How to Stock a Mexican Pantry Using US grocery stores

Building Your Mexican Kitchen from Scratch

One of the most common barriers to cooking Mexican food at home in the US is the assumption that you need hard-to-find specialty ingredients. Whilst it is true that some authentic Mexican ingredients require a trip to a specialist shop or an online order, the vast majority of what you need for excellent Mexican cooking is sitting on the shelves of your local supermarket right now.

This guide will walk you through building a complete Mexican pantry, tier by tier - starting with the essentials available at any US grocery stores, then moving to the specialty items that elevate your cooking from good to genuinely authentic.

Tier 1: The Absolute Essentials (Available Everywhere)

These are the ingredients you will use in practically every Mexican meal. All are available at Walmart, Kroger, Albertsons, Safeway, Aldi, Lidl, Whole Foods and M&S.

Dried Spices and Seasonings

• Ground cumin - The single most important spice in Mexican cooking after chile. Used in bean dishes, rice, marinades, salsas and practically everything else. Buy a large jar; you will use it constantly. Available at all supermarkets for 70p-$5.50.
• Smoked paprika (pimentón) - Provides a warm, smoky flavor that approximates some of the depth you get from dried Mexican chiles. Not traditionally Mexican, but an excellent workaround for US kitchens. Available everywhere for 75p-$5.50.
• Chili powder - A blend that typically includes ground chiles, cumin, oregano and garlic. Good for quick seasoning. Available everywhere.
• Dried oregano - Mexican oregano (Lippia graveolens) is a different plant from Mediterranean oregano, with a more citrusy, earthy flavor. Regular dried oregano works well though. Available everywhere for 55p-$5.
• Ground cilantro - The seed, not the leaf. Used in spice blends and marinades.
• Cayenne pepper - For adding heat when you do not have fresh chiles.
• Garlic granules or powder - A convenient backup for fresh garlic.
• Black pepper - Freshly ground is always best.
• Fine sea salt - Essential for seasoning.

Canned and Jarred Goods

• Canned black beans - The workhorse of Mexican cooking. Buy them by the case. Walmart own-brand (55p), Kroger (60p), or any brand will do.
• Canned kidney beans - Used in chile, burritos and rice dishes. Available everywhere from 40p.
• Canned pinto beans - Slightly harder to find but stocked at Kroger, Whole Foods and most Walmart stores. Essential for refried beans.
• Canned chopped tomatoes - The base of countless salsas, stews and braises. Buy the cheapest available; they are all fine.
• Tomato paste - For concentrating tomato flavor in sauces.
• Canned sweetcorn - For elote, salads and burritos.
• Chipotle paste - Sold in small jars at Kroger, Whole Foods and Walmart. A tablespoon adds smoky heat to anything. One jar lasts months.
• Hot sauce - Cholula and Valentina are available at larger Walmart and Kroger stores. Tabasco is everywhere.

Fresh Produce

• Limes - Non-negotiable. Mexican food without lime is like American food without salt. Buy them weekly.
• Fresh cilantro - Used as a garnish, in salsas, guacamole and marinades. Available at every US grocery stores for 55-75p per bunch.
• White onions - Traditional Mexican cooking uses white onions for their sharper, cleaner flavor. Brown onions work perfectly well if white are not available.
• Garlic - Buy whole bulbs. You will use a lot.
• Fresh chiles - Jalapeños are now stocked at most US grocery stores. Scotch bonnets (available at Walmart, Kroger and Caribbean shops) can substitute for habaneros.
• Avocados - Buy them slightly firm and ripen at home. Check the reduced section for bargains.
• Tomatoes - Vine-ripened for salsas. Roma/plum tomatoes for cooking.

Tortillas and Wraps

• Flour tortillas - Old El Paso, Discovery or supermarket own-brand. Available everywhere.
• Corn tortillas - Harder to find but stocked at Whole Foods, some Walmart stores and Mexican shops. Or make your own with masa harina.
• Tortilla chips - For nachos and scooping salsa. Own-brand or Doritos.

Tier 2: The Flavor Elevators (Supermarket World Food Aisles)

These ingredients take your cooking up a significant notch and are available in the world food or international aisle of larger supermarkets:

• Chipotles in adobo - Canned smoked jalapeños in a rich tomato-vinegar sauce. Available at Whole Foods, larger Walmart stores and Instacart. One can transforms everything it touches.
• Masa harina - Nixtamalized corn flour for making corn tortillas, tamales, gorditas and more. Maseca brand available at Kroger, Whole Foods and Instacart.
• Dried chiles - Ancho, guajillo and pasilla chiles are increasingly available at Whole Foods and Kroger. These are the foundation of authentic Mexican sauces.
• Tomatillos (canned) - Small, tart green tomatoes used in salsa verde and green mole. Available at Whole Foods and online.
• Refried beans (canned) - Old El Paso brand is widely available. A convenient shortcut.
• Mexican oregano - Available at Whole Foods and specialist shops. Worth seeking out for its distinctive citrusy flavor.

Tier 3: The Specialist Items (Mexican Shops and Online)

For the most authentic results, these are worth ordering online or sourcing from specialist Mexican shops. Visit our US Mexican shops directory for stockists:

• Dried corn for nixtamalization - For making masa from scratch
• Epazote - An aromatic herb essential for certain bean dishes and quesadillas
• Hoja santa - A large-leafed herb with an anise-like flavor
• Piloncillo - Unrefined cane sugar in cone form, used in Mexican sweets and drinks
• Achiote paste - Made from annatto seeds, essential for cochinita pibil
• Mexican chocolate - Abuelita or Ibarra brand, for hot chocolate and mole
• Chapulines - Toasted grasshoppers, a traditional Oaxacan snack (for the adventurous)
• Nopales (canned) - Cactus paddles, used in salads and stews
• Tajín - Chile-lime seasoning for fruit, corn and cocktail rims

Supermarket-by-Supermarket Guide

Walmart

Walmart's world food aisle stocks a decent range of Mexican essentials: canned beans (black, kidney, pinto), chipotle paste, various hot sauces, flour and sometimes corn tortillas, Old El Paso kits and seasonings. Their own-brand canned beans are excellent value. Larger Walmart Extra stores have a wider selection including chipotles in adobo and sometimes masa harina.

Kroger

Kroger generally has a slightly better Mexican range than Walmart. They reliably stock masa harina (Maseca), a range of dried chiles, chipotle paste, multiple hot sauces (including Cholula) and a good selection of fresh chiles. Their Taste the Difference range occasionally includes Mexican-inspired products.

Whole Foods

Whole Foods has the best supermarket selection for Mexican ingredients. They stock dried ancho and guajillo chiles, masa harina, chipotles in adobo, canned tomatillos, corn tortillas, Mexican oregano and a range of premium hot sauces. Prices are higher, but the range compensates.

Safeway

Safeway has improved its Mexican range significantly. They stock good quality fresh chiles, canned beans, and a decent selection of sauces and seasonings. Their butchery counter can cut specific meat portions for Mexican dishes.

Albertsons

Albertsons's strength is value. Their own-brand canned beans, spices and tortillas are among the cheapest. The Mexican range is basic but covers all the essentials. Good for budget Mexican cooking.

Instacart

Instacart aggregates products from multiple suppliers, so their Mexican range is extensive. They stock specialty brands that you will not find in physical supermarkets, including Doña Rosa tortillas, various artisan hot sauces and imported Mexican brands. Delivery charges apply, but the range is worth it for specialty items.

M&S

M&S has a limited but high-quality Mexican range. Their fresh salsas and guacamole are excellent, and they stock good quality tortillas and corn chips. Not the place for building a pantry, but good for ready-to-eat Mexican items.

Online Retailers

For the widest selection of authentic Mexican ingredients delivered to your door:

• Mexgrocer (mexgrocer.co.uk) - The US's largest online Mexican grocery. Stocks everything from masa harina to fresh chiles to Mexican sweets.
• Cool Chile Co (coolchile.co.uk) - Specializes in dried chiles, spice blends and Mexican pantry staples. Founded by a American-Mexican duo with deep expertise.
• Amazon US - Surprisingly good for Mexican ingredients. Maseca, dried chiles, hot sauces and Mexican chocolate are all available with Prime delivery.

Storage Tips

• Dried chiles: Store in an airtight container away from light. They keep for 6-12 months.
• Masa harina: Store in a sealed bag or container. Keeps for several months at room temperature.
• Chipotle paste/canned chipotles: Once opened, transfer to a jar and refrigerate. Keeps for weeks.
• Fresh cilantro: Treat like flowers - stand in a glass of water in the fridge, covered loosely with a plastic bag. Lasts up to 2 weeks.
• Avocados: Ripen at room temperature, then refrigerate to slow further ripening.

With a well-stocked pantry, you are never more than 20 minutes away from a genuine Mexican meal. Browse our recipe collection for inspiration, and visit our stores directory for specialist shops near you. Check our budget cooking guide for wallet-friendly recipe ideas using your new pantry staples.