How to Make Flour Tortillas with Beef Tallow
Making homemade flour tortillas is so easy with this tortilla recipe made with beef tallow. Because they’re fresh, the flavor of the soft tortillas is remarkable compared to store-bought tortillas.
What are flour tortillas?
Tortillas are a type of flatbread made with a starch, water, fat, and salt. They’re a staple in Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine, as well as in many other Latin American and Southwestern American dishes.
The starch in corn tortillas is masa harina, and the starch in flour tortillas is traditionally wheat flour. Nowadays, there are a variety of flour types available online and in your local grocery store.
As for the fat, this recipe uses beef tallow, which is rendered down beef fat. You can make your own tallow or buy beef tallow on Amazon. Instead of beef fat, you can also use lard, which comes from pork, or vegetable shortening.
Use flour tortillas to make various dishes such as burritos, tacos, quesadillas, and fajitas. These fresh homemade tortillas can also be used to make wraps with lunch meat or filled with meat and deep-fried to make chimichangas or flautas.
Ingredients
- All-Purpose Flour: Traditional all-purpose flour works well because of its gluten content.
- Warm Water
- Beef Tallow: This should be at room temperature to ensure it’s soft.
- Kosher Salt
Substitutions: Instead of beef tallow, you can use lard or vegetable shortening.
You can find all ingredients for this recipe on Amazon.
How to make flour tortillas
- STEP ONE: Place the ingredients in a large bowl and combine with a fork until moist.
- STEP TWO: Knead the dough on a countertop for 3-5 minutes until it is fully combined and gluten has developed.
- STEP THREE: Shape the dough into a ball, cover with a clean dish towel, and let it rest for 15-30 minutes.
- STEP FOUR: Using a dough cutter, pizza cutter, or sharp knife, divide the dough into pieces (8 for taco-size tortillas, 12 for street taco-size).
- STEP FIVE: Roll each piece into a ball and flatten it.
- STEP SIX: Heat a skillet or griddle to medium-high heat. Cook the tortillas for 30-60 seconds per side.
- STEP SEVEN: Remove from the heat and keep warm with a damp paper towel or cloth.
How to use flour tortillas
Use this flour tortilla recipe to make fresh tortillas for soft tacos, burritos, or wraps with lunch meat.
Storage
It’s best to use the tortillas right away. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days. You can also freeze tortillas and thaw them before heating.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do homemade flour tortillas last?
If stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, they stay fresh for 3-5 days. You can also vacuum seal them and freeze them for up to six months.
How do you make flour tortillas without baking powder?
This recipe doesn’t call for baking powder. The dough rests to create air pockets and bubbles during cooking, yielding soft tortillas.
Is it hard to make flour tortillas?
No, it’s quite simple! The dough consists of flour, fat, and water, making for a soft dough. The hardest part is flattening the dough—using a tortilla press simplifies this.
What is the best way to flatten tortilla dough?
Using a tortilla press is ideal, but a rolling pin works too! Place the dough ball between parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Can I use different types of flour for tortillas?
Yes, you can experiment with different flours. Just remember to adjust the proportions to achieve the right dough consistency.
