At MASA Tortillas, we’ve spent over a decade immersed in the rich flavours of Mexico — from living alongside locals in small towns and bustling cities, to running our own taco truck for eight years, serving authentic tacos made with handmade tortillas to hungry customers. Through this experience, we’ve learned that Mexican cuisine is so much more than tacos and guacamole: it’s a vibrant tapestry of regional flavours, traditional techniques, and centuries of culinary history.
Over the years, we’ve explored markets, home kitchens, and family-run restaurants, tasting everything from smoky Oaxacan moles and Yucatán cochinita pibil to humble street-food favourites that are impossible to forget. Our hands-on experience, combined with a deep understanding of Mexican ingredients and cooking methods, gives us a unique perspective on which cookbooks truly capture the authenticity, depth, and soul of Mexican cuisine.
In this guide, we’ve rounded up the eight best Mexican cookbooks, selected for their ability to teach authentic recipes, inspire home cooks, and celebrate the diversity of Mexican food. Whether you’re a beginner looking to make your first tortilla, a home chef aiming to master regional moles, or a Mexican food enthusiast seeking culinary inspiration, these cookbooks will transport you straight into the heart of Mexico — without leaving your kitchen.
#1 Mexico: The Cookbook
by Margarita Carrillo Arronte
This is the definitive Mexican cookbook and earns its place at the top without hesitation. Mexico: The Cookbook is an encyclopaedic, authoritative celebration of Mexican cuisine in all its regional diversity. With more than 700 recipes, Margarita Carrillo Arronte takes readers on a journey through every corner of Mexico — from Oaxaca’s moles and Yucatán’s achiote-based dishes to coastal seafood, ancient corn preparations, and festive sweets.
What truly sets this book apart is its depth and authenticity. Arronte is a respected chef, academic, and cultural ambassador, and her expertise shines throughout. Recipes are grounded in tradition, often tracing indigenous roots while explaining how ingredients, geography, and history shape each dish. This is not a simplified or “adapted” view of Mexican food — it is Mexican cuisine as it exists in Mexico.
We especially love the way the book preserves lesser-known regional dishes alongside famous classics. Tortillas, tamales, salsas, stews, street food, breads, and desserts are all treated with equal respect. The photography is beautiful but never distracting, serving to document rather than stylise the food.
Where it may lack: This is not a beginner’s cookbook. Some ingredients require sourcing, some techniques demand patience, and the book is physically large and substantial. However, for anyone serious about Mexican cooking, this is a lifetime reference rather than a limitation.
#2 Mexican Table: 100 Recipes, 12 Everyday Ingredients From the Heart of Mexico
Mexican Table is a brilliant example of how authentic Mexican flavours can be achieved without overwhelming complexity. The book is built around a clever concept: using just 12 core ingredients commonly found in Mexican kitchens to create 100 varied, satisfying dishes. This makes it especially appealing to home cooks who want depth of flavour without long shopping lists.
What we love most is how this book demonstrates the power of technique and balance rather than excess ingredients. By focusing on staples such as corn, beans, chillies, tomatoes, and herbs, the recipes highlight how small adjustments in preparation can completely transform a dish. It’s an excellent way to understand Mexican cooking logic — how acidity, heat, and texture work together.
The recipes feel warm and personal, rooted in everyday home cooking rather than restaurant interpretations. Dishes are practical, family-friendly, and ideal for weeknight meals, yet still feel genuinely Mexican rather than watered down.
Where it may lack: Because of its intentionally limited ingredient list, the book doesn’t explore the full breadth of regional Mexican cuisine. You won’t find complex moles or festival dishes here. Instead, it excels as a focused, approachable introduction that complements — rather than replaces — more comprehensive titles.
#3 Death by Burrito: Mexican Street Food to Die For
Bold, loud, and unapologetically indulgent, Death by Burrito is all about Mexican-inspired street food with maximum flavour impact. While it’s not a traditional Mexican cookbook, it earns its place on this list by capturing the fun, rebellious spirit of street food culture and adapting it for modern home kitchens.
The book centres on burritos, tacos, and loaded wraps, offering inventive combinations that lean heavily into comfort food territory. Expect generous portions, rich sauces, and big flavours designed to satisfy cravings rather than preserve tradition. It’s ideal for casual entertaining, weekend cooking, or anyone who loves Mexican flavours but enjoys creative freedom.
What we love is its energy and accessibility. Recipes are easy to follow, ingredient lists are UK-friendly, and the results are consistently crowd-pleasing. It’s particularly appealing to younger cooks or those looking for relaxed, informal food rather than culinary precision.
Where it may lack: Authenticity. This book is inspired by Mexican flavours rather than rooted in Mexican culinary tradition. Purists or readers seeking regional accuracy should treat it as fun fusion rather than a learning resource.
# 4 Meat-Free Mexican: Vibrant Vegetarian Recipes
Meat-Free Mexican proves that Mexican cuisine does not rely on meat to be bold, satisfying, and deeply flavourful. This book reimagines classic dishes through a vegetarian lens while remaining respectful of traditional flavour profiles and cooking methods.
What stands out is how confidently vegetables take centre stage. Beans, squash, mushrooms, corn, chillies, and greens are used thoughtfully to create dishes that feel complete rather than like substitutions. The recipes are colourful, modern, and well suited to contemporary eating habits, while still honouring the foundations of Mexican cuisine.
We love the emphasis on freshness and balance — sharp salsas, smoky roasted vegetables, and slow-cooked sauces create complexity without relying on meat. It’s also a practical book for UK cooks, with accessible ingredients and clear instructions.
Where it may lack: Readers seeking traditional meat-based classics like birria, carnitas, or barbacoa will need another book alongside this one. It’s best viewed as a specialised companion rather than a comprehensive guide.
#5 Mexican Cookbook for Beginners
by Sophia del Sol
As the title suggests, this book is designed specifically for those new to Mexican cooking. It offers a gentle, reassuring entry point with clearly written recipes, step-by-step instructions, and photographs to guide the process.
What we like is its simplicity and clarity. Recipes focus on familiar dishes — tacos, quesadillas, soups, and desserts — and avoid intimidating techniques. It’s ideal for beginners who want quick wins and confidence in the kitchen.
The inclusion of photographs for every recipe is particularly helpful for visual learners, and the pacing of the book makes it easy to build skills gradually.
Where it may lack: Depth and regional authenticity. Experienced cooks will quickly outgrow it, and those seeking traditional techniques or cultural context may find it basic. However, as a first step, it does exactly what it promises.
# 6 The Mexican Home Kitchen
by Mely Martínez
This is one of the most beloved modern Mexican cookbooks, and for good reason. Mely Martínez focuses on traditional home-style cooking, sharing the dishes real families eat every day across Mexico.
What we love is the warmth and authenticity. Recipes are rooted in memory and tradition, often accompanied by personal stories that bring the food to life. The flavours are bold but balanced, and the techniques are explained in a way that feels achievable rather than intimidating.
The book excels at teaching foundational skills — from tortillas and salsas to stews and rice dishes — making it an excellent bridge between beginner and advanced cooking.
Where it may lack: Presentation is simple, and the focus is firmly on everyday food rather than celebratory or elaborate dishes. That said, this is also its greatest strength.
# 7 Comida Mexicana
by Rosa Cienfuegos
Comida Mexicana is a vibrant celebration of Mexican snacks, street food, and desserts, capturing the playful and social side of Mexico’s culinary culture. Rosa Cienfuegos focuses on antojitos — those small, irresistible bites that locals enjoy on the streets and in casual home settings. From tacos and tortas to tamales, sopes, and churros, the book emphasizes flavours that are bold, authentic, and deeply rooted in Mexican tradition.
What stands out is how approachable the recipes are for home cooks. Cienfuegos breaks down each dish step by step, providing clear instructions and accessible ingredient lists for readers in the UK. This makes it possible to recreate authentic Mexican street food at home, from crisp tacos al pastor to soft, flavour-packed tortas. The book also includes a section on desserts and sweet treats, which highlights Mexico’s rich history of sugar, chocolate, and corn-based confections.
From a practical perspective, the book is a treasure trove for anyone looking to bring the flavours of Mexico into their home kitchen. It is perfect for casual entertaining or preparing fun, shareable meals. The photography captures the joy and vibrancy of Mexican food, helping readers visualise the end result and inspiring creativity in plating and presentation.
Where it may lack: While Comida Mexicana excels at snacks and small dishes, it offers less focus on main courses and regional staples like mole, cochinita pibil, or hearty Mexican stews. Those seeking a comprehensive guide to traditional Mexican cooking might need to supplement this with other cookbooks. However, for anyone wanting to explore Mexican street food, quick bites, and festive snacks, this book is unbeatable.
# 8 Tu Casa Mi Casa
by Enrique Olvera
Tu Casa Mi Casa is a sophisticated yet approachable Mexican cookbook by Enrique Olvera, one of Mexico’s most renowned chefs. Drawing on years of experience running acclaimed restaurants and working with local ingredients, Olvera has crafted a collection that bridges authentic Mexican flavours with home cooking simplicity. This book captures the essence of Mexico’s diverse culinary heritage while making it practical for everyday kitchens, particularly for readers in the UK.
The recipes cover a wide range of dishes, from hearty stews and street-style tacos to refined sauces and inventive sides. What we love is Olvera’s ability to teach readers how to think about Mexican flavours, not just replicate recipes. He explains ingredient choices, flavour layering, and techniques for balancing heat, acidity, and texture — the hallmarks of traditional Mexican cooking. This makes it more than just a cookbook; it’s a culinary guide that helps home cooks understand why Mexican food tastes so vibrant and complex.
Additionally, Tu Casa Mi Casa emphasizes fresh, high-quality ingredients, demonstrating that you don’t need exotic or hard-to-find items to achieve authentic results. The step-by-step instructions, combined with Olvera’s engaging writing and personal anecdotes, make cooking approachable even for ambitious home chefs. The book also celebrates the communal side of Mexican dining, encouraging readers to cook, share, and enjoy food together — just as locals do in homes and markets across Mexico.
Where it may lack: Some recipes require patience and confidence, which might challenge beginners, and while it showcases a range of dishes, it’s more focused on Mexican home cooking and contemporary interpretations than exhaustive regional coverage.
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