Trader Joe’s handmade flour tortillas contain a simple list of ingredients that make them soft, pliable, and perfect for wrapping tacos, making quesadillas, or just enjoying on their own. Let’s take a look at what goes into these tasty tortillas from Trader Joe’s.
The Main Ingredients
The primary ingredients in Trader Joe’s handmade flour tortillas are:
- Unbleached enriched flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid)
- Water
- Vegetable shortening (palm oil, soybean oil)
- Sugar
- Salt
- Preservatives (calcium propionate, sorbic acid)
- Leavening (sodium bicarbonate, sodium aluminum sulfate, monocalcium phosphate)
These simple ingredients are combined and prepared in-house at Trader Joe’s stores to create the fresh, homemade taste of these tortillas.
Flour
The main flour used in Trader Joe’s tortillas is unbleached, enriched wheat flour. Enriched means that some B vitamins and iron are added back to the flour after processing to boost the nutritional value. The added vitamins and minerals include:
- Niacin
- Reduced iron
- Thiamine mononitrate
- Riboflavin
- Folic acid
This enriched flour helps give the tortillas a smooth texture and flexibility when rolled or folded. The flour provides structure and that familiar wheat flavor in each bite.
Fats
The fats used in Trader Joe’s tortillas come from:
- Palm oil
- Soybean oil
These vegetable-based fats contribute moisture, richness, and flaky texture. Shortening gives the tortillas a nice pliability without making the texture overly greasy.
Sugar
A small amount of sugar is included in the tortilla ingredients. The sugar helps feed the yeast in the dough, which aids rising and fermentation. This gives a slight sweetness to balance the wheaty flavors.
Salt
Salt brings out the flavors in baked goods and adds a subtle savory quality. It controls the rate of yeast fermentation. The right amount of salt is essential for well-balanced tortillas with just a touch of brininess.
Preservatives
To extend the shelf life of the tortillas, some preservative ingredients are included:
- Calcium propionate
- Sorbic acid
These preservatives inhibit mold growth and prevent the tortillas from spoiling too quickly. This allows them to stay fresh for longer.
Leavening Agents
Chemical leavening agents are used to give the tortillas a soft and puffy texture:
- Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)
- Sodium aluminum sulfate
- Monocalcium phosphate
These react with other ingredients to produce carbon dioxide bubbles that make the dough rise. This creates a tender, flaky tortilla with some air pockets.
The Simple Ingredient List
Trader Joe’s keeps the flour tortilla ingredients straightforward. There are no extras like dough conditioners, sweeteners, or preservatives beyond what’s needed for food safety. This clean label allows the flavor of flour and shortening to really shine.
Many store-bought tortillas contain additives like mono- and diglycerides, guar gum, and cellulose to achieve a certain texture and shelf life. Trader Joe’s avoids these unnecessary additions. Their tortillas get their soft pliability from simple leavening and quality fats.
No Artificial Ingredients
You won’t find any artificial colors, flavors, or synthetic substances in Trader Joe’s handmade flour tortillas. The ingredients are all natural components that you could have in your own pantry.
Unique Trader Joe’s Flour Blend
While Trader Joe’s doesn’t share their exact proprietary flour blend, they likely combine wheat flours of different protein levels. Higher protein bread flour gives structure, while lower protein pastry flour creates tenderness. This customized blend helps create the ideal tortilla texture.
How the Ingredients Work Together
Each ingredient in Trader Joe’s flour tortillas serves a specific purpose:
| Ingredient | Role |
|---|---|
| Enriched wheat flour | Provides structure and texture |
| Water | Hydrates the dough to make it pliable |
| Vegetable shortening | Contributes fat for richness and flakiness |
| Sugar | Feeds yeast activity for rise |
| Salt | Enhances flavor and controls yeast fermentation |
| Preservatives | Extend shelf life by preventing mold and spoilage |
| Leavening agents | Creates air pockets that make the tortillas puffy and soft |
These components work synergistically to create a tasty, homemade-quality tortilla.
Quality Ingredients
Trader Joe’s prides themselves on using top-notch ingredients without artificial or unnecessary additives. You can trust their flour tortillas to be made with care and simple, high-quality components.
Trans Fat Free
The vegetable shortening used in Trader Joe’s tortillas contains no trans fats. Trans fats from partially hydrogenated oils are considered unhealthy, so Trader Joe’s avoids them in their tortilla recipe.
Nutritional Profile
Here is the nutrition information for Trader Joe’s Handmade Flour Tortillas according to the packaging:
| Nutrition Facts | Per 1 tortilla (49g) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 140 |
| Fat Cal. | 45 |
| Total Fat | 5g |
| Sat. Fat | 2g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
| Sodium | 320mg |
| Total Carb. | 18g |
| Fiber | 1g |
| Sugars | 1g |
| Added Sugars | 0g |
| Protein | 3g |
As you can see, the tortillas are relatively high in carbs, sodium, and fat calories compared to protein and fiber. This is typical for flour tortillas since the main ingredient is enriched wheat flour.
Where to Find Them
You can find Trader Joe’s Handmade Flour Tortillas in the bread aisle at your local Trader Joe’s market. They come in a 10.6 ounce bag. Each bag contains 12 tortillas.
The best part is that a package of 12 tortillas costs only $2.99. This is an affordable price for fresh, quality tortillas made with simple ingredients.
Storage Tips
For best quality and texture, be sure to store any unused tortillas properly:
- Keep them in the original bag closed tightly.
- Place the bag in the refrigerator.
- Use within 5-7 days for optimal freshness.
- Allow to come to room temperature before using if refrigerated.
- Do not freeze, as this will compromise their texture.
- Once opened, place unused tortillas in a sealed container or bag before refrigerating.
With proper storage, Trader Joe’s flour tortillas will stay fresh and tasty for about a week until it’s time to replenish your supply.
Uses for Trader Joe’s Tortillas
Trader Joe’s flour tortillas can do it all! Here are some of the many ways to enjoy them:
- Burritos – fill with meat, beans, rice, veggies, cheese
- Tacos – perfect for soft tacos with any fillings
- Quesadillas – fill with cheese, meat, peppers, onions
- Wraps – roll up veggies, hummus, deli meat
- Pizza – use as the crust and top as desired
- Chips – cut into wedges, sprinkle seasoning and bake
- Nachos – cut into chips, top with cheese, beans, salsa
- Taquitos – roll a filling into a tight cylinder and bake
The possibilities are endless for how to incorporate these handy tortillas into meals and snacks!
Key Takeaways
Here are the key points to remember about Trader Joe’s Handmade Flour Tortillas:
- Made with just 9 simple ingredients
- Main ingredients are enriched wheat flour, water, and vegetable shortening
- Contain no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
- Leavening agents give them a soft, puffy texture
- Quality fats make them rich and flaky
- Each tortilla has 140 calories, 18g carbs, 5g fat
- Sold in bags of 12 tortillas for just $2.99
- Versatile for tacos, quesadillas, burritos, pizzas, nachos, and more
- Store in original bag in refrigerator to maintain optimal freshness
With a short list of recognizable ingredients, these high-quality tortillas are perfect for all your Mexican-inspired cooking needs. Pick up a bag of Trader Joe’s Handmade Flour Tortillas on your next TJ’s run!
Conclusion
Trader Joe’s has perfected their recipe for soft, homemade-tasting flour tortillas over the years. They’ve nailed the right balance of ingredients to achieve a tender yet durable tortilla for all kinds of recipes. With just the right amounts of wheat flour, oil, leavening, and salt, these tortillas have a subtle sweetness and wheaty flavor that complements both savory and sweet fillings. Their quality ingredients and simple preparation allow the essence of flour and fat to shine through. Next time the urge for tacos strikes, reach for a bag of Trader Joe’s Handmade Flour Tortillas and let these well-crafted tortillas bring your meal to the next level.