About Maggie
Hola! I’m Maggie Unzueta, founder of In Mama Maggie’s Kitchen, where I help home cooks make authentic Mexican recipes with confidence.
I was born and raised in Southern California to Mexican parents from Durango, Mexico, and food has always been at the heart of my family’s traditions. Through this website, I share the recipes I grew up eating, the dishes my family still makes today, and the regional flavors I’ve discovered while traveling throughout Mexico.
Whether you’re making your very first batch of Arroz Mexicano or preparing my Menudo recipe for a Sunday meal with the family, my goal is to make authentic Mexican cooking approachable, achievable, and delicious.
My Connection to Mexico
My connection to Mexican food goes far beyond family recipes.
Both of my parents were born and raised in Durango, Mexico, where many of my relatives still live today. My father continues to call Durango home, and I travel there regularly to visit family, reconnect with my roots, and preserve the recipes and traditions that have been passed down through generations.
I also live in San Diego, California, just minutes from the U.S.–Mexico border. Because of where I live, I regularly travel to Baja California, where I explore neighborhood markets, family-owned restaurants, bakeries, taco stands, and regional specialties that continue to influence my cooking.
Over the years, I’ve traveled extensively throughout Mexico, visiting 23 of the country’s 32 states. From coctel de camaron of the Baja Peninsula to cochinita pibil of the Yucatán, and the traditional dishes of my family’s home state of Durango, I’ve experienced the incredible diversity that makes Mexican cuisine one of the world’s most celebrated food cultures.
These travels have given me a deep appreciation for the fact that there isn’t just one “Mexican food.” Every region has its own ingredients, techniques, traditions, and flavors. Exploring Mexico firsthand helps me better understand those regional differences so I can share authentic recipes, explain their origins, and inspire home cooks to discover the richness of Mexican cuisine beyond the familiar favorites.
My family’s home state of Durango is especially meaningful to me. I’ve written more about the history and traditions behind the food of this region in my History of Durango Mexican Food article.
As a native Spanish speaker, I’m able to connect directly with home cooks, market vendors, restaurant owners, and family members throughout Mexico. Those conversations, along with my family’s traditions and years of recipe testing, shape every recipe I publish on In Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.
Where My Love of Cooking Began
Ironically, my mom didn’t want me anywhere near the kitchen when I was little. She worried I’d burn myself or make a mess.
Then I would visit my grandma in Durango.
She handed me a spoon and a knife and invited me to cook beside her.
We spent hours preparing meals, tasting salsas, laughing, and sharing stories. Those moments taught me that cooking isn’t just about feeding people—it’s about preserving traditions, creating memories, and bringing families together.
This website is named in her honor. She’s the original Mama Maggie. I’m just lucky enough to be named after her.
Every recipe I share is my way of keeping her memory alive while helping others create those same moments around their own tables.
Why You Can Trust My Recipes
I’ve been developing and publishing Mexican recipes since launching In Mama Maggie’s Kitchen in 2010.
Every recipe is personally researched, cooked, tested, and written by me before it’s published. My goal is to simplify traditional Mexican recipes without sacrificing the authentic flavors that make them special.
On this site you’ll find:
- Authentic family recipes passed down through generations of my family.
- Regional Mexican dishes inspired by my extensive travels through 23 states.
- Beginner-friendly instructions written clearly so you never feel lost.
- Step-by-step photos illustrating every critical stage of the cooking process.
- Helpful cooking tips and tested ingredient substitutions for hard-to-find items.
- Video tutorials for many recipes to guide you visually.
- Storage, freezing, and reheating tips to ensure your leftovers taste just as amazing.
Whether you’re an experienced cook or just getting started, I want every recipe to give you the confidence to bring authentic Mexican flavors into your own kitchen.
A Few Fun Facts About Me
- I live in San Diego with my husband and son.
- Family is everything to me, and I’m especially close with my two brothers and their families.
- Spanish is my first language, and I’ve studied seven languages. Si tu peux comprendre esta frase, you are my people.
- I’m a serial entrepreneur and currently run two businesses.
- I love sports—especially baseball, futbol, American football, and basketball.
New to Mexican Cooking?
If you’re just getting started, browse the RECIPE INDEX to explore recipes by category.
I also recommend visiting the Mexican basics section, where you’ll find guides to essential ingredients, cooking techniques, and pantry staples that make authentic Mexican cooking easier. Don’t forget to check out my cookbooks.
Let’s Stay Connected
Subscribe to my Newsletter for new recipes, cooking tips, and seasonal favorites delivered straight to your inbox.
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For media inquiries, partnerships, or business opportunities, contact me at: maggie@inmamamaggieskitchen (dot) com
