You buy a packet of tortillas for a meal you intended to make, but plans changed and the tortillas went unused. How do you know if tortillas are too bad to eat? Here is a helpful guide to find out.
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Tortillas are a favorite staple of Mexican cuisine and I love to use store-bought tortillas in my recipes.This family favorite Healthy Taco Lasagna uses whole-wheat or corn tortillas and is the perfect meal to make when bringing dinner to a friend. I also use tortillas in these All Natural Chicken Enchiladas made with whole-wheat tortillas and leftover chicken.
Expiration Date
If you have leftover tortillas and are wondering the best way to tell if they are ok to eat, the first thing to check is the sell-by date.There should always be an expiration date printed on the original packaging of your tortillas. If stored correctly, your tortillas could last even longer than this printed date. But when checking to see if your tortillas are too bad to eat, looking at this date is a good place to start.
Color Changes in Tortillas
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. In spinach tortillas you may have a tougher time checking for the green-tinge, but err on the side of caution. No one wants to eat moldy tortillas.
Smell of Tortillas
Another clear indication that your tortillas are too bad to eat is an unpleasant smell. This could be a sour smell, or just any smell that seems "off" to you. Tortillas are naturally mild in odor, so an unpleasant odor coming from any of the different types of tortillas is a bad sign.
Proper Storage Methods
For store-bought tortillas, the best-by date will be printed on the plastic bag packaging. If it is a bag of unopened tortillas it is possible that it will have a slightly longer shelf life than the date shown on the tortilla package. Here are things you should be aware of when storing tortillas:
- To extend the shelf life of your tortillas, try storing them in an air-tight container in the fridge.
- Wrapping tortillas in plastic wrap and storing in a cool, dry place is another option.
- To further prolong the shelf life of tortillas, you can freeze them. You'll just need to place a piece of wax paper or parchment paper between each tortilla. Then place them all in an airtight container or freezer bags.
Fiber in Tortillas
What makes my family happy are the soft flour tortillas. I personally love ones that have fiber in them. There are a couple of brands that have more fiber than others, so it's a good idea to look for that information on the nutrition facts. With more fiber they will be more filling and help contribute to you getting the fiber that you need every day. I do like experimenting with corn tortillas every once in a while.
For instance, there are some that have more flavor than others. When preparing corn tortillas, it is important to follow the directions on how to heat them up because that can either make them delicious or cause them to fall apart. Corn tortillas are a natural source of fiber and whole grain when they are made from 100% corn. Corn tortillas tend to have less ingredients in them and are naturally gluten free. If you want to eat gluten free or have family members who are gluten free, you can simply swap your flour tortillas for corn and that's a really easy way to accommodate that dietary need.
Homemade Tortillas
I have made tortillas before. It is surprisingly not difficult. Making homemade tortillas is the kind of thing that you'd want a good reason to do. Maybe you prefer the authentic taste or you want minimal ingredients. It's as simple as combining masa harina, hot water, and salt. Having a tortilla press would make it super easy and yield the best results. If that sounds like something that would be enjoyable to you or you just want something super fresh, go for it! I do think there's a little bit of a flavor difference there, and that could be a fun thing for you to try.
How Tortillas Make Healthy Easy
Paying attention to the size of the tortilla is a matter of how much energy or calories you want to consume. The bigger the tortilla, the more calories it contains, and that could be totally fine for you. If you are a parent of teenagers or hungry kids, simply having different sizes of tortillas is a great way to meet the different needs of your family. For instance, you could serve your teenagers burrito sized tortillas while you choose to have taco size. That's a simple way to make a meal that accommodates everyone without any extra work.
Conclusion
It's always a good idea to check the date of your tortillas before consuming. Using the list above should be a good way to determine if your tortillas are too bad to eat. If in doubt, throw it out.
You might also be interested to read How to Tell if Green Beans are Too Bad to Eat.
