What to Do With Leftover Tortillas

A pack of tortillas rarely gets used all at once. The good news is they're one of the most flexible things in the kitchen: breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks.

First: store it safely

Follow the package. Many shelf-stable tortillas keep at room temperature until opened; after opening, many brands say to refrigerate. Check the label.
Keep them sealed so they don't dry out.
Freeze with parchment between tortillas so you can pull out one at a time. Thaw at room temperature or warm in a dry pan.
Discard if moldy.

For more detail, see the FoodSafety.gov cold storage chart.

1. Quesadillas

Beans or chicken plus cheese, crisped in a dry pan: Black Bean Quesadillas or Chicken Quesadillas.

2. Bean and cheese burritos

Refried beans, rice and cheese, rolled and warmed. A good use for leftover rice too: Bean & Cheese Burritos.

3. Breakfast burritos

Eggs, potato and cheese, crisped in the air fryer. They freeze well: Air Fryer Breakfast Burritos.

4. Wraps

Hummus and crunchy vegetables (Hummus Veggie Wraps) or chicken Caesar (Chicken Caesar Wraps).

5. Tacos and fajitas

Warm them in a dry pan for Beef Tacos or Chicken Fajitas.

6. Homemade chips

Cut tortillas into wedges, brush with oil, salt, and bake at 375°F for about 8 to 12 minutes, watching closely. Use them for Loaded Nachos.

7. Soup topping

Cut stale tortillas into strips and toast them to top Chicken Tortilla Soup.

Crave recipes that use it

Let Crave match the rest

Add your leftovers and whatever else is in your kitchen on the Crave home page. It's free and shows which of its 75 recipes you can make now and what, if anything, you're missing.

Questions

Do tortillas need to be refrigerated?

It depends on the brand. Check the package; many say to refrigerate after opening.

Can you freeze tortillas?

Yes. Separate them with parchment, seal in a freezer bag, and thaw before using.

How do I soften dry tortillas?

Warm them one at a time in a dry pan, or wrap a stack in a damp towel and microwave for 20 to 30 seconds.