14 Mexican Foods You Probably Didn't Know You Could Get at the Dollar Store

A smart way to save money on essentials is to shop for them at a dollar store, which often has the best deals on a host of products. You may have to buy in bulk at some outlets, but if you use the item frequently, the savings are very often worth it.

And yes, these essentials include international products, notably Mexican staples and prepared foods. So if heading south of the border in your kitchen is the goal, here's what you should stock up on.

Editor's note: Prices and availability are subject to change and may vary by location.

Price: $22.50 for 18 boxes

Goya's iconic Sazon seasoning is a staple in many houses and restaurants, flavoring everything from salsas and soups to rice, meat, poultry, and beans. Luckily for us, this bulk pack can often be found at the Dollar Tree.

This blend contains cumin, annatto, coriander, garlic, and more to pack a delicious punch.

Price: $1.25

Although they're not fried twice despite their name (just once), refried beans are popular on Mexican tables. Their origins go back to the northern part of the country starting hundreds of years ago.

Snagging a 16-ounce can at places means you're spared the laborious process of concocting this delicious dish from scratch.

Price: $15 for 12 bags of 20

Fewer foods are more recognizably Mexican than tortillas, which form the base of tacos, burritos, quesadillas, chimichangas, and so much more. These corn tortillas are especially good for tacos.

At under seven cents per tortilla, that's a total steal.

Price: $19.20

Modelo began brewing beer a century ago in Tacuba, Mexico, starting a brand that's beloved by many today.

This lighter beer pairs nicely with a variety of Mexican foods, whether you're enjoying carnitas, carne asada, or grilling seafood by the beach. You can find a 12-pack of these at Dollar General.

Price: $1.25 each or $34 for 24 bags

Pinto beans are a cornerstone of Mexican cooking, having starred in a variety of dishes for thousands of years. With a little skill, you can make many of those delicious recipes.

Plus, cooking with dried beans is one of the most affordable and healthiest ways to put dinner on the table.

Price: $2.50

While some may argue that cheese is more of a Tex-Mex than a Mexican ingredient, we still love our quesadillas, nachos, and cheesy burritos.

This blend comes with Monterey Jack, asadero, queso quesadilla, and cheddar cheeses for a well-rounded flavor profile that is easy to toss into (or on top of) anything.

Price: $1.25 each or $30 for 24 bottles

Sweet and salty combinations are a hallmark of Mexican cuisine, and Tajin beautifully illustrates this flavor profile. It's most popular on fruit, but versatile enough for veggies and meats.

At $1.25 a bottle at the Dollar Tree, you'll be bringing big flavors to picnics, parties and your kitchen table for a long time for less.

Price: $1.50

Lime and cilantro combined with green chilis and juicy tomatoes is a surefire way to perk up your taco filling or queso dip.

Your mileage may vary with regard to spiciness, per the reviewers, but many say the kick is just right.

Price: $20 for 16 packages

When we think of a classic tostada, crispy, deep fried tortillas layered with fresh seafood or beans immediately pop to mind. But tostadas are a true build-your-own-adventure menu item.

You'll pay under six cents for each one at Dollar Tree, ensuring you can create any number of flavorful tostada combos for many meals.

Price: $4.95

Admittedly, we're bending the rules on this a little bit, but we couldn't pass up the beloved flavors of elotes, Mexican street corn.

These salty snacks call to mind the iconic street food that traces its origins to the Aztec Empire.

Price: $1.25 each or $30 for 24 bags

Another iconic Mexican snack you'll find at markets are chicharrónes, also known as pork rinds, which found their way to Mexico via Spanish colonists, and are now at the Dollar Tree.

These salt and pepper seasoned pork rinds shake out to $1.25 per bag, and will keep the crunching coming.

Price: $3.25

Even if you prefer corn tortillas, you'd be hard-pressed to argue there's a better burrito wrapper than flour tortillas, which can hold up to the heavy filling.

This brand is made with unbleached flour and has no sugar, cholesterol, or hydrogenated oil.

Price: $1.25 each or $15 for 12 bottles

Jarritos is arguably the biggest soda brand in all of Mexico, having been in operation since 1950 and blossoming in the 1960s.

As for the tropical pineapple flavor? It evokes pure nostalgia for hot summer days spent by the pool for many.

Price: $3.25

Purists may object to any form of jarred mole—a quintessential Mexican flavor —but sometimes you just need the convenience of a store-bought product (cue Ina Garten).

Dollar General reviewers note that you can enhance the mole sauce with your own ingredients to punch it up even more.

It's always a good idea to save money on groceries, an undertaking that dollar stores uphold as central to their mission. That's why you can score so many Mexican staples, snacks, and sweets at these outlets for such a good price.

Depending on your location, you may find other types of international food items, depending on the demand and clientele in your neighborhood.