Can you eat expired Whole Wheat Tortillas?

I used to be a huge fan of white flour tortillas, until I tried out Whole Wheat tortillas from the WIC program. These have now become my go to item for sandwiches, wraps, tacos, enchiladas, etc.

Not only do whole wheat tortillas offer no added sugars/coloring, they also usually have about 25 grams or more of fiber per serving. So, wheat tortillas can be an easy healthy alternative.

Normally, tortillas get used up pretty quickly in our house, but at times we have gone past the expiration date on the package. So, let’s find out everything we can about if it is safe to eat wheat tortillas past the expiration date!

How long do wheat tortillas last after expiration date?

According to Mission Foods, the average package of tortillas lasts for 16-45 days if the tortillas are stored at room temperature. Thankfully, most packages of whole tortillas come in a plastic bag with built in re-sealable top.

By sealing the package every time, you open the tortilla pack, you help prevent the tortillas being exposed to air and moisture. The two worst things that can affect a tortilla is air and moisture.

Tortillas that are exposed to air for a long period of time, will become dry and hard to the touch. The tortilla will literally lose its soft fluffy texture and become dry and brittle.

If tortillas are exposed to moisture, then there is a possibility of mold or bacteria growth. Similar to whole wheat bread, wheat tortillas can grow mold that is typically seen in white or green patches.

If your bag of tortillas does not seal well on its own, it is best to store them in a Ziploc style bag. This will help keep your tortillas fresh and safe!

As long as your tortillas are sealed well and stored at room temperature, they are still safe to eat after expiration date. We have used them about a month past expiration date and they were totally fine.

You will want to do a visual inspection of any tortillas past the “best if used by date” to make sure that there are no mold spots, that the texture is still soft, and that it still smells fine. Whole wheat tortillas actually smell a lot like whole wheat bread with a soft yeasty smell.

How long will tortillas last in the fridge after opening?

Mission Foods recommends storing tortillas at room temperature, but you can store them in the refrigerator or even in the freezer.

As long as the bag is still sealed, storing the tortillas in the fridge can add at least an extra month or two to the shelf life. The trick is to make sure that the bag remains sealed and does not absorb the humidity in the fridge.

You can also freeze wheat tortillas in the freezer for an extra 3-6 months until you are ready to use them. It is recommended that you defrost the tortillas on the counter and not to use the microwave to defrost them. The microwave can heat them too quickly and they can have a bad texture that is gummy or hard in places.

Simply remove the whole wheat tortillas from the freezer and place on the counter 1-2 days before you want to use them. When it is time to use them, you can heat them between damp paper towels in the microwave for 30 to 45 seconds. You can also heat them in a skillet over medium heat for 10-15 seconds.

What happens if you eat expired wheat tortillas?

Worst case scenario, if you eat expired wheat tortillas that have mold or bacteria present you can get some mild food poisoning. The symptoms could include upset stomach, vomiting, diarrehea, or general discomfort.

Thankfully, it is unlikely to eat a lot of a wheat tortilla that has mold or bacteria because it will taste and smell awful. This means that most people will stop after a bite or two and won’t have a lot end up in their stomach.

If you eat an expired whole wheat tortilla that does not have any mold or bacteria on it, you will probably notice nothing. The taste may be a little stale and the texture not as soft as usual, but overall, there won’t be anything noticeable.

This is why it is so important to use your best judgement based on appearance, texture, smell, and then taste. If any of these seems off, it is best to go ahead and throw it away.

If it is past the expiration date, but still looks fine, texture is normal, smells fine, and taste fine, then odds are good that it is fine to eat.

For more information about expired foods, check out “Can you eat expired Kix Cereal?” and “Can you eat expired SunChips?“