Clove
Clove is an intense spice with a sweet, pungent aroma used sparingly in Mexican cooking. It adds depth to black mole, pork adobo, and Christmas ponche punch. It is added whole during cooking and removed before serving, or ground with other spices in a molcajete to create complex spice blends.
Estimated retail price
~£1.99 / 20g
Typical price at UK Mexican grocers
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How it's used in Mexican cooking
Clove, part of the spices section of the Mexican pantry, appears in more than 20 recipes in our collection, including Beef Birria, Tacos al Pastor and Barbacoa Tacos. Each recipe shows step by step how it is added, in what quantity and which other ingredients it is paired with — the most reliable guide to how it is actually used in Mexican cooking.
Recipes with Clove
Sopas Y CaldosBeef Birria
TacosTacos al Pastor
TacosBarbacoa Tacos
TacosBirria Tacos (Quesabirria)
MolesMole Poblano
MolesOaxacan Black Mole
MolesRed Mole
MolesOaxacan Yellow Mole
MolesGreen Mole
MolesTablecloth Stainer Mole
MolesRed Pipián
DessertsCapirotada (Mexican Bread Pudding)
DrinksMexican Clay Pot Coffee
DrinksTepache (Fermented Pineapple Drink)
StewsLamb Barbacoa
StewsHomemade Mexican Chorizo
DessertsCandied Pumpkin in Piloncillo Syrup
StewsTatemado (Colima Slow-Cooked Pork in Fire-Roasted Chilli Sauce)
Street FoodBasket Tacos with Refried Beans
MeatsMutton Mixiote
Storage and substitutes
How to store it
Store spices in airtight jars away from light, heat and moisture. Ground spices lose their aroma within months, while whole ones (cinnamon sticks, cloves, peppercorns) keep it far longer — grind them just before use. Seasoning pastes such as achiote should be refrigerated once opened.
Frequently asked questions
How many recipes use Clove?
Clove is used in more than 20 recipes in our collection, such as Beef Birria and Tacos al Pastor. The full list, with a photo and link for each recipe, is on this page.
Where can I buy Clove in the UK?
You can buy Clove online via the Amazon link on this page, or look for it at Latin American grocers in the UK.
How should Clove be stored?
Store spices in airtight jars away from light, heat and moisture. Ground spices lose their aroma within months, while whole ones (cinnamon sticks, cloves, peppercorns) keep it far longer — grind them just before use. Seasoning pastes such as achiote should be refrigerated once opened.
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