By Misery to ministry

S Tier

Pesto
Guacamole
Curry Paste
Chimichurri

A Tier

Aioli/Garlic Paste
Thai Red/Green Curry Paste
Chimichurri Variants (Herb-Heavy Sauces)
Spice Blends (Crushing Whole Spices)

B Tier

Nut Butters (Small Batches)
Dry Herb Salts/Seasonings
Mashed Garlic & Ginger
Leafy Herb Crush for Salads

C Tier

Large-Batch Sauces
Breadcrumbs (Large Volume)
Tenderized Meat Paste
Dough or Batter

Pesto

Guacamole

Curry Paste

Chimichurri

Aioli/Garlic Paste

Thai Red/Green Curry Paste

Chimichurri Variants (Herb-Heavy Sauces)

Spice Blends (Crushing Whole Spices)

Nut Butters (Small Batches)

Dry Herb Salts/Seasonings

Mashed Garlic & Ginger

Leafy Herb Crush for Salads

Large-Batch Sauces

Breadcrumbs (Large Volume)

Tenderized Meat Paste

Dough or Batter

Misery to ministry

Created Dec 27, 2025

This tier list ranks foods and preparations that are particularly well-suited for making with a mortar and pestle or small grinder/emulsifier. Higher tiers are items where the tool excels at releasing flavors, creating ideal texture, or offering a traditional preparation advantage. Lower tiers are still possible but either less impactful, easier with other tools, or less commonly made this way.