Are Yellow Corn Tortillas Low Carb? The Surprising Truth

November 10, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the USDA, a single large corn tortilla contains nearly 20 grams of total carbohydrates, which makes you wonder: are yellow corn tortillas low carb?. While considered healthier and lower in carbs than traditional flour tortillas, authentic corn tortillas are not considered low enough in net carbs for strict ketogenic diets.

Quick Summary

Yellow corn tortillas are not low-carb enough for a strict keto diet due to their significant net carb count. They are a better option than flour tortillas for some diets but require mindful consumption. Explore low-carb alternatives for keto-friendly meals.

Key Points

Corn Tortillas Aren't Low Carb: Authentic yellow corn tortillas are made from starchy corn and are not suitable for a strict ketogenic diet due to their high net carb content.
Net Carbs Are the Key: A standard corn tortilla has between 12 and 17 grams of net carbs, which can quickly exhaust a daily carb budget on a keto plan.
Low-Carb Alternatives Exist: Many excellent alternatives are available, including homemade options using almond flour or coconut flour, and commercial low-carb flour tortillas with added fiber.
Store-Bought vs. Homemade: Store-bought low-carb tortillas often rely on added fiber to reduce net carbs, while homemade recipes use naturally low-carb flours like almond or coconut.
Read the Nutrition Label: Always check the nutrition facts, especially the net carb count, and be aware of serving sizes, as tortilla sizes and carb counts can vary between brands.

Understanding the Carb Content of Corn Tortillas

To determine if yellow corn tortillas are low carb, it's essential to look at their nutritional makeup. Authentic corn tortillas are made from nixtamalized corn flour (masa harina), a naturally starchy ingredient. For a typical 6-inch yellow corn tortilla, the net carb count can range from 12 to 17 grams, depending on the size and specific brand. On a very low-carb or ketogenic diet, which often restricts daily net carb intake to 20-50 grams, a single corn tortilla could consume a large portion of a person's daily allowance, making them unsuitable for regular consumption.

Corn vs. Flour Tortillas: A Carb Comparison

Many people on low-carb diets mistakenly believe corn tortillas are a safe choice because they have fewer carbs than traditional flour tortillas. While this is true, the difference is often not significant enough for keto dieters. Flour tortillas are typically larger and contain more total carbohydrates, but corn tortillas are still relatively high in starch. For those on a standard diet, corn is generally the healthier option due to its whole-grain status, higher fiber content, and gluten-free nature, but for those specifically tracking carbs, it's still a high-carb item.

Low-Carb and Keto-Friendly Tortilla Alternatives

For those who love tacos, burritos, and wraps but need a low-carb option, the market and kitchen offer several excellent substitutions.

Homemade Low-Carb Tortilla Options

Almond Flour Tortillas: Made primarily with almond flour, eggs, and psyllium husk, these offer a soft, pliable texture with significantly fewer net carbs than corn tortillas.
Coconut Flour Tortillas: These are another popular choice, using coconut flour which is very absorbent and adds fiber.
Cauliflower Tortillas: Using riced cauliflower mixed with cheese and eggs, these baked tortillas are a great, low-carb, and low-calorie option.
Chicken-Based Tortillas: For those seeking ultra-low-carb, high-protein options, recipes using shredded chicken and eggs create a wrap with virtually no carbs.

Store-Bought Low-Carb Tortillas

Many brands now offer specialty low-carb flour tortillas that leverage added fiber to reduce the net carb count. While convenient, it is important to check the ingredients list for added starches or gluten, as these are typically flour-based products with added fiber, not grain-free alternatives.

Comparison: Yellow Corn vs. Low-Carb Tortillas


Feature	Yellow Corn Tortilla	Low-Carb Flour Tortilla	Grain-Free (Almond/Coconut) Tortilla
Primary Ingredient	Nixtamalized Corn (Masa Harina)	Wheat Flour, Added Fiber	Almond Flour, Coconut Flour
Net Carbs (per 6")	~12-17g	~1-5g	~3-6g
Suitability for Keto	Generally not suitable for strict keto	Suitable, check brand	Very suitable for keto
Gluten-Free	Yes (check packaging for cross-contamination)	No	Yes
Flavor Profile	Authentic corn flavor	Mild, similar to regular flour tortillas	Nutty or neutral flavor
Best Use	Traditional tacos, enchiladas	Wraps, burritos, fajitas	Tacos, wraps, general use

Conclusion: Navigating the Tortilla Aisle on a Low-Carb Diet

Yellow corn tortillas are not low carb, especially for individuals following a strict keto diet. Their net carb count remains too high for many low-carb restrictions. Fortunately, a variety of low-carb and keto-friendly alternatives exist, both in stores and as homemade recipes, that allow you to enjoy your favorite Mexican-inspired dishes without the high carbohydrate load. Whether opting for store-bought, fiber-enriched flour alternatives or making your own grain-free versions, it's easier than ever to find a suitable substitute that fits your dietary needs and cravings.

For more information on the ketogenic diet, you can visit the Perfect Keto blog for their extensive resources on keto-friendly foods and recipes.

Frequently Asked Questions

For a general diet, corn tortillas are often considered healthier because they are a whole-grain food, gluten-free, and contain more fiber and vitamins than refined flour tortillas. However, they are not healthier in terms of carbohydrate count for someone on a strict low-carb or keto diet.

The net carb count can vary by brand and size, but a typical 6-inch yellow corn tortilla has approximately 12-17 grams of net carbs, which is too high for a strict keto diet.

If you follow a targeted or cyclical keto diet, you might be able to have a small portion, such as one corn tortilla around a workout or during a higher carb day. For a standard keto plan, it is generally recommended to avoid them.

Several brands offer low-carb tortillas, including Mission Carb Balance, La Banderita Carb Counter, and Mr. Tortilla. Always check the nutrition label for the net carb count, as it can vary between products.

You can make low-carb tortillas at home using alternative flours such as almond flour or coconut flour, which provide a low net carb count. Psyllium husk or xanthan gum is often used as a binder to improve texture and flexibility.

Yes, some brands like Mission offer 'zero net carb' tortillas, which are typically made from fiber-enriched flour. Homemade options can also get very close to zero net carbs, such as wraps made from chicken and eggs or large lettuce leaves.

While traditional flour tortillas have more carbs, many low-carb flour varieties are formulated with a high amount of dietary fiber. This added fiber is subtracted from the total carbs to yield a much lower net carb count, which can be less than that of a standard corn tortilla.