Sourdough Tortillas
Homemade sourdough tortillas are soft, chewy, and easy to make with your sourdough discard. Taco night will never be the same once you've tried homemade tortillas!
We love sharing easy, basic recipes that you can make with your sourdough discard. Everyday recipes like sourdough pasta, sourdough pancakes, sourdough crackers, and sourdough pizza crust are just a few that have become reader favorites.
These amazing tortillas are quick and easy to put together and can be cooked right away or fermented in the fridge for up to 2 days.
They are soft, and chewy and can be used to make tacos, gyros, or sandwich wraps.
What you'll need
- all-purpose flour
- sourdough starter discard
- salt/baking powder
- coconut oil or olive oil
Step-by-step instructions
This is by far one of the easiest sourdough tortillas recipes to make, so, let's dive straight into the details!
Step 1: Add the dry ingredients to a medium-sized bowl and use your hands to incorporate the coconut oil into the flour until it has a fine, sandy texture. Add the water and sourdough discard and mix with your hands until there are no dry bits in the bowl left. The dough will be stiff.
Cover and let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
Step 2: Cut the dough into 16 pieces. (Each piece should weigh about 44g.) Pinch the dough together, turn it over, and gently shape it into a smooth ball. Place the dough balls on a baking sheet, cover them, and let them rest for 30 minutes.
Alternatively, you can let the dough ferment in the fridge, covered, for up to 2 days before cooking.
Step 3: Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-low heat. Brush with oil if the skillet is not well seasoned. Working with one dough ball at a time, use a rolling pin to roll it into a 6" circle. (Keep the other dough covered until ready to roll out.)
Step 4: Cook the tortilla on the first side until it starts to bubble and turn golden brown. Flip it over and cook until golden brown. Stack the cooked tortillas covered in a kitchen towel to stay warm while you cook the remaining tortillas.
How to store
- To store: Store the cooked tortillas at room temperature, wrapped in a towel, bread bowl liner, or bread bag for up to 2 days.
- To freeze: Allow the tortillas to cool completely. Stack the tortillas with a layer of wax paper between each one and place the stack into a freezer-safe container. Keep frozen for up to 3 months.
- To reheat: Allow the tortillas to thaw and reheat in a skillet on the stovetop.
Simple sourdough discard recipes
There are so many amazing recipes you can make with your sourdough discard. Check out one of these tried and true recipes for your family!
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Sourdough Tortilla Recipe
INGREDIENTS
- ¾ cup (180 g) water
- ½ cup (125 g) sourdough starter discard
- 3 cups + 2 tablespoons (375 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons (7 g) fine sea salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 tablespoons (30 g) coconut oil (or olive oil)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Mix the water and sourdough starter discard together in a small bowl and set aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk the flour, salt and baking powder. Add the coconut oil and use your hands to work it into the flour mixture. (It will have a fine, sandy consistency.)
- Pour the water/sourdough starter mixture into the dry ingredients and combine with your hands until there are no dry bits left in the bowl. Cover and let rest for 30 minutes on the counter. (The dough will be stiff.)
- Divide the dough into 16 pieces and roll each one into a ball. Place the dough balls on a parchment lined baking sheet, cover with a towel, and allow the dough to relax for 30 minutes. (Alternately, you can place the dough in the fridge, covered, to ferment until you are ready to cook them.)
- Preheat a cast iron skillet over a medium-low heat until it is very hot. Working with one dough ball at a time, use a rolling pin to roll it into a thin round, about 6" in diameter. Use flour as needed to prevent sticking.
- Carefully lay the dough on the hot skillet and allow it to cook until bubbles start to form on top and the bottom is slightly charred. Flip it over and continue cooking on the other side until cooked through.
- Repeat with the remaining dough balls, keeping cooked tortillas wrapped in a kitchen towel to stay warm until ready to serve.
NOTES
- This recipe makes 16 taco-sized tortillas or 8 burrito-sized tortillas.
- To store: Store the cooked tortillas at room temperature, wrapped in a towel, bread bowl liner or bread bag for up to 2 days.
- To freeze: Allow the tortillas to cool completely. Stack the tortillas with a layer of wax paper between each one and place the stack into a freezer-safe container. Keep frozen for up to 3 months.
- To reheat: Allow the tortillas to thaw and reheat in a skillet on the stovetop.
- The original recipe used vegetable shortening and has been changed to coconut oil.
I made this today. It was delicious !! Followed the recipe exactly as written. This is a keeper !! Thank you for sharing.
Could you use olive oil instead of coconut oil?
Yes
I have been making this recipe once a week! I will not be buying chemical ridden tortillas ever again 🙂 Great recipe easy to follow. I did by a tortilla press to mak my life easier.
I used a tortilla press with this recipe. As soon as I opened the press the tortilla started shrinking. The 8” tortilla ended up a 6” tortilla. Is there an issue with using a press with this recipe?
Hi John, yes the issue is with the gluten tightening back up after the press is released. I like to use a rolling pin to roll them out.
Love your recipes. Am I able to use active starter rather than discard? If so, how much would you use?
Hi Christie, yes you can and it would be the same amount.
My sour dough starter has whole wheat and barley flour in it. I also substituted some of the flour in this recipe with my whole wheat and barley mix that I grind for baking… I can’t remember the ratio of whole grain to white flour I ended up using, but they turned out wonderful. I rolled them out thinner than in the recipe…my diabetic liked them, so I feel like I have a much better/healthier option for him, now. Hooray!
Easy and delicious. We eat them plain!
I have to limit my salt. I used 1/2 the salt and low sodium baking powder. Yummy
Wish I could post a picture.
Great recipe. Wonderful way to use my sourdough discard.
These are are best tortilla's I've ever made! This will be my go to recipe for now on They are soft and chewy and they roll out easily and cook up beautifully.
Thank you Arlene!
Have made these several times with some adjustments for my family. Use Avocado oil, and roll only 8 larger balls. Flatten slightly after resting and put about 2 TBS of shredded cheese in center, pull up sides to close, roll into a ball again and then flatten with press or roller to about 9-10 inches. Spray cast iron skillet with a little avocado oil and toast them up on both sides. I use these for wraps (chicken, spicy shrimp, curry beef, w/rice, etc). My family loves them.