio
  • Pinterest
  • Latest Posts

8 Recipes For Your Leftover Corn Tortillas (10)

Karly Wood

Editor at Red Tricycle

I'm a born and bred Southern California native and currently the managing editor at Red Tri. I get to share my life with my husband of 13 years and our beautiful, 5-year old daughter. In my free time you'll catch me cheering for the Dodgers, cooking, baking, reading, crafting and probably watching a little HGTV!

8 Recipes For Your Leftover Corn Tortillas (12)

Latest posts by Karly Wood (see all)

  • 15 Wonderful White Kitchens - January 14, 2019
  • We Want All These Spring Manis And We Want Them Now - January 8, 2019
  • DIY Heart-Shaped Valentine’s Day Wreath - January 4, 2019

8 Recipes For Your Leftover Corn Tortillas (13)

Karly Wood

I'm a born and bred Southern California native and currently the managing editor at Red Tri. I get to share my life with my husband of 13 years and our beautiful, 5-year old daughter. In my free time you'll catch me cheering for the Dodgers, cooking, baking, reading, crafting and probably watching a little HGTV!

8 Recipes For Your Leftover Corn Tortillas (2024)

FAQs

How do you use old tortillas? ›

7 Ways To Utilize Leftover Taco Shells and Flour Tortillas
  1. Nachos. Break the taco shells and create delicious nachos with cheese, beans, olives, guacamole and other fan-favorite ingredients. ...
  2. Breakfast Tacos. ...
  3. Salad Topping. ...
  4. Chicken Quesadillas. ...
  5. Tortilla Pinwheels. ...
  6. Tortilla Pizza. ...
  7. Cinnamon And Sugar Tortilla Chips.
Aug 13, 2022

Is a type of corn used to make tortillas and other Mexican dishes? ›

Masa harina needs to be mixed with water or another liquid to form a dough, which can be used to make tortillas, tamales, and other dishes.

Does corn tortillas go bad? ›

In any type of tortilla, the next step is looking for signs of color changes. If you see signs of mold growth or changes in color, it's time to say "So long, tortillas!" Any color changes such as a green tinge, dark spots, or unusual spots of any kind are signs of spoilage.

How do you cook with stale tortillas? ›

Tear them up and fry them in a little oil. Toss them with sauce (salsa verde, salsa roja, salsa de frijol, etc), serve. You can also crumble up stale tortillas and add to chili to thicken it up and add some earthiness. Layer tortillas, meat, refried beans, cheese, enchilada sauce alternately and bake till bubbly.

How do you eat corn tortillas without them breaking? ›

Heat the oil to ~350F. Place a tortilla in the hot oil for about 30 to 40 seconds then turn over for another 30 to 40 seconds. Place the tortilla on a paper towel to remove excess oil. The tortilla will then be much more flexible.

What do Mexicans use corn tortillas for? ›

Uses. Corn tortillas are the basis of many traditional Mexican dishes, such as tacos, tostadas, enchiladas, flautas, quesadillas, chilaquiles, and tortilla soup.

What is a Mexican corn tortilla called? ›

During that time, the Conquistadors saw for the first time the flatbread made from corn. It was called tlaxcalli in the native language. The Spanish dubbed them tortillas and they quickly spread worldwide. Once wheat was brought over to the New World from Spain, flour tortillas were created.

What's the difference between a corn tortilla and a taco? ›

What makes a taco shell different from a corn tortilla? The most obvious difference is the consistency of a “hard” shell vs a “soft” shell (basically a regular corn tortilla). In its purest form, a hard taco shell is basically a fried corn tortilla that has been folded to make it easy to hold the ingredients of a taco.

How to pan fry corn tortillas? ›

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add about ½ inch vegetable oil and heat to 350 degrees. Add one tortilla to the skillet and cook until it is blistering but still soft, 10 to 15 seconds.

How to fry a corn tortilla for tacos? ›

Just put some oil (I like avocado oil, and you don't need a lot of oil, you're not submerging anything) in a small frying pan on medium-high heat, let it get nice and hot, then toss your tortilla in for like 10 or 15 seconds, flip, let the oil drain off, then assemble.

What is the best way to cook corn tortillas? ›

The traditional way, use a hot skillet to heat corn tortillas they taste better when the skillet is drizzled with some cooking oil. Please heat them n a skillet, or directly over a low fire in your stove. Never, please never, heat them in a microwave oven! The tortillas will get get soggy and taste awful!

Can you freeze corn tortillas for later? ›

You can freeze both corn and flour tortillas. Freezing is an excellent way to extend tortillas' shelf life and allows you to make last-minute tacos al pastor, burritos, fajitas, quesadillas doradas, taquitos, or chicken enchiladas. To prevent freezer burn, keep tortillas tightly sealed in their packaging.

How long will corn tortillas last in the fridge after opened? ›

If you are not going to consume the whole package after opening it, wash your hands, remove the amount of tortillas required and place the remainder in an air tight container. The product should be consumed within 7 days under refrigerated conditions.

What happens when you freeze corn tortillas? ›

Tortillas are one of the most freezer-friendly baked goods out there: As long as they're properly wrapped, they'll maintain their flavor and texture excellently for up to 6 months. Even better, they're easy and speedy to defrost once you're ready to use them.

Do corn tortillas go bad in the fridge? ›

Shelf Life and Storage Tips

Typically, store-bought corn tortillas come with a "best by" date, which is a helpful guide for determining their optimal quality. They can maintain their freshness for one week past this date when stored at room temperature, and they can last between 6 to 8 weeks when refrigerated.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Pres. Lawanda Wiegand

Last Updated:

Views: 6095

Rating: 4 / 5 (51 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Pres. Lawanda Wiegand

Birthday: 1993-01-10

Address: Suite 391 6963 Ullrich Shore, Bellefort, WI 01350-7893

Phone: +6806610432415

Job: Dynamic Manufacturing Assistant

Hobby: amateur radio, Taekwondo, Wood carving, Parkour, Skateboarding, Running, Rafting

Introduction: My name is Pres. Lawanda Wiegand, I am a inquisitive, helpful, glamorous, cheerful, open, clever, innocent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.