Are Corn Tortillas Vegan?

Corn tortillas are made from ground-dried maize kernels, and they’re used to make tacos, burritos, and other dishes throughout Latin America. They’re typically sold fresh, frozen, or canned, and they come in several varieties including whole grain, white, yellow, blue, and red.

You may think that corn tortillas are vegan because they’re made from corn, but there are actually two types of corn tortillas available. One is made from 100 percent cornmeal, and the other is made from a combination of cornmeal and wheat flour. Both types of corn tortillas are considered vegan, but they do differ slightly in texture and flavor.

Whole-grain corn tortillas tend to be softer than those made with a mixture of cornmeal and wheat flour. Whole-grain corn tortillas are usually found in supermarkets and convenience stores, whereas corn tortillas made with a mixture of flour are commonly found in Mexican markets and fast food chains.

Vegan corn tortillas are generally made with only corn, water, and salt, and they’re sometimes fortified with vitamin B12. However, they don’t necessarily taste the same as regular corn tortillas, and they lack the characteristic chewiness.

What Are Tortillas?

Corn tortillas are a staple food item in Mexico. They’re typically eaten alongside beans, rice, and salads. You’ll find them at Mexican chain restaurants, grocery stores, fast food chains, and even gas stations.

They’re not only delicious, but they’re also incredibly versatile. You can eat them plain, add toppings like cheese, salsa, guacamole, sour cream, and chives, or stuff them with refried beans, eggs, meat, vegetables, and more.

Today, tortillas come in many flavors, including white, whole wheat, multigrain, sweet potato, blueberry, apple cinnamon, and pumpkin spice. Some brands even include trans-fat-free versions.

Ingredients

Corn tortillas are made from masa harina corn flour, salt, and water. Masa harina is simply ground-dried corn kernels. You can buy masa harina at most grocery stores. Some brands of masa harina include Arrowhead Mills, Bob’s Red Mill, and Trader Joe’s.

To make corn tortillas, combine the masa harina with warm water until it forms a thick paste. Then add salt and knead the mixture until it becomes smooth. Let the dough sit for 15 minutes, then roll it out between two pieces of plastic wrap or wax paper. Cut the tortilla into desired shapes and cook according to package directions.

You can customize your tortillas by adding toppings like cheese, salsa, guacamole, sour cream, jalapeños, etc. Corn tortillas are typically used in burritos, tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas, nachos, taquitos, and tamales.

Vegan Ingredients

Corn Or Wheat Flour

Both corn flour and wheat flour are made from grains. Corn flour is made from corn kernels, whereas wheat flour is made from wheat seeds. Both types of flour are considered to be vegan. However, if you eat a corn tortilla instead of a wheat tortilla, you may notice that there is a difference between the two.

Masa harina is the specialty ingredient used to make corn flour. It is treated with lime water and then hulled and ground without any animal products being used during the manufacturing process. As a result, masa harina is considered to be vegan.

While masa harina is vegan, you should still avoid buying corn tortillas at restaurants that serve meat dishes. You’ll find that most restaurants serving Mexican recipes food only sell corn tortillas that are made with wheat flour.

You can easily tell whether a restaurant sells corn 8-inch round tortillas made with wheat flour or masa harina by checking the ingredients list. If the ingredients list doesn’t include masa harina, then you can assume that the basic tortillas were made using wheat flour.

Salt

According to the Mayo Clinic, eating too much sodium can raise your risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney stones, stomach cancer, and osteoporosis. Sodium is found naturally in foods like meat, fish, poultry, eggs, milk, cheese, beans, nuts, and seeds.

However, most processed foods contain added salt. You should limit yourself to no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day.

Corn tortillas are made from corn kernels that have been ground down to form a dough. Corn tortillas are typically fried or baked. Salt is used during the frying process to prevent the tortilla from sticking to the pan. Some brands add additional salt to the tortilla after baking.

You may not realize it, but there’s actually quite a bit of salt in a typical corn tortilla. According to the USDA National Nutrient Database, a 6-inch flour tortilla contains 1,100 mg of sodium, which is equivalent to 3/4 teaspoon of table salt. A 10-inch flour tortilla has 1,400 mg of sodium, which equals 4 teaspoons of table salt.

So if you’re trying to cut back on sodium, try making your own tortillas at home instead of buying them pre-made. You’ll save money and reduce the amount of salt in your diet.

Water

Corn tortillas are made using masa harina flour, water, and salt. Water is used to bind the ingredients together, making them into a workable mixture.

To make corn tortillas, you simply mix the dry ingredients together and add enough water to form a dough. You should knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic. Then you roll the dough into small balls and flatten them out into disks. Finally, cook the tortillas in hot oil until golden brown.

Vegetable Oil

Vegetable oil is added to the dough during mixing to add moisture and give the final product its desired consistency. Corn tortillas are usually sold frozen, so adding oil helps keep the tortilla soft and pliable.

You can often find a fat, like vegetable oil, added to the dough during the process of making corn tortillas. Fat gives the final product a creamier texture and enhances the overall taste. However, if you’re trying to avoid animal products, you may not want to add any fats at all.

To make corn tortillas completely vegan, you’ll need to replace the vegetable oil with another liquid. Try using coconut milk instead. Coconut milk adds moisture and makes the final product softer and creamier.

Baking Powder

If you want extra flavor, you can add baking powder to your tortilla dough. It will help thicken the dough and give it a slightly puffier, lighter feel than regular flour tortilla dough.

Non-Vegan Ingredients

Lard, Butter, Or Whey

There are two types of tortilla dough: wheat flour and corn. Corn tortillas are made primarily from corn meal, water, salt, and sometimes eggs. Lard, butter, or milk powder is added to give the tortilla its texture and taste.

Some brands of corn tortillas include lard, butter, and/or milk powder. These ingredients are not necessarily bad for you, but if you prefer to avoid them, there are plenty of great vegan options available.

For instance, you can try making your own corn tortillas at home using only whole grains and water. You can also find a variety of plant-based milk that works well in place of dairy products.

Try almond milk, coconut milk, soy milk, hemp milk, rice milk, flaxseed milk, oat milk, hazelnut milk, cashew milk, macadamia nut milk, and others. You can also experiment with various combinations of nuts and seeds to come up with your own unique flavors.

You can also buy pre-made vegan tortillas online. There are several websites where you can order vegan tortillas. One website that offers a wide selection of vegan tortillas is Veggie Bites. Another option is Tofurky.com, which sells a variety of vegan meats and cheeses.

White Sugar

While sugar itself is plant-derived, most sugar comes from the sugar cane plant. However, the sugar-making process usually involves animal products. Some sugar manufacturers use bone char filters to whiten the sugar.

Bone char is made from animal bones, and it doesn’t actually filter out impurities. Instead, it simply removes color. So if you eat sugar that was processed using bone char, you may not realize that you’ve eaten any animal products.

However, there are still plenty of reasons to avoid eating white sugar. First, it’s highly refined and lacks nutrients. Second, it’s high in calories. Third, it’s linked to obesity and diabetes. And finally, it’s bad for our teeth.

So whether you’re vegan or not, try to limit your intake of white sugar. You’ll find healthier alternatives at your local grocery store!

Palm Oil

Veganism isn’t just about avoiding meat; it’s also about avoiding certain types of food. One of those foods is palm oil. Palm oil is used in many processed foods, including snack chips, cookies, crackers, and bread. Many vegans avoid using palm oil because they think it causes environmental damage.

However, most palm oil plantations are located in tropical forests, where they destroy the habitat of endangered species. According to the Rainforest Alliance, palm oil plantations cause the destruction of at least 1 million acres of rainforests every year. As a result, millions of animals are killed and displaced.

Although palm oil plantations may seem harmless, they actually cause significant harm to the environment. By not supporting palm oil farms, you’ll be helping protect our planet.

Animal Derived Enzymes

Animal Derived Enzymessome companies use plant-based enzymes to replace animal-derived ones. Read Food Labels to Be Sure Which Are Used.

Corn tortillas are made primarily from corn starch and water. Some companies add small amounts of vegetable oil and salt to give the product its texture. These ingredients come from plants, but there are still traces of animal products in them.

Some companies use plant-based proteins instead of animal-based ones. You’ll notice that some brands list “vegetable protein” or “plant protein” on their packaging. If you’re unsure whether a certain ingredient comes from animals, call or email the manufacturer to ask.

You should also look at the label of any store-bought flour tortilla. Corn tortillas usually contain one of the following four ingredients: wheat flour, soybean meal, potato starch, or tapioca starch. Some brands may include one of those ingredients in place of animal-derived enzymes.

Vegan Tortillas Brands

There are several types of vegan tortillas available today. Some are made from plant-based key ingredients, while others are made from grains. Corn tortillas are typically made from cornmeal and water. However, there are now several brands of vegan corn tortillas available.

Here’s a rundown of the ones you’ll find at the grocery store and restaurant.

Old El Paso Tortillas

Old El Paso offers a variety of tortillas, including flour tortillas, soft corn tortillas, crispy corn tortillas, taco shells, and taco kits. All of these tortillas are made without animal ingredients.

Flour tortillas are the most common type of tortilla found at Mexican restaurants and grocery stores. These tortillas are typically used for burritos, enchiladas, and quesadillas. Soft corn tortillas are usually used for chips and nachos. Crispy corn tortillas are great for making tacos and fajitas.

Taco shells come in various sizes and shapes. Some taco shells are made out of wheat flour, while others are made out of corn flour tortillas. Most taco shells are baked, although there are some fried taco shells available. You’ll find taco shells sold individually, as well as taco kits that include several taco shells.

Amaizin Organic Tortillas

Are corn tortillas vegan? Amaizin Organic Corn Tortilla says yes! These organic corn tortillas are made without any animal products. They are 100% natural and gluten-free. They are delicious and nutritious. You won’t find anything artificial or processed in these tortillas.

Instead, they are made with only whole-grain corn flour and water.

These organic corn tortillas are great for making tacos, burritos, quesadillas, wraps, and more. They are available at most grocery stores nationwide. So if you’re looking for healthy, tasty tortillas, look no further than Amaizin Organic Tortillas!

Tesco Own Brand Tortillas

Corn tortillas are made from corn kernels that have been ground down into flour. These days, most brands of corn tortillas are made from genetically modified corn. However, Tesco owns its own brand of corn tortillas, which are 100% natural and completely free of GMOs.

These tortillas are made from organic corn that hasn’t been treated with any pesticides or herbicides. Instead, farmers grow the corn organically, harvest it at peak ripeness, dry it naturally, grind it into flour, and bake it into delicious tortillas.

Because they’re made from organic corn, these tortillas are completely safe for vegans to eat. You won’t find any animal products in them, nor will you find any ingredients derived from animals.

They’re also gluten-free, making them great for those with celiac disease or wheat allergies. Plus, they’re super tasty and affordable. So if you’re looking for a healthy alternative to traditional white bread, try a batch of Tesco Own Brand Tortillas today!

Whole Foods 365 Brand Tortilla

Whole Foods 365 brand tortillas are made from 100% organic flour, including white wheat flour tortilla, brown rice flour, buckwheat flour, millet flour, sorghum flour, teff flour, and tapioca starch. They are also gluten-free.

These tortillas come in four varieties: flour tortillas, multi-grain tortillas, wheat tortillas, and corn tortillas. Each one is made from whole grains and healthy options. They provide a variety for diet-conscious people.

All their tortilla range is made from 100% natural ingredients. They are not processed using any chemicals, additives, preservatives, artificial flavors, or colors. You won’t find anything unhealthy in their products.

You’ll find a wide selection of vegan snacks at Whole Foods 365. They include baked goods, dips, spreads, chips, crackers, cookies, granola bars, and more. Their tortillas are available in grocery stores nationwide.

Rudi’s Gluten-Free Tortillas

Rudi’s Gluten-free tortillas are great for vegans and vegetarians. They are made from organic spelt flour, water, salt, yeast, and vegetable oil. You won’t find any animal products anywhere on the label, making them completely vegan and gluten-free.

These tortillas come in three varieties: Rudi tortillas, Rudi’s Spinach, and Rudi’s Plain. Each variety comes in two sizes: small and large. Rudi’s Spelt tortillas are available in regular and whole wheat versions. Rudi’s Spinach tortillas are only available in whole wheat. Rudi’s Plain tortillas are available in plain and garlic herb flavors.

All three varieties are non-gmo, vegan, gluten-free, and made from organic ingredients. They are perfect for tacos, burritos, enchiladas, quesadillas, salads, sandwiches, etc.

Check out Rudi’s Gluten-Free tortillas today!

Mission Tortillas

Mission Foods makes delicious gluten-free tortillas that are made without using any animal-derived ingredients. They are 100% vegan and completely plant-based. You can enjoy them at any time, anywhere!

They use mono and diglycerides in their flour tortillas. These two types of fats are derived from plants and are safe for vegans and vegetarians. Their source is also vegetable-derived.

You’ll find no animal-derived key ingredients in their products. All of their products are vegan and completely plant-derived.

So if you’re looking for tasty, healthy, and totally vegan tortillas, look no further than Mission Foods!

Food For Life Sprouted Corn Tortillas

Corn tortillas are great for making tacos and burritos. However, if you’re trying to avoid gluten, corn tortillas might not be the best choice for you.

Favorite Food For Life makes a variety of tortillas that are non-gluten, and yeast-free, have no enzymes, and no preservatives, and are made from an organic ingredient list. You can find them at most grocery stores.

They also make brown rice tortillas, exotic black rice tortillas, sprouted whole grain tortillas, sprouted corn chip tortillas, and taco-sized whole grain tortillas. Each of those tortillas is made from a natural simple ingredient list and is vegan.

You can find them online at foodforlife.com.

Siete Tortillas

Siete Vegan Foods provides six grain-free, vegan, and gluten-free tortillas. Their tortillas are made with natural ingredients, including organic flour, oils, and kinds of vinegar. They are available in several sizes and flavors, including almond flour, cassava flour, and chickpea flour.

According to them, “All of our tortillas are super duper vegan!”

Almond flour tortillas are made with almond flour, tapioca flour, water, sea salts, and xanthan gum. These tortillas are very soft and delicious.

Cassava flour tortillas are made using cassava flour, tapioca starch, water, coconut flour, and coconut oil. They are not only gluten-free but also vegan.

Chickpea flour tortillas are made from chickpea flour, tapioca powder, water, coconut flour, coconut oil, apple cider vinegar, sea salt, and guar gum.

Cashew flour tortillas are made out of cashew flour, arrowroot, water, cassava flour, coconut flour, coconut sugar, coconut oil, apple cider vinegar, sea salt, and guaran gum.

Burrito-sized tortillas are made with water, cassava flour, and tapioca flour. They are great for burritos, tacos, and quesadillas.

For me, Siete Almond flour tortillas are the best because they are so soft and tasty.

FAQ

Are Chipotle tortillas vegan?

Chipotle’s tortilla chips are made without any animal derivates products. They proudly proclaim that many of their other items are 100% vegan, including their rice and beans. You won’t find any eggs, dairy, meat, fish, poultry, honey, gelatin, or lard anywhere on their menu.

They even say that their chicken broth is vegan, and they make their guacamole using avocados instead of tomatoes. Their base for tacos is made with no beef, pork, bacon, ham, sausage, cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, butter, oil, milk, egg, or yogurt.

You’ll never find any animal sources products at Chipotle, including eggs, dairy, meat, or seafood. They even make their guacamoles using avocados instead tomato paste. Their tacos are made without any beef, pork, bacon, or ham.

Their chicken broth is vegan, as well as their rice and beans. And their tortillas are made without any animal fat, milk, eggs, or cheese.

So yes, Chipotle’s tortillas are completely vegan.

Conclusion

Vegan tortillas are a great option for vegetarians and vegans. You can find them at most grocery stores, including Whole Versatile Foods Market. Corn tortilla recipes are usually made from white corn, whereas wheat tortillas are typically made from whole-grain wheat. Both types of tortillas are delicious and nutritious.

To recap, if you follow vegetarian or vegan diets, you may want to skip these ingredients:

Lard, butter, or milk;

White sugar;

Palm oil;

And animal-derived enzymes, glycogen, monoglycerides, and diglycerides.

Read the ingredients listed on store packets of tortillas, and ask your local grocer if they sell any vegan tortillas.

We hope you enjoy using vegan corn or wheat tortillas for making all of your favorite Mexican dishes!