• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

La Piña en la Cocina

Embracing my Mexican heritage and sharing all the wonderful flavors, colors and foods I grew up with. Join me on this journey as I also learn new foods and cooking techniques. Dedicated to my parents Ramiro and Blanca.

  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About
    • Mexican at Heart
    • Media
  • Contact
  • Disclosure/Privacy Policy
Home » Traditional Mexican Recipes » Mexican Cupboard Cooking

Mexican Cupboard Cooking

March 21, 2020Leave a Comment

194 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet

What top five ingredient categories will you find in my Mexican cupboard? There are five staple ingredient categories that stock in my pantry and refrigerator always. In this blog post I will guide you through my pantry and cupboard. Included are links to the recipes using these staple.

Mexican Cupboard Cooking Collage

Beans, Frijoles are Versatile!

Every Mexican cupboard will include different ingredients. But most of them will have some or all from the categories I share with you today. Beans can be enjoyed straight out of the warm olla(pot). They can also be transformed into sauces, soups, salsas and stews.

Frijoles de La Olla
Frijoles de La Olla- Legumes in My Kitchen
Frijoles a La Charra- Charro Beans
Frijoles a la Charra- Charro Beans
Frijoles- Cooking Pinto Beans
Refried Beans on The Stove Top and Pressure Cooker frijoles
Black Bean and Chorizo Tacos
Black Bean and Chorizo Tacos- Tacos Everyday
Tlacoyos de Frijol
Tlacoyos- Masa Cakes Filled with Beans

Otra ves arroz? Rice again? Yes! We love rice!

It’s not a secret that we love our sopita de arroz(little rice) right next to our frijolitos(little beans). For a few years, I tested many rice varieties and flavor combinations using rice. I was teaching Mexican cooking classes and always had request on how to prepare rice in different ways. And you cannot forget that sopa de fideo(vermicelli) pasta. Especially small pasta shapes like stars, alphabet, shells and elbow are traditional and tasty!

Mexican-Style Rice
Simple Mexican-Style Rice- Arroz Rojo
Arroz Verde-Cilantro Rice
Arroz Verde- Cilantro Rice
Arroz con Leche (Mexican-Style Rice Pudding)
Arroz Con Leche- Rice Pudding
Sopa de Conchas
Sopa de Conchas- Mexican-Style Pasta
Fideo Con Carne (Beef and Potato with Pasta)
Sopa de Fideo Con Carne y Papa- Pasta with Beef

Most people are surprised how much produce is used in authentic Mexican cooking!

Sixty percent of my grocery bill is spent on fresh produce! Surprised? It’s a must for me and cooking from scratch. Although I am not against using canned or frozen food ingredients, I will choose fresh when at all possible.

Tomato Serrano Salsa
Tomato Serrano Salsa- Molcajete
Nopalitos a La Mexicana
Nopalitos a La Mexicana- Cactus
Calabacitas Con Elote- Zucchini, Corn and Cheese in Salsa
Calabacitas Con Queso y Elote- Zucchini
Potato Tacos (Tacos de Papa)
Tacos de Papa- Potato Tacos
Caldo de Papa- Potato Soup
Caldo de Papa Con Queso- Potato and Cheese Soup

Dried Chile Pods! Surprisingly easy to use in everyday cooking!

I still have that image of mom’s kitchen cupboard with those two bags of half used chile pods. Her two go to dried chiles were chile ancho and chile de arbol. My Mexican cupboard is never missing this staple ingredient! The more the merrier. My top three choices are dried chile ancho, chile de arbol and guajillo. The ancho and guajillo are the most mild and chile arbol is spicy. If you like smoky flavors, look for dried chipotle or chile morita.

How To Prepare Chile Oil
How To Prepare Chile Oil- Salsa Macha

Carne Con Chile Rojo
Carne Con Chile Rojo- Beef in Red Chile
How To Prepare Chile Powder
How Top Prepare Chile Powder
Rec Chile Pork Pozole
Red Chile Pork Pozole
Spicy Salsa For Birria
Spicy Salsa For Birria

Experience the spice of life with Mexican food!

Besides salt and pepper, what spices are in your cupboard right now? Mexican oregano, cumin seeds and granulated garlic? Always! Although some people would say cumin is not traditional in Mexican cooking, it was used sparingly in our home. I love it though! And I do add fresh garlic and onion to my recipes, but always stock a good granulated garlic and granulated onion powder. Bay leaves, thyme, marjoram, whole cloves, Mexican cinnamon sticks, all spice(pimienta gorda) and annatto powder are also staples in my cupboard.

Cochinita Pibil Spices
Cochinita Pibil Spices
Publa-Style Mole- Mole Poblano
Mole Poblano- Puebla-Style Mole
Ingredients For Birria de Res Con Consome
Beef Birria Spices- Birria de Res
Capirotada Piloncillo Syrup
Capirotada Spices- Mexican Bread Pudding
Easy Enchilada Sauce
Easy Enchilada Sauce Spices!

Those are my top five categories, but wait, there’s more!

This category is as important as all of the above. It’s canned, dried and frozen food ingredients! I always have canned tomato products in my pantry. Whole tomatoes, fire roasted diced tomatoes, tomato sauce and tomato paste. Beans, chick peas, mixed vegetables, tuna, quinoa and tomatillos are also found in my cupboard.

Restaurant-Style Salsa
Restaurant-Style Salsa using canned tomatoes
Tomato Tortilla Soup
Tomato Tortilla Soup using canned tomatoes
Serrano Hummus
Serrano Hummus using canned chick peas
Lentils with Vegetables
Lentils with Vegetables using dried lentils
Black Beans and Quinoa
Black Beans and Quinoa using dried quinoa
Tuna Cakes- Tortitas de Atun
Tuna Cakes using canned tuna

Did you think I forgot tortillas? No way! It’s a given!

Most of you know that my dad, Ramiro, was a pioneer in the corn tortilla industry. He educated my siblings and me about corn tortillas without realizing how it would play a part in my life today! I confess that I am a corn tortilla snob, lol! And don’t even ask me about flour tortillas. Mom’s were the best! Oh, and bolillos!

Homemade Corn Tortillas
Homemade Corn Tortillas using masa harina
Red Chile Corn Tortillas
Red Chile Corn Tortillas using masa harina and dried chile pods
Fresh Blue Corn Tortillas
Blue Corn Tortillas
Flour Tortillas
Flour Tortillas from scratch
Gorditas de Azucar
Gorditas de Azucar
Bolillos in My Kitchen Aid
Bolillos in My Kitchen Aid

Like this:

Like Loading...

Filed Under: Beans, Dried Chiles, Rice~Arroz, Salsa~Salsa, Traditional Mexican Recipes, Vegetable Tagged With: Beans, Dried Chiles, Mexican Cupboard Cooking, Rice, Spices, Tortillas, Traditional Mexican Recipes, Vegetables

Previous Post: « Tortitas de Camaron Seco en Salsa (Dried Shrimp)
Next Post: Mexican-Style Quinoa »

Reader Interactions

Would Love to Hear From YouCancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Welcome!

Hi, my name is Sonia Mendez Garcia. My parents Ramiro and Blanca Mendez moved to the United States from Monterrey, Mexico in 1963. I am first generation Mexican American born in Los Angeles, California. Cooking has always been one of my passions in life. This is my journey and I can't wait to see what the future holds. Read More…

Never Miss a Recipe

Get all the latest directly to your inbox

View Privacy Policy Before Subscribing

View our privacy policy

Mariscos-Seafood

Blackened Fish with Mango Salsa

Chilean Sea Bass in Adobo

chilean sea bass plated

Crispy Masa Crusted Shrimp and Poppers

popper with cheese and bacon filling

More Ceviche & Aguachile!

aguachile verde in a heart shaped cazuela

You might also like…

Simply Grilled Steak and Potatoes

My Favorite Black Bean Recipes

Barbacoa de Cachete~Beef Cheek Tacos

Copyright © 2025 LA PIÑA EN LA COCINA

MENU & SEARCH
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About
    • Mexican at Heart
    • Media
  • Contact
  • Disclosure/Privacy Policy
194 shares
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie Settings Accept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
Save & Accept
 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d