Homemade Corn Tortillas: Using Tortilla Press

Name: Homemade Corn Tortillas
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 2 min
Ingredients: 2 Cups Masa harina; 1 1/4 Cups hot water (Start with 1 cup and add the rest as needed); 1 1/2 Teaspoons salt

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There is no doubt that it is easier to buy corn tortillas rather than make them, but homemade tortillas are 100 times tastier! A tortilla press is helpful if you want the perfect thickness and size, but the ingredients themselves couldn’t be simpler: masa, water and salt. Watch how mi amiga from the Bajío region of Mexico makes these with a tortilla press and a comal, and then try it yourself! You will be surprised at the taste difference….and it’s fun!

Homemade corn tortillas on a white towel. — Homemade corn tortillas

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Masa vs Masa Harina

Corn tortillas are made with masa or masa harina, corn that has been dried, and cooked in water with lime from which it gets this distinct flavour. Nixtamalization is technically defined as a process for the preparation of corn, or other grain, in which the grain is soaked and cooked in an alkaline solution, usually limewater, washed, and then hulled.

Prepared masa harina is nixtamalized corn that is dehydrated and this is what is commonly available in most grocery stores these days. It is sometimes referred to as corn flour or “instant masa”, as it comes together into a masa dough with the addition of water.

If you are lucky you may be able to purchase fresh masa dough from a Latin grocery store, but if you can only find masa harina it can certainly give you a close approximation of the texture and flavor of the fresh dough. You just need to add some water and salt and work it correctly.

Common brand names of the masa harina are Maseca, Bob’s Red Mill and Gold Mine. If you want to try a really special masa harina from Oaxaca however, this heirloom white corn masa harina or thisheirloom blue masa harina from Masienda are superb options. I love their products and hope to try their red heirloom masa next.

Two bags of heirloom masa harina, one blue corn and one white corn. — Heirloom masa harina from Masienda

See the video in the recipe card for a visual look at the kneading process.

It should feel pliable but firm, kind of like the texture of play-dough. If it is sticking to your hands add in an extra tablespoon of masa. If it feels too dry and crackly, add in an extra tablespoon or two of hot water.

Cover with a towel to prevent the dough from drying out. Leave to rest for about 20 minutes.

**Tip: Resting the dough helps the flour to absorb the water making it easier to roll out.

Wood vs Cast Iron Tortilla Presses

A tortilla press is a simple, kitchen tool that presses golf-ball-size rounds of dough into thin, flat tortillas. It is much quicker than a rolling pin and gives you uniform sized tortillas, which makes the tortilla cook more evenly and makes it less likely to crack or fall apart.

It is really hard to get the tortillas as thin as they should be using a rolling pin, and much more frustrating. I would highly recommend a tortilla press if you are planning on making Mexican food with any frequency.

You can opt for wood tortilla presses or cast iron or carbon steel. The wood one is a bit easier to clean. but the iron and steel ones don’t require as much arm strength for leverage, and it flattens the tortillas quickly. Your arms can get pretty tired when making a huge stack of tortillas for a party or fiesta!

Wood tortilla press, water, salt, tortilla warmer, and masa — Wood tortilla press with a warmer and store-bought masa harina

Wooden tortilla press on red tablecloth. — Wooden tortilla press

It is a matter of preference on the tortilla press regarding whether you like the lighter wood or the heavier cast iron or steel. I prefer the heavy steel press and am delighted with this carbon steel tortilla press from Masienda.

One of the many reasons I like this one so much is because it is really heavy and has a “tight calibration”, which means I can make a whole range of tortilla thicknesses (like thick gordita’s). My teenage friend from Mexico would only go with wood however, as that is what she grew up with in her home.

In addition to the press, you will need plastic wrap to keep your tortillas from sticking to the press.

Mi amiga from Bajío insisted upon cutting up the plastic from the bags used for vegetables in the grocery store. She wouldn’t hear of ziplock bags or cling wrap, let alone parchment paper or wax paper. After watching the pros make tortillas on a trip to Oaxaca, I think she may have been right (see photo below of Oaxaca restaurant worker making tortillas en masse).

Oaxacan restaurant worker making tortillas in a cast iron press.

Whatever you use to keep from sticking, make sure there is a piece on the base plate and then a piece to go on top of the dough ball.

Step-by-Step for Perfect Corn Tortillas

The first time you make corn tortillas by hand is a bit intimidating. Once you taste the difference however, you will quickly get over any hesitancy and take it on until it becomes easy. I found it to be pretty easy the second time around and now it is second nature.

Step #1: Add the water to masa harina and knead the dough until it is pliable and the consistency of play dough.

Hands kneading masa harina dough on a board covered with corn flour. — Kneading the dough until pliable

Tips for Kneading the Tortilla Dough

The trick to getting the perfect tortilla dough is getting the correct ratio of masa harina to water and not over-kneading it.

It’s best to start with half of the hot water called for in the recipe, knead it in with your hands, add then add the rest of the water called for in the recipe. If it feels dry to your touch, add water a teaspoon at a time until you have a soft dough.

Step #2: Form the dough into golf-ball-size balls and set aside to rest.

Small balls of masa dough laid out on black tray to rest before making tortillas. — Small balls of masa dough resting before making tortillas

Step #3: Place the dough ball between two pieces of plastic in the center of a tortilla press and use the handle to press down. Grab both sides of the plastic wrap with the tortilla in between and flip it over. Press again. It should be about 5 inches diameter.

Gently peel the tortilla away from the plastic wrap. Your tortilla is now ready to cook.

**Tip: After flattening it the plastic should peel off effortlessly. If it’s sticking then there’s probably too much water in the dough.

Restaurant worker in Oaxaca using a tortilla press for making tortillas. — Restaurant worker in Oaxaca using a tortilla press for tortillas

Step #4: Heat the comal or griddle up to medium high. Gently peel a tortilla from the plastic and place it on the griddle. Cook it on the griddle until it starts to lift (about 30 seconds). Flip the tortilla and cook until it starts to lightly puff which indicates that it is fully cooked. Cover with a cloth to keep warm and moist.

Tortillas on a griddle in the puffing up stage. — Tortillas puffing up on a griddle

You will probably see brown spots forming on the underside in 30-60 seconds. Everyone’s heat source varies depending on your stove, elevation and climate. If it’s taking significantly longer for brown spots to form then you’ll need to raise the heat. If you’re getting black spots forming in a matter of seconds then you need to lower the heat.

Using a comal or griddle to cook the tortillas

A comal is a cast iron skillet with no sides and a griddle is the same thing in a different shape or size. I have a cast iron griddle that fits neatly over my burners and find that I use it frequently as I can do three tortillas at a time.

I do use the comal also, for tortillas and a bunch of other things (like toast). This comal made of blue carbon steel is round, and it is easier to store than a large griddle.

You can also use a cast iron skillet of course, but the sides make it a little trickier to use.

While you are pressing the first tortilla turn the burners up to medium high to heat the griddle. Peel a tortilla from the plastic and cook it on the griddle until it starts to lift (about 30 seconds).

Flip the tortilla until it starts to lightly puff which indicates that it is fully cooked. Cover with a cloth to keep warm.

While in Oaxaca I saw many different types of burners used for making tortillas (see photo below).

Woman in Oaxaca making tortillas on a large burner used as a comal. — Making tortillas in Oaxaca

Do Homemade Tortillas Need to Puff Up?

The signature “puff” of a tortilla cooking on a comal is where the moisture in the center of the masa dough expands outward in the form of steam. This actually helps the tortilla to cook evenly through the center while still keeping its elasticity.

The grind and elasticity of the masa harina are important in achieving the puff, so make sure you use quality masa harina. The finer the grind, the higher the moisture uptake, the more likely the puff.

A few things to keep in mind regarding the puff:

The amount of water: As you are adding water to the masa harina, start with less than the recipe calls for and then add teaspoon-by-teaspoon of water to the point where you can knead it without it sticking to your fingers. It shouldn’t crack around the edges when you flatten it in the press
The thickness of the tortilla dough: the thicker the dough, the higher temperature you’ll need to cook through the center. Tortilla presses can make very thin dough, but keep the temperature of the comal/griddle pretty high and just cook in a shorter amount of time.
The temperature of the griddle: the griddle should be around 400 F, which is usually medium-high on the stovetop. It can be higher heat, but just decrease the amount of time on the comal so the co doesn’t dry out before you get the puff.

Is a Tortilla Warmer Really Necessary?

Tortilla warmers will not only keep your tortillas warm, but they will also hold in moisture in the form of steam that helps keep a tortilla soft and pliable throughout your meal. You definitely don’t want to go to the work of making those beautiful tortillas and then have them get dry and crumbly before dinner is finished.

You can use a clean kitchen towel, a basket, or a tortilla warmer or pouch….just use something to keep them warm and pliable!

Low Carb Tortillas

Most tortillas are not low carb fare. They are either made with corn flour or white flour, neither of which is low carb. There are low carb tortillas, either store-bought or homemade, that will allow you to enjoy a variety of Mexican dishes, but they vary a lot in taste.

I have put together a list of some of the better store-bought alternatives, as well as a way to make your own low carb tortillas if you want further info on low carb tortillas. Otherwise enjoy these homemade corn tortillas with your meal, but load up on the protein and maybe skip the rice and chips.

Corn tortillas being served at family dinner of mole and red rice. — Corn tortillas being served at family dinner

Frequently Asked Questions

How to store and reheat corn tortillas

If you are serving them with your meal, keep them on a plate lightly covered with a cloth. If you need to reheat them, refrigerate (once cooled) and then reheat for 15 seconds/side in a skillet.

Can you make corn tortillas without a tortilla press?

yes, you can use a rolling pin, but it is much more difficult to get them uniform in size and they tend to tear.

Is a wood tortilla press better than a cast iron press?

They both work great. The wood one is lighter and perhaps easier to clean. The cast iron one may have better leverage which makes it easier on the arms, but it takes a little more care so that it doesn’t rust.