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Got spices to crush? Herbs to shred? Garlic to grind? One of the best mortar and pestles might be in your culinary future. There’s a reason why this ancient tool remains a kitchen mainstay — it’s a handy manual appliance that allows you to pound your spices and aromatics to your exact preference.
If you’re not sure which mortar and pestle is a good pick for your kitchen (given that it’s such an old-school tool, there are many options on the market), I worked with Meggan to research and compile a list of the very best, from granite to lava rock to marble.
These are the best mortars and pestles for every kind of home cook — including a few that Meggan keeps in her own kitchen (she has 3!).
Table of Contents
Our Top Picks
- What’s in Meggan’s Kitchen: Cole & Mason Mortar and Pestle – $26.99 at Amazon
- Best for Guacamole: Festmex Molcajete – $64.99 at Amazon
- Best for Garlic and Spices: Zen Table Japan Handmade Mortar & Pestle Set – $49.99 at Amazon
- Best Splurge: Williams Sonoma Marble Mortar and Pestle – $99.95 at Williams Sonoma
- Best Design: Chef’n Marble Mortar and Pestle with Silicone Base – $39.99 at Amazon
Reviews of The Best Mortars and Pestles
1. What’s in Meggan’s Kitchen: Cole & Mason Mortar and Pestle
As a professional chef, Meggan owns three mortars and pestles. Her “all-purpose” recommendation, though, is this sturdy granite option from Cole & Mason. She uses it to crush large quantities of spices and nuts to make hummus, chimichurri, pesto, gremolata, and flavored salts.
The mortar (AKA, the bowl) itself is deep, which prevents spills, and is slightly textured, making it easy to grind spices and seeds. The pestle (the tool that does the crushing) is smooth on the hand but textured on the side that does the grinding, which makes it easier to grip while you’re grinding your spices. As an added bonus, both the mortar and pestle are shiny and polished, so it’ll look great on any kitchen counter.
The Specs:
- Material: Granite
- Size: 5.5 inches
- Weight: 4 pounds
- Requires seasoning: Yes
The Pros:
- Textured interior makes grinding easier
- Inexpensive
- Great all-purpose function
- Looks nice
The Cons:
- Some reviewers say pestle arrives broken
What Others are Saying:
In addition to its star placement in Meggan’s kitchen, the Cole & Mason mortar and pestle earned the best budget title in The Spruce Eats’ mortar and pestle roundup. It also has a 4.8-star rating from more than 2,900 reviews on Amazon.
Buy the Cole & Mason Mortar and Pestle:
2. Best for Guacamole: Festmex Molcajete
A molcajete is the traditional Mexican version of a mortar and pestle. Usually, it’s made of basalt, a type of volcanic rock — and it’s perfect for mashing anything made with chile peppers, tomatoes, or avocados. (In fact, one type of salsa, Salsa Ranchera, must be made in a lava rock molcajete to be considered legit, according to Meggan’s Mexican-born husband.)
Meggan bought her own molcajete in Mexico, but this is one of the closest versions we could find. Hand-carved in Mexico, its textured volcanic stone material helps pound spices, avocados, seeds, and more without too much effort. You’ll need to “cure” this lava stone mortar and pestle before you use it — this polishes the interior without wearing it down, so bits of stone and dirt don’t end up in your food — but Festmex provides detailed instructions so you’ll know what to do.
The Specs:
- Material: Volcanic stone
- Size: 8 inches
- Weight: 8 pounds
- Requires seasoning: Yes
The Pros:
- Hand-carved volcanic stone material helps grind spices, seeds, and more
- Comes with curing instructions
- Sturdy
The Cons:
- Curing can require a lot of time
What Others are Saying:
This molcajete earned a shoutout in Cookly’s mortar and pestle roundup as a great option for making and serving guacamole. It also has a 4.6-star rating out of more than 1,300 reviews on Amazon.
Buy the Festmex Molcajete:
3. Best for Garlic and Spices: Zen Table Japan Handmade Mortar & Pestle Set
Meggan also loves this tiny but mighty mortar and pestle. “It’s small, but the texture inside the bottom of the dish makes it super simple to grind things to a paste,” she says. For this reason, it’s her go-to for mashing garlic and spices together.
Designed by Japanese pottery artist Akiko Kato, it has a matte ceramic mortar, wooden pestle, and a sleek, delicate look that sits pretty on any kitchen counter. It also boasts grooves on the bottom of the mortar, making it easier to mash spices, and has a spout for pouring liquids (like salad dressing). Some reviewers note that the mortar is on the delicate side, so it’s best to reserve for lightweight grinding — not heavy pounding.
The Specs:
- Material: Ceramic and wood
- Size: 4.7 inches
- Weight: 6.9 ounces
- Requires seasoning: No
The Pros:
- Beautiful design
- Great for garlic and spices
- Has a spout for pouring liquids
The Cons:
- May be too delicate for some ingredients
Buy the Zen Table Japan Handmade Mortar & Pestle Set:
4. Best Splurge: Williams Sonoma Marble Mortar and Pestle
Looking to flex a bit with your mortar and pestle pick? If so, this option from Williams Sonoma is for you. It has an Italian marble mortar with a 7-inch mouth, four rounded handles, and deep sides to prevent spills. The beechwood pestle also has a curved handle for easy gripping and a wide, clubbed end to make the most of your pounding.
Because it’s made of marble, it’s on the heavier side at 7 pounds, so you’ll want to make sure you have space on your kitchen counter to keep it out. Luckily, it looks so good, you may never put it away.
The Specs:
- Material: Marble mortar and beechwood pestle
- Size: 7 inches
- Weight: 7 pounds
- Requires seasoning: No
The Pros:
- Deep mortar sides prevent spills
- Curved pestle handle and wide base makes grinding easier
- Pretty
- Intuitive design
The Cons:
- Expensive
- Heavy
What Others are Saying:
This Williams Sonoma mortar and pestle was named best marble and best for large batches in Food & Wine and Food Network, respectively. It also earned the best design title in The Spruce Eats’ roundup.
Buy the Williams Sonoma Marble Mortar and Pestle:
5. Best Design: Chef’n Mortar and Pestle with Silicone Base
This granite mortar and pestle looks like many others on this list — that is until you notice its black silicone base. This helps stop the mortar from tipping or slipping as you pound away, along with letting you tilt the bowl to get more angles to grind. It can also help prevent surface damage to your kitchen counter or table.
Beyond the silicone base, it has all the features you want in a mortar and pestle: a textured interior, an easy-to-grip pestle, and a durable granite build. Some reviewers note that it’s a little small, but it’s still ideal for things like garlic, herbs, and spices.
The Specs:
- Material: Granite and silicone
- Size: 5 inches
- Weight: 2.9 pounds
- Requires seasoning: Yes
The Pros:
- Silicone base prevents sliding
- Textured interior
- Durable
The Cons:
- Needs to be seasoned before using
- On the smaller side
What Others are Saying:
The Chef’n Mortar and Pestle has a whole rave review in Epicurious. It also earned the best value title in Food & Wine and best for small kitchens in The Spruce Eats.
Buy the Chef’n Mortar and Pestle:
Other Mortar and Pestles to Consider
ChefSofi Mortar and Pestle
This mortar and pestle earned shoutouts in Food & Wine and Food Network and is, in general, about as popular as a mortar and pestle can be: It has a 4.7-star rating out of nearly 20,000 Amazon reviews. However, it’s very similar to Meggan’s top pick from Cole & Mason, and her pick costs the same price or less. The ChefSofi Mortar and Pestle is available at Amazon for $29.99.
HIC Kitchen Mortar and Pestle
This affordable — and quite popular — mortar and pestle is great if your main criteria is that you don’t want to spend more than $20. However, the mortar and pestle are both entirely made of porcelain, which makes it on the delicate side. Many reviewers note that it doesn’t take much to accidentally break the set. The HIC Kitchen Mortar and Pestle is available at Amazon starting at $7.99.
HiCoup Mortar and Pestle Set
This is another decently priced granite mortar and pestle with mentions on Serious Eats and Food & Wine. It has a wide, 7-inch mouth that makes it appealing for making and serving guacamole. However, some reviewers note that the pestle can chip and crack over time, so it’s not the most durable option, especially considering the higher price point. The HiCoup Mortar and Pestle Set is available at Amazon for $48.99.
Why You Can Trust Us
Hi, I’m Sara! I’ve been a professional lifestyle product tester and reviewer for more than five years, covering everything from fondue pots to margarita machines. I’m obsessed with finding great products at great prices — including mortars and pestles, which, despite being an ancient tool, exists in many iterations and price points.
To find the best mortars and pestles, I dove deep into user reviews across the internet to find the ones that people love (and don’t love as much). I also consulted with Meggan on her favorite ones (she owns three!) to determine must-have mortar and pestle qualities. From there, I cross-referenced Meggan’s list with other internet faves.
Everything to Know Before Buying a Mortar and Pestles
What to Consider Before Buying a Mortar and Pestles
Material: The mortars and pestles on this list come in a few different materials: granite, volcanic rock, marble, and ceramic. Each one has pros and cons. Granite and volcanic rock are durable but require seasoning before use. Marble is also durable and doesn’t require seasoning, but is porous, so it may develop stains over time. Ceramic doesn’t require seasoning either, but can be fragile and is best for items that don’t require heavy-duty pounding.
Size and capacity: When you use a mortar and pestle, are you looking to crush small amounts of herbs or make enough guacamole to feed a group? Depending on what you want, you can find small or large mortars and pestles to fit both needs. This is also an area where counter space is a factor — most people leave their mortar and pestle out, rather than stowing it between uses.
Mortar design: Some mortars have high, narrow walls, while others are more shallow with larger openings. The higher walls can help prevent spills while grinding, while the shallower, narrower mortars make it easier to serve food (like guacamole).
Stability: No matter what, you want your mortar to stay still as you’re using it. All the mortars and pestles on this list avoid rocking based on their design, whether they have a flat bottom, sturdy legs, or a silicone base.
Durability: Both the mortar and pestle you invest in should be built to last through years of grinding. Look for options that are made to withstand the test of time. (The material you pick will have an impact here.)
How Do You Clean a Mortar and Pestle?
Always check the manufacturer’s instructions before cleaning your mortar and pestle. Some can go in the dishwasher, while others recommend against even using soap. You should also check if the mortar needs seasoning before use. (We get into how to do that below.)
Otherwise, in most cases, you can use warm water and soap to clean the mortar and pestle. Just make sure to dry both pieces completely before putting them away.
How Do You Season a Mortar and Pestle?
Some mortars and pestles or molcajetes feel gritty when they’re brand new. In this case, you’ll want to season (or cure) it before using it to smooth down the grit and prevent small bits of stone and dirt from entering your food. To do this, Meggan recommends the following steps:
- Start by rinsing the set to remove any loose sand, dirt, or other grit. Do not use soap (ever).
- Next, add ¼ to ½ cup of inexpensive white rice and a few tablespoons of water to the bottom of the mortar and pestle or molcajete.
- Grind the rice into all surfaces of the bowl. It will form a gray or black paste at first, which is exactly what you want. The surface is very porous, and your job is to grind the rice into all the pores.
- Rinse the bowl clean, add more rice, and repeat the process until your paste is ultimately white.
Give yourself time, space, and grace for this project: “It’s a difficult, back-breaking job, so take breaks and don’t expect to do it all at once,” Meggan says.
How Do You Use a Mortar and Pestle?
“You can use a mortar and pestle in many places where you might otherwise substitute a food processor,” Meggan says. “It’s more work, but it can be relaxing and rewarding to truly cook with your hands in a manual way.”
To use it, fill the mortar about a third of the way with your ingredients. Holding the pestle in your dominant hand, use it to grind (not smash) your food with a gentle, rocking motion. You can also use the pestle to scrape the sides of the bowl. In most cases, you’ll want to start small (you can’t un-grind food!) and go slowly until you’ve reached your desired consistency.
What’s the Difference Between a Molcajete vs a Mortar and Pestle?
A molcajete is a traditional Mexican mortar and pestle that’s often used in Mexican recipes. Functionally, it’s pretty much identical to a mortar and pestle — it’s made up of two pieces, the molcajete (the bowl) and tejolote (the handheld club used for grinding).
Some molcajetes also come with a lid. Molcajetes are typically made of basalt, a type of volcanic rock. This gives them a rougher texture than a granite- or ceramic-based mortar and pestle, which makes grinding easier. Molcajetes also tend to be shallower and wider than mortars and pestles, which makes them an ideal vessel for making and serving things like guacamole and salsa.
The Best Ground Recipes
A mortar and pestle will break down herbs, spices, and more and make them taste lively and fresh. Looking for a recipe to break in your mortar and pestle or molcajete? Meggan has a bunch to try.
Best for mortars and pestles:
Appetizer Recipes
Hummus with Za’atar Butter
Stock, Sauce, and Spread Recipes
Harissa
Nut and Seed Recipes
Dukkah Recipe
Stock, Sauce, and Spread Recipes
Chimichurri Sauce
Italian Recipes
Basil Walnut Pesto
Best recipes for molcajetes:
Chipotle Copycat Recipes
Chipotle Guacamole (Copycat)
Chipotle Copycat Recipes
Chipotle Hot Salsa (Copycat)
Chipotle Copycat Recipes
Chipotle Tomatillo Green-Chili Salsa (Copycat)
Prices were accurate at time of publication.
Sara Hendricks is an experienced editor, writer, and product reviewer. She's passionate about all kinds of products, from fitness to fashion to food supplies. You can find her work in Reviewed/USA Today, Refinery29, Insider, and more.