Soaking tortillas in water is a common practice in Mexican and Central American cuisine. There are a few reasons why people soak their tortillas before cooking or eating them:
To soften and make pliable
Freshly made corn tortillas can be quite stiff and prone to cracking or breaking when you try to roll or fold them. By briefly soaking the tortillas in water, they become more soft and flexible, making them easier to handle without ripping. The water is quickly absorbed into the corn masa, allowing you to gently manipulate the tortilla without it cracking. This is especially helpful if you want to make tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas or other dishes where you need to roll, fold or wrap the tortillas.
To add moisture and prevent dryness
Soaking helps add moisture back into corn tortillas that have dried out. Corn tortillas have a tendency to become stiff, dry and brittle as they sit out uncovered. A quick dunk in water can revive slightly dried tortillas and make them pliable, soft and moist again. The extra water content keeps the tortillas from becoming overly dry and cracking when you try to eat them.
To enhance flavor
Some people feel that soaking tortillas briefly in water enhances their flavor. The water may help remove excess cornmeal dust from the surface and also allow the tortilla to absorb more moisture, enhancing the corn flavor. An extra dose of water makes the inherent corn taste more prominent.
To warm and soften for eating
Soaking tortillas briefly in warm water helps warm them up immediately before eating. This can be helpful if you like to eat tortillas at room temperature rather than right after heating them. The warm water makes the tortillas more pliable while also gently heating them so they are a pleasant temperature for eating.
When is soaking tortillas recommended?
Here are some of the most common situations where soaking tortillas in water can be helpful:
- When making tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas or other dishes where you need to roll or fold tortillas
- If reheating leftover tortillas that have dried out and become stiff
- Right before eating tortillas if you don’t want to heat them but prefer them warm and soft
- When making dishes where you want the corn flavor to really stand out
- If fresh tortillas crack easily when bending and you need to make them more flexible
Soaking is especially useful for corn tortillas, as they tend to become dry and brittle more quickly than flour tortillas. However, flour tortillas can also benefit from a quick soak in certain circumstances.
How to soak tortillas
What you’ll need:
- Tortillas
- Bowl of water
Instructions:
- Fill a small bowl or dish with room temperature water. You don’t need a lot of water, just enough to submerge the tortillas.
- One at a time, dunk each tortilla into the water, making sure it gets completely soaked on both sides.
- Let it soak for 15-30 seconds if using very fresh tortillas. For stiff or dried out tortillas, soak for 60-90 seconds.
- Remove the tortilla from the water and let any excess drip off.
- Place the softened tortilla on a clean dish towel or paper towels.
- Continue soaking remaining tortillas, making sure to keep them from sticking together.
- Use soaked tortillas right away to prevent them from drying out again.
Avoid soaking the tortillas too long or they can become too saturated and start to fall apart. The perfect timing depends on the freshness and type of tortilla, so experiment to see what works best.
Do you really need to soak tortillas?
While soaking tortillas before eating or cooking with them is a traditional practice, it’s not absolutely necessary. Here are some alternatives if you don’t want to soak your tortillas:
- Heat them – You can make tortillas more pliable by warming them briefly on a hot skillet, directly over a gas flame, or in the microwave wrapped in a damp paper towel.
- Use fresh tortillas – If you have access to freshly made corn tortillas, they will be naturally soft and flexible without soaking.
- Substitute flour tortillas – Flour tortillas are less prone to cracking and drying out quickly than corn.
- Seal leftovers – Wrapping leftovers tightly in plastic helps tortillas retain moisture and stay flexible for longer.
- Consider the dish – Soft, pliable tortillas are more important for some dishes than others. It may not matter if they crack or break when eating with dips.
While not absolutely vital, soaking does help improve the texture of corn tortillas, especially if they are a day or two old. It’s an easy traditional technique that many cooks and consumers still rely on.
Common questions about soaking tortillas
Should you soak corn or flour tortillas?
You can soak either type of tortilla, but it’s more beneficial for corn tortillas. Corn tortillas are prone to drying out and becoming stiff and crackly. A quick soak makes them pliable again. Flour tortillas tend to stay flexible for longer without soaking.
Is it OK to soak tortillas overnight?
It’s not recommended to soak tortillas for more than a few minutes. Overnight soaking can make them soggy and overly saturated. They may start to break down or become slimy. For best results, soak tortillas briefly right before using them.
Can you soak fried tortilla chips?
It’s best not to soak tortilla chips. Their crisp texture comes from frying, so soaking will make them lose their crunchy quality and become unpleasantly soggy.
Should you soak taco shells?
Pre-formed taco shells, made from fried corn or flour tortillas, also should not be soaked or they will lose theircrispness. It’s fine to lightly spray or mist the shells to enhance flexibility if they crack when shaping.
Key takeaways
- Soaking tortillas briefly in water makes them more soft and flexible.
- It’s especially helpful for fresh corn tortillas prone to cracking.
- Soaking adds moisture, enhances flavor, and warms tortillas for eating.
- Only soak for 30-90 seconds to prevent saturating.
- Soaking is not necessary but can improve texture and prevent dryness.
Conclusion
While not a strict requirement, soaking tortillas in water is a traditional practice in Mexican cuisine that can be beneficial in certain situations. A quick soak helps soften and add flexibility to fresh corn tortillas, making them easier to handle without cracking. It also adds moisture to prevent dryness and slightly warms tortillas for a better eating texture. Although not vital, taking the extra moment to soak tortillas can enhance their flavor and improve your ability to cook delicious Mexican dishes requiring rolled or folded tortillas. With the simple trick of a water bath, you can transform stiff tortillas into soft, pliable canvases ready to be filled and shaped as desired.