Are Tortillas Vegan? Get the facts (and some simple recipes!)

If you’ve ever had homemade tortillas, you know how much better they are than store bought ones. It’s worth it to put in the effort to make them yourself. But, it can be intimidating if you haven’t done it before. You may not even know what ingredients to start with. 

And if you have dietary preferences or restrictions, like being vegan or gluten-free, you may not have even looked into making them. When you have dietary restrictions it can be hard to branch out and try new things. Once you find your “safe” foods, it’s much easier to stick with them. 

But, tortillas are an easy and healthy food to make at home. And they can be very versatile. Most recipes range from 3-5 ingredients at the most and can fit a variety of dietary needs. This round-up of recipes below highlights different plant-based tortillas so you’re bound to find the recipe that works best for you. 

Are Tortillas Vegan?

Traditionally, flour tortillas are made with lard which is animal fat. These tortillas wouldn’t work for a vegan diet. Commercially produced tortillas aren’t made with lard anymore, but they can still have derivatives of animal products in them. Sometimes ingredients like butter, whey, and animal glycerin are added to the dough. It’s always best to check the ingredient list before buying. A few store-bought brands that commit to being vegan are Mission, Guerrero, and La Banderita. So the answer is sometimes. Tortillas can be made with animal products, but they can also be made vegan.

Do Tortillas have Gluten?

Again, the answer is sometimes. Flour tortillas will have gluten in them because they are made with wheat flour. Corn tortillas are naturally gluten-free because corn is gluten-free. If you are buying them from a store though, you do need to double-check the ingredient label. Some corn tortillas are made with a blend of corn and wheat flour so that they are more pliable. If they are made with a blend, they will have gluten in them from the wheat flour. 

If you don’t like corn tortillas but need to stay gluten-free, a great option is to make tortillas at home by using a gluten-free flour blend. It will have a mix of rice flour, tapioca starch, and potato starch. It’s easy to keep it vegan that way too. 

Are Tortillas Dairy-Free? 

They can be! Because tortillas are traditionally made with lard, they are dairy-free because lard does not contain milk. However, there are a few recipes that use butter instead of lard, and those tortillas would not be dairy free. Always double-check the ingredient label if you’re getting store-bought tortillas. 

If you’ve got dietary restrictions to work around, try making your tortillas at home. These five recipes are vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free. They cover all the bases! 

1. Belly Full Corn Tortillas

If the thought of homemade tortillas intimidates you, start with this recipe. You only have to buy one ingredient. The other two ingredients – water and salt – you most likely already have. This recipe will give you a traditional corn tortilla while fitting within any dietary restriction. They’re  even low-calorie. At 47 calories per tortilla, you could have a pretty hefty meal without indulging in a lot of calories.  

2. A Sweet Pea Chef Chickpea Tortillas

If you need a gluten-free tortilla, chickpea tortillas are a great choice. Chickpea flour is one of the cheapest gluten-free flours out there. Chickpeas are also high in protein and fiber. As a vegan, it’s important to get a variety of plant protein sources in. These chickpea tortillas paired with taco-spiced tofu will give you a nice protein boost in just one meal. 

3. Neurons and Nourishment Almond Flour Tortillas

Store-bought gluten-free and vegan tortillas are usually terrible in texture. They crumble, tear, and easily fall apart. These almond flour tortillas, though, are a magic recipe! They are soft and pliable even when filled with greasy taco meat. And, they fit more diets than most. They are Whole30 compliant, Paleo, vegan, low carb, gluten-free, grain-free, and even Primal. 

4. The Conscious Plant Kitchen Quinoa Tortillas

Two-ingredient tortillas! And you don’t even need to buy some fancy flour. You can use raw quinoa for this recipe, which can be found at any local grocery store. The quinoa flour gives the tortillas a nutty flavor and a slightly crispy texture, making them perfect for tacos, burritos, or even as a base for pizza

5. Ela Vegan Spinach Tortillas

Don’t let the spinach throw you off. This recipe is a combination of chickpea tortillas with spinach. You’ll be getting in protein, fiber, and essential vitamins with these tortillas. The green color can be fun for kids or for a themed party. The ultimate plus – it’s a more fun way to get in some veggies!

Related Recipes

My vegan roasted poblano salsa is a perfect pairing with vegan tortillas.