I love cooking! It’s one of my favorite ways to spend a weekend morning or a Friday night. There’s something about creating a delicious meal that I can share with friends or family or trying something new and exciting just for me that I love. Unfortunately, I’m not the most creative person in the kitchen, and that means I spend quite a bit of time trying to figure out what the heck I’m going to make. Luckily, I can skip out on the search, by drawing inspiration from some good old-fashioned cookbooks. I’ve spent the last few months hunting down the best cookbooks that Amazon has to offer, full of recipes and tips and tricks. While I’m not vegan or vegetarian, I’ve been sure to include a little bit of everything for those of you out there who run into the same problems as me.
Scroll through and fill your cookbook shelf!
Obviously, I had to put Joanna Gaines’ cookbook front and center on this list. Not only is it one of Amazon’s most popular cookbooks, but it’s also one of my favorites! It’s full of incredible, classic recipes that are easy to cook up and even easier to enjoy. Joanna was inspired by fresh produce and American classics, as well as her hometown of Waco and the Gaines’ restaurant.
There’s just something so beautiful and comforting about the Barefoot Contessa. She speaks, and we all listen, which is why her cookbook had to be on this list. From cocktails to desserts, Ina Garten brings 85 new recipes inspired by her childhood and recipes that she loves. And don’t worry! It might feel scary, but most of the recipes in this cookbook are great for beginner chefs.
Snoop Dogg is one of my absolute favorite public figures. I’m a huge fan of his music, but I’m an even bigger fan of his personality and humor. If you’re as big of a fan as I am, and as thousands of Amazon customers are, then you’re going to want to snag From Crook to Cook. It has tasty dishes that are a fun mix of fancy and down-home and even munchy-friendly.
This one is less about recipes and more about how to cook well. Most of us can cook, but not all of us can cook well, and that’s something I personally want to work on, which is why I snagged Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat recently. It comes with incredibly helpful pointers and lessons about slowing things down and really getting to know your kitchen and the recipes you’re working with. It’s a great addition to your assortment of cookbooks.
Joanna Gaines is back with Magnolia Table, Volume 2, and I had to include this one because she leans into new recipes and embraces cooking for a gathering. Whether I have family or friends or a mix of both over for dinner, I know I’m going to reach for this cookbook and all the delectable recipes she’s created. And she’s got everything covered! Desserts, appetizers, main courses, and side dishes.
Believe it or not, before his recent success on FX’s The Bear, Matty Matheson was a famous chef. While he’s still a famous chef, he’s now focusing on his chef-ing and his acting. Home Style Cookery is Matty’s “definitive guide to mastering your kitchen,” and he includes absolutely everything. From staples like pickles and stocks to shareable favorites like dips to showstopping meals like roasts to your go-to weeknight meals like pasta. I’m obsessed with this one and actually got it the second it was released!
Viral sensation Joshua Weissman creates an incredible cookbook that you’ll find yourself going back to time and again. His policy on cooking is that it should take time, that it should be something you experience from start to finish. In his cookbook, he includes over 100 fantastic recipes that are designed to help you stay interested and excited in the food you’re cooking and the meals you’re eating. Plus, it’s infused with Weissman’s irreverent sense of humor.
The beloved TV show Bob’s Burgers (one of my favorites!) is known for plenty of things, but eagle-eyed fans love to note the hilarious joke burgers that the characters create and write out on the chalkboard. The out-of-the-box recipes might just be jokes, but a genius in the kitchen has taken the time to take them from joke to reality! The Bob’s Burgers Burger Book gives you the chance to create all of those famous burgers in your very own home. And what’s cooler than that?
Jamie Oliver’s back with an amazing cookbook focused on making high-quality, delicious meals with just five ingredients. In case you missed it, Oliver is one of the bestselling cookbook authors of all time and has been a part of incredible projects, including some of his own cooking shows. 5 Ingredients takes Oliver’s amazing skills and makes them as precise and helpful as possible, allowing you to create delectable recipes in your own home minus the stress.
One of my favorite things about family dinners is getting my kiddos involved in the cooking, which is why I had to include The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs. This cookbook really does have it all, and the recipes aren’t just easy for kids to master; they’re recipes you’ll actually want to eat! The best thing about this cookbook? The recipes were tested by kids, so you know kids will actually like them!
Listen, I am not a proponent of dieting, and I don’t think diet books and cookbooks are the same thing. But the thing about this cookbook is that while it does discuss “the Mediterranean diet,” it’s with a lower-case “d,” putting the emphasis on the actual food eaten in the Mediterranean and not on calorie-counting or weight loss. The light, bright flavors of the Med come front and center in this fantastic cookbook, and I’ve been using it for years to inspire me in making lighter meals for spring and summer days.
Air fryers had a huge moment, and while they feel like a brief, viral sensation, we can now tell they’re not going anywhere. If you’ve recently bought into the air fryer craze (a totally justified craze!), then you’ll want to snag the Air Fryer Cookbook. It provides you with hundreds of delicious meals, sides, and desserts that can all be made in the air fryer. Talk about making your life easier!
Newlyweds and roommates alike will love this cookbook. It’s a great starter choice when you’re trying to figure out how to make a meal for just two people, not an entire army! It’s full of beginner-friendly recipes that are super easy to make and absolutely delicious. Snag this and ditch the excessive leftovers.
You love your Instant Pot, but you’re still working out how to get the most out of the amazing features. No worries! The Step-by-Step Instant Pot Cookbook has you covered. In these pages, you’ll find all the best recipes to maximize your favorite kitchen gadget. From soups to roasts to desserts, you can do just about anything in an Instant.
Food Network’s very own Jet Tila’s 101 Asian Dishes You Need to Cook Before You Die has absolutely everything you’ve wanted to learn about cooking Asian cuisine and plenty of things you never knew you needed to know. With this cookbook, you’ll be able to grow the arsenal of Asian dishes you can pull from when you cook. It’s a must-have for anyone looking to try something new.
From the brilliant minds of Anthony Bourdain and Laurie Woolever comes an even more brilliant cookbook, Appetites. If you’re a fan of Bourdain’s acerbic wit and impeccable taste, if Parts Unknown was one of your favorite shows, then you’ve got to have this cookbook! The recipes aren’t for the feint at heart, but they’re worth all the work you put in. I’ve been obsessed with this cookbook since it was gifted to me one year and I recommend it to anyone looking to spice things up.
If you’re looking for something that’s just fun and interesting, Baking Yesteryear is a must. It’s a hilarious walk through foods of the 19th century, from the beginning of the century to the 1980s. In this book, you’ll find all sorts of wild and whacky recipes, but most of them are also recipes you’ll enjoy making and eating. And some might just make you nostalgic for grandma’s kitchen.
If you’ve spent any time in or around the world of chef-ing, then you already know the late, great Julia Childs. She’s known for bringing French cooking into the kitchens of the average citizen with her famous show and for her signature voice, of course. I have to say, I once made my Thanksgiving turkey with her recipe, and I’ve never gone back. She knows what she’s talking about, y’all!
The best thing about Maangchi’s Big Book Of Korean Cooking is that it doesn’t just offer you delicious recipes; it also offers you knowledge about Korean fare and culture. You’re cooking, and you’re learning, which is always a win. Maangchi has taken her favorite classic Korean dishes and updated them without compromising the authenticity of the dishes. She’s made Korean cooking accessible in anyone’s kitchen with this fantastic guide.
In case you missed the bread craze that came with the pandemic, Flour Water Salt Yeast is here to walk you through the fundamentals. Make some of the best bread you’ve ever made in your life with this awesome cookbook and guide. It’ll get you started kneading and rising and proofing and learning just what those phrases entail, too, an assortment of breads and doughs. My whole family looks forward to days we pull this one out!
Plant-based eating isn’t for everyone, but if it’s for you, then so is this cookbook! It’s so easy to fall into a pattern and routine when you’re cooking plant-based, but this cookbook helps pull you out. With 75 simple and delicious plant-based recipes, you’ll be able to shake up your kitchen and create recipes for the whole family without even thinking. I’m buying one for all of my plant-based besties.
Believe it or not, it’s much easier to create your own baby food than you might think. You don’t have to shell out a ton of money to know exactly what’s in your little one’s food, because this fantastic cookbook will teach you all about doing it yourself. With recipes for every stage of your baby’s life, this cookbook was made for you and your kitchen.
Maybe you’re really not into plant-based living. That’s also a valid choice! And I didn’t forget you when I was making this list. The MeatEater Fish and Game Cookbook was made specifically for folks like you. It doesn’t just have recipes you’re going to fall in love with, it also has tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your hunts and catches. From big game to saltwater fish and everything in between, this cookbook is a comprehensive option for anyone obsessed with cooking up their latest catch.
The gamer in your life is going to love the official cookbook of The Elder Scrolls. All those times they’ve mentioned how tasty those sweetrolls look? Now, they can make some for themselves! The cookbook is full of over 60 tasty recipes for fans of any cooking ability. It makes a great gift!
Adapted from the famous Half Baked Harvest cookbook, Half Baked Harvest, Super Simple was created to offer the same incredible taste with a fraction of time spent. Now, you can create delectable meals for your favorite people without sweating over a stove all day. From overnight meals to Instant Pot options, this cookbook has it all. I can already tell it’s going to be a favorite go-to in my house!
For the uninitiated, “Heroes’ Feast” might just sound like a really nice meal. For those of us who know and love D&D, we know that it’s more than just a meal – it’s restorative! While I can’t guarantee any of these meals will offer you instant healing, what I can guarantee is that this cookbook is full of some of the most interesting and exciting recipes I’ve ever made. My family loves to choose recipes from this book on D&D night.
Cooking is all about science, and the science behind cooking is so cool! Which is why you’re going to want The Food Lab. You’re not just creating delicious recipes from this cookbook; you’re learning all about the science behind what you’re doing. Cook up something delicious and learn a little bit, too, with this awesome cookbook!
Don’t just make Indian food; make the best Indian food possible with this cookbook from the beloved Dishoom. Explore Bombay through the delicious recipes and the stunning photos in this cookbook. Indian food might feel scary when you’re getting started, but it doesn’t have to be! Dishoom will help you get into the groove of Indian cooking, but as deliciously as possible!
It’s not easy to cook gluten-free food all the time, but this amazing cookbook makes it so much easier! Cook Once, Eat All Week gives you 26 weeks of gluten-free meal prep to help you, as the title suggests, preserve your time and sanity. That means less time wasted struggling to pick the recipes you want to cook and more time spent actually eating. Or more time to do literally anything else because sometimes you’re just too busy to worry about food.
You didn’t think I would forget dessert, did you? It’s my favorite meal of the day! And 100 Cookies is one of my favorite dessert recipe books. And it doesn’t just cover cookies; it includes brownies, bars, and even more. Plus, while some of the recipes are a little more challenging, most of these are beginner-friendly, and I’ve been able to cook up quite a few with the entire family in on the action.
Whether you’ve been vegetarian for years, are considering starting now, or are embracing that way of life for health reasons, this cookbook is a must-have. The Complete Vegetarian Cookbook has all the recipes you could possibly want to learn how to make your kitchen vegetarian-friendly. There are options for the whole family and options that only you’ll like. You’ll find yourself reaching for it all the time!
I love hosting! It’s honestly one of my favorite things, but what I don’t love is figuring out what to cook for everyone. I want to make something nice, but I don’t want to spend all day in the kitchen. That’s when my best friend suggested I grab Nothing Fancy, and it has changed my life! It has all sorts of incredible options for crafting delicious meals to share with all of my favorite people.
We all know that Gordon Ramsay knows what he’s doing, which is why Gordon Ramsay’s Home Cooking is a no-brainer. While you won’t get to experience being yelled at by the man himself, you will get to experience his talent as you follow his step-by-step instructions to cook up the most delicious recipes. In typically Gordon Ramsay fashion, he’s considered everything, making sure to add recipes for meals, sides, and desserts.
The world-famous, award-winning Franklin Barbecue is sharing some of its secrets with its Meat-Smoking Manifesto. This is more than just a cookbook, it’s the ultimate guide to smoking up some of the best barbecue possible. It takes you step-by-step through every part of barbecuing, from finding the right wood to doing the actual cooking. It’s an essential!
Make your plant-based eating a breeze with PlantYou. From meal planning to grocery trips to the actual cooking, this cookbook has you covered. You’ll know what you’re doing every step of the way, even if you’re a plant-based novice. And the best part? All the recipes are oil-free!
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