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If you love Mexican food, you absolutely need the best molcajetes in your kitchen. These traditional kitchen items are used for making spices, smashing garlic, avocados, and so much more.
We were a little unfamiliar with these products at first, but once we started testing them, we quickly became experts. Since there are so many products on the market, we aggregated millions of actual customer reviews, and did our own testing on the top models.
Our Top Pick
IMUSA Granite Molcajete Spice Grinder
With thousands of great customer reviews, this was our favorite molcajete that we tested. It’s highly affordable, effective, and also looks great on your countertop. Every spice we tried was easily ground up, and we were shocked at how well it worked, with a price this low.
We made great salsa with it, and any culinary ideas you have should also work flawlessly. While you can certainly spend more, we think that for most people, this is the best model. Easily our top pick.
Other Great Picks
Umien Granite Molcajete
With thousands of stellar customer reviews, this is another excellent choice. It has a uniquely southwestern look, and not only did it perform flawlessly, it fit right into our test kitchen’s look.
It was also very easy to clean, which we definitely appreciated. We made some great burritos with the help of this molcajete, and any Mexican dish should come out just as well for you. Two thumbs (way) up.
HiCoup Granite Molcajete
This 6-inch granite molcajete is another excellent pick, and we loved it during our testing. It does need to be seasoned before you can use it, so make sure not to skip that step.
We made some stellar guacamole with this molcajete, and were also impressed with the texture and durability. If you want a very reliable product for your kitchen, this is definitely one of the best choices.
Harold Import Co. Molcajete
Want great performance, but also want to spend only 50% of the usual price? Then this molcajete is for you.
We were amazed the how easy it was to use (and how well it worked) – considering the rock bottom price. It’s almost impossible to go wrong with this model, and even the most highbrow chefs will be impressed at the performance of this little product. Our favorite budget pick.
Culinary Couture Molcajete
We loved the polished exterior of this molcajete, and it is easily one of the most visually appealing models on our entire list. The high-quality granite is also extremely thick, which means that this molcajete can stand up to even the most stringent requirements.
Our guac was untouchable when we made it with this, and we know yours will be too. Whether you want spicy tacos, great burritos, or some fire-breathing enchiladas – you’ll love this piece of culinary equipment.
Bekith Molcajete
This molcajete is made with food-grade stainless steel, and is absolutely incredible – especially considering the price. You can even crush medical pills if needed (great for getting your dog or cat to take their medicine), and we did not truly did not come across a stronger device, throughout our thorough testing.
Consumers love this kitchen staple as much as we did, as it has thousands of 5-star reviews. There’s absolutely no way to go wrong with this pick, and we highly recommend it to anyone.
ChefSofi Molcajete
This is another stellar model, which costs slightly more, but performs incredibly. If you don’t mind spending a few extra dollars, this is definitely our top premium pick.
We were particularly impressed with the great grip on this model, and we think you will be too. While we tested many molcajetes, this one offered the best performance, and the nicest look – it just costs slightly more. If money doesn’t matter, get this one – you won’t be disappointed.
Festmex Molcajete
Hand-carved in Mexico, and coming from an actual volcano, the beauty of this molcajete cannot be understated. We made salsa and guac with it, and we were not disappointed with the results.
No matter what your needs may be, this is a stellar pick. While it costs slightly more than other models, we think the extra investment is definitely worth it.
Cooler Kitchen Mortar And Pestle
Made from silicone and porcelain, this is another great choice. The grip stood out to us, as it it was very strong, and let us make guac with much more ease and precision.
The porcelain used is apothecary grade, which means this is also perfect for crushing up your pills. Anything you can think of – this molcajete will work perfectly for.
TLP Molcajete
This authentic Mexican molcajete worked great during our testing, and we think you’ll love it too. Made from volcanic rock, the texture is stellar, and it was very easy to use.
Our guac and salsa tasted great, and we have zero bad things to say about any of our experiences testing this model. Another stellar pick up, if you don’t mind spending a few extra dollars.
What Is A Molcajete?
A molcajete (with a tejolote) are Mexican tools made from stone. They are nearly identical to the mortar and pestle, and are used to grind food (and other items) into other forms.
Some samples uses of a molcajete would be grinding avocados into guacamole, or grinding down the ingredients needed to make fresh salsa. You can also use a molcajete for other non-traditional tasks, like grinding down pills and medicine.
Since molcajetes are traditionally made from volcanic rock, they have many pores and crevices. This means that anything ground with a molcajete, will leave its flavor and taste on the surface.
While this can easily be washed away with water and a stiff brush, many opt to season their molcajete separately. This imparts each dish made with the help of a molcajete, with a unique flavor (often spicy in nature).
What Is The Difference Between A Molcajete And A Mortar And Pestle?
To be blunt – not that much is different here. The seasoning in the molcajete is the main difference, as is the ideal choice of crafting the product from actual volcanic rock.
If you want to buy just one item for your home kitchen, either a mortar and pestle or a molcajete will work. We personally like the Spanish flavor of the spicy molcajete seasoning, but your own tastes and preferences may vary.
Are Molcajetes Safe?
Yes, molcajetes are safe to use – just don’t buy a knockoff. These are often made from cheap materials (like cement), and can leak chemicals into your food.
Clearly, these products would not be deemed safe. Sometimes the best options are made from more expensive materials, which means often the higher-priced items are a little bit safer – though this is not always the case.
What Should I Look For When Buying A Molcajete (Or Mortar And Pestle)?
Looking at the price is a good starting point, but we ultimately got the best picks from devouring user reviews. We aggregated over a million actual customer reviews, which told us what people liked (and what they didn’t like) about each model.
Size is another factor to consider, and if you’re a food snob – what the molcajete is made of, can also be important. We found great performance in every type of material we tested, so we’re not so sure this is important for anything but your own personal taste and preference.
What Is The Best Size Molcajete?
While 2 cup molcajetes work great for smaller batches, we recommend opting for a 4 cup molcajete. This will allow you to make generous portions of guac and salsa, which is almost always preferable.
Do You Have To Season A Molcajete?
Some molcajetes come pre-seasoned, but like a cast-iron skillet – the best results come from seasoning a molcajete yourself. Most guides recommend seasoning them with a combination of white rice, garlic, kosher salt, and serrano pepper.
This will help lend your molcajete an authentic Mexican flavor, as the crevices and pores will always have this flavor embedded in them – lending this taste to any foods you grind up with your molcajete. Of course, it takes about 2 days to properly season a molcajete, so be sure to consider that, before you begin.
What Do You Use Molcajete For?
A molcajete is essentially a Mexican mortar and pestle, so it can be used for anything a mortar and pestle would be used for. This includes making salsa, guacamole, crushing pills, making your own herbs and spices – and anything else you can dream up.
Nowadays, food processors and blenders are often used, but molcajetes used to serve this purpose too. While it will take far more effort to blend things in a molcajete – they can still technically be used for this process.
How Do You Heat Up A Molcajete?
The easiest way to heat up a molcajete is to place it in the oven. Use a sheet pan to place the molcajete on, and heat it up for as long as desired.
How Do You Pronounce Molcajete?
If you’re American, you can think of the words “mocha” and “yeti” – and you’ll get pretty close to the proper pronunciation of molcajete. While native Spanish speakers can do a better job of pronouncing the word, as long as you’re close, no one will likely know that you’re pronouncing the word for the first time.
How Much Does A Molcajete Cost?
Most molcajetes do not cost more than $40 – and some cost as little as $10. Interestingly, we did not run into any problems with cheaper models – they performed just as flawlessly as higher-priced items.
The difference in price is usually due to the material the molcajete is made from. More expensive models are made with more expensive materials, which causes a price increase for the end buyer.
Can You Put A Molcajete In The Dishwasher?
Contrary to most kitchen appliances and tools, a molcajete should absolutely not be put into the dishwasher. Detergent and soap will get into the tiny crevices, and then leak into your food, the next time you crush something up.
The best way to remove residue is to get a stiff brush. This will reach into all the crevices, and just using water will be enough – just be sure to clean it after each and every use.
Does The Look (Or Material) Of A Molcajete Matter?
While authentic molcajetes were always made from volcanic rock, in our testing, we found great results with molcajetes made from lots of different materials. You should not opt for a product made from poor materials, like concrete, as they will leak chemicals into your food.
However, opting for authentic volcanic rock is probably optional, as we found great results with other materials we tested. Ultimately, this comes down to simply personal preference.
While we aren’t too picky about choosing a molcajete that fits in with our kitchen pattern, some people may be. We liked the models that performed the best, and cost the least – which we think are most consumers highest priorities.
Do Foods Prepared In A Molcajete Taste Better?
Almost certainly yes. In our testing, foods had a better flavor, were more rich, and also felt more authentic. It’s simply the difference between buying jalapeno flavored chips, and making fresh food with jalapeno yourself.
It’s really no comparison, when it comes to taste. However, the other part of the equation is time – and there is no arguing that grinding things up in a molcajete takes a lot longer than preparing foods using other processes.
The Best Molcajetes
There you have it – our top picks for the best molcajetes. Whether you want something spicy, need to crush up your pills – or just want to make your own spices – a molcajete can get the job done.
We mainly stuck to making guac and salsa in our tests, as that’s what most people will choose to use molcajetes for, but each model should work just as well for crushing pills, or anything else you can dream up. If you loved this list, be sure to check out some of our other great product reviews.