Cookbooks That Will Make You Love Cooking
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I absolutely love cooking and, while I’m not going to compete on Master Chef anytime soon, I’ve actually gotten pretty good at it. I don’t care if you’re not supposed to toot your own horn. I used to be the girl who would give herself food poisoning no matter what and now I host dinner parties and have a mother who looks forward to visiting specifically because she’s excited for the food — I get to toot the horn!
Getting comfortable in the kitchen didn’t just happen overnight. There’s quite a bit that went into making my kitchen work better and it really isn’t the cheapest room to take on (you’ve been warned!), but even with minimal knowledge and a few good basics you can become the friend who dominates dinner nights.
There are thousands of recipes on Pinterest but I felt like they kept falling a little flat so I got a few highly rated cookbooks. Before I knew it, I had almost 50 and yes, I use them all the time. Some are staples, some are based on fitness goals or if I’m feeling a little wanderlust for France, Italy and Greece but cannot afford to go.
I’ve narrowed down the ones that really gave me the most knowledge, confidence to be a good cook, and have me constantly cracking them open to make their recipes time and again. Read on to see what cookbooks need to be added to your kitchen today!
In this Post
1 Total Beginner - Go From Knowing Nothing to Knowing Everything
2 Healthy Eating Goals - Stay Fit & Well Fed
3 Wanderlust - Recipes from All Over the World
Total Beginners
Struggling to cook yummy meals everyone raves about? Know nothing at all about cooking in the slightest? These cookbooks will not only teach you everything you need to know but will make you the talk of your friend group.
Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking by Samin Nosrat
I will forever praise this book because it taught me EVERYTHING! Chef Samin Nosrat has taught everyone from professional chefs to middle school kids. If kids can do this, so can you.
Master the use of four elements
Salt: enhances flavor
Fat: delivers flavor & generates texture
Acid: balances flavor
Heat, which determines the texture of food
Do this and anything you cook will be delicious. This book explains the how’s and why’s of good cooking so that you can truly learn to become a confident cook.
One of my favorite features of this book is that it doesn’t come with pictures of what your final result “should” look like. How many times have you seen a gorgeous photo of a recipe you’re making only to feel like a failure because what you made looks like a hideous pile of mush? Yeah, not the best feeling. Take the judgement out of cooking and simply learn, then work your way up to dishes so beautiful you feel guilty digging into them.
How To Cook Everything by Mark Bittman
In 1998 Mark Bittman gave the world one of the greatest gifts that is How To Cook Everything. It’s been the perfect guide to simple home cooking for everyone — newbies and experienced chefs rave about it till this day. In 2019 he put out a new edition that has been completely revised for today’s cooks and providing us with easy-to-follow recipes and inspiring new variations.
You’ll find hundreds of brand new recipes plus old favorites from previous editions. You’ll learn basic techniques like grilling vegetables, roasting seafood, innovative uses for homemade condiments, alternative baking staples and more. Never feel like a chicken with its head cut off in the kitchen again!
The Food Lab by J. Kenji López-Alt
“The one book you must have, no matter what you’re planning to cook or where your skill level falls.” —New York Times Book Review
You can’t ask for a higher compliment than this. Except maybe from Martha Stewart. Learn how to elevate every dish that comes out of your kitchen with this must-have cookbook. I finally cooked my steak medium-rare thanks to this book (remember, I was the girl who either made herself sick or ate leather that even a grizzly bear would turn away from). I also couldn’t make poached eggs without cheating and buying the machine that does it for you. I don’t care if it technically gets the job done; mastering the vortex and creating the perfect hollandaise sauce are skills I needed to acquire and this cookbook handed them to me on a silver platter.
Kenji shows that often, conventional methods don’t work that well, and home cooks can achieve far better results using new―but simple―techniques. Transform your simplest sauces and dishes today thanks to The Food Lab.
Mastering The Art of French Cooking by Julia Child, Louisette Bertholle & Simone Beck
Whether you love Julia Child or have been living under a rock and only know about her because of the Julie & Julia movie this cookbook is an addition to your kitchen you’ll always be grateful for! I understand that at first glance this falls under travel cookbooks, but the knowledge you will gain makes it more of a beginner-friendly option with its fantastic collection of easily understood recipes.
Prepare to be captivated by the history of how the recipes came to be. These volumes are truly a labor of love — a result of Julia's desire to learn — that evolved into the greater desire to share her knowledge in such a way that give others the confidence to tackle anything in the kitchen.
The books provide many educational tips about cooking techniques including a solid foundation for understanding the purposes of kitchen equipment, definitions of numerous cooking terms, ingredients, measurements and equivalents, temperature guidelines; the difference between things like chopping, slicing, dicing, and mincing, cooking with, and storing/serving wine. Having a basic understanding of these things takes the mystery out of reading through a recipe.
The Complete Cooking for Two Cookbook, 10th Anniversary Gift Edition by America’s Test Kitchen
Okay, so you’re finally getting comfortable in the kitchen, but you realize you don’t have 6-8 people to feed and simply dividing a recipe in half sounds like the answer but sadly, it’s not. Your food is either going to waste or to your waist, both of which feel like an insult to all your newfound knowledge. The Complete Cooking for Two Cookbook has come to the rescue — and with a 10th anniversary upgrade!
Learn how to make the trickiest small-scale dishes and discover clever strategies for saving time and money in the kitchen! Choose from over 700 amazing recipes, get tips for small grocery budgets to reduce waste and save money, a buying guide for smaller pans and equipment for cooking for two plus recipe cooking times (the bane of my existence when cooking). Consider this an essential cookbook if you’re cooking for two or just yourself. Leftovers that don’t get tiresome and boring for the next 3 days? Yes please!
Trying to eat healthy?
Eating healthy doesn’t mean you have to start a boring diet where you consume nothing but grilled chicken breast, broccoli, no sweets or butter — God help the insane person who tries to take butter from me! You can eat healthy and enjoy every meal; you don’t even have to skip one. These cookbooks will give you delicious recipes that fuel your goals and your happiness!
Alex Snodgrass created TheDefinedDish Blog and her recipes were such a success that went the distance and created not one, but 3 top-tier cookbooks. It’s Whole30 Endorsed, gluten-free, dairy-free, and grain-free recipes that sound and look way too delicious to be healthy.
She provides you with easy variations to make your meals healthier such as using lettuce wraps instead of taco shells, swapping heavy cream with coconut milk and more to ensure recipes work with any diet. Be sure to check out her two additional books in the collection: The Comfortable Kitchen for healthy comfort food and Dinner Tonight providing you with dinners that make eating healthy a mouth-watering breeze.
P.S. — Alex has recently come out with her own salad dressings and they have become essentials in my kitchen! They’re dairy & seed oil free and Whole30 Friendly. I got the Miso Caesar when making one of Olivia Adriance’s recipes and quickly realized I needed every single one of these babies!
The amount of times I grab this book to make the most satisfying salad for lunch, creamy açaí bowl or sweet treat that’s actually good for me is insane! I’m not a vegan so I often add meat to my dishes but this cookbook was a game changer for getting started with a healthy lifestyle. I’m constantly telling my friends and family to eat the rainbow thanks to Andrea’s book.
I hate using the word diet since I feel like it’s a toxic hole you can fall into. I prefer to eat whole ingredients that nourish my body and fuel me rather than simply fill me up. Andrea’s mantra “plant over processed” embodies that mindset, making this book one of my absolute favorite additions.
INCLUDES A 30-DAY PLANT OVER PROCESSED CHALLENGE
Now, I know that I literally just said I hate diets and I will stand by that but, sometimes our body does need a good detox. I don’t mean the kind where you’re practically starving and missing meals but it’ll be over in 7 days so you suffer through to reach a goal that will only last for a week. I’m talking about a deep clean for your body to flush out all the processed crap that’s causing you health issues like brain fog, chronic fatigue, hypothyroidism, the list goes on. Transform your body and see how amazing you’re capable of feeling with her challenge and continue that feeling with recipes created to make you feel like your best & healthiest self!
I’ve been a fan of Gisele’s for a long time. Growing up as a 90’s baby, the Victoria’s Secret Angels were everywhere by the time I became body conscious. I couldn’t quite put my finger on the reason why but Gisele, Adriana and Alessandra were always my favorites. Now that I’m older I realize it’s because they were more geared towards a healthy lifestyle than just being skinny. Gisele’s cookbook presents 100 delicious and approachable recipes based on everyday ingredients and focuses on kickstarting and maintaining a healthy lifestyle while finding balance and intention.
Learn to choose lean, healthy proteins and nutrient-rich vegetables, eat with flexibility (depriving yourself of what you’re craving is always a slippery slope). I never thought I’d be a gluten free girlie but her Coconut Flour Muffins truly have my heart — and all my neighbors’ hearts of course.
Do not skip the inspiring and informative introduction! Change how you care for your body today with Gisele’s guidance to create a routine filled with positive intention, nourishing food, and gratitude to support a healthy lifestyle. Get a deep look into what healthy really means, Gisele’s experiences with food & fitness as a model and how she changed her habits to focus on health and mindset.
Wanderlust but your wallet says no?
These cookbooks will transport you to places all over the world! There’s nothing like savoring pasta in Rome, Calvados in Normandy, Coq au Vin in Paris or secret recipes only a Mediterranean Yiayia can properly whip up, but these cookbooks will make you feel like you wandered European cobblestones to find the best ingredients to make the most delicious meals!
Old World Italian captures Mimi’s journey and culinary treasures of Tuscany, Umbria, Naples and more with 100 recipes for authentic, classic dishes, enriched by conversations with devoted local food experts who share their timeworn techniques and stories.
Unlock secrets to Italian cooking: making the highest quality stocks. Easy, but scary for many and makes all the difference in a meal. Yes, you can buy stock from the store but once you make it from scratch you’ll never be able to turn back.
You'll indulge in dishes from across the country, such as plump agnolotti bathed in sage and butter from the north, the tomato-rich ragùs and pastas of the southwest, seafood-laden cuisine of Sicily. Learn to execute the perfect Neapolitan-style pizza at home or make the most sublime yet elemental cacio e pepe.
And don’t worry, Mimi would never leave out dolci d’Italia. Make the perfect Torta Della Nonna (Grandma’s Cake), Vanilla Chestnut Cream Madelines and rich & creamy Panna Cotta.
Yiayia: Time-perfected Recipes from Greece’s Grandmothers by Anastasia Miari
When has a Grandma ever let you down when it comes to food? There’s nothing like a recipe handed down from your Grandma, Nonna, Abuela or Yiayia. They’re foolproof, heavily tested and always hit the spot! Many dishes are vegetarian, making it possible to eat healthier with the option to add meat of your choice if you like.
I know you hear Greek and think of Gyros, spanakopita, dolmades and baklava. Time to expand that list with the true greats of the Yiayias. Think stuffed courgettes from Lesvos. A Tinian fourtalia. Corfiot spicy bourdeto stew. Ionian pasta dishes. Cretan Dakos salad. Watermelon cake from Milos. Let the Yiayiades transport you to the Mediterranean with diverse dishes, stunning photography and heartwarming interviews to discover the true food of Greece and the character of the grandmas behind it.
My Paris Kitchen: Recipes and Stories by David Lebovitz
I’m constantly missing Paris and this cookbook always makes me feel like I’m back there. David Lebovitz is a food blogger who packed up and moved to Paris over 20 years ago to learn everything he could about French cuisine and techniques. He shares 100 sweet and savory recipes with us so we can revel in the greatness that you’ll find when visiting Paris.
Take notes to make the proper crêpes that actually stay on the pan. Learn about what you’ve been missing out on — did you know you could use celery root? News to me! Heck, I didn’t even know what the root looked like until this book taught me about its possibilities. Wow guests with most savory Soup à L’oignon (French Onion Soup) and classic Coq au Vin (Chicken in Wine). Oh, and learn a little French while you’re flipping through all your Mise en Bouche, Entrèes et Les Desserts. Who could forget les desserts de Paris?
Enjoy every plate you create while reading through this love letter to Paris that will have you feeling like your wandering the cobblestones of every Arrondissement.
The Unofficial Disney Parks EPCOT Cookbook by Ashley Craft
I know, you’re probably wondering what a Disney Parks cookbook is doing in here. Before you judge too hard though, just take a second and think about the food you’ve had when you’re there. It’s always the highlight of the trip even if you don’t realize it. You look forward to the rides and feeling like a kid again, but once you’re there you can’t wait to stop at Casey’s Corner for a hot dog better than any BBQ could offer. Now think about visiting EPCOT and having to choose between Mole Poblano in Mexico, Bratwursts from Germany, Chinese Pork Egg Rolls. But wait…it’s Food & Wine Festival and now there’s a plethora of additional countries with a pop-up kitchen.
You can’t eat it all in one day and I’m sure you think about everything you missed out on when you go back home. Now you can make your favorite dishes from Norway, Italy, France, Germany, and more in the comfort of your own kitchen.
Destined to be Classics
At one point, The Joy of Cooking and Mastering the Art of French Cooking were newbies and not so easily found in every kitchen. Now, we know them as the ultimate must-haves for everyone. There have been plenty cookbooks published in the past 50+ years since the classics became staples. Some have been duds, but then there’s the ones that you know right away are the next classics. These have definitely made that list and constantly have me feeling impressed with the dishes I make.
Magnolia Table by Joanna Gaines
I’m sure there are a few Target lovers here who have been stocking up on all the Hearth & Hand goodies since the line launched. In case you have magically avoided every store’s beautifully crafted center filled with decor to turn every house into a home, this cookbook is the heart of the Hearth & Hand homes. Full of desserts, breakfast recipes, snacks and hearty meals passed down from generations of Stevens women – Cinnamon Squares, Balsamic Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Bacon, White Cheddar Bisque, Stew with Jalapeño Corn Bread! I’m literally getting hungry just thinking about this book.
Joanna has put out two more books that are just as satisfying:
Volume II — filled with 145 new recipes like Breads from scratch, Mushroom-Gruyere Quiche, Lemon-Lavender Tart and Creamy Chicken Poblano Soup (you seriously can’t go back to canned soup once you make one from scratch).
Volume III — recipes Joanna has most enjoyed over the years including Honey Butter Layered Biscuits, Garlic Shrimp and Parmesan Risotto, Peanut Butter Pie. Yeah, I saved the best for last there. Seriously, who says “no” to Peanut Butter Pie?!
Half Baked Harvest by Tieghan Gerard
Here’s another cookbook that has been raved about over the past few years – and understandably so! The recipes are delicious, the variety is endless, and the photography is gorgeous!
All of Tieghan’s creations are crafted in her Colorado family home’s barn and taste tested by her whole family. Have you ever had your brothers say something nice to you because they just can’t bring themselves to make fun of you? Of course not. Siblings are practically hardwired to mess with one another. If her whole family is constantly begging her to make them new delicious concoctions (so good that she’s put out 3 more bestsellers) then you know they’re worth their salt…literally.
Every recipe is the right choice — from her fluffy Belgian waffles to the Slow-Cooker Butter Chicken, Sunday Meatballs, and the Tiramisu Cupcakes.
The Wishbone Kitchen Cookbook by Meredith Hayden
If you’ve been following Meredith’s Wishbone Kitchen account you’ll know she’s got the Hamptons and Nantucket cozy chic down pat. In 2024 she put out her own cookbook and it did not disappoint! It’s definitely more niche, offering recipes and entertaining menus you’d expect to enjoy during summers at the Cape.
The recipes are fresh and healthy yet also offer comfort, plus it’s gorgeous to display. The illustrations remind me of Lily Pulitzer and truly put a smile on your face as you choose through her Hot Crab Dip, Pink Lemon Pasta, Lobster Avocado Salad or a top tier Clam Back recipes.
One feature I especially love are the menus she put together depending on the event you’re hosting. Whether you’re throwing a Birthday Party your friends will ask for over and over again, manifesting the Med, hosting the best taco night ever, going all out for a Summer Clambake, channeling Country Club ladies who lunch, or hoping to impress everyone for the Holidays, Meredith has you covered! She created menus for each occasion all from the recipes provided in the book. Get ready to be hostess with the mostest thanks to The Wishbone Kitchen!
There’s Always Room at the Table by Kaleb Wyse
In a world full of influencers who share their “perfect” lives with us in their big million dollar homes filled with everything beige and white, Kaleb has been a breath of fresh air with his classic, midwestern, farm-to-table recipes and lifestyle. This is his first book — he’s been sharing all his family recipes & traditions with us on social media — and it’s like getting a warm hug from a big family of good people who always have room at the table for you!
Kaleb’s whole family has lived on the farm for generations. Tending to the same fields, living in the same main house and guest house and truly enjoying the labor of love they put into their farm almost as much as they love spending time together.
The homestyle cooking recipes Kaleb shares are those simple yet timeless ones you always look forward to when visiting home, updated for how we eat today. Overnight French Toast Stick Casserole, Cornmeal Pancakes with Blackberry Sauce, Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Spiced Apricot Glaze, Caesar Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Rhubarb Custard Pie Bars and more. You’ll be so glad you grabbed this bestseller that’s sure to stand the test of time.
Baking
Can’t get enough of The Great British Baking Show, Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking and Is It Cake? Me either! I’ve learned so much from binging every episode but the contestants are also suuuuper good at their craft and move at the speed of lightning. If you’re like me and feel like you belong on Worst Bakers in America want to slow things down with all the tips and tricks that set them on their path to baking glory then I suggest these baking cookbooks.
The King Arthur Baking School: Lessons and Recipes for Every Baker by King Arthur Baking Company
When I first started baking I thought it was going to be easier than cooking. I mean there’s not that much to it, right? You mix ingredients together, put them in the oven, relax until they’re done and then voila — muffins, cupcakes, bread — enjoy! Eh! Wrong. There’s a lot more that goes into it and every little thing matters, especially the quality of your flour. I only use Bob’s Red Mill or King Arthur variations. They never let me down and neither did this book!
Consider this a top tier textbook curated by all the best bakers and instructors that want you to succeed. Learn about everything! From Yeast Breads to Sourdough, Laminated Pastries to Pies and Tarts, Cookies to Cake. Gain knowledge and confidence while you play in the kitchen, build new skills and master the “how” and “why” of every baking task you could ever encounter.
Simple French Baking by Manon Lagreve
I think it’s fair to say, I’m a Francophile. I love all things French whether it’s fashion, skincare, home decor or cuisine…which absolutely includes all the baked goods. However, many French favorites can be different, delicate and even a little pretentious. I want to enjoy the process as much as I do the result, which is what makes this book one of the best out there! Bake the perfect Madeleines, surprise everyone with a Pistachio & Rose Cake or master the classics: brioche, eclairs, macarons and the very best Crème Anglaise and Chantilly. You can’t go wrong with this cookbook from a Great British Bakeoff alumni and winner of the NYE 2023 special.
Dessert Person: Recipes and Guidance for Baking with Confidence by Claire Saffitz
When I’m hosting a dinner party or get invited to a potluck, birthday party, summer patio night, you name it, I want to really blow everyone’s mind with the perfect closing dessert. That’s when I whip out this cookbook and choose the next standout sweet to share. Malted Brownies, Turmeric Tea Cake, Classic Birthday Cake, Carrot & Pecan Cake with Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting (my mother’s absolute favorite) and so much more. You wanna be the top baker of everyone you know? Get this book!
The Baking Bible by Rose Levy Beranbaum
Rose has been called the "Diva of Desserts," "the most meticulous cook who ever lived," and "Legendary Baker." And this accolade -- "If ever there was a cookbook author who could place her hands on top of yours, putting you through the proper motions, helping you arrive at just the right touch, Beranbaum is the one.”
She has published over a dozen cookbooks (all of which are fantastic choices) but The Baking Bible truly earned its name. Learn to bake the best cakes, pies, tarts, cookies, pastries and more. Rose has challenged the way people thought baking was supposed to be done and pioneered the reverse creaming technique of cake mixing. Learn from a legend and enjoy the tastes of heaven with the Baking Bible.