Cooking at home can be a deeply rewarding experience, and having the right cookbooks can make all the difference in your culinary journey. Whether you’re a novice cook or an experienced home chef, the right resources can inspire creativity, expand your skills, and bring joy to your kitchen. To help you build the perfect cookbook collection, we’ve curated a list of “10 Essential Cookbooks Every Home Chef Should Own.” These books, written by renowned chefs and culinary experts, offer a diverse range of recipes, techniques, and flavors that will elevate your cooking and delight your taste buds.
♦ Our Top Picks
01.
Discover the rich and vibrant flavors of Mexican cuisine with Claudia Regalado’s latest cookbook, Cooking con Claudia. Known to her fans on YouTube as Cooking Con Claudia, Claudia Regalado invites you into her kitchen to share 100 cherished recipes that have been a staple in her family for years. This collection includes beloved family favorites, contemporary classics, mouthwatering desserts, and much more, all infused with the authentic taste of Mexico.
Whether you’re a seasoned home chef or a beginner eager to learn, Claudia’s book provides you with everything you need to master the art of Mexican cooking. Join Claudia Regalado on this culinary journey and bring the warmth and joy of Mexican family-style cooking to your own table. Cooking con Claudia is more than just a cookbook; it’s an invitation to experience the love and tradition that go into every dish, just as if you were a guest at Claudia’s family table.
02.
With Mary Berry’s Complete Cookbook, you’ll learn to cook like your favorite TV chef, exploring a vast selection of tried-and-tested recipes and essential cooking techniques. Dive into mouth-watering classics such as cheesy cottage pie, steak Diane, and salmon en croûte, or delight your family with beloved favorites like lasagne, chili con carne, and three-cheese macaroni. For those seeking a culinary adventure, Mary has included exciting twists such as prawn tacos, Thai spiced soup, and stir-fried Chinese noodles, ensuring there’s something to please every palate.
Mary Berry’s Complete Cookbook is more than just a collection of recipes; it’s a culinary bible that will become the crowning glory of your cookbook shelf. Perfect for everyday cooking and special gatherings alike, this book ensures that every meal is a delightful experience, filling your belly and heart with joy. Join Mary Berry and discover the joy of cooking with this indispensable kitchen companion.
03.
In Big Night, you’ll find a treasure trove of tips, tricks, and hosting essentials designed for every type of gathering. Katherine’s expert advice will have you setting your table without worrying about everything matching, crafting the perfect martini for your guests, and creating the cheese plate of your dreams with precise planning. This comprehensive guide includes more than 80 mouthwatering recipes for snacks, appetizers, main courses, desserts, and cocktails, ensuring you have the perfect dish for any occasion.
But it doesn’t stop there—Big Night also features full menus for 12 unique and celebratory occasions throughout the year. Big Night: Dinners, Parties, and Dinner Parties is not just a collection of recipes; it’s an invitation to discover the joy of hosting stylish yet effortless parties. With creative presentation, delicious party food, and a celebratory atmosphere, this book is the ultimate host gift for your favorite party planner and a must-have for anyone looking to make any evening feel like a special occasion. Dive into Katherine Lewin’s world and transform your gatherings into memorable holiday celebrations and festive events that everyone will cherish.
In Greekish, Georgina masterfully balances fresh, hearty ingredients with traditional cooking methods, ensuring that every recipe is not only delicious but also easy and balanced. Utilizing familiar Mediterranean staples like olive oil, herbs, halloumi, tahini, and honey, she presents a variety of “hero” recipes that are sure to impress. Delight your taste buds with crispy cauliflower adorned with a herby dressing, savor the rich combination of chicken thighs with figs and olives, or indulge in the sweet and satisfying baklava French toast. Each dish offers classic Mediterranean combinations infused with playful, modern twists, making them both familiar and exciting.
With its focus on fewer ingredients and less stress, Greekish makes it easy to enjoy beloved Mediterranean flavors in every meal. Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or just starting out, Georgina’s approachable recipes and expert tips will help you create satisfying, craveable dishes that you’ll want to cook on repeat. Dive into Greekish and discover how effortlessly you can bring the warmth and richness of Greek cuisine to your table, every day.
05.
Life is hectic, and finding time to prepare wholesome, delicious meals can often feel like a daunting task. Enter The Tried & True Cookbook, the ultimate solution for busy families seeking quick-and-easy recipes that don’t compromise on taste or quality. Created by Alyssa Rivers, the culinary mastermind behind “The Recipe Critic” and beloved by over 12 million followers on Facebook, this cookbook offers over 150 simple, everyday recipes designed to make mealtime a breeze.
In The Tried & True Cookbook, Alyssa delivers a collection of comforting recipes that are both practical and family-friendly. With a focus on using everyday ingredients that you likely already have in your kitchen, Alyssa makes it easy to create satisfying meals without the stress of complicated, time-consuming preparations. From weekday dinners that will delight even the pickiest eaters to mouthwatering appetizers, sides, salads, and desserts, there’s something for everyone in this comprehensive guide.
06.
Step into the world of sourdough with The Perfect Loaf, a dynamic and authoritative baking bible by Maurizio Leo. This award-winning cookbook, recognized by the James Beard Foundation, IACP, and The New York Times, is a must-have for anyone looking to master the art of sourdough baking. Maurizio, the beloved blogger behind The Perfect Loaf and resident bread baker at Food52, brings his meticulous techniques, foolproof recipes, and generous teaching style to this groundbreaking debut, making it an essential resource for both novice and experienced bakers.
07.
Discover the ultimate guide to fast, everyday meals with RecipeTin Eats Dinner, the latest New York Times bestseller by Nagi Maehashi, the creator of the wildly popular RecipeTin Eats website. This instant classic spans nearly 400 pages, offering foolproof recipes, vibrant full-color photographs, and step-by-step videos accessible via QR codes, making it an indispensable addition to any kitchen.
Nagi Maehashi’s digital “recipe tin” is a daily destination for millions around the world seeking new meals and cooking inspiration. In this beautifully curated cookbook, she presents 150 recipes that range from cozy comfort food to quick and easy weeknight meals, innovative twists on Mexican, French, and Italian classics, hearty dinner salads, and flavorful Asian soups and noodles. The book also includes a variety of sauces, sides, and desserts that perfectly complement the main dishes, ensuring you have everything you need to create delicious, complete meals.
08.
From dinner parties to busy weeknight meals, Health Nut offers a range of recipes that fit seamlessly into any lifestyle. Imagine starting your day with Orange-Scented Tahini French Toast or savoring Black Bean Tostadas with Avocado and Crispy Leeks. Delight in the flavors of Tuna, Avocado, and Grapefruit with Seed Crackers, or the unique combination of Charred Cabbage with Mushroom Butter. Each recipe is designed to make healthy eating exciting and enjoyable, with dishes like Peach and Burrata Caprese with Hot Honey, Zucchini and Pistachio Pesto Pizza, and Vegan Baklava Ice Cream.
Health Nut is more than just a cookbook; it’s a culinary journey that amps up the colors, textures, and flavors of health food. Whether you’re a seasoned health food enthusiast or someone eager to explore new tastes, Jess Damuck’s creations promise simple, irresistible dishes you’ll want to make time and time again. Dive into Health Nut and discover how good-for-you food can be a feast for all your senses.
09.
This comprehensive resource is both a nutrition book and a cookbook, designed to take the stress and confusion out of healthy eating. It features six chapters of Nutrition 101 to help you fix your food, break your sugar addiction, and learn how to turn your body into a fat-burning machine. You’ll discover how to detox your family by avoiding the top 10 toxic foods and gain tips on shopping on a budget while making the process easy and efficient. Plus, you’ll uncover the secret weapon for anti-aging and achieving fast results.
Make Food Simple is packed with over 100 easy-to-make recipes that cater to various dietary preferences, including vegetarian, anti-inflammatory, and low-carb options. The book also includes pantry lists, kids’ menus, low-carb food lists, and anti-inflammatory food lists, making it an invaluable tool for families aiming to eat healthier without the hassle.
10.
The book features a wide array of dishes to fit any schedule and occasion. For those hosting company, there’s the nostalgic Seafood Casserole from the ’70s and the savory Pork Marsala with Mushrooms. Pizza night gets a twist with classic Cast-Iron Hamburger Pizza and vibrant Rainbow Pizza. Teenagers will love fun options like Pretzel Dogs and Pickle Chicken Bites. You’ll also find a variety of new pasta dishes, chicken dinners, and easy sides like Crispy Parmesan Potatoes and Pimento Cheese Grits. Don’t miss the delicious desserts, including Blackberry Lime Whip and Chuckwagon Brownies.
As an added bonus, Dinner’s Ready! includes a whole chapter of easy-to-make Fridge Grabs, such as Refrigerator Pickles and Garlic Confit, perfect for adding extra flavor and zip to your meals. With Ree’s low-stress, fuss-free, big-on-flavor recipes, you’ll be able to holler “Dinner’s ready!” faster than ever, bringing scrumptious meals to your family with ease. Whether you’re an experienced cook or just getting started, Dinner’s Ready! will become your go-to guide for quick, delicious, and satisfying dinners.
With these 10 essential cookbooks, you’ll have a wealth of culinary knowledge and inspiration at your fingertips. From mastering the art of Mexican cuisine with Claudia Regalado to creating quick, delicious dinners with Ree Drummond, each book offers something unique to enhance your cooking repertoire. Embrace the joy of cooking with these indispensable guides, and transform your kitchen into a haven of delicious possibilities. Whether you’re preparing everyday meals or hosting special gatherings, these cookbooks will ensure that every dish you make is a memorable one. Dive into these culinary treasures and discover the endless delights of home cooking.
