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!

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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!

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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!

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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)

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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

What is the best way to use corn tortillas? ›

35 Unbelievably Delicious Ways to Turn Tortillas into a Meal
  1. 1 / 36. Breakfast Burritos. ...
  2. 2 / 36. Crispy Chicken Taquitos. ...
  3. 3 / 36. Steak Quesadillas. ...
  4. 4 / 36. Instant Pot Beef Birria Tacos. ...
  5. 5 / 36. Huevos Rancheros. ...
  6. 6 / 36. Cheesy Potato Quesadillas with Chipotle Mayo. ...
  7. 7 / 36. Mexican Beef Enchiladas. ...
  8. 8 / 36. Chicken Burritos.
Apr 10, 2024

What to do with tortillas before they go bad? ›

A: We recommend that you refrigerate your tortillas after purchase to help extend the shelf life. Even though our packages are re-sealable, once the package is open storing your tortillas in a cool refrigerator helps them last through the shelf life. It's important to store your tortillas at a steady temperature.

Should I freeze corn tortillas? ›

Just like flour tortillas, you can freeze corn tortillas. Follow the same steps for freezing corn tortillas. If unopened, place in a freezer-safe bag and add a label and date. For open packages of corn tortillas, layer them with wax paper and place in a freezer-safe bag to freeze.

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.

Why do you dip corn tortillas in water? ›

You could set up a steamer, but much faster is to simply dip the tortilla in water and toss it straight on a hot surface. As the surface moisture evaporates, it steams the tortilla until it's soft all the way through. Meanwhile, the hot contact with the pan gives it some nice toasty browned spots.

How do Mexican restaurants heat corn tortillas? ›

Take a tip from Mexican restaurants and steam your tortillas to warm them. They retain their flavor and texture, without getting too soft or too crisp. Steam-warming tortillas is a great way to heat them up before using without adding any extra fat, requiring a gas stove, or getting them too crisp.

When should you throw away tortillas? ›

If you've opened your tortilla package, they'll last for a few days until the air gets to them. You can make them last slightly longer if you wrap them in aluminum foil. But they will eventually start to harden, smell bad, and look moldy. At this point - throw them away!

How to use up tortillas? ›

14 Tasty Ways to Use Tortillas
  1. 01 of 15. Corn Tortilla Quiche. View Recipe. ...
  2. 02 of 15. Good Morning Wrap. View Recipe. ...
  3. 03 of 15. Mexican Egg Bake. View Recipe. ...
  4. 04 of 15. Quick Black Bean Chilaquiles. ...
  5. 05 of 15. Caramelized Onion and Jalapeno Quesadillas. ...
  6. 06 of 15. Crispy Flautas. ...
  7. 07 of 15. Tortilla Rollups. ...
  8. 08 of 15. 7-Layer Tortilla Pie.
Apr 24, 2020

What to do with corn tortillas that fall apart? ›

Steam corn tortillas in the microwave so they stay pliable and don't split under the weight of taco fillings. Wrap a stack of tortillas in damp paper towels or a damp kitchen towel, then wrap in plastic wrap or place in a microwave-safe resealable plastic bag (keep the bag open to vent).

What to do with dry corn tortillas? ›

Whether you're a new shelf cooker or a total pro, you'll love these stale tortilla ideas: Tostadas – Make taco night tostada night! Just spray your tortilla with cooking oil and pop it in the oven for 5 minutes at 400°F, then flip and cook for another 5-7 minutes. Top with your favorite goodies and enjoy!

Can you eat 3 week old tortillas? ›

If stored refrigerated, open or unopened: products may remain fresh up to 30 days beyond the sell-by date. If frozen, products can be stored and used up to 90 days past sell-by date. If you've frozen your tortillas, we recommend placing them in the refrigerator to thaw prior to enjoying them.

How to tell when corn tortillas are bad? ›

Spots of Mold: The presence of mold, which may appear as green or black spots, is a clear sign of spoilage and the tortillas should not be consumed. Smell: A fresh corn tortilla should have a neutral or slightly earthy corn aroma.

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

It depends on the handling conditions the product was exposed to. 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.

Can I fry stale corn tortillas? ›

Fry them! After 5 days or more, depending on the type of tortillas you have, they may become so stale and dry that you can't even fold them in half for a quesadilla without them breaking. In this case, it's time to remove all the moisture from the tortillas by frying them.

Can you fry corn tortillas? ›

Heat oil over medium heat in a skillet. Carefully add half of the tortilla (folded into a taco shape) and fry until golden (you will need to hold up the tortilla half the entire time.). Using tongs, carefully flip the tortilla to fry the other side until golden (continue holding the free edge to maintain the shape).

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