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The Best Sourdough Tortilla

Featured in Freshly Baked Goodness.

The Best Sourdough Tortilla recipe turns your extra sourdough discard into soft, flavorful flatbreads perfect for tacos, wraps, or quesadillas. Using just five simple ingredients - sourdough discard, olive oil, water, flour, and salt - these tortillas come together in under 40 minutes. After a brief rest, the dough rolls out beautifully thin and cooks up quickly on a hot skillet, developing signature brown spots and a tender texture. They stay fresh for several days and freeze beautifully, making them perfect for meal prep or whenever you need to use up extra sourdough starter.
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Updated on Sun, 09 Feb 2025 13:46:01 GMT
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Sourdough Tortillas | tastygusto.com

These sourdough tortillas transform basic pantry ingredients and sourdough discard into soft, flavorful flatbreads that surpass any store-bought version. The natural fermentation from the sourdough starter adds a subtle tang while creating an incredibly tender texture. Each tortilla develops beautiful brown spots and perfect pliability, making them ideal for everything from breakfast burritos to dinner tacos.

My journey with these tortillas began while looking for creative ways to use sourdough discard. After numerous tests, this recipe has become our family's go-to tortilla solution.

Premium Ingredient Selection

  • All-Purpose Flour: Choose unbleached flour with 10-12% protein content for a balanced structure and soft crumb in baked goods.
  • Sourdough Discard: Use unfed sourdough starter at 100% hydration for a subtle tang and added complexity in flavor.
  • Baking Powder: Aluminum-free double-acting baking powder ensures a clean taste and consistent rise in your recipes.
  • Salt: Fine sea salt blends easily and distributes evenly, enhancing flavor without overwhelming the dish.
  • Water: Filtered water at room temperature improves consistency and prevents interference from impurities in tap water.
  • Vegetable Oil: Neutral-flavored oils like grapeseed or avocado oil provide moisture without affecting the overall flavor.

Creating Perfect Tortillas

Dough Development:
Begin by thoroughly mixing dry ingredients to ensure even distribution of leavening agents. Add room temperature discard and oil, incorporating gradually for proper gluten development.
Optimal Rest Period:
Allow dough to rest covered with a damp cloth. This relaxes gluten and makes rolling easier. Maintain room temperature around 70-75°F for best results.
Rolling Technique:
Divide dough into equal portions using a scale for consistency. Roll from center outward, rotating frequently for circular shape.
Cooking Mastery:
Heat heavy skillet or comal to medium-high. Watch for characteristic bubbles and brown spots while cooking.
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Best Sourdough Tortilla | tastygusto.com

Growing up watching my grandmother make tortillas taught me that patience and technique matter more than fancy equipment.

Serving Suggestions

Serve warm for best flexibility. Use for traditional tacos, modern wraps, or crispy quesadillas. They also make excellent chips when cut and baked.

Creative Variations

Experiment with different flour blends like spelt or einkorn. Add ground herbs or spices to the dough. Try incorporating pureed vegetables for color and nutrition.

Storage Strategy

Cool completely before storing in an airtight container. Separate layers with parchment paper. Reheat briefly on a hot griddle to restore flexibility.

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Close-up Sourdough Tortilla Recipe | tastygusto.com

Through years of making these tortillas, I've learned that success lies in understanding dough consistency and maintaining proper cooking temperature. Each batch teaches something new about this ancient craft.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How long do these tortillas stay fresh?
They keep well for 3-5 days at room temperature when stored in an airtight container.
→ Can I freeze these tortillas?
Yes, cool them completely then separate with parchment paper and store in a freezer bag for up to 3 months.
→ Does the sourdough starter need to be active?
No, both discard and active starter work equally well in this recipe.
→ Can I use whole wheat flour?
Try using a mix of 3/4 cup all-purpose and 2/3 cup whole wheat flour for hearty tortillas.
→ How do I know when to flip the tortillas?
Flip when bubbles form on the surface and the edges start to look firm, about 1 minute per side.

Best Sourdough Tortillas

Soft and flavorful homemade tortillas made with sourdough discard, perfect for using up extra starter and creating delicious Mexican-inspired meals.

Prep Time
35 Minutes
Cook Time
2 Minutes
Total Time
37 Minutes


Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Mexican

Yield: 8 Servings (8 tortillas)

Dietary: Vegan, Vegetarian, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

→ Wet Ingredients

01 1/2 cup sourdough starter discard
02 1/4 cup good quality olive oil
03 1/3 cup warm water

→ Dry Ingredients

04 1⅔ cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for rolling
05 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Step 01

Grab a large bowl and mix together your sourdough discard, olive oil, and water until well combined.

Step 02

Add the flour and salt to your wet ingredients. Mix everything together and give it a quick knead for a minute or two until you've got a smooth, uniform dough with no dry spots. If it feels too sticky, just sprinkle in a bit more flour.

Step 03

Cover your dough with a damp kitchen towel and let it hang out for about 30 minutes. This helps the flour hydrate and makes the dough easier to work with.

Step 04

Lightly flour your work surface and divide the dough into 8 pieces. Press each piece flat with your palm, then roll them into thin circles - they should be about 1/4 inch thick and almost see-through.

Step 05

Get a large skillet nice and hot over high heat. Cook each tortilla for about a minute per side - you'll know it's ready to flip when bubbles form and the edges start looking firm. You're looking for some nice brown spots on both sides.

Notes

  1. These tortillas stay fresh for 3-5 days at room temperature in an airtight container
  2. You can use active sourdough starter instead of discard - it works just as well
  3. Try using part whole wheat flour for a heartier tortilla - mix 3/4 cup all-purpose with 2/3 cup whole wheat

Tools You'll Need

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Large skillet or griddle
  • Rolling pin
  • Damp kitchen towel

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Gluten (flour, sourdough starter)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 182
  • Total Fat: 7 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 26 g
  • Protein: 4 g