If you’re an avid sourdough baker, you know the drill—when you’re feeding your sourdough starter, there’s always some leftover discard. My Sourdough Discard Tortillas are a great way to use up that discard and are LIFE CHANGING. Not only are they easy to make and have minimal prep time, but they’re also a healthier option than many of the store-bought tortillas you’ll find on the shelves.

Have you ever looked at the ingredients list on a pack of flour tortillas? It’s often filled with a laundry list of unrecognizable additives—preservatives, stabilizers, and synthetic flavor enhancers. Even tortillas labeled as “whole wheat” can be made with highly processed flours and contain added sugars & inflammatory oils. In a world where we’re all trying to eat cleaner and more sustainably, this makes it hard to feel good about buying tortillas at the store. By using your leftover sourdough starter, you’re reducing food waste while creating something healthier and tastier. Plus, you get to control exactly what goes into your food.

If you are new to sourdough making and bread, check out my post on making classic Organic Sourdough Bread.

BE SURE TO SAVE THIS RECIPE TO YOUR FAVORITE PINTEREST BOARD FOR LATER!

Sourdough discard tortillas are incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of delicious ways. They’re perfect for tacos, wraps, and burritos, providing a tangy twist to your favorite fillings like grilled veggies, chicken, or beef. You can also use them as a base for quesadillas, layering cheese, beans, and salsa for a quick and satisfying meal. If you’re in the mood for something lighter, try using them as a flatbread for dipping in hummus or olive tapenade. They also make a great accompaniment to soups and stews, soaking up all the flavorful broths. And for a fun snack, cut them into wedges, bake them in the oven for a few minutes, and enjoy homemade tortilla chips with your favorite dip! The possibilities are endless, so don’t be afraid to get creative with these soft, tangy tortillas! The texture & taste is truly incredible.

New To Sourdough? You Can Purchase My Personal Sourdough Starter!

If you’re new to sourdough baking and looking for a reliable starter to kickstart your journey, you can purchase my Sourdough Starter on Etsy. My dehydrated starter is a convenient, cost-effective way to begin your sourdough adventure without the need to wait for wild yeast to develop on its own. One of the biggest benefits of a dehydrated starter like mine is its long shelf life, making it easy to store until you’re ready to use it. Once rehydrated, it’s just as strong and active as a traditional starter, ensuring you get consistent results with every bake. It’s perfect for beginners who want to enjoy the benefits of sourdough without the hassle of nurturing a starter from scratch. Check out my Etsy shop for more details and to get your own starter today!

Why You Should Be Eating Sourdough

Easy to Digest

The bacteria-yeast composition will start to breakdown the starches found in the grains before it even reaches your stomach!! Most of the work is done before you consume, making it much easier on your gut.

Lower Glycemic Index

Sourdough is fermented in a way that depletes bad starches within it. Your blood sugar won’t rise drastically upon eating it.

Better for Gluten Sensitivity

The longer fermentation time for sourdough bread means that much of the protein gluten is broken down into amino acids before you consume it.

Provides Healthy Bacteria

Sourdough is fermented in a way that fosters more beneficial bacteria in the bread and in your body when you eat it.

Made with 2 Simple Ingredients

Real sourdough starter contains only 2 ingredients: flour & water, and salt.

Macros & Nutrients

Sourdough is packed with nutrients, healthy carbs, protein, fiber, iron and vitamins like potassium, folate & vitamin B. It is not crazy high in calories either.

What Else Is Sourdough Discard Good For?

Sourdough discard is a surprisingly versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of recipes beyond just tortillas, such as pancakes, waffles, and crepes, adding a subtle tangy flavor and extra fluffiness to the batter. You can also incorporate it into baked goods like muffins, scones, cookies, or biscuits, where it acts as a natural leavening agent, giving your treats a tender crumb and a slight sourdough flavor. Sourdough discard can even be used in savory applications like crackers and pizza dough. For those who enjoy homemade pasta, you can add discard to pasta dough for an extra depth of flavor. Don’t throw away that discard—it’s a fantastic way to reduce waste while enhancing your cooking.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup sourdough starter discard (room temp)
  • 1/4 cup organic extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/3 cup warm, filtered water
  • 1 2/3 cup organic all purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
sourdough tortillas

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl (I use my KitchenAid Stand Mixer bowl), whisk together the sourdough discard, olive oil, and water until well combined. Add the flour and sea salt. Mix until a smooth dough forms. Tip: I use the dough hook attachment on my KitchenAid mixer to knead the dough, but you can also knead by hand if you prefer.
  2. Stretch and Fold: Perform one set of stretch and folds. To do this, gently pull one side of the dough up and over, folding it back onto itself. Rotate the bowl and repeat, folding from each side to complete all four stretches.
  3. Cover the dough with a tea towel and let it rest for 30 minutes. Pro Tip: Use my favorite non-toxic tea towels from Geometry for an eco-friendly option. Use code the code COOKINGKATIELADY for a discount.
  4. Shape the Dough: After resting, divide the dough into eight evenly sized pieces. On a lightly floured surface, roll each dough ball into a round tortilla shape with a rolling pin as thin as possible without tearing the dough. I prefer rolling them on a lightly floured silicone mat to prevent sticking even more. Alternatively, you can use a tortilla press if you have one rather than rolling them out by hand. Tip: To prevent sticking, place parchment paper between each rolled-out tortilla.
  5. Cook the Tortillas: Heat a skillet or pan over medium/low heat. I like using a cast iron skillet. Once hot, cook each tortilla for 3–4 minutes on each side, or until bubbles form on the top. Important: Don’t increase the heat too much, as this can burn the tortillas, making them less soft.
  6. Store or Serve: Serve the tortillas immediately, or let them cool before storing. These tortillas will keep in the fridge for up to a week or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
sourdough tortillas

Feel-Good. Taste-Good Food.

How To Store Leftovers

You can store your leftover sourdough tortillas wrapped in foil or in an airtight container on your counter for up to 4 days or in the fridge for up to a week. You can also freeze these well wrapped for up to 6 months.

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I post all my recipes on social media as well and you can stay up to date on what I am up to! Also, I love seeing people try my recipes! When make these, snap a picture, and share it to your socials. Tag @cookingkatielady and #cookingkatielady so I can admire your masterpiece and share with others!

Sourdough Discard Tortillas

Prep Time 5 mins Cook Time 8 mins Rest Time 30 mins Total Time 43 mins Difficulty: Intermediate Servings: 8 Calories: 159 Best Season: Suitable throughout the year Dietary:

Description

If you're an avid sourdough baker, you know the drill—when you're feeding your sourdough starter, there’s always some leftover discard. My Sourdough Discard Tortillas are a great way to use up that discard and are LIFE CHANGING. Not only are they easy to make, but they’re also a healthier option than many of the store-bought tortillas you’ll find on the shelves.

Ingredients

Cooking Mode Disabled

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl (I use my KitchenAid Stand Mixer bowl), whisk together the sourdough discard, olive oil, and water until well combined. Add the flour and sea salt. Mix until a smooth dough forms. Tip: I use the dough hook attachment on my KitchenAid mixer to knead the dough, but you can also knead by hand if you prefer.
  2. Stretch and Fold: Perform one set of stretch and folds. To do this, gently pull one side of the dough up and over, folding it back onto itself. Rotate the bowl and repeat, folding from each side to complete all four stretches.
  3. Cover the dough with a tea towel and let it rest for 30 minutes. Pro Tip: Use my favorite non-toxic tea towels from Loom for an eco-friendly option. Use code the code COOKINGKATIELADY for a discount.
  4. Shape the Dough: After resting, divide the dough into eight evenly sized pieces. On a lightly floured surface, roll each piece into a round tortilla shape as thin as possible without tearing the dough. I prefer rolling them on a lightly floured silicone mat to prevent sticking even more. Alternatively, you can use a tortilla press if you have one rather than rolling them out by hand. Tip: To prevent sticking, place parchment paper between each rolled-out tortilla.
  5. Cook the Tortillas: Heat a skillet or pan over medium/low heat. I like using a cast iron skillet. Once hot, cook each tortilla for 3–4 minutes on each side, or until bubbles form on the top. Important: Don’t increase the heat too much, as this can burn the tortillas, making them less soft.
  6. Store or Serve: Serve the tortillas immediately, or let them cool before storing. These tortillas will keep in the fridge for up to a week or in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Nutrition Facts

159kcal
Calories
3.8g
Protein
22.4g
Carbs
6.8g
Fat
0.8g
Fiber
0.8g
Sugar

Nutrition Facts

Servings 8

Serving Size 1 torilla


Amount Per Serving
Calories 159kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 6.8g11%
Saturated Fat 1g5%
Sodium 145.3mg7%
Total Carbohydrate 22.4g8%
Dietary Fiber 0.8g4%
Sugars 0.8g
Protein 3.8g8%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

Did you make this recipe?

The next time you make it, snap a picture, and share it to your socials. Tag @cookingkatielady and #cookingkatielady so I can admire your masterpiece and share with others!:)

Please note that my nutrition label is approximate and can have slight rounding.

Keywords: organic, sourdough, sourdough discard, sourdough tortillas, tortillas
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Frequently Asked Questions

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How long does sourdough discard last?

Discard will keep for around 3-4 weeks in the fridge, or until it starts to change color & start smelling. I have heard that you can also freeze it indefinitely, but I have never tried!

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  1. Kristen

    I am not an avid sourdough maker and have only made sourdough bread twice, but I had discard and needed tortillas. I used organic flour and love knowing all the ingredients are clean without preservatives. I made these tortillas and they were SO GOOD! I have a tortilla press and used it with parchment paper. I still had to roll them to make them thinner. I will definitely make these tortillas again!

    • Katie

      Hey Kristen! Thank you so much for your thoughtful review:) I am so glad you enjoyed these! They are very beginner friendly and you can truly taste the difference in the quality compared to store bought!

  2. Suzanne

    I’ve made these tortillas 4 different times and they always turn out perfect! I will never buy another tortilla again. Using organic flour, I know these are much better for me than anything I could buy, plus they taste so much better!

    • Katie

      Hey Suzanne! Yay, I make these all the time! You just feel so much better eating a REAL tortilla!!

  3. Meagan Lord

    I’m not sure what I did but the dough was so dry I couldn’t even do a stretch and fold. I’ll look for a different recipe.

    • Katie

      Hi Meagan,

      So sorry to hear that. I have had nothing but success with this recipe! I would double check your ingredients and measurements cause these are so yummy!

  4. Kristen

    AMAZING!!!! Looked for a discard recipe idea for tonight’s dinner and stumbled across this one. SUPER EASY to make, and absolutely delicious 😋 will definitely make again!

    • Katie

      Hi Kristen – I am so glad you enjoyed these! These are my favorite torillas!

  5. Brittany

    Omgoodness! So delicious!
    Never buying store bought again.

    These are great if you read the instructions! She mentions that they need to be super thin almost to the point of tearing! Good job, Katie! Thanks for sharing

    • Katie

      Hey Brittany – Thank you so much for your review! It’s impossible to go back to store bought after having these!

  6. Kelly

    I followed the recipe to the letter, and everything looked good, but the tortillas came out very dense and mealy.

    • Katie

      Hi Kelly,

      I am sorry to hear that. Is it possible that you did not roll them out thin enough?

  7. Kayla

    I use this recipe all the time and it always yields great results. My family love these tortillas and ask for them every week. Delicious flavor and texture. Highly recommend!

    • Katie

      Hey Kayla – Thanks so much for sharing! This is a staple recipe in my household and I always keep a batch on hand in the freezer!:)

  8. Lisa Williamson

    Love these! So quick and easy with ingredients that I know! I did make mine a little bigger than the recipe called for, getting just 6 from the 1/2-size recipe. Will keep this one !

    • Katie

      Hi Lisa! So glad you enjoyed these! They are a staple in my household!

  9. Dale

    I made these they’re delicious but puffed up more like a naan bread but I rolled as thin as I could get them what am I doing wrong

    • Katie

      Hi Dale – The thickness depends on how much you roll them out. You could also use a tortilla press to get them extra thin!

  10. Jill

    First time making these and I think they turned pretty good.
    Personally I will cut back on salt next time.
    Made an egg, bacon, avocado, pepper wrap! Delicious 😋

  11. Candace

    Excellent recipe!

    • Katie

      Hey Candace! So glad you enjoyed them:)

  12. Katie

    Hi Pam,

    I do not have the weight measurements, just cups! It’s a very forgiving recipe and doesn’t need to be exact to the weight level:)

  13. Katie

    Hi Emily,

    Yes you can! Just allow it to get to room temperature before you roll it out.

  14. Katie

    Hi Anna,

    Avocado oil should be okay, although I have not tried. I do not recommend using vegetable oil, as it is very inflammatory and processed under high temperatures.

  15. Katie

    Hi Crystal – I haven’t tried, but I am sure you could!

  16. Katie

    Yes! You could even freeze it for even longer!

  17. Katie

    Hey Erin. You can use discard straight from the fridge or at room temp, doesn’t matter!:)

  1. Nicole

    I made these and love the flavor, however, they were kind of brittle. When I rolled it it broke. Can you tell me what I did wrong?

  2. Pam

    Can you provide the recipe in weight measurements? I find this makes it easier to ensure I have the right quantity of dry ingredients.

  3. Emily

    Am I able to chill the dough if I am unable to make these right away?

  4. Anna

    Hi! I just ran out of olive oil do you think the recipe would still be good if I used say avocado oil or even vegetable oil?

  5. Crystal

    Can you use active starter?

  6. Leigh-Ann

    What size tortilla will this make?

  7. Maria

    Just made the dough but something came up. Can I refrigerate the dough and cook the next day?

  8. Erin

    Does the discard have to be at room temp or can I use straight from the fridge?

  9. Stephanie

    I love this recipe. They’re so much more flavorful that store bought tortillas.
    One question: how do you keep the edges from getting crisp while cooking?