Last Updated on October 5, 2025 by Krista Linares, MPH, RD
The right Mexican cooking tools can make your cooking more efficient, enjoyable, and authentic!
As a dietitian, I’m a big believer that the best thing you can do for your nutrition is cook food at home (as much as is reasonable for your lifestyle).
At the same time, I know that cooking can be frustrating when you don’t have the right set up. So these are my top picks for the best Mexican cooking tools to help you make healthy Mexican meals at home!
My favorite Mexican cooking tools
Note: This post contains affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This helps me continue to create free content for you!
Below are my top picks for the best Mexican cooking tools. You can also browse my Benable list here.
Comal (or griddle)
A comal is a flat griddle, most commonly used to cook several tortillas at once. Historically made with clay, modern comales are typically made from cast iron.
In addition to cooking tortillas, you can heat chiles and tomatoes for salsa, make quesadillas, toast bread, and toast spices.
I use my comal so often, it has a permanent spot on my stovetop. Getting a comal made my cooking that much more efficient,.
Comal Para Tortillas
Buy Now → Molcajete
The Mexican answer to the mortar and pestle, molcajetes are essential for grinding salsa, spices, and more.
Typically, molcajetes are made from volcanic rock. But be aware that volcanic rock molcajetes require curing.
In addition to using a molcajete for day to day cooking tasks, serve your salsa or guacamole in a molcajete for a traditional touch.
Molcajete
Buy Now → Metate
Much like the molcajete, the metate is an ancient Mexican tool for grinding. The metate has a different shape and is better suited for grinding corn into masa.
Metate
Buy Now → Masher (for refried beans)
A wire masher is an extremely simple tool, but it’s indispensable for making refried beans. I like the wire masher better than an immersion blender for refried beans because it gives you more control of the texture.
Bean Masher
KitchenAid Gourmet Stainless Steel Wire Masher, 10.24-Inch, Black
Buy Now →Tortilla Press
Fun fact: the tortilla press is a relatively recent invention in the history of tortillas. But it made it that much easier to make homemade tortillas.
A tortilla press helps you get perfectly thin, round tortillas for even cooking.
Tortilla Press
Buy Now → Tortilla Warmer
Everyone knows tortillas are best served warm!
Once tortillas are fresh off the comal (whether they’re homemade or store bought), keep them warm by storing them in this warmer and serving it at the table.
Tortilla Warmer
Buy Now → Molinillo
Use the molinillo to give Mexican hot chocolate its signature foam.
You can also froth milk, emulsify sauces, and beat egg whites with a molinillo.
Molinillo
Buy Now → Towels
Of course, towels are a staple in most kitchens and households. But there are a few uses for towels unique to Mexican food.
You can line your tortilla warmer with towels, helping keep your tortillas warm and pliable.
You can also use a towel when shaping sopes. This lets you shape them when the masa is still hot enough to be shaped, without burning your fingers.
Towels
Tortilla Warmer Cloth Mexican Design Warmers, 100% Cotton Tapestry Fabric, Large (wavee)
Buy Now →Citrus Juicer
Speed things up (and save your hands) when you’re squeezing all those limes for ceviche, fresh margaritas, and more.
Citrus Juicer
Buy Now → Tamal Steamer
You can use any large steamer for tamales, but a dedicated tamalera will make the process that much more efficient (and making tamales is hard enough that whatever you can do to make it easier … please do).
Tamal Steamer Pot
Buy Now → Clay Pot (Olla)
The traditional clay pot is perfect for cooking beans, plus it looks stunning!
Clay Pot
Buy Now → Blender
While you can make salsas in a molcajete, it’s also handy to keep a blender on hand for salsas, enchilada sauce, and moles.
You can also use a blender for aguas frescas and licuados!
Blender
Buy Now → Strainer
With so many sauces, Mexican food has a lot of uses for a strainer! Use a strainer for a smooth enchilada sauce or a pulp-free agua fresca.
Strainer
Buy Now → Final Thoughts
Any of these Mexican cooking tools will help you cook authentic, healthy homemade Mexican meals.
As a Latina dietitian, my goal is to help people enjoy their favorite Latin American foods while enjoying their health. Want to learn more? See a sample of what we’re all about here with a free copy of my one-week Mexican meal plan. Get your copy when you sign up below.