10 Best Mexican Cookbooks UK 2023 | Bricia Lopez, Diana Kennedy and More

Oaxacan cuisine is regarded as one of the jewels of Mexico. It favours local ingredients and sticks to recipes that are passed down through generations. So when Bricia Lopez, co-owner of one of L.A's most notorious Oaxacan restaurants Guelaguetza Restaurante, decided to put pen to paper, the culinary world knew they were in for a treat! 

An introduction to this style of Mexican cuisine by a native family, you can tell that there are stories and reasons behind every ingredient. Some of the cooking is complex, so you might need a bit of patience and practice, but following the author's voice makes everything seem manageable. 

Esteban Castillo's book is just as bright and playful as his extremely popular blog. Puling on memories from his upbringing, he reimagines some of the classic flavours of childhood to recreate extraordinary contemporary dishes. For example, check out his Alitas de Gusano, chicken wings that are slathered in an excellent tamarind sauce.

There are old-school recipes in there too, if you would prefer to stick to traditional flavour combinations. We particularly like that the contents range from starters to desserts, with a few beverages, cocktails and snacks are thrown in for good measure!

Shay Ola is the founder of food events company The Rebel Dining Society, whose aim is to push the boundaries of fine dining. This gives you a good idea of what you can expect from this book, and while cheesy mince tacos are a classic, you won't see them here. 

With this book, you can expect lengthy ingredients lists all in the name of creating fresh and vibrant flavours that put the food first. It's not for everyone, but if you're willing to put in the work, you'll love what this has to offer. There are even some cheeky tequila cocktail recipes too!

Alice Dee is a well-known vegan chef and restaurant owner who has spent over ten years learning and adapting traditional recipes for vegans. Alongside the tasty recipes, you'll also receive helpful information on preparing and stocking your home kitchen with the ingredients and tools needed for the job.

This cookbook is full of original foods with authentic flavours. Incorporating a range of vibrant colours from nature, what you'll be producing will be as much a work of art as the cover of the book!

This everyday cookbook from Rick Bayless provides you with the bold flavours that we all know and love, but with shorter preparation times. All of Rick's meals meet three criteria; they require less than 30 minutes of involvement, they have to be fresh, simple and authentic, and they're nutritionally balanced, fully rounded meals. 

This book is a collection of over 90 certified fan favourites including green chile chicken tacos, shrimp ceviche salad and chipotle steak with black beans. So if you're after exciting flavours, this is going to be right up your street. 

Okay, the name 'Diana Kennedy' doesn't exactly scream Mexican, but she has lived in and studied Mexican cuisine for over 50 years, making her one of the greatest English-language authorities on this cuisine. Here is one of the nine books she has written on the subject. 

It's perfect for beginners as it not only contains classic recipes, but walks you through some of the techniques you're going to need to master. On top of that, the author takes you through all the traditional ingredients, teaching you the best ways of sourcing and cooking them. 

Before we get into the contents of the book, we want to tell you a little about the authors. In 2006 Luz was diagnosed with breast cancer. As a result, both partners decided to radically change their diets, searching for recipes that promoted healthy vegetarian foods. 

Thanks to their journey of discovery, within these pages you'll find plenty of indigenous plants such as corn, squash, seeds, beans, greens and herbs. Not only is it full of delicious dishes, but this offering redefines what is meant by 'traditional Mexican food' uncovering the real heritage ingredients. 

Here, you'll find a collection of 55 recipes, all of which have a similar fix-it-up-and-forget-about-it attitude. Deborah Schneider discovered that using a trusty slow cooker you can create, and arguably enhance, traditional Mexican dishes.

It's packed with classic recipes such as Mole Negro, barbacoa beef and tamales, delivering sophisticated and complex meals in a way that's hassle-free. Yes, the preparation itself might take a bit of time, but it's worth it if you have a slow cooker.

Desserts are part of Mexican cuisine that is often overlooked, despite the wonderful array of different sweet dishes. In this cookbook by celebrated pastry chef Fany Gerson, you'll explore the country's sweet toothed recipes. On top of that, you'll also learn about the history of Mexico's rich and diverse culinary traditions.

It contains classics such as churros, as well as more modern inventions like Passion Fruit-Mezcal Trifle and Cheesecake with Tamarind Sauce. With chapters devoted to different styles of pastries, this isn't to be missed by those who are keen on confection. 

While L.A isn't situated in Mexico, a large proportion of the population is Latin American. This has lead to their own unique take on Mexican food, with this offering focusing on this particular fusion cuisine. 

It contains both quick evening meals and grand food fiestas and is great for cooks who are just finding their feet as there are plenty of beginner recipes, as well as more complex options. However, there is also a lot of journalism included within the pages, such as biographies of certain chefs, which may or may not be something you're after.