Guide to Authentic Mexican Ingredients: What You Need to Know
Every ingredient in this guide is something you can actually walk into a Poco Loco Supermercado and buy today. This isn’t a general overview of Mexican cuisine — it’s a shopping guide built around what’s on our shelves and behind our counters, organized so you can find exactly what you need, whether you’re new to Mexican cooking or looking for the real version of something you grew up with.
Fresh Produce
Mexican cooking starts in the produce aisle. Look for:
- Avocados
- Tomatoes and tomatillos
- Cilantro and other fresh herbs
- Bell peppers, cucumbers, and lettuce
- Seasonal and imported specialty produce
Selection is refreshed daily, with a mix of year-round staples and seasonal items.
Meat & the Carnicería
Every Poco Loco location includes a full-service carnicería — fresh cuts prepped daily, not pre-packaged trays. That includes everyday cuts like bistec and chuletas, traditional cuts like lengua, tripas, and cabeza, and meats marinated in-house for carne asada, al pastor, and adobado. For the full breakdown, see our carnicería guide.
Tortillas, Masa & Corn Products
Tortillas are pressed fresh daily — corn and flour — and sold both fresh and packaged to take home. You’ll also find masa harina and fresh corn masa for tamales, plus corn husks for wrapping them. See our full tortilla guide for which one to use for what.
Cheese & Dairy
Two cheeses do most of the work in Mexican cooking, and they’re not interchangeable: queso fresco is a fresh, crumbly cheese that doesn’t melt — used as a finishing touch on tacos, beans, and chilaquiles. Oaxaca cheese is a stretchy, mild melting cheese, closer to mozzarella in texture — the right call for quesadillas and anything you want gooey.
Chiles, Spices & Mole
Dried chiles are the backbone of most Mexican salsas and moles, along with a range of Mexican spice blends. Poco Loco also carries mole sauce for one of Mexican cuisine’s most labor-intensive, most rewarding dishes.
Beans, Rice & Pantry Staples
The everyday building blocks: dried and canned beans, rice, and masa harina for tortillas and tamales alike.
Salsas — Fresh vs. Jarred
Salsas are prepared fresh in-house daily as part of our prepared foods program, alongside packaged and jarred options for the pantry. Red and green salsa both show up across the menu — including as the base for dishes like chilaquiles.
Snacks & Pan Dulce
Tortilla chips, churros, Mexican candy, and tamarind-flavored sweets round out the snack aisle, alongside pan dulce from our panadería.
Traditional Beverages
Jarritos sodas, horchata, tamarind juice, and aguas frescas — the drinks that actually belong next to Mexican food, not generic soda.
Ready-to-Eat & Prepared Foods
If you’d rather eat than cook, the prepared foods counter turns these same ingredients into made-to-order tacos, burritos, tamales, carnitas, and enchiladas daily. See Tacos Near Me for the taco program specifically, or 10 Must-Try Mexican Dishes You Can Cook at Home for recipes built around what’s in this guide.
Organic & Natural Options
Poco Loco carries organic corn tortillas and corn products.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the essential ingredients for authentic Mexican cooking?
Fresh produce (avocados, tomatoes, cilantro), meat from a real carnicería, fresh corn or flour tortillas, queso fresco or Oaxaca cheese, dried chiles, beans, rice, and fresh salsa cover most traditional dishes.
What’s the difference between corn and flour tortillas?
Corn tortillas are earthy and sturdy, traditional for street tacos and enchiladas. Flour tortillas are soft and pliable, better suited for burritos and quesadillas.
What is masa harina used for?
Masa harina is used to make fresh corn tortillas and the dough (masa) for tamales.
What’s the difference between queso fresco and Oaxaca cheese?
Queso fresco is a fresh, crumbly cheese that doesn’t melt, used as a topping. Oaxaca cheese is a stretchy, mild melting cheese, best for quesadillas and dishes that need a good melt.
Does Poco Loco carry organic Mexican ingredients?
Yes, including organic corn tortillas and corn products.
Where can I find all these ingredients in Texas?
At any Poco Loco Supermercado location across Central and South Texas. Find your nearest store →