Can a Vegan Eat a Tortilla? Decoding the Ingredients

December 15, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a 2021 study by the Vegan Society, many modern packaged foods that were once animal-based are now often vegan-friendly, and tortillas are a great example. A vegan can typically eat a tortilla, but must be mindful of the ingredients used, as traditional recipes sometimes include animal fats like lard.

Quick Summary

Most tortillas are vegan, but checking the ingredient list is critical to ensure no animal products like lard or certain enzymes were used during production. Homemade versions are also simple to make and guarantee vegan-friendly ingredients.

Key Points

Check the Label: Always read the ingredient list, especially for lard, whey, or animal-derived enzymes, to confirm if a tortilla is vegan.
Corn vs. Flour: Corn tortillas are more reliably vegan, while flour tortillas are more likely to have hidden animal fats like lard, particularly in traditional recipes.
Beware of Flavored Chips: Flavored tortilla chips are less likely to be vegan due to potential dairy-based seasonings or animal-derived fats used for frying.
Dine with Caution: When eating at a restaurant, ask if their tortillas are made with lard and if they are fried in a shared oil with animal products.
Homemade is Safest: Making your own tortillas at home is the best way to ensure they are 100% vegan, as you control every ingredient.
Spanish Tortilla is Different: Note that a 'Spanish tortilla' is an omelet and is not vegan, so should be avoided.

The Short Answer: Usually, Yes, but Check the Label

For most vegans, the vast majority of tortillas found in grocery stores are perfectly safe to eat. The basic components of both corn and flour tortillas—flour (corn or wheat), water, and salt—are entirely plant-based. However, relying on this assumption without a quick check can be a mistake, as some traditional and commercially produced tortillas still use non-vegan ingredients.

The Main Culprits: What to Watch Out For

When scrutinizing a tortilla's ingredient list, there are a few key animal-derived ingredients to look for that can make a tortilla non-vegan. Being aware of these can save you from an accidental slip-up.

Lard: This is the most common ingredient to be wary of. Lard is rendered pork fat and is sometimes used in traditional Mexican cooking, particularly for flour tortillas, to give them a richer flavor and softer texture. While most mass-produced brands have switched to vegetable-based shortenings, some smaller or traditional brands may still use it. Always check the label, or ask at a restaurant.
Whey: This milk byproduct can occasionally be used in corn tortillas for richness. Since it is dairy-based, it is not suitable for a vegan diet.
Animal-Derived Enzymes: Some packaged tortillas, especially flour versions, may contain enzymes, glycerin, or mono- and diglycerides derived from animal sources. While some brands use plant-based alternatives, it's safer to avoid products listing these unless the manufacturer confirms their vegan origin. The brand Mission, for example, notes that their tortillas are vegetarian but some vegans avoid them due to the unspecified enzymes.

Corn Tortillas vs. Flour Tortillas

The type of tortilla can offer clues about its vegan status, but reading the label is always the final step. Corn and flour tortillas have different traditional recipes that affect their likelihood of containing animal products.

Corn Tortillas: Typically made from masa harina, water, and salt, most corn tortillas are naturally vegan. They are also naturally gluten-free. However, a quick check for ingredients like lard or whey is still a good practice.
Flour Tortillas: These are more likely to contain a non-vegan ingredient due to the traditional use of lard. However, modern convenience versions are almost always made with vegetable shortening or oil. If you are buying these from a supermarket, a quick read of the ingredients should confirm its vegan status.

A Quick-Reference Comparison Table


Tortilla Type	Vegan Friendly?	Key Ingredients to Check For
Standard Corn	Often yes	Lard, whey
Standard Flour	Usually yes	Lard, animal-derived enzymes, glycerin
Flavored Tortilla Chips	Often no	Dairy (whey, cheese), animal fat, 'natural flavors'
Traditional Spanish Tortilla	No	Eggs
Restaurant-Made Tortillas	Ask the chef	Lard (for flour), cross-contamination concerns
Certified Vegan Brand	Yes	Ensure certification on package

Finding Certified Vegan Tortillas and Brands

For those who want to be 100% certain without having to dissect a long ingredient list, purchasing from a brand with a clear vegan label is the best option. Many popular companies offer vegan-friendly tortillas:

Mission Tortillas: Many Mission products, including tortillas and wraps, are suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets, though some vegans may have concerns about their unspecified enzymes.
Chipotle: This popular chain confirms that their tortillas are completely vegan.
Taco Bell: The tortillas are vegan, as are their beans, rice, and guacamole.
La Tortilla Factory: Their organic corn and whole wheat varieties are confirmed vegan.
Whole Foods 365 Brand: A reliable store brand known for offering vegan options.

Homemade Vegan Tortillas: The Surefire Way

Making your own tortillas at home provides complete control over the ingredients, guaranteeing a vegan result. Recipes are often simple and require minimal ingredients and equipment. For a basic vegan flour tortilla, you just need flour, water, vegetable oil or shortening, and salt. For corn, masa harina, water, and salt are all that's necessary. This method ensures no hidden animal products sneak into your food and also produces an incredibly fresh-tasting tortilla. You can find many simple vegan tortilla recipes online, for instance, at Veg Kitchen.

Conclusion: Making an Informed Choice

In summary, the question of whether a vegan can eat a tortilla has a favorable answer, with a small but important asterisk. Most packaged corn tortillas are inherently vegan. Most packaged flour tortillas are also vegan, with mass production having replaced traditional lard with vegetable alternatives. However, the presence of hidden animal fats like lard, dairy, or non-vegan enzymes in some specialty or traditionally-made versions necessitates a quick check of the ingredient label. When in doubt, look for products explicitly labeled vegan, choose a brand known for its vegan-friendly options, or make them fresh yourself to be completely sure. With this knowledge, you can continue to enjoy tacos, burritos, and other delicious tortilla-based dishes with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, most corn tortillas are naturally vegan, made only from corn flour, water, and salt. However, always check the label for potential non-vegan additives like lard or whey.

Most mass-produced flour tortillas are vegan, as they typically use vegetable oil or shortening instead of traditional lard. For absolute certainty, check the ingredient list for lard or animal-derived enzymes.

Lard is rendered pork fat. It is traditionally used in some flour tortillas to enhance flavor and create a soft texture, but most modern commercial brands now use vegetable fats instead.

Plain tortilla chips are typically vegan, made from corn, oil, and salt. However, flavored chips often contain dairy-based seasonings, and some restaurant chips might be fried in lard, so always check.

Yes, the tortillas at both Chipotle and Taco Bell are vegan. These restaurants publicly state that their tortillas do not contain animal products.

This could mean a non-vegan ingredient is present, such as dairy (like whey). Sometimes it's lazy labeling, but it's safest to assume it's not vegan unless confirmed by the ingredients or manufacturer.

No, a traditional Spanish tortilla is a completely different dish, resembling a thick omelet made with eggs, potatoes, and onions, and is not vegan.

Many Mission products are vegan, but some vegans avoid them because the company lists unspecified 'enzymes' in their ingredients, which could be animal-derived.