Mexican Cooking Class in Oaxaca: Learn Traditional Recipes

Six hours cooking five dishes from across Mexico, then sitting down to eat them

A six-hour cooking class in Oaxaca taught by a certified chef where you prepare a seasonal menu of traditional Mexican dishes, learn the origin and techniques behind each recipe, and share dinner with the group. The menu changes with the season and can be adapted for vegetarian diets or allergies. Drinks made from Mexican spirits accompany the meal. Children from age 13 are welcome, and you can choose to cook hands-on or prepare the meal alongside the chef while you talk and taste.

The experience

You'll work through a menu that shifts with what's in season: dishes like beef tongue in black mole from Oaxaca, Yucatecan roast chicken panucho, guacamole made by hand, rice with milk, and cochinita (slow-roasted pork). The chef walks you through the origin of each ingredient and the history woven into the dish itself, so you're not just learning technique but understanding what you're making and why it matters. The class runs six hours, which gives you time to move through the cooking without rushing and then sit down together to eat what you've made.

Before the class starts, you'll let the chef know about any food allergies or dietary preferences: vegetarian options are built in, and substitutions happen without fuss. If you'd rather not cook, you can prepare the meal alongside the chef, talking and tasting drinks as you go. Either way, dinner is traditional and unhurried. Drinks made from Mexican spirits from different regions accompany the meal for adults over 18. Non-alcoholic versions are available for younger participants and anyone who prefers them. The space has air conditioning and is fully wheelchair accessible.

You can book the class alone or add a market visit beforehand to see where the ingredients come from. The chef teaches in English or Spanish, and the whole experience is built around the idea of sharing culture through food: meeting people, tasting flavors, and sitting down together the way a meal is meant to be.

What’s included

• Instruction from a certified chef in English or Spanish.
• preparation of a seasonal menu with five traditional Mexican dishes.
• drinks made from Mexican spirits or non-alcoholic alternatives.
• dinner with the group at the end of the class.
• adaptation for vegetarian diets and food allergies.

Options for this experience

2 options

Cooking classes without a market visitGuide in English or Spanish · 18:00

Cooking classes that include a market visitGuide in English or Spanish · 09:00We will stroll through the Cross Market, one of the most iconic markets in the city of Querétaro, to get a taste of the local culture as part of a tour and cooking class lasting 6 hours. At the traditional Cross food market, we will pick out some of the ingredients we use during the class. The transfer is on foot.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 18:00

AgesAdult (21 to 59 years) · Senior (60 to 75 years) · Youth (13 to 19 years) · Under 13: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 5 · max 4 per booking

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Wheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Chef en casa

Is this one for you?Book the class alone if you want to focus on cooking and eating, or add the market visit to see where the ingredients come from and understand the sourcing behind each dish.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

3 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 19 years). Under 13: they can't be included in the booking.

What dishes do you actually cook in the class?

The menu includes beef tongue in black mole with sweet potato or rice, Yucatecan roast chicken panucho with fried beans, handmade guacamole with tatemada sauce, creamy rice with milk and cinnamon, and cochinita: pork slow-roasted for twelve hours with Yucatecan spices. The exact menu shifts with the season and what's available.

Can you take the class if you don't eat meat or have food allergies?

Yes. Vegetarian options are available, and the chef adapts the menu for allergies or personal dietary reasons before the class starts. Just let them know when you book.

Do you have to cook, or can you watch and help?

You can cook hands-on throughout, or you can prepare the meal alongside the chef while you talk and taste drinks together. Either way, you sit down and eat dinner at the end.

What drinks come with the meal?

The class includes drinks made from Mexican spirits from different regions of the country. Adults over 18 can have alcoholic versions. Non-alcoholic options are available for younger participants and anyone who prefers them.