16 Best Mexican Cookbooks for Authentic Mexican Food

If you love Mexican food, you’ll love these best Mexican cookbooks! They will teach you how to cook authentic Mexican food from scratch and you’ll be able to make all your favorite dishes, including tacos, enchiladas, and burritos through to more complex dishes. 

From Mexico City to Oaxaca and beyond, you’ll find traditional recipes from all the well-known authors such as Rick Bayliss and Pati Jinich

These Mexican cookbooks are packed with delicious recipes that will amaze your friends and family. 

So please pull up a chair, pour yourself a tequila, and let’s find your new favourite Mexican dish among these traditional home style recipes.

My Top Picks For Best Mexican Cookbooks

The Mexican Home Kitchen: Traditional Home-Style Recipes That Capture the Flavors and Memories of Mexico by Mely Martinez

Mexican Cookbooks are all the rage these days, but one stands out from the rest: Mexican Home Kitchen: Traditional Home-Style Recipes That Capture the Flavors and Memories of Mexico by Mely Martinez.

Drawing on her Mexican-American heritage and upbringing, Mely Martinez created Mexican Home Kitchen for cooks looking for fresh, traditional Mexican recipes and stories about authentic Mexican cooking.

With detailed instructions and photos of finished dishes, Mexican Home Kitchen allows home chefs to bring a bit of Mexican culture into their kitchens.

Each recipe is preceded by Martinez’s anecdotes, inspired by conversations with family members, and creates an incredibly sweet atmosphere around the book in addition to mouthwatering dishes.

From classic favorites like tacos al pastor to lesser-known Mexican specialties such as orange flan, Mexican Home Kitchen promises incredible flavor journeys that take readers beyond their kitchen walls!

The Art of Mexican Cooking: Traditional Mexican Cooking for Aficionados: A Cookbook by Diana Kennedy

The Diana Kennedy cookbook, The Art of Mexican Cooking: Traditional Mexican Cooking for Aficionados, is an invaluable resource for anyone passionate about cooking. 

Since its publication in 1999, this James Beard Award-winning title has quickly become recognized as a definitive and comprehensive guide to traditional Mexican cooking. 

Kennedy’s book is filled with mouthwatering and authentic traditional home style recipes passed down through generations of cooks. 

It also provides insight into the culture, history, and geography behind Mexican cuisine.

Aspiring home chefs of all skill levels can find something in Kennedy’s cookbook that will deepen their understanding and appreciation of Mexico’s signature flavors. 

More about Diana Kennedy

Diana Kennedy is a renowned author of Mexican cookbooks and one of the most influential figures in regional Mexican cuisine. James Beard Foundation has celebrated her work with the prestigious James Beard Awards, which recognize the unparalleled contributions of outstanding authors and chefs in the culinary world. Other cookbooks include The Essential Cuisines of Mexico: A Cookbook and Oaxaca al Gusto: An Infinite Gastronomy. 

Pati Jinich Treasures Of The Mexican Table: Classic Recipes, Local Secrets by Pati Jinich

Pati Jinich brings Mexican food to a new level with her book, Treasures Of The Mexican Table: Classic Recipes, Local Secrets.

Treasures of The Mexican Table offers 110 recipes that span many Mexican culinary specialties, such as salsas, moles, fillings, soups, and more.

Pati not only offers her own delicious recipes but also shares time-honored dishes from Mexican kitchen masters around the country.

This cookbook teaches you about traditional Mexican cooking methods and unique ingredients for creating delectable meals at home.

My Top Picks for Best Mexican Cookbooks for Beginners

Mexican Everyday by Rick Bayless, Deann Groen Bayless, et al.

Mexican Everyday provides over 150 recipes from the Bayless kitchen, from family favorites to inspired new dishes. 

The book gives an in-depth look into the techniques, ingredients and flavors that make up authentic Mexican cuisine, making this a must for any home cook looking for a deep understanding of regional Mexican cooking. 

You’ll get to experience regional flavors made right in your own kitchen – Oaxacan sausage pozole or beef empanadas with green chile sauce are just two delicious tastings awaiting you. 

Whether you’re looking to impress your friends with some tasty tacos or want to switch up your night’s dinner routine, Mexican Everyday offers a plethora of ideas and inspiration.

More about Rick Bayliss

Rick Bayless is a driving force in the gastronomical world and an ardent advocate for authentic Mexican cuisine. He is a James Beard Foundation award winner for his cookbooks, a television personality, and an advocate of sustainable food. He also runs several Mexican restaurants, such as Frontera Grill, Topolobampa, and Lena Brava.

Best of Mexican Cooking: 75 Authentic Home-Style Recipes for Beginners by Adriana Martin

Best of Mexican Cooking by Adriana Martin is the definitive guide for mastering some of Mexico’s authentic Mexican dishes. 

From variations on traditional salsas to specialties like enchiladas, tamales, and chilaquiles, this cookbook is an excellent resource for both beginner and experienced cooks. 

Featuring an easy-to-follow format complete with beautiful photographs and tips from a native Mexican cook, it’s no wonder that Best of Mexican Cooking has become one of the best Mexican cookbooks for beginners.

My Top Pick for Vegan Mexican Cookery Books

Vegan Mexico: Soul-Satisfying Regional Recipes from Tamales to Tostadas by Jason Wyrick

Vegan Mexico: Soul-Satisfying Regional Recipes from Tamales to Tostadas by Jason Wyrick is a truly unique and inspiring cookbook for any vegan or aspiring vegan.

Written by seasoned vegan chef, author, magazine editor, and restaurant consultant Jason Wyrick, this incredible resource covers authentic regional Mexican cuisine recipes.

From tamales to sopes, tacos to guacamole, readers will find reliable recipes designed to please all palates.

Suitable for the novice as well as experienced cooks, this book’s step-by-step instructions make each recipe approachable.

With soul-satisfying meals such as North Mexican Lentil Stew with Poblano Chiles or Sonoran Machaca Burritos, you will have mouthwatering meat-free meals every time.

Vegan Mexico offers foodies a taste of regional Mexican cooking that’s both nutritious and delicious!

More Cookery Books For Traditional Recipes

Trejo’s Tacos: Recipes and Stories from L.A.: A Cookbook by Danny Trejo

Mexican cuisine is renowned for its bold flavors, and Mexican-American restauranteur Danny Trejo’s genre-bending Mexican fare served at his Los Angeles taco stand has been a beloved standby for fans worldwide.

His passion for Mexican food shines through in “Trejo’s Tacos: Recipes and Stories from L.A.: A Cookbook,” an impressive combination of stories and recipes, giving readers a look into Trejo’s history as well as the diverse Mexican flavors that have come to define Mexican cuisine around the world.

Mi Cocina: Recipes and Rapture from My Kitchen in Mexico: A Cookbook by Rick Martinez

Mexican food is a celebrated part of Mexican culture, and who better than Rick Martinez to bring that cuisine to your kitchen?

His cookbook, Mi Cocina: Recipes and Rapture from My Kitchen in Mexico, is an invitation to explore the Mexican flavors he grew up savoring.

From tacos al pastor recipes and pollo en mole tips to homemade churros tricks and Mexican hot chocolate secrets, Rick has compiled all his favorite Mexican dishes in this cookbook designed to bring Mexican feasts right into your home.

With Rick’s expertise as a successful Mexican-American chef guiding you as you explore Mexican flavors in the kitchen, you are sure to find yourself reveling en la cocina!

My Sweet Mexico: Recipes for Authentic Pastries, Breads, Candies, Beverages, and Frozen Treats [A Baking Book] by Fany Gerson and Ed Anderson

For those looking for something sweet and out of the ordinary, look no further than My Sweet Mexico.

Co-authored by Fany Gerson, one of Mexico’s most celebrated pastry chefs, and Ed Anderson, an authority on Latin American cuisine and founder of Brooklyn Taco Co., My Sweet Mexico offers up recipes for over 100 authentic pastries, breads, candies, beverages, and frozen treats.

From cajetas de coco (coconut caramels), gomitas de tamarindo (tamarind jelly sweets), to chocolate-avocado ice cream, these delicious delights have been handed down through generations in homes throughout the country.

With clear instructions and helpful advice on techniques, anyone can make these inventive dishes that would be a welcome addition to any gathering or event.

Nopalito: A Mexican Kitchen [A Cookbook] by Gonzalo Guzman and Stacy Adimando

Nopalito: A Mexican Kitchen, by Gonzalo Guzman and Stacy Adimando, is a must-have cookbook for anyone who loves to explore the flavors of Mexico in their own kitchen.

Featuring regional Mexican recipes with a modern take, it’s packed with helpful tips and techniques that serve as an excellent guide to creating delicious food from a variety of ingredients.

An ingredient guide introduces readers to the best supplies, traditional methods are explained clearly, and no dish requires more than 20 ingredients or tedious steps.

Gonzalo Guzman owns the San Francisco restaurant of the same name, Napalito.

Easy Mexican Food Favorites: A Mexican Cookbook for Taqueria-Style Home Cooking by Jennifer Olvera

Easy Mexican Food Favorites: A Mexican Cookbook for Taqueria-Style Home Cooking by Jennifer Olvera is a must-have cookbook for those that love Mexican food.

From classic street tacos to chile rellenos, this cookbook has authentic recipes with easy-to-follow instructions.

Olvera includes expert tips on sourcing ingredients and bringing unique flavors to your cooking.

With step-by-step photographs and detailed diagrams, this Mexican cookbook will broaden your understanding of Mexican cuisine and turn dinnertime into an enjoyable learning experience that the whole family can appreciate.

Oaxaca: Home Cooking from the Heart of Mexico by Bricia Lopez and Javier Cabral

Oaxaca: Home Cooking from the Heart of Mexico is a vibrant celebration of authentic, Mexican regional cooking from one of Mexico’s most diverse states.

Written by Bricia Lopez and Javier Cabral, two natives of Oaxaca, this beautifully photographed cookbook takes readers on a tasting journey through Oaxacan Cuisine and its numerous moles, tamales, soups, and desserts.

Home cooks will find recipes alongside stories that capture the true soulfulness of Mexican cooking in an exploration of ingredients sourced directly from producers in Oaxaca.

Deemed to be one of 2020’s best cookbooks by Bon Appétit Magazine, this cookbook distills flavors from beautiful family traditions into alluring modern recipes for all to enjoy.

Mexico, The Cookbook: The Cookbook by Margarita Carrillo Arronte and Fiamma Piacentini

Mexico, The Cookbook is an essential resource for understanding the country’s rich culinary heritage.

Written by the award-winning author Margarita Carrillo Arronte and food writer Fiamma Piacentini, this veritable library of Mexican gastronomy features more than 700 family recipes from every region of the country, with delightful anecdotes about growing up in Mexico and generations-old activities with a touch of modern Mesoamerican cooking techniques.

Not only is Mexico, The Cookbook full of vibrant Mexican foods to be enjoyed and shared among friends, but it also provides insight into how particular ingredients and techniques have changed over time in pursuit of new flavors.

Whether you’re searching for a Polynesian pork adobo recipe or looking to learn how to prepare authentic moles, this unique cookbook has something special that will help you connect the dots between Mexican and Latin American cuisines.

The Taco Tuesday Cookbook: 52 Tasty Taco Recipes to Make Every Week the Best Ever by Laura Fuentes

This cookbook is perfect for you if you’re looking for delicious Mexican recipes to transform Taco Tuesday into a weekly celebration.

The Taco Tuesday Cookbook by Laura Fuentes features 52 tasty taco recipes with step-by-step guides that can be adapted to the ingredients and flavors of your preference.

You’ll find mouthwatering ideas like spicy shrimp tacos, quick bean tacos, crunchy fish tacos, veggie quinoa tacos and so much more – plus plenty of sides and salsas that will kick your meal up a notch!

Whether you’re looking for an easy weeknight dinner for your family or a dish that will wow dinner guests, the Taco Tuesday Cookbook is full of fun and flavorful recipes.

Pati’s Mexican Table: The Secrets of Real Mexican Home Cooking by Pati Jinich

Pati’s Mexican Table: The Secrets of Real Mexican Home Cooking by Pati Jinich is the perfect book for anyone looking to add some flavor and culture to their kitchen.

Not only does Pati’s Mexican Table contain over 200 authentic recipes from a real Mexican home cook, but it also provides an in-depth explanation of traditional Mexican food, including details like unique ingredients and traditional cooking techniques.

Pati Jinich offers tips on creating delicious combinations using everything from vegetables to seafood and advice on which dishes will make a great meal.

This is an absolute must-have reference guide for anyone looking to satisfy their taste buds with flavorful Mexican cooking!

Salsas and Moles: Fresh and Authentic Recipes for Pico de Gallo, Mole Poblano, Chimichurri, Guacamole, and More [A Cookbook] by Deborah Schneider

Salsas and moles are essential flavors in Mexican cuisine that lend a depth of flavor and spice to meals. Deborah Schneider, author of Salsas and Moles: Fresh and Authentic Recipes for Pico de Gallo, Mole Poblano, Chimichurri, Guacamole, and More [A Cookbook], provides a comprehensive guide to creating flavorful salsas and moles that will transport your taste buds to Mexico.

From the classic mole poblano to freshly made guacamole, you can find each authentic recipe with helpful insights into ingredients, techniques, and tools. With Deborah’s detailed instructions, you can easily create some delicious Mexican dishes without ever having to leave the comfort of your kitchen!

Whether new or experienced in cooking Mexican food, this cookbook will bring some exciting recipes into your culinary repertoire.

Summary of Best Mexican Cookbooks

Although this list of best Mexican cookbooks is not exhaustive, hopefully, you’ll find one of your favorite Mexican cookery books to sit on your cookbook shelf. From Mexico City dishes to Oaxacan food and beyond, you’ll enjoy classic dishes and easy everyday meals such as chile con carne and other Mexican comfort foods that Mexican families have been enjoying for generations. From the grill to the slow cooker, these books have it all.

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