Are you trying to decide whether getting a tortilla press is worth it? In this article we discuss all of the considerations that go into buying a tortilla press – both the benefits and the drawbacks. We give examples of meals that you can make with a tortilla press and provide recipes for some of our favorites. We also provide tips on what features to look for when you go to buy a tortilla press.
Don’t have enough time to read the whole article? In short, it is definitely worth it to get a tortilla press. You can make tortillas without a tortilla press but the process is cumbersome, imprecise, and time consuming. If you are looking for a tortilla press that is sturdy and easy to use then we recommend this tortilla press.
Benefits of buying a tortilla press
What are the benefits of using a tortilla press to press balls of dough rather than pressing the dough with a flat object such as a cutting board? Here are the main benefits of using a tortilla press.
- You will make more tortillas in less time. The main benefit of buying is a tortilla press is that you will be able to make tortillas much faster and more easily than if you did not have a tortilla press. Making tortillas without a tortilla press is more clunky and difficult to control so you have to stop to examine your tortillas multiple times if you want to get the thickness right.
- Your tortillas will be more evenly shaped. When you are using a flat object like a cutting board to press dough it is hard to control the exact angle at which you are pressing your dough. If you do not press down in the exact direction you need to then your tortillas will be uneven and cook unevenly. This is not a concern with a tortilla press as tortilla presses are designed to make flat, even tortillas.
- It is easier to control the thickness of your tortillas. It is much easier to control the thickness of your tortillas if you use a tortilla press because you will be able to see exactly how thick your tortillas are as you shape them. If you are pressing tortillas with a cutting board you will not be able to see how thick your tortillas are. You will likely have to lift the cutting board to check how thick your tortillas are multiple times before you are done making them.
Drawbacks of buying a tortilla press
This section is going to be short because there are not many drawbacks of buying a tortilla press – tortilla presses make cooking much easier! That being said, the only drawback to buying a tortilla press is that technically you are still able to make tortilla without a tortilla press by using a large cutting board to press your dough. Making your favorite dishes is still possible without a tortilla press, the process is just more cumbersome, imprecise, and time consuming.
Characteristics of a good tortilla press
So you want to buy a tortilla press. What characteristics should you look for to determine whether a tortilla press is well made? Here are some characteristics you should look for when buying a tortilla press.
- Sturdy. Just like any other kitchen appliance, you should look for a tortilla press that is sturdy and is going to last a while. In particular, you should look for a tortilla press with a reinforced handle because the handle is the component that is most likely to break off of the tortilla press.
- Cast iron. In general, you should look for a tortilla press that is made of cast iron. Cast iron tortilla presses tend to be sturdier and more well constructed than tortilla presses made from other materials.
- User friendly. A good tortilla press should be easy to use and come with a detailed instruction manual and be easy to use.
Recommended tortilla presses
So you have decided that it is worth it to buy a tortilla press. The next question you have to consider is what tortilla press should you buy? Whether you are looking to buy your first tortilla press or upgrade an existing tortilla press – we highly recommend this tortilla press. This tortilla press is made of cast iron, has a reinforced handle, and comes with detailed instructions to make use as simple as possible.
Meals to make with a tortilla press
When you consider whether a tortillas press will be worth it for you, you should keep in mind that you can make a lot more with a tortilla press than just tortillas! Here are some of our favorite meals you can make with a tortilla press.
Chalupas. Chalupas are like hard tacos, only they are thicker, crispier, and even more delicious! It is much easier to make chalupas if you have a tortilla press because you have to carefully control the thickness of the tortillas you use to make chalupas.
Gorditas. Gorditas are little pockets made of masa dough that you can stuff with all of your favorite fillings. They are kind of like the Mexican version of pita pockets. Just like chalupas, you have to carefully control the thickness of the tortillas when you press gorditas. That means it is much easier to make them with a tortilla press.
Pupusas. Pupusas are Salvadoran corn cakes that can be stuffed with all kinds of tasty fillings such as cheese, refried beans, pork, or beef. Pupusas are made by flattening balls of dough that are packed with fillings. Using a tortillas press is the easiest way to flatten a pupusa.
Arepas. Arepas are delicious Colombian or Venezuelan corn cakes that are sometimes stuffed with simple fillings such as cheese. Just like pupusas, arepas are made by flattening balls of dough that are filled with fillings. Using a tortilla press is the easiest way to flatten arepas.
Related articles
- How to choose a tortilla press. Are you wondering how to choose the tortilla press that is best for you? In this article we discuss all the different materials and sizes that tortilla presses come in as well as the pros and cons of each. We also give recommendations for our favorite tortilla press brands.
- Where to buy a tortilla press. Are you looking to buy a tortilla press but unsure where you can find one? In this articles we discuss the pros of and cons of buying a tortilla press online vs in person. We also discuss which retailers carry tortilla presses online and in stores.
- How to make thinner tortillas. Are you looking for techniques that can help you make thinner tortillas? Then check out this article on how to make thinner tortillas with a tortilla press.
