11 Chile-Themed Items From New Mexico That’ll Spice Up Your Life
Even when New Mexico has stolen your heart, sometimes you have to move away for practical reasons like a job, college or proximity to family. One of the things people miss the most about the Land of Enchantment is chile. Once you cross the state line, it hits home that the rest of the country doesn’t add chile to every conceivable food product – a major oversight.
Thankfully, there are ways to bring New Mexican spice to your life when you’re far from home, or to buy local if you’re fortunate enough to live in the Land of Enchantment. From Bloody Mary mix to chile-flavored popcorn, residents and homesick transplants alike will want to support these homegrown businesses.
This Bloody Mary mix features tomato, celery, carrots, and New Mexico green chile; it’s also GMO-free. You could almost consider this a health food, until you add vodka, tequila, or even beer! Within the state, you can find it everywhere from Smith’s to Thriftway and, for those missing the flavors of home, don’t panic. There’s an online store as well. For more info.
On Eagle Ranch in Alamogordo, grow 12,000 pistachio trees, making this New Mexico’s biggest pistachio grove. Harvesting and processing take place on site and the result is super fresh pistachios in a variety of flavors: red chile, green chile, red chile with lime, green chile with garlic. Either stop by 7288 Highway 54/70 or visit the online store. For more info.
In addition to being a popular eatery in a stunning setting, El Pinto includes a salsa factory that uses 120 tons of chile each year in their products. Even if you’ve never dined at the restaurant, chances are this packaging looks familiar. Salsa, along with green and red chile sauce are available at 10500 4th Street in Albuquerque, in some grocery stores and online.
The Popcorn Cannery (at 1727 7th Street NW in Albuquerque) is a fun place to visit and it’s run by the folks behind Buffett’s candies. Popcorn flavors run the gamut but chile lovers will be drawn to the green chile cheese popcorn and the chile Christmas mix (red chile and green chile cheese). Here is the online store.
Fun fact: 27% of the nation’s pecans are grown in New Mexico! The Tularosa Pecan Company is a family-run operation specializing in seasoned pecans in flavors like green chile and red chile. The gift shop selling these products is inside the Tularosa Travel Center at 21 St Francis Drive in Tularosa and there is an online shop as well.
Sierra Blanca Brewing Company infuses their Pancho Verde beer with green chile. This provides the flavor of chile and just the right amount of heat. You can find Sierra Blanca beers throughout the entire state. For more info.
Wherever you’re celebrating Christmas, you need access to biscochitos. Although Celina’s is available in stores from Red River to Los Lunas, you can also find your favorite comfort food cookie online. In addition to classic flavors, you’ll also find biscochitos with a New Mexican twist such as red chile or green chile pecan ones.
Senor Murphy’s has several locations throughout the Santa Fe area but, if that’s not convenient, you can pick up chile candy treats at the online store. Fancy some chile pinon brittle (pictured) or chile nut bark? How about chile chocolate or chile creams?
Admittedly, most jerky purchases in New Mexico follow the words: "Brake! There’s jerky." Roadside stands are a popular place to load up, however, it's worth checking out Vigil’s red chile, green chile, and Christmas beef jerky. Interested in branching out? Try the green chile elk jerky or the red chile lamb jerky. Vigil’s makes alligator, kangaroo, and ostrich jerky but – sadly – not with chile seasoning. For more info.
Located in Corrales, Heidi’s makes delicious organic, small batch jam. Flavors include raspberry red chile and red chile ginger jam. These products are available throughout the state in supermarkets and restaurants, and online.
Just looking for actual chile or a one-stop shop for chile products from New Mexico? Then Chile Monster might be the solution you’re after. They’ll ship chile powder, fresh chile, and even fire-roasted frozen chile to your door (that last option isn’t cheap). Items from Frontier, Santa Fe Seasons, and Santa Fe Ole are also available. For more info.
What New Mexican chile products are your favorites?
You may also be interested in our past article: “18 Things Everyone Who’s Moved Away From New Mexico Has Thought At Least Once.” Sorry – you can’t ship our sunsets!
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