Here are the best ways to use tortillas! You may know this popular ingredient; while it shines in Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes, you can use them in other cuisines to create mouthwatering fusion flavors!
From savory quesadillas to sweet apple pie roll-ups, tortillas are an excellent choice for any wrapped food.
The humble tortilla is a Mexican staple with a lot of history.
Its origins can be traced back to 10,000 BCE when it was among the most common food items in Mexican dishes.
The first tortillas were made of stone-ground corn, the primary energy source for the ancient Mayan and Aztec civilizations.
Traditional tortillas are still made from corn today, but you also can find flour or whole wheat varieties in grocery stores.
Tortillas are thin, round flatbreads made from cornmeal or flour.
They have a pliable soft texture, which makes them ideal for wrapping up meats, veggies, and sauces.
Here are some ways you can use tortillas in your home-cooked specialties.
Korean BBQ Tacos With Kimchi serve up exciting Asian flavors.
Enjoy a unique tortilla dessert with Apple Pie Roll-Ups.
Drop by #33 for a slow cooker tortilla recipe.
Let’s get this list going with a cheesy Breakfast Quesadilla.
This 20-minute quesadilla is irresistible with its rich, creamy cheese and egg filling.
You can enjoy this dish as is, but you can also add leftover grilled chicken and other ingredients to the filling.
Ingredients include: Flour tortillas, eggs, Mexican blend cheese, unsalted butter, and salt.
If you love Tex-Mex, you have to try this Italian-Mexican fusion dish.
Who would’ve thought a tortilla also doubles as a quick and easy pizza crust?
The flatbread is sturdy enough to hold all the delicious sauce, cheese, and meat.
Ingredients include: Tortillas, cheese, pizza sauce, Italian sausage, and assorted vegetables.
The Philly cheesesteak sandwich fans will love this Mexican twist on the classic comfort food.
Melty provolone binds the beef, mushrooms, and other ingredients with its cheesy texture.
Ingredients include: Tortillas, beef, provolone, mushrooms, and red pepper.
These hearty tacos will make excellent snacks for your next party.
Refried beans’ sweet, creamy, and earthy flavor goes well with the warm notes of cumin.
Ingredients include: Beans, tortillas, refried beans, shredded cheese, and cumin.
These taquitos are baked to ensure an even crispy golden brown crust.
The black beans’ subtly sweet and nutty flavor shines through the fresh flavors of the cilantro and lime juice.
Ingredients include: Tortillas, black beans, paprika, cilantro, and lime juice.
This bite-sized finger food takes under 20 minutes to make!
The tortillas are covered with a layer of cream cheese before they’re rolled, cut up, and fried.
A dash of everything seasoning gives the tortilla bites savory and garlicky flavors.
Ingredients include: Tortillas, cream cheese, everything seasoning, and butter.
Crunchy and tasty, these baked tortilla strips are excellent toppings for garlic mashed potatoes.
Cayenne pepper season the tortillas with a mellow hot flavor.
Ingredients include: Tortillas, cayenne pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper.
Chicken thighs are an excellent choice for the filling because they’re so tender, juicy, and flavorful.
Juice from the oranges and limes adds a punch of acidity to the filling.
Ingredients include: Chicken, oranges, jalapenos, tortillas, and cheese.
Time to add this recipe to your air fryer repertoire.
Tortillas are just the right size to fit in the air fryer.
The heat melts the shredded mozzarella cheese to create that familiar pizza look.
Ingredients include: Tortillas, pepperoni, tomato sauce, mozzarella, and oregano.
Crumbled cotija cheese mixed with the other ingredients adds a milky and salty taste.
Grilling the corn gives it a deep charred flavor that goes well with its naturally sweet flavor.
Ingredients: Chicken, smoked paprika, cooked rice, cotija cheese, and tortillas.
Broccoli’s bright, crunchy texture works great in a cheesy quesadilla.
Colby jack cheese has a melty texture that coats everything.
Ingredients include: Chicken, broccoli, Colby jack cheese, butter, and tortillas.
Tortillas might sound odd in a soup, but they fit right in.
They absorb all the flavor of the creamy tomato broth and add extra bulk to the dish.
Ingredients include: Black beans, tomatoes, tomato paste, cream cheese, and tortillas.
Enjoy fresh Mediterranean flavors with this overloaded quesadilla.
The red onions have an assertive sweet-spicy flavor that compliments the mild sweet flavors of spinach.
Ingredients include: Tomatoes, red onion, spinach, cheese, and tortillas.
Here’s another air fryer recipe coming your way.
Enjoy these crispy air-fried tortilla chips with a buffalo chicken dip or other sauces.
Ingredients include: Tortillas, vegetables, and oil.
Any dish with bacon is a must-try in our book.
The creamy ranch dressing matches the bacon’s smoky and salty flavor.
Ingredients include: Chicken, bacon, tortilla, ranch dressing, and shredded cheddar.
Barbecue sauce is a convenient way to add sweet, tangy, smoky, and savory flavors to the chicken.
Ingredients include: chicken, barbecue sauce, tortillas, and shredded cheese.
Tortillas are not only great for savory treats but for desserts, too.
The cinnamon’s woody, sweet, and warm flavor profile balances the sweet flavors of the sugar.
Ingredients include: Cinnamon, sugar, tortillas, and butter.
The avocado’s creamy and buttery texture shines in this recipe.
Cilantro has a fresh flavor that compliments the rich flavor of the cheese.
Ingredients include: Tortillas, avocado, chicken, sour cream, and cilantro.
Savor the taste of Mexican street food at home with this recipe.
Each tortilla is loaded with filling and is folded until it’s nice and snug.
The flautas are baked on a large baking sheet, which helps when making this dish for a crowd.
Ingredients include: Chicken, cream cheese, salsa, tortillas, and chili powder.
Cream cheese has a tangy flavor that cuts through the sugar’s sweet flavor.
Whipping cream gives the taquitos a rich, decadent, and creamy texture.
The vanilla extract gives the creamy blend a caramelly taste and a pleasant floral aroma.
Ingredients include: Tortillas, cream cheese, whipping cream, vanilla extract, and cinnamon.
21. Chickpea Tacos
Looking for a new Meatless Monday meal?
Try out this recipe.
The chickpeas are roasted with balsamic vinegar, which gives them a deep, complex sweet flavor.
The red cabbage’s fresh and pepper flavor plays nicely with the earthy tahini sauce.
Ingredients include: Chickpeas, tahini, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, and tortillas.
Ground beef packs a ton of umami and bulk to make this dish tasty and filling.
The taco spice blend seasons the meat with spicy and smoky flavors.
The salsa goes wonderfully with the pepper jack cheese.
Ingredients include: Ground beef, taco seasoning, tortillas, salsa, and sour cream.
Beat cold winter nights with this comforting soup.
The fire-roasted tomatoes give the soup intense sweet, tart, and charred flavors.
Ingredients include: Tortillas, lentils, black beans, fire-roasted tomatoes, and corn.
24. Taco Lasagna
Layers of tortillas and taco meat on top of each other create that lasagna stack we know and love.
The salsa gives this dish a little bit of a kick, but the cheese helps balance out the spice.
Ingredients include: Ground beef, mozzarella, tortillas, salsa, and yellow onions.
You’ll love our Easy Mexican Tortilla Casserole too!
The colors of this dish pop on the plate.
The tortillas serve as a blank canvas for the colorful veggie mix.
Mashed refried beans and avocados create a creamy and savory bed for the other ingredients.
Ingredients include: Tortillas, avocados, cilantro, refried beans, and cotija cheese.
26. Birria Tacos
Browning the beef before braising allows it to develop deep-roasted flavors.
The slow cooking process tenderizes the beef and flavors it with herbs and spices.
Ingredients include: Beef, tortillas, mozzarella, bell peppers, and tomatoes.
Have fun with some of these taco sides to step up your taco game!
This recipe takes a lot of love to make, but it’s worth it.
Slow cooking the pork for 5-7 hours, allowing it to soften before shredding.
Ingredients include: Pork loin roast, jalapeno, orange juice, tortillas, and onions.
The gochujang marinade gives the pork spicy and funky flavors.
Kimchi adds a kick of acidity that complements the rich pork.
Ingredients include: Shredded cabbage, kimchi, gochujang, gochugaru, and tortillas.
The mashed potato filling provides a smooth and creamy texture to the tacos.
A dash of hot sauce in the ranch dip gives the tacos just the right amount of heat.
Ingredients include: Potatoes, tortillas, yogurt, non-dairy milk, and refried beans.
This dish is so satisfying with mac and cheese and pulled pork.
Barbecue sauce seasons the pulled pork with a tangy and smoky flavor.
Ingredients include: Barbecue sauce, tortillas, macaroni and cheese, cheddar, and pulled pork.
A blend of soy sauce, rice vinegar, and aromatics packs a ton of umami and acidity into the pulled pork.
Ingredients include: Pork shoulder or butt, soy sauce, kimchi, sesame oil, and ground ginger.
These Apple Pie Roll-Ups take a different spin on an American classic.
The apples provide a pleasantly tart flavor to this sweet dessert.
Ingredients include: Apples, sugar, butter, tortillas, and cinnamon.
These jerk pork tacos are the bomb.
Apple cider vinegar and pineapple juice impart many vibrant flavors that go well with the brown sugar.
Diced pineapples provide a fresh burst to every bite.
Ingredients include: Pork roast, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, pineapple juice, and tortillas.
Searing the pork loin slices on high heat helps them develop a nice crust while keeping them tender and juicy.
The chopped cilantro garnish gives the dish a citrusy flavor.
Ingredients include: Pork loin, orange juice, white vinegar, achiote powder, and chili powder.
Shrimp’s buttery and salty flavor pairs excellently with the rich mayonnaise and fresh cilantro.
The coleslaw mix adds another layer of acidity and makes the tacos more satisfying.
Ingredients include: Shrimp, cilantro, lime, tortillas, and mayonnaise.
The bottom line
Tortillas are a staple in Mexican cuisine and for all types of wrapped food.
They’re soft enough to serve as a tight blanket for food and firm enough to hold various ingredients and sauces together.
Tortillas are fantastic for tacos and quesadillas, but they can do much more.
Keep some of these dishes in your back pocket to satisfy your tortilla cravings.
More Ways To Use Tortillas
- Easy Mexican Tortilla Casserole
- Best Corn Tortilla Recipe Ideas
- Do Tortillas Go Bad?
- How To Soften Corn Tortillas
35 BEST Ways To Use Tortillas
Here are 35 easy ways to use tortillas in your home-cooked meals to satisfy those tortilla cravings!
Ingredients
- Breakfast Quesadillas
- Tortilla Wrap Pizza
- Philly Cheesesteak Quesadillas
- Crispy Cheesy Refried Bean Tacos
- Baked Black Bean Taquitos
- Cream Cheese Tortilla Bites
- Baked Tortilla Strips
- Crispy Chicken Carnitas Tacos
- Air Fryer Tortilla Pizza
- Chicken Fajita Tortilla Bowls
- Chicken Broccoli Quesadillas
- Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Mediterranean Quesadilla With Spinach & Red Onion
- Air Fryer Tortilla Chips
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Tortilla
- BBQ Chicken Tostadas
- Cinnamon Sugar Tortilla Chips
- Baked Avocado Chicken Burritos
- Quick & Easy Chicken Flautas
- Churro Cheesecake Taquitos
- Chickpea Tacos
- Cheesy Beef Taquitos
- Vegan Lentil Tortilla Soup
- Taco Lasagna
- Vegetarian Tostadas
- Birria Tacos
- Pork Carnitas Enchiladas
- Spicy Korean Pork Bulgogi Tacos
- Crispy Potato & Refried Bean Tacos
- Pulled Pork Macaroni & Cheese Tortilla Wrap
- Korean BBQ Tacos With Kimchi
- Apple Pie Roll Ups
- Slow Cooker Caribbean Jerk Pulled Tacos
- Grilled Pork Tacos Al Pastor
- Shrimp Tacos With Cilantro Lime Sauce
Instructions
- Take a look at our Ways To Use Tortillas list!
- Select a dish.
- Grab a friend and an apron, and start cooking.
- Share it on your Facebook and your other socials!