A good corn tortilla should have a toothsome texture and a slightly sweet, corn-like flavor. Some contain lime and a consequent tartness or tang. Fresh from the bag, corn tortillas are dry and brittle. Once warmed, they should be soft, slightly chewy and strong enough to be folded without breaking apart. Most grocery store tortillas are shelf-stable, thanks to added preservatives and stabilizers, but some fresher ones need to be kept in the fridge or freezer to keep from going moldy.
To find the best corn tortillas, we scoured the internet for the most popular brands and varieties. Then, we nabbed as many as we could get our hands on and tasted them all, both plain (after being warmed) and filled with taco-seasoned beef. After choosing our favorites, we ranked them on five factors:
- Value: Is the corn tortilla worth what it costs, given the ingredients and taste?
- Quality: Is the corn tortilla made with authentic ingredients? Is it full of fillers or preservatives?
- Flavor: Is the corn tortilla tasty?
- Texture: Is the corn tortilla soft and slightly chewy? Is it excessively dry, flaky or crumbly?
- Durability: Does the corn tortilla break when folded, even after heating? Can it accommodate a hot filling?
Read on for our top choices.