Shopping Guide: Mexican Products on Amazon Spain

Your Mexican pantry one click away

One of the biggest challenges of cooking authentic Mexican food in Spain is finding the ingredients. The Mexican shops are fantastic but they are not in every city. And when the inspiration to make mole or some good chilaquiles strikes on a Tuesday night, you need quick options.

Amazon Spain has become a surprisingly good source of Mexican products. Not everything they sell is good quality, and some prices are outrageous, but there are real gems if you know where to look. We have reviewed and tested dozens of products to bring you this guide with the best options.

Note: This guide is informative and based on our experience. We do not receive commissions from Amazon. Prices are indicative and may vary.

Dried chillies: the base of everything

Dried ancho chilli

Essential chilli number one. It is the base of mole, red enchiladas and dozens of salsas. On Amazon Spain you find 100 to 250g bags from brands such as La Costeña, Don Enrique or European importers. Look for those that specify "Mexican ancho chilli" - some sell ancho chillies from China that are not the same.

What to look for: Flexible chillies (not brittle), a uniform dark red colour, a sweet aroma of dried fruit. A 100g bag costs between €4 and €7 and gives you enough for 2 to 3 preparations of mole or several batches of enchiladas.

Dried guajillo chilli

The second essential chilli. It is used for red salsas, adobos, birria and pozole. It is usually sold together with the ancho. Look for those with smooth skin and a bright red colour.

Chipotles in adobo

The tins of chipotles in adobo (La Costeña, San Marcos, Herdez) are probably the most versatile Mexican product you can have. A couple of chipotles in adobo transform any mayonnaise, marinade, salsa or stew. The tins cost €3 to €5 and once opened, freeze the chipotles individually in cling film.

Dried chilli de árbol

For spicy salsas and salsa macha. They are small, red and direct. They are found on Amazon in 50 to 100g bags for €3 to €5.

Bottled salsas

Valentina sauce

Valentina is the most popular table sauce in Mexico. It comes in two versions: yellow (mild) and black (extra spicy). It is the sauce put on crisps, fruit, peanuts and practically everything that exists. On Amazon Spain it costs between €3 and €5 for the 370ml bottle.

El Yucateco sauce

The Yucatecan brand par excellence. Its green habanero sauce (kutbil-ik) and red habanero sauce are essential for any lover of heat. On Amazon Spain several varieties are found for €4 to €7.

Búfalo sauce

Another Mexican classic - a red chilli sauce with a more vinegary profile. It is the one put on chicharrones, jícama and elotes. Less known outside Mexico but equally addictive.

Cholula

Cholula is the easiest Mexican sauce to find on Amazon Spain. It is mild, balanced and versatile. Perfect for beginners who want to add a Mexican touch to their meals without risking too much on the heat.

Masa and tortillas

Maseca (nixtamalised corn flour)

Maseca is the most important Mexican product for cooking at home. With it you make tortillas, tamales, sopes, gorditas, tlacoyos and atole. On Amazon Spain it is sold in 1kg packs for €4 to €6. Look for white Maseca for tortillas and tamales, or Maseca for tamales (coarser) if it is specifically for that.

Alternative: You also find Colombian/Venezuelan PAN flour for arepas - it is NOT the same. Maseca is nixtamalised, PAN flour is not always. Read the label.

Corn tostadas

Fried, crisp tortillas, ready to put tinga, ceviche, beans or guacamole on top. The Charras or Milpa Real ones are found on Amazon for €3 to €4 a pack.

Moles and recados

Doña María mole

The best-known mole paste brand in Mexico. It comes in a glass jar (made up at home, serves 8 to 10 people). You dissolve it in chicken broth, boil for 20 minutes and have a decent mole without spending 4 hours in the kitchen. It is not artisanal, but it is much better than not eating mole. On Amazon Spain for €6 to €9.

Achiote paste

Essential for cochinita pibil. The achiote paste from brands such as El Yucateco or La Anita is dissolved in bitter orange juice to marinate the pork. On Amazon for €3 to €5 for the 100g bar - enough for 2 to 3 preparations of cochinita.

Other essentials

Tinned black beans

The black beans from La Costeña are a lifesaver when you do not have time to cook beans from scratch (which takes 2 to 3 hours). They come whole or refried. On Amazon for €2 to €3 for the 560g tin.

Tinned nopales

Nopales (cactus) in strips or diced, ready to use in salads, tacos or stews. They are found on Amazon for €3 to €5 a tin.

Dried epazote

The herb that defines the flavour of black beans, quesadillas and tamales. Fresh is almost impossible to find in Spain, but dried works well. On Amazon for €4 to €6 a bag.

Abuelita / Ibarra chocolate

The tablets of Mexican chocolate for making hot chocolate. With cinnamon and a rustic touch no European cocoa has. On Amazon for €5 to €8 a tablet.

Tajín

The chilli, lime and salt seasoning that Mexicans put on ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING: fruit, vegetables, seafood, snacks, popcorn, beer, mangonadas. It is addictive. On Amazon for €3 to €5 a pot.

What is NOT worth it on Amazon

Some Mexican products on Amazon Spain have inflated prices or dubious quality. Avoid:

• Fresh corn tortillas: The ones sold online usually arrive dry or broken. Better make them with Maseca or buy them in a physical shop.
• Oaxaca cheese / quesillo: Fresh cheese does not travel well. Substitute with fresh mozzarella.
• Fresh chillies: Impossible to ship fresh chillies by post in good quality. Grow them at home or look for them in a physical shop.
• Products priced >3x their real price: A pot of Tajín that costs €1 in Mexico should not cost €15 on Amazon. Compare prices and look for reasonable sellers.

Your recommended shopping basket

If you are starting from scratch and want to set up a basic Mexican pantry, here is the essential basket (estimated budget: €35 to €50):

• 1 bag of ancho chillies + 1 bag of guajillo chillies
• 1 tin of chipotles in adobo
• 1 pack of Maseca (1kg)
• 1 bottle of Valentina sauce
• 1 pot of Tajín
• 1 pack of tostadas
• 2 tins of black beans
• 1 tablet of Abuelita chocolate

With these products and the fresh ingredients from your Spanish supermarket, you can make dozens of authentic Mexican recipes. And for the ingredients you cannot find online, check our directory of Mexican shops in Spain where there are physical shops with delivery throughout Spain. You can also try the flavours first in Mexican restaurants to know exactly what to look for.