The best mortar and pestle set will be an invaluable addition to your kitchen. Modern food processors won't provide appropriate depth of flavor because they're effectively slicing their contents repeatedly. Crushing, muddling, or grinding are far more effective methods to release the full flavor of aromatic ingredients. If you're new to mortar and pestle sets, then our best overall mortar and pestle set by ChefSofi is the perfect starting point. Carved from unpolished granite, it feels weighty and substantial and will last nearly indefinitely. Marble, granite, porcelain, and even stainless steel mortar and pestle sets are available for you to choose from; pick the perfect one to complement your kitchen.
ChefSofi 6-inch mortar and pestle set
Staff pick
ChefSofi's best-selling mortar and pestle set is capable of so much more than grinding dried, whole spices.
Pros:
- Anti-scratch base pad
- Pulverizes nearly anything
- Heavy base discourages slipping
- Generous 2-cup capacity
Cons:
- Must rinse and season before use
- Large recipes require multiple batches
Create superior depth of flavor and keep cleanup simple with ChefSofi's timeless granite mortar and pestle set. Mortar and pestle sets are far more versatile than a food processor, and you're not limited to grinding dry goods only. They are the ideal tool to make silky-smooth pesto, fresh curry paste, salsas, and other sauces. Dips and homemade nut butter can be whipped up in a flash as well. It's important to rinse and season any natural stone mortar and pestle set before use—especially unfinished granite like this one. Simply grind dry white rice and dust it out after rinsing and air-drying, and you'll be protected from any errant stone particles.
Bekith 18/8 brushed stainless steel mortar and pestle set with lid
Rustproof, and rinses easily
Bekith's brushed stainless steel mortar and pestle set comes with a lid, and cleanup is effortless.
Pros:
- Zero porosity
- Ideal for powdering medication
- No residue after cleaning
- Food-safe, no BPA or lead
Cons:
- Stone mortars are superior for certain ingredients
Metal may not be the first material that comes to mind for making mortar and pestle sets. Still, it has a significant leg up on stone ones, depending on what you plan to use it for. Bekith's brushed 304 stainless steel mortar and pestle set is non-porous and leaves zero residues behind. Our favorite feature is its translucent lid; it keeps debris inside the bowl, which is essential when crushing small, round items. Lack of porosity is necessary when your grind must be precise, making this set perfect for crushing medications to a fine powder without wasting any dosage. Stainless steel also discourages residual flavors from seeping into your mortar over time.
Cooler Kitchen EZ-Grip porcelain mortar and pestle set
Another non-porous option
The EZ-Grip silicone base and handle on Cooler Kitchen's porcelain mortar and pestle set makes for a solid hold, no matter what you're grinding.
Pros:
- Helpful for arthritic hands
- Budge-proof silicone base
- Dishwasher-safe
- Unglazed for finer grind quality
Cons:
- Porcelain can shatter if dropped
Pharmacies used to have a different, more mysterious name. An apothecary shop was where you'd go to obtain freshly prepared remedies and medications. The symbol for many apothecaries, chemists, and compounding pharmacies today is still the humble mortar and pestle. Cooler Kitchen's mortar and pestle duo are based upon that age-old symbol. Made from unglazed porcelain in a traditional silhouette, Cooler Kitchen added a distinctly modern feature. This set, available in red or black, has a silicone base on the mortar and a silicone grip on the pestle. This makes for a more robust, non-slip grip for folks with arthritis or grip issues and transforms minimal effort into efficient grinding.
Laevo granite mortar and pestle set
Two-sided vessel
Laevo's granite mortar and pestle set are unique amongst the competition, courtesy of a clever two-sided design.
Pros:
- Shallow side and deep side
- Double-sided pestle
- Comes with a lid and mat
- Unpolished interior texture
Cons:
- Must be seasoned before use
Laevo's solid black granite mortar and pestle set truly stood out in our search for the very best. Unlike other sets, it's double-sided—a shallow surface for crushing and a deep one with a 2-cup capacity that's ideal for grinding more oversized items. Better yet, Laevo paid just as much attention to the pestle as to the mortar. It's reversible as well, and each end is shaped to match the curve of the mortar's interior surfaces. This set also ships with a silicone lid and mat, adding even more value.
HIC Harold Import Co. footed mortar and pestle set
Unique pattern on every piece
Most stone mortars and pestles shouldn't be cleaned with soap, but HIC Harold Import Co.'s solid, fine-quality marble set can tolerate it just fine.
Pros:
- Hand-wash and soap friendly
- Weighs under 1 pound
- Solid Italian Carrara marble
- Gift-worthy
Cons:
- Smaller capacity
- Pestle fits small hands best
- Not acid-proof
HIC Harold Import Co.'s solid Carrara marble mortar and pestle set is incredibly affordable, which is quite surprising because it's such fine-quality marble. Carrara marble is mined in the Tuscany region of Italy and ranges in color between white and a bluish-grey tone. Its luminous finish was so prized that it was used to build the Parthenon and Siena Cathedral. Another unexpected plus is that marble is safe to wash in soapy water, but there's a downside to it as well. Carrara marble is relatively porous compared to granite, so acidic ingredients should be avoided. They run the risk of degrading and weakening marble over time.
Bottom line
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As someone who already owns a mortar and pestle, I can wholeheartedly say that it's a tool that everyone should add to their kitchen. Our best overall mortar and pestle set from ChefSofi is one that's similar to mine, with a generous capacity and solid granite composition. It's heavy enough to stay in place while being used. It is my favorite way to make guacamole served en molcajete—directly in a stone vessel.
If you plan to use your brand new mortar and pestle set to crush medication, then Cooler Kitchen's EZ-Grip porcelain mortar and pestle is the right one for the job. Porcelain vessels like this one are generally used in pharmacies and chemist shops, so it's no stretch of the imagination to use it at home to dose a pill-hating pet (or human).