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Homemade Flour Tortillas

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Homemade flour tortillas in a stack on a marble counter.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Judy Haubert

Making flour tortillas by hand can seem like a daunting task if you’ve never made them before. I promise, though, that the overall process is simple and can be mastered through repetition. The reward is a homemade tortilla that’s fluffy, pliable, and elastic, perfect for making the best burritos you’ve ever had.

The most important part of making a great tortilla is to not overwork the dough and to make sure it is hydrated enough. If the dough is overworked, then it will be difficult to roll out. If the dough is not hydrated enough, then they will dry out and not be pliable. Keep in mind that the moisture in your tortilla dough may vary from day to day, depending on the weather and moisture in the air. As you begin to knead the dough, it will start off a bit sticky but slowly come together into a smooth ball. Whenever your dough is resting, be sure to cover it to avoid letting it dry out.

Each type of flour absorbs moisture in a different way. I recommend starting with all-purpose flour in this flour tortilla recipe before moving on to other types.

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