What brands of flour tortillas are vegan? A comprehensive guide

November 8, 2025 •

5 min read

While many modern flour tortillas are now vegan, traditional recipes often included lard, an animal-derived fat. It is crucial for vegans to check ingredient labels, making it essential to know what brands of flour tortillas are vegan and which ingredients to scrutinize.

Quick Summary

This guide helps identify safe, plant-based flour tortilla brands by detailing non-vegan ingredients to watch for and listing readily available, confirmed vegan options in grocery stores.

Key Points

Check Labels Carefully: While many modern flour tortillas are vegan, traditional recipes used lard, so always read the ingredient list for potential animal-derived additives.
Look for Problem Ingredients: Be aware of non-vegan ingredients such as lard, whey, milk, butter, and ambiguous mono- and diglycerides or glycerin.
Confirm Vegan Brands: Reliable vegan flour tortilla brands include La Banderita, Old El Paso, Whole Foods 365, Siete Foods, and Rudi's.
Be Wary of Enzymes: Brands like Mission Foods state their products are vegan, but use enzymes that some vegans prefer to avoid; check their specific product page or website for clarity.
Consider Homemade: Making your own vegan flour tortillas at home is easy, inexpensive, and gives you complete control over the ingredients.
Kosher is a Good Indicator: Products certified kosher ('Pareve') often exclude meat and dairy ingredients, making them a strong candidate for being vegan.

What to Look for: Avoiding Non-Vegan Ingredients

Identifying a vegan flour tortilla requires a careful eye on the ingredient list. Although basic flour tortillas are made from just flour, water, and oil, many commercial products include additives for texture, flavor, and shelf-life that may be animal-derived. Here are the key ingredients to check for:

Lard: This is the most common non-vegan ingredient in traditional flour tortillas, a fat rendered from pork. Most large manufacturers have replaced it with vegetable oil, but it's still best to double-check.
Mono- and Diglycerides: These are emulsifiers that can be derived from either animal or vegetable fats. Unless a product is explicitly labeled vegan or the manufacturer confirms the source, these are considered 'gray area' ingredients by many vegans.
Glycerin: Another common emulsifier and stabilizer, glycerin can be sourced from both plants and animals. Again, verification or a 'vegan' label is necessary.
Enzymes: Added to improve dough consistency and shelf-life, enzymes can be animal-based. The Mission brand, for instance, uses enzymes that some vegans choose to avoid.
Whey: This is a byproduct of cheese production and is a clear indicator that a product is not vegan as it is dairy-based.
Certain Sugars: In some cases, white sugar is processed using bone char. While most vegans don't scrutinize this deeply, choosing unbleached or organic sugar can avoid this concern entirely.

Popular and Accessible Vegan Flour Tortilla Brands

Fortunately, many major and specialty brands offer reliable vegan flour tortillas. The best way to be sure is to look for explicit 'vegan' labeling or a Kosher symbol (as 'Pareve' items contain no dairy or meat).

La Banderita: This brand offers a range of vegan-friendly tortillas. The manufacturer confirms that all Olé Mexican Food products, including La Banderita, are produced without animal products.
Mission Foods: Mission states that most of their products do not contain animal-derived ingredients, making them acceptable for vegan diets. However, some vegans are cautious due to the use of enzymes, so check the label for your comfort level. Mission also offers specific gluten-free and spinach herb options that are explicitly vegan-friendly.
Old El Paso: Many of their tortillas are vegan, but checking the specific product's ingredient list is always wise.
Whole Foods 365 Brand: As a retailer known for its plant-based offerings, the 365 brand tortillas are generally reliable for vegans.
Siete Foods: This brand specializes in grain-free tortillas, using alternative flours like cassava and almond. All Siete products are vegan and a great option for those avoiding both animal products and grains.
Rudi's: Rudi's produces a variety of gluten-free options that are also suitable for vegans.
Food for Life: The Ezekiel sprouted grain tortillas are a vegan-friendly option, though often found in the frozen section.
La Tortilla Factory: This brand offers several vegan flour tortilla products, and they are generally reliable.
Mama's: Found at some specialty stores and online, Mama's Simply Authentic flour tortillas are confirmed to be vegan.

Comparison of Popular Vegan-Friendly Flour Tortillas


Brand	Vegan Status	Key Ingredients	Considerations	Gluten-Free Options?
La Banderita	Confirmed Vegan	Wheat flour, water, vegetable shortening	No animal products used in production	Yes (Corn Tortillas)
Mission	Most are Vegan	Wheat flour, vegetable oil, enzymes	Uses enzymes that some vegans may avoid	Yes
Old El Paso	Most are Vegan	Wheat flour, vegetable oil	Always check labels as recipes can vary	No
Whole Foods 365	Generally Vegan	Organic wheat flour, organic expeller pressed oil	Reliable for a house brand	Yes (Frozen Options)
Siete Foods	Confirmed Vegan	Cassava flour, almond flour, avocado oil	Excellent for grain-free diets	Yes (Grain-Free)
Rudi's	Confirmed Vegan	Gluten-free flour blend, vegetable oil	Focus on gluten-free market	Yes (All Options)

Making Your Own Homemade Vegan Flour Tortillas

For those who want complete control over their ingredients or prefer the taste of a fresh tortilla, making them at home is a simple and rewarding process. A basic recipe requires only a few ingredients and a hot skillet. This eliminates any concerns about obscure additives or manufacturing processes. A simple recipe calls for flour, salt, warm water, and a vegetable-based fat like olive or canola oil. The dough comes together quickly and is rolled out and cooked briefly on a dry or lightly oiled pan.

Conclusion

While finding vegan flour tortillas is straightforward in today's market, it is not foolproof. The presence of lard in traditional recipes and potentially questionable additives like certain enzymes, glycerin, or mono- and diglycerides in commercial products means vigilance is key. Fortunately, many major brands like La Banderita, Old El Paso, and Whole Foods' 365 brand provide reliable vegan options, and specialty brands like Siete and Rudi's offer excellent alternatives for those with additional dietary needs. By reading labels and understanding what to avoid, you can easily find delicious, plant-based tortillas for your meals. For a guaranteed vegan option, nothing beats making them fresh at home using a simple recipe like the one found on Mary's Test Kitchen.

A Basic Homemade Vegan Flour Tortilla Recipe

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons vegetable oil (e.g., olive, canola)
3/4 cup warm water

Instructions

Combine: Whisk the flour and salt together in a bowl.
Mix Dough: Add the oil and warm water. Mix until a shaggy dough forms, then knead for a few minutes until smooth.
Rest: Cover the dough and let it rest for 15 minutes.
Roll: Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a thin circle on a lightly floured surface.
Cook: Heat a dry or lightly oiled skillet over medium-high heat. Cook each tortilla for 30-60 seconds per side, until lightly browned and puffy.

Mary's Test Kitchen: Easy Vegan Flour Tortillas

What to Serve with Your Vegan Tortillas

Vegan tortillas are incredibly versatile and can be used for a wide range of dishes, including:

Tacos: Fill with seasoned black beans, lentils, or jackfruit.
Fajitas: Use grilled veggies like peppers, onions, and mushrooms.
Quesadillas: Use your favorite vegan cheese and veggies.
Wraps: Hummus, avocado, and fresh veggies make a quick and easy wrap.
Nachos: Bake tortillas into chips and top with vegan queso and salsa.
Burritos: Stuff with rice, beans, guac, and salsa.
Enchiladas: Roll with a tasty filling and cover with enchilada sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, not all flour tortillas are vegan. While most modern commercial brands use vegetable-based fats, some traditional or smaller-batch recipes may still use lard, which is derived from animal fat. It is crucial to check the ingredient label before purchasing.

Lard is a cooking fat rendered from pork and was traditionally used in flour tortillas to add richness and flavor. In many commercial tortillas today, lard has been replaced by vegetable oils, but it can still be found in some products.

Most Mission brand products are made without animal-derived ingredients and are acceptable for vegetarian and vegan diets, according to their FAQ. However, some vegans have noted the use of enzymes that could be animal-derived, so it is best to check the specific product label or contact the company if you are concerned.

For store brands, your best bet is to check the ingredients list. Look for any mention of lard, whey, or dairy products. Often, basic store brands that only contain flour, water, salt, and vegetable oil are vegan. You can also look for a vegan certification or a kosher 'Pareve' symbol.

A 'Pareve' kosher certification means the product contains no dairy or meat ingredients. This is a good sign that a product is vegan, as it rules out common non-vegan additives like lard and whey, though it's still wise to check for other potential animal-derived ingredients like certain enzymes.

Corn tortillas are more reliably vegan than flour tortillas because they are traditionally made with corn masa, water, and lime, with no animal products involved. However, it's still important to check the label for any added ingredients, like lard, though this is rare.

The most surefire way to guarantee your tortillas are vegan is to make them yourself from scratch, using a simple recipe with flour, water, oil, and salt. This gives you complete control over the ingredients.