Homemade Always Pantry
A little knowledge. A lot of flavor.
Mexican ingredients, explained.
Know the chiles, herbs, and staples behind the recipes you love. Learn what to look for, how to use each ingredient, and what to cook next.
From our cocina to yours
Start with one good meal
Your essential Mexican pantry
You do not need every ingredient at once. Build a pantry around the food you enjoy cooking.
- Choose a meal.
Start with a salsa, a pot of pozole, or freshly made tortillas.
- Know the ingredient.
Read the flavor, preparation, and buying notes before you shop.
- Buy with a plan.
Choose a useful quantity and keep the storage guidance close.
Get to know your ingredients
Three good places to begin
From a rich red sauce to a comforting bowl or a fresh batch of masa.
Dried Chiles
Guajillo Chiles
Long red dried chiles that bring fruity flavor, red color, and usually gentle to moderate heat to sauces, adobos, and broths.
Learn about guajillo chiles
Masa, Corn & Beans
Hominy
Whole corn kernels treated through nixtamalization, sold cooked in cans or dried for longer cooking.
Learn about hominy
Masa, Corn & Beans
Masa Harina
Dried nixtamalized corn flour that forms masa dough when mixed with water.
Learn about masa harinaFind your next kitchen staple
Explore the pantry
Six collections, with ingredient guides and useful things to know before you shop.
Color, depth & a little heat
Dried Chiles
Fruity, smoky, mild, or fiery—get to know the chiles behind Mexican sauces and salsas.
Ingredient guides
Explore Dried Chiles
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The fragrant finishing touches
Herbs & Spices
Aromatic herbs, warm spices, and seeds for sauces, soups, and everyday cooking.
Ingredient guides
Explore Herbs & Spices
Comfort starts here
Masa, Corn & Beans
The corn, masa, beans, and wrappers behind comforting bowls and handmade favorites.
Ingredient guides
Explore Masa, Corn & Beans
A spoonful of flavor
Sauces & Condiments
Smoky chiles, tangy peppers, and savory seasonings to keep close at hand.
Explore Sauces & Condiments
Something sweet to share
Baking & Drinks
Chocolate, cane sugar, tart jamaica, and tamarind for sweet moments and refreshing drinks.
Ingredient guides
Explore Baking & Drinks
A little taste of celebration
Dulces Mexicanos
Discover the sweet, tart, and spicy side of Mexican candy: tamarind treats, fruit-flavored gummies, chile-coated lollipops, and traditional sweets.
Explore Dulces MexicanosBring it all to the table
Recipes to cook from the pantry
Put an ingredient to work in a Homemade Always recipe.
A little help for your next grocery trip
Get Your Free Mexican Pantry Checklist
A printable shopping companion to help you stock your cocina with ingredients you’ll actually use.
Prefer to print it now? Download the printable checklist
Download the fillable checklist
Fill it in with a PDF app that supports forms, then save a copy.