Hoja Santa
Hoja santa is a Mexican aromatic plant with large velvety leaves and an intense anise-like fragrance. It is fundamental to Oaxacan green mole, hoja santa tamales with rajas, and tasajo beef dishes. Its name means 'sacred herb' and it is revered in the cooking of southern Mexico for its unique, bold character.
Estimated retail price
~£5.99 / 20g
Typical price at UK Mexican grocers
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How it's used in Mexican cooking
Hoja Santa, part of the herbs section of the Mexican pantry, appears in 13 recipes in our collection, including Oaxacan Yellow Mole, Green Mole and Mole Chichilo (Oaxacan Charred Chilli Mole). 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 Hoja Santa
MolesOaxacan Yellow Mole
MolesGreen Mole
MolesMole Chichilo (Oaxacan Charred Chilli Mole)
MolesChicken in Green Mole
Street FoodGreen Mole Empanadas
Street FoodEmpanadas de Amarillo (Yellow Mole)
Street FoodOaxacan Enfrijoladas (Black Bean-Sauced Tortillas)
TamalesAsh Tamales (Tamales de Ceniza)
Street FoodOaxacan Yellow Mole Tamales (Mole Amarillo)
TamalesRiver Mussel Tamales
TamalesOaxacan Yellow Mole Tamales
MolesChicken in Chichilo Mole (Pollo en Chichilo)
StewsNiguijuti (Black Bean and Dried Prawn Stew)
Storage and substitutes
How to store it
Fresh herbs keep in the fridge wrapped in slightly damp kitchen paper inside a bag or container, and are best used within a few days. Dried versions (oregano, bay leaf, hibiscus flower) go in an airtight jar away from light and hold their aroma for months.
Substitutes
Epazote and hoja santa have very distinctive flavours with no exact substitute; if you can't find them, it's usually better to leave them out than to swap in another herb. Mexican oregano can be replaced with Mediterranean oregano, though its profile is more citrusy.
Frequently asked questions
How many recipes use Hoja Santa?
Hoja Santa is used in 13 recipes in our collection, such as Oaxacan Yellow Mole and Green Mole. The full list, with a photo and link for each recipe, is on this page.
Where can I buy Hoja Santa in the UK?
You can buy Hoja Santa online via the Amazon link on this page, or look for it at Latin American grocers in the UK.
How should Hoja Santa be stored?
Fresh herbs keep in the fridge wrapped in slightly damp kitchen paper inside a bag or container, and are best used within a few days. Dried versions (oregano, bay leaf, hibiscus flower) go in an airtight jar away from light and hold their aroma for months.
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