The Warming Trick For Better Store-Bought Corn Tortillas

If you've ever purchased store-bought corn tortillas, you may have made the mistake once or twice of not heating them up correctly. Many know that biting into a fresh-from-the-bag corn tortilla is not a pleasant experience. The overly crumbly texture and almost sour flavor are to be expected of an unheated corn tortilla.

However, upon heating your tortilla up, you will notice your it transforms into its tasty, earthy self. It will also be more flexible and able to handle whatever toppings you choose to fill it up with. There are many easy and quick ways one can heat tortillas to get them desirably warm and slightly crisp. From using a non-oiled skillet on the stovetop to quickly popping them in the oven or even microwave, it's a simple process that will get the job done. However, there is one extra step that we recommend you take if you're after a homemade taste from a store-bought bag.

It's a simple, straightforward process to heat up corn tortillas. Usually, just applying heat is enough to achieve a desirable texture and flavor, effectively getting rid of the bitter from-a-bag taste. However, because corn tortillas tend to be a bit dry, spritzing some water on your tortillas before heating them is going to have you never preparing them the old way again.

Adding water to the tortillas before applying heat will help create a steaming effect, allowing them to soften fully while also getting desirable crispy brown spots. The easiest way to do this is by applying the tortilla while on a hot skillet with water. Brushing or sprinkling water on both sides will achieve flexibility and softness. Chef Aarón Sánchez even adds a spritz of equal parts oil and water on both to ensure the tortilla gets golden while steaming, according to McCormick. 

Another option is to quickly submerge the tortilla in some water and immediately put it onto the hot skillet. This is an easy way of steaming the tortillas, ensuring that it will remain soft throughout and evenly heated.

So, if you've been looking for ways to better elevate your taco nights, then look no further than this quick and easy warming trick.