Do Corn Tortillas Go Bad?
You can make Mexican wrapped wraps and enchiladas or burritos anytime when there are corn tortillas available in the pantry. Corn tortillas, however, have a limited shelf life as do all food products. So, do corn tortillas go bad?
Yes, corn tortillas go bad. Their shelf life depends on whether they’re bought from a supermarket or made at home, as well as the method you store them. They typically last one week after the date on the label when stored in the pantry. They can last for up to 6-8 weeks when stored in the refrigerator. Corn tortillas frozen in the freezer will last for between 6 and 8 months.
Let’s look more deeply at this right now.
Why Do Corn Tortillas Go Bad?
Tortillas are made from only a handful of ingredients such as cornmeal as well as salt and water. Tortillas sold in stores may also have preservatives.
However, they are generally easy to make and don’t contain dairy or other food items that are perishable. They can be used for a long period of time.
But, corn tortillas are food items. As with all food products, they’ll end up being spoiled. It is possible to extend their shelf time by keeping them in well-organized storage.
Environment-related agents such as humidity, heat, and bacteria cause them to be more susceptible to deterioration. It is possible to extend their life by keeping them in a clean and sterile area far from the elements of heat and humidity.
How Long Do Tortillas Last?
The time span for tortillas will depend on the type of tortillas you use and the way you keep them.
For example, corn tortillas that are purchased from stores last 7-10 days at room temperatures in the pantry.
The tortillas made at home do not last as long as store-bought tortillas since they don’t have preservatives and aren’t packaged in the same way as the tortillas you buy from a store.
But, the shelf life of the tortillas you buy from the store decreases once you open the package since it exposes them to moisture, heat, and bacteria.
Tortillas last longer placed in the freezer or refrigerator. The low-temperature setting and the sterile atmosphere of refrigerators reduce the speed of their spoilage.
Thus, tortillas that are kept in the freezer or fridge can be used even beyond the expiration date stated on the label.
Corn tortillas last for between six and eight months in the fridge, if you keep them in an airtight, sealed bag. They can last longer, up to some months, if they store them in a freezer.
Do Corn Tortillas Go Bad In The Fridge?
The primary function of refrigerators is to preserve food items by keeping it at a lower temperature. The dry climate and low-temperature setting can control any growth that occurs within food items. Therefore, the time it will take for food to get rotten.
Corn tortillas can be stored in the refrigerator to prolong their shelf life. If stored correctly they’ll last for a few days in the freezer.
At temperatures at room temperature, the same tortillas can spoil within up to 10 days. You can therefore make use of them after the date listed on the package when they are kept in the refrigerator.
Remember that the refrigerator can only delay the spoiling process but not stop it completely.
Tortillas packed in sealed packages generally will last longer than tortillas made from scratch and those packed in open containers.
However, it’s essential to keep corn tortillas in large freezer-safe, airtight bags. If they’re in refrigerator-safe, resealable containers then you can keep them within the exact bag once you have taken out the items you require.
Transfer the tortillas into a different bag in the event that the bag isn’t airtight. If they remain in the same bag may alter their texture and make them hard and dry.
It is possible to enjoy them, but they won’t taste as delicious.
Tortillas that are exposed to moisture can become an ideal breeding place for bacteria. They may also grow mold.
It’s recommended to throw them away if you observe any signs of them going bad. Consuming damaged tortillas could cause terrible food-borne illnesses and can make you sick.
How To Tell If Corn Tortillas Are Bad?
No matter where you keep corn tortillas on your counter, in the refrigerator, pantry, or in the freezer, they will have a limited life span. In the event that they are not used the tortillas are likely to spoil.
You might not be able to recognize the indicators of food spoilage during the initial stages due to the absence of visible indications. In addition, different recipes get spoiled at different rates.
It also depends on the various ingredients used as well as the quality of the packaging, and the method you use to keep the tortillas. Preservatives found in tortillas purchased from stores will keep them longer than homemade tortillas.
Tortillas are typically soft and flexible. But, their texture alters when they start to deteriorate. The tortilla can end up being stiff and hard.
This could also occur when the packaging isn’t sealed and then the food items are exposed to cold air from the refrigerator.
Corn tortillas can smell bad if you store them for a long time. The smell change will be subtle at first but the smell will be more obvious with time.
Then, you won’t be able to avoid seeing the signs of mold on tortillas that have reached their peak. It may appear as spots of green or white on the outside.
In this stage the tortilla is bad. Consuming it may cause severe digestive issues.
Can You Eat Expired Tortillas?
You can indeed consume tortillas that are over the best-by date that is listed on the package. The best-by date isn’t an expiration date.
It’s merely an estimate by the manufacturer on how long they believe their product will be at its highest quality.
In addition, they’re delicious however they’re not as tasty as they were two before.
If your tortillas are bad, you’ll usually detect it quickly. They will appear bland and you’ll likely not like eating them. Additionally, they could make you sick.
In the majority of cases, an enlightened stomach can eliminate harmful bacteria in a tiny amount of mold, before it could cause harm.
However, if you suffer from digestive issues, food sensitivities, or other ailments, or if you’re pregnant, you could become more sensitive to food that is contaminated with a mold of any type.
Tortillas aren’t generally considered to be a costly purchase, and we recommend purchasing fresh ingredients when your food is rotten However, there’s an option to preserve tortillas that are old.
In the beginning, if the mold is only around some of the tortilla’s edges, just take it off. If the mold is spreading or you see small spots along the center part of the tortilla it is possible to “wash” it with a dry cloth or paper towel that has been soaked in vinegar.
Vinegar kills most but not all of the bacteria. It will also eliminate the smell and, hopefully, most of the taste too.
If you are planning to consume a tortilla that’s become rotten, it’s recommended to cook it prior to eating. If there are any harmful bacteria, vinegar as a wash prior to cooking for a few minutes in a pan will destroy the bacteria.
Quesadilla toppings will help hide any flavorings that are left over, which can be unpleasant.
What Does Mold On Tortillas Look Like?
Typically, the food items with mold can be visible in the form of blue-green spots that vary in dimensions, typically when they’ve been exposed to water. Sometimes, the mold will appear white and is harder to spot, particularly on flour tortillas with white flour.
Sometimes, based on the kind of tortilla as well as the method in which you stored it, in lieu of the appearance of spots, it is possible that a substantial part of the tortilla may alter color, usually creating a yellow or white color a dark hue.
If you spot this, it could impact not only two or three tortillas, but the entire pack.
The kind of spoilage that you experience will be extremely evident and difficult to conceal or overcome It is recommended to simply throw out the box and buy a new one.
Store-bought tortillas are likely to come with instructions on the packaging for the ideal storage conditions. The kind and the brand of tortillas might have specific instructions.
Organic tortillas that are made from a limited amount of ingredients and without preservatives might be less durable than other, more basic varieties.
It’s always recommended to follow the directions on the label If there are no instructions then they’re an easy food item that can be kept fresh.
The most significant risk for tortillas is the exposure to moisture and air as we’ve mentioned before therefore, you should make sure you store all tortillas sealed in an airtight package. Wrap them in aluminum foil or plastic wrap however there is a greater chance of having an air leak in this manner.
Also, you should make sure that you open the bag as minimally as you can while limiting the amount of air outside that enters the bag.
Do not remove the tortillas from the bag for long durations of time only to keep them in the bag again. Instead, get what you’re going to eat right away.
If you follow this procedure and more, your unopened package of tortillas can last around 2 weeks in the fridge and possibly more if you’re fortunate and cautious.
Related Questions
Are Corn Tortillas Keto or Vegan?
The corn tortilla is vegan. However, there are some exceptions. Not all products made of corn tortillas are vegan.
It is obvious that a burrito made with meat isn’t vegan friendly, however, it is a fact that some food trucks might fry tortillas with the presence of lard, which is not vegan-friendly. It’s a good idea to ask whether the cook is making your food.
Corn tortillas aren’t very keto-friendly. They might have a little fewer carbohydrates than flour tortillas, but that’s not enough difference to make them a viable choice for ketos.
The typical serving size is two corn tortillas. They are typically around 20g of carbohydrates.
Can Dogs Eat Tortillas?
In general, tortillas will not cause harm to your pet and aren’t likely to cause digestive upset in any way.
However, they’re not the most healthy or nutritious for dogs So, it’s recommended to limit the number of tortillas you feed your dog to a bare minimum level.
Foods that are processed like tortillas could cause your dog to gain weight rapidly and may make it more difficult to get them to eat the healthy and appropriate food specially designed for them.
If your dog suffers from a grain or wheat sensitivity like many dogs the flour tortillas could cause digestive problems for them.
How To Store Tortillas To Extend Their Shelf Life?
One of the greatest advantages of corn tortillas is the ability to make them ahead and keep them in the fridge for a few days. The tortillas you buy from a store can last for a few weeks or for months in the freezer.
However, it’s essential to properly store them in order to stop the food from spoiling.
If you plan to make use of the corn tortillas in the near future put them in your refrigerator or in the pantry. If you’re uncertain about when you’ll be making use of them, it is better to store them in a freezer.
No matter if you decide to store them in the freezer or refrigerator You should ensure that you pack them properly.
For tortillas made from scratch make sure they are cool enough to be stored. Place the tortillas in an airtight bag once they have cooled.
Lay them flat on the counter and take out any air from the package. Close it and place it on a flat surface in the refrigerator.
Store-bought tortillas can be stored in their original containers if they’re airtight. If not, you can remove it from its original container and put it in an airtight container.
Seal it after expelling any air. After that, place it flat in your refrigerator’s compartment.
For storage that lasts for a long time, opt for the freezer. It is possible to directly place tortillas that have not been opened in their original containers into the freezer. If you’ll not use all of the tortillas at one time it is possible to divide them prior to freezing.
Put baking paper and butter paper between each of the tortillas. After that, wrap the whole stack in an airtight container and place it in the freezer.
Always make sure the tortillas are laid flat in the freezer in order to retain their original size. Also, storing them flat will allow for easy removal of the pieces.
If you want to make tortillas, take them out of the freezer and let them dry on the kitchen counter, or in the fridge.
Corn tortillas can be defrosted within minutes on the counter. But, if you wish for them to be evenly thawed, then it is best to keep them in the fridge for a few hours.