How to Steam-Warm Tortillas (2024)

FAQs

How to Steam-Warm Tortillas? ›

Wrap about 30 thawed corn tortillas in a cloth and steam in a saucepan over medium heat for about 10 minutes. Once heated, immediately wrap in a tea towel and store in a tortillero.

Chef and author Rick Bayless recommends steaming: Wrap tortillas in a clean kitchen towel; put them in a vegetable steamer over boiling water; steam them hard for one minute. Turn off heat and let them stand, covered, for 15 minutes.

Their texture, taste, and smell are incomparable. The secret is in the steam. Mexican restaurants steam hundreds of tortillas at a time in large ovens or special steamers. You can achieve the same results at home — all you need to ...

Yes, if you don't have a steamer basket, you can create a makeshift steamer by using a heatproof plate or parchment paper. Simply place the tortillas on the plate or wrap them in parchment paper, and then place it on top of a pot with simmering water. Cover the pot with a lid to trap the steam.

Steam corn tortillas in the microwave so they stay pliable and don't split under the weight of taco fillings.

You can also use your microwave in a pinch. Place 3-4 tortillas at a time on a microwave-safe plate and cover with a slightly damp paper towel. Microwave for 30 seconds at a time, then set aside until ready to serve.

Take a tip from Mexican restaurants and steam your tortillas to warm them. They retain their flavor and texture, without getting too soft or too crisp. Steam-warming tortillas is a great way to heat them up before using without adding any extra fat, requiring a gas stove, or getting them too crisp.

The optimal way is on a cast-iron comal — the flat top griddle Mexicans and Central Americans have used to heat their tortillas for over 2,000 years. Tortillas need a direct, flat heat you can monitor with a quick flip that a microwave or conventional oven never can nail.

Wrap your tortillas in foil, then stick them in the oven. When you are ready to serve, remove them from the oven, but leave them wrapped in the foil, so that they don't dry out before go-time. If your party is on the smaller side, you may want to try just using a damp dish towel to keep those tortillas warm.

Colander Method

If you have a heat-safe colander, you can place it inside a large, lidded pot to create a steamer. If you're steaming small items, use the perforated bowl to contain the ingredients. If you're steaming larger foods like corn on the cob or lobsters, flip it over and arrange the foods atop it.

How to make a makeshift steamer? ›

First, take three sheets of aluminum foil and roll them up into baseball-sized balls. Place them on the bottom of the pot, and pour in about an inch of water. Then rest the plate on top of the foil balls, and add whatever food you're trying to steam to the plate. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and steam away.

Slide the package into a microwaveable plastic bag and fold the top over-don't seal it. Microwave at 50% power for 4 minutes to create a steamy environment around the tortillas. Let stand for 2 to 3 minutes before serving.

Bring to a boil over medium high heat. Lower to medium and keep at a simmer. Place the steamer basket over the simmering water, cover and let the tacos steam for 15 minutes. Once hot and soft, they are ready.