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  3. 10 Best Mexican Cookbooks in 2022 (Marcela Valladolid, Bricia Lopez, and More)
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10 Best Mexican Cookbooks in 2022 (Marcela Valladolid, Bricia Lopez, and More)

Are you a fan of Mexican food but you're tired of eating out every time you have a craving for Mexican? Have you always tried to make that mouthwatering dish but not sure how to make it? Or do you simply want to add a different cuisine to your repertoire? It looks like a Mexican cookbook would be ideal for you. 


With the big variety of Mexican cookbooks out there, finding the perfect one for you can be a bit of a hustle. Nevertheless, we have done the hard work for you and created a list of our 10 favorite ones. We found that Mexico: The Cookbook is a great option because it offers variety, diverse recipes and it has a gorgeous look. Keep reading our guide to learn about the other nine great options. 

Last updated 09/26/2023
Jim Quast
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Executive R&D Chef
Jim Quast

Jim Quast (JQ) is a lifelong professional restaurant and corporate R&D chef who loves everything food-related and the tools, both big and small, to make those great food memories. He's a super huge BBQ, grill, and kitchen gadget fanatic. JQ has spent the last 30+ years trying to figure out what works to make your kitchen life easier and fun. If you can use it to slice it, dice it, cook it, smoke it, or store it, he's been there checking it out. Food = Life!

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Table of Contents

How to Choose Mexican Cookbooks

When you’re buying a Mexican cookbook, make sure to look at its region, recipes, and type of food. 

1

Choose a Style That's Engaging for You

Choose a Style That's Engaging for You

While this may apply to most cooking books, they all have different tones. If you like to get straight to the point, choose one that's recipe-oriented. Other ones will tell you the story of the recipe and include anecdotes. If like to know what’s behind the recipe, this may be your type of book. 

2

Choose a Region for Specialized Dishes

Choose a Region for Specialized Dishes

Mexico is a very big country with different regional traditions, and food is no exception. 


Get a book about Oaxaca for soulful flavors, Sinaloa for seafood-based dishes, northern Mexican food for burritos and meat, Jalisco for pozole and enchiladas, and Puebla for traditional mole. If you’re more into fusion, try a book on Tex-Mex or Californian-Mexican food. 

3

Select a General Book for a Little of Everything

Select a General Book for a Little of Everything

If cooking one specific type of Mexican food sounds too fancy for you or you just want to cook Mexican dishes occasionally, then you probably need a more general book. 


These books have a variety of recipes from different regions and don't focus on one particular region. Choose a general cookbook if you’re just getting familiar with Mexican food and you haven’t developed your own taste yet. 

4

Pick a Book According to Your Expertise Level

Pick a Book According to Your Expertise Level

Some books are designed for people who already know the basics of Mexican food and are ready to start cooking. Others are very meticulous about making everything from scratch, which may become overwhelming for beginners. 


If you are not ready for this level of expertise, you may end up never making the recipes. For example, some books may want you to create your own tortillas or your own dough for sopes, which can be a long process


Books meant for beginners usually explain the recipes step by step. They often aren't concerned about using pre-made ingredients, allowing you to buy tortillas or pre-made dough. A book with a lot of images is also great for beginners to follow along!

5

Get a Type of Book That Fits Your Logistical Needs

Get a Type of Book That Fits Your Logistical Needs

Cooking Mexican doesn’t always involve a lot of time and effort. Perhaps you want to enjoy a Mexican dish after a long day at work, and that’s totally fine. In this case, get a book of quick Mexican recipes


There are other specialty books, too. For example, a cookbook of Mexican recipes for a slow cooker lets you make it, forget about it, and come back to a warm dish

6

Consider the Ingredients That You’re Going to Need

Consider the Ingredients That You’re Going to Need

Though you may be tempted to create the most traditional dish made entirely from scratch, there’s a chance that some of the ingredients are a little hard to get in your area. For example, chipilin can only be acquired in certain regions of Mexico, so your chipilin tamales would be incomplete without this ingredient. 


Similarly, you may find that you need specific equipment, such as a tortilla presser or mortar. Decide ahead of time if you want to acquire these tools or if you’re better off choosing simpler recipes. 


Make sure that the recipes have substitutions for ingredients. For example, you can substitute achiote paste with turmeric or queso fresco with feta cheese. Or, look for a cookbook that uses easily accessible ingredients overall.

7

Purchase a Book That Suits Your Dietary Interests

Purchase a Book That Suits Your Dietary Interests

Though the traditional recipes generally include all sorts of ingredients, you can still cook Mexican food with your dietary needs in mind. There’s a book for every kind of restriction or interest. You can find Mexican cookbooks that are keto, plant-based, gluten-free, and more!

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10 Best Mexican Cookbooks Ranking

Here are the best Mexican Cookbooks, ranked according to 10 Best Mexican Cookbooks (as of 11-04-2022). The products are ranked independently by mybest.
Popularity
Products
Image
Click to purchase
Price
Key features
1

Margarita Carrillo Arronte

Mexico: The CookbookHardcover

Margarita Carrillo Arronte Mexico: The Cookbook 1

$33.56

High

A Book With a Little Bit of Everything

2

Bricia Lopez, Javier Cabral

OaxacaHardcover

Bricia Lopez, Javier Cabral Oaxaca 1

$30.59

High Mid

A Book About Mexican Soul Food

3

Luz Calvo

Decolonize Your DietPaperback

Luz Calvo Decolonize Your Diet 1

$20.49

Mid

Cookbook for Vegetarians

4

Jennifer Olvera

Easy Mexican Food FavoritesPaperback

Jennifer Olvera Easy Mexican Food Favorites 1

$13.03

Low Mid

A Book for Busy Home Cooks

5

Marye Audet

Mexican Slow Cooker CookbookPaperback

Marye Audet Mexican Slow Cooker Cookbook 1

$11.79

Low

Easy Recipes for Your Slow Cooker

6

Marcela Valladolid

Casa MarcelaHardcover

Marcela Valladolid Casa Marcela 1

$19.90

Mid

A Cookbook With Recipes and Anecdotes

7

Gonzalo Guzman, Stacy Adimando

NopalitoPaperback

Gonzalo Guzman, Stacy Adimando Nopalito 1

$15.29

Low Mid

A Book With History and Technique

8

Gabriela Camara, Malena Watrous

My Mexico City KitchenHardcover

Gabriela Camara, Malena Watrous My Mexico City Kitchen 1

$21.49

Mid

A Book About Mexico City Food and Culture

9

Fany Gerson

My Sweet MexicoHardcover

Fany Gerson My Sweet Mexico 1

$25.50

High Mid

A Book for Those With a Sweet Tooth

10

Esteban Castillo

Chicano EatsHardcover

Esteban Castillo Chicano Eats 1

$15.99

Low Mid

A Bicultural Book Exploring a Beloved Cuisine

If you don't see the product you're looking for, you can request that it be listed.
No.1

Margarita Carrillo ArronteMexico: The CookbookHardcover

Mexico: The Cookbook 1
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$33.56
High
Reference price
$33.56
High

A Book With a Little Bit of Everything

You can try the diversity of Mexican food with just one cookbook. This book has 700 recipes from a variety of regions in Mexico, including appetizers, snacks, street food, desserts, and of course, main dishes. 


It's written by the culinary legend Margarita Carrillo Aronte. She explains everything you need to know, including techniques and Mexican ingredients. Plus, this cookbook has plenty of large photographs.


Some reviewers were disappointed that the book features ingredients that are hard to get if you don’t have a Hispanic market nearby you. 


Other reviewers, however, were very happy with the quality recipes, saying their abuelitas approve of the ingredients and procedures. Buyers with non-Mexican backgrounds also said that this book completely changed their ability to make authentic-tasting Mexican food.

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No.2

Bricia Lopez, Javier CabralOaxacaHardcover

Oaxaca 1
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$30.59
High Mid
Reference price
$30.59
High Mid

A Book About Mexican Soul Food

Oaxaca’s cuisine is a type of indigenous Mexican food. The Mexican-owned restaurant Gualguetza in Los Angeles serves flavorful dishes from this southern Mexican state, and this cookbook is a collection of their recipes. The book includes plenty of photos, and it focuses on authentic Mexican soul food recipes you can recreate at home.


Some reviewers found a few mistakes in the editing of the book that led to significantly different results. Most reviewers, however, said that the dishes are absolutely delicious and enjoyed learning about Oaxacan culture. They also appreciated the authenticity of the recipes and beautiful photos. 

No.3

Luz CalvoDecolonize Your DietPaperback

Decolonize Your Diet 1
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$20.49
Mid
Reference price
$20.49
Mid

Cookbook for Vegetarians

Often, traditional Mexican food includes meat and other animal ingredients. However, the authors of this cookbook researched and discovered ways to make authentic Mexican food using plant-based ingredients native to the Americas


There are over 100 recipes with contributions from indigenous cultures. The book features dishes such as quinoa aguachile, mesquite corn tortillas, and amaranth chocolate cake.


This book has overwhelmingly good reviews; however, a few reviewers think that some recipes are missing vital steps, leaving the reader confused. 


The rest of the reviewers were delighted with how delicious the recipes are, and they loved that it talks about the original roots of Mexican food and colonization. Plus, many reviewers appreciated that the vegan and vegetarian dishes still tasted authentic!

No.4

Jennifer OlveraEasy Mexican Food FavoritesPaperback

Easy Mexican Food Favorites 1
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$13.03
Low Mid
Reference price
$13.03
Low Mid

A Book for Busy Home Cooks

Do you love Mexican food but don’t have a lot of time to cook? This is the book for you. You won’t have to look for fancy ingredients or spend a lot of time in the kitchen. Each recipe only takes about 30 minutes to make!


Some reviewers wished there were more photos of the dishes. The rest of the reviewers were very happy with how easy and accessible the food is. They also said the recipes are delicious and that the book has a lot of time-saving tips.

No.5

Marye AudetMexican Slow Cooker CookbookPaperback

Mexican Slow Cooker Cookbook 1
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$11.79
Low
Reference price
$11.79
Low

Easy Recipes for Your Slow Cooker

If you only have 20 minutes to make dinner, this book is all you need. It features 80 easy yet flavorful recipes, from cochinita pibil to soups. It also features slow cooker tips, essential Mexican ingredients, and an explanation about the types of chiles.


The main complaint from reviewers is that the book has no photos, making it hard to know how is the dish supposed to look. However, most reviewers said that the recipes are authentic and delicious, saying they taste like they're from a restaurant! They also liked how quick and easy most of the recipes are. 

No.6

Marcela ValladolidCasa MarcelaHardcover

Casa Marcela 1
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$19.90
Mid
Reference price
$19.90
Mid

A Cookbook With Recipes and Anecdotes

Beyond delicious recipes, this book includes stories from the host of the TV show Mexican Made Easy. In the book, she shares how she grew up going back and forth from Tijuana to San Diego and how this influenced her conception of food. It includes a variety of authentic and thoughtfully-explained recipes. It also features drinks and desserts.


Though this book has overwhelmingly good reviews, some reviewers mentioned that the ingredients are difficult to get in some areas. Despite this, reviewers said that the book is very inspirational and fun to read. They also appreciated the traditional flavors and cultural insight

No.7

Gonzalo Guzman, Stacy AdimandoNopalitoPaperback

Nopalito 1
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$15.29
Low Mid
Reference price
$15.29
Low Mid

A Book With History and Technique

This award-winning book features 100 recipes from the San Francisco-based restaurant Nopalito. It includes food from many regions of Mexico. The authors also include tips about techniques and some of the history behind each recipe.


Some reviewers had difficulty finding all of the ingredients. On the other hand, most reviewers are pleased with the authentic recipes, and they noted that they are accessible for beginners. They also said that the food is flavorful, and they appreciated the beautiful photos.  

No.8

Gabriela Camara, Malena WatrousMy Mexico City KitchenHardcover

My Mexico City Kitchen 1
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$21.49
Mid
Reference price
$21.49
Mid

A Book About Mexico City Food and Culture

Mexico City has delicious traditional dishes, such as chilaquiles verdes or chiles rellenos. This book’s 150 recipes feature all types of food, such as breakfast, appetizers, entrees, snacks, and desserts. It also includes interesting discussions, like “Why Everything Can be a Taco.”


Some reviewers complained that the book is missing some vital instructions and ingredients, and others said that the recipes should have been tested more. However, many reviewers are in love with the variety of recipes. They also enjoyed reading the stories and explanations about Mexican food.

No.9

Fany GersonMy Sweet MexicoHardcover

My Sweet Mexico 1
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$25.50
High Mid
Reference price
$25.50
High Mid

A Book for Those With a Sweet Tooth

Sweets are a very important part of Mexican cuisine. This book features a wide array of flavorful desserts, including paletas, pastries, and beverages. On top of that, you will be able to read the history behind each creation and learn more about the vast world of Mexican sweets. 


A few reviewers wished that all of the recipes had photos. On the other hand, many reviewers said that this book brings memories from Mexico and has become their family’s go-to book for Mexican sweets. They also appreciated the thoughtful curation of diverse recipes and the book's beautiful aesthetic. 

No.10

Esteban CastilloChicano EatsHardcover

Chicano Eats 1
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$15.99
Low Mid
Reference price
$15.99
Low Mid

A Bicultural Book Exploring a Beloved Cuisine

Decades of Mexican-American tradition have resulted in a unique type of fusion cuisine. This cookbook offers 85 delicious family recipes, such as mac and queso, chorizo-spiced squash tortas, and champurrado chocolate birthday cake. 


Most reviewers loved that this book is authentic and nostalgic, saying that the food is just like their mothers and grandmothers cook. They also said that the personal stories add cultural insight and context to the recipes.

Looking to Step Up Your Cooking Game?

Now that you have decided which book you’ll use to whip up some excellent Mexican food, you may want to look into a few other cusines. Here are some other guides that you may find useful.

In Collaboration With Executive R&D Chef Jim Quast

Jim Quast
Executive R&D Chef
Jim Quast

This expert reviewed the contents of the buying guide for accuracy and provided factual corrections when necessary. They did not participate in the product selection process, nor are they affiliated with any of our choices unless explicitly stated so.

Top 5 Mexican Cookbooks

No. 1: Margarita Carrillo ArronteMexico: The CookbookHardcover

No. 2: Bricia Lopez, Javier CabralOaxacaHardcover

No. 3: Luz CalvoDecolonize Your DietPaperback

No. 4: Jennifer OlveraEasy Mexican Food FavoritesPaperback

No. 5: Marye AudetMexican Slow Cooker CookbookPaperback

View Full Ranking
The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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