Hoja Santa
Herbs$2.99 / bunchApproximate price based on US supermarkets.
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.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Can't find it? Look in Mexican and Latino grocery stores in California, Texas, Florida, Illinois or Arizona, or order online via Amazon US.
Buy online
Can't find Hoja Santa near you? You can also buy it online:
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
How it's used in Mexican cooking
Hoja Santa, part of the herbs section of the Mexican pantry, appears in 12 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 using hoja santa
Oaxacan Yellow Mole
Green Mole
Mole Chichilo (Oaxacan Charred Chilli Mole)
Chicken in Green Mole
Green Mole Empanadas
Empanadas de Amarillo (Yellow Mole)
Oaxacan Enfrijoladas (Black Bean-Sauced Tortillas)
Ash Tamales (Tamales de Ceniza)
Oaxacan Yellow Mole Tamales (Mole Amarillo)
River Mussel Tamales
Oaxacan Yellow Mole Tamales
Chicken in Chichilo Mole (Pollo en Chichilo)
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 12 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 US?
You can buy Hoja Santa online via the Amazon link on this page, or look for it at Mexican and Latino grocery stores in the US.
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.
Do you sell Hoja Santa?
If you run a store that stocks this product, register and showcase it to thousands of people across the US.
Register my store