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10 Best Cookbooks 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

The Complete Mediterranean Cookbook: 500 Vibrant, Kitchen-Tested Recipes for Living and Eating Well Every Day (The Complete ATK Cookbook Series)

The Complete Mediterranean Cookbook is a comprehensive guide featuring 500 vibrant, kitchen-tested recipes that emphasize living and eating well. Its focus on Mediterranean cuisine offers a delightful range of flavors, ideal for those who enjoy or are curious about this healthy and diverse diet. The cookbook spans from simple dishes to more complex creations, making it suitable for cooks of varying skill levels, from beginners to experienced chefs.

The recipes cater to various dietary preferences, including vegetarian, gluten-free, and heart-healthy options, which is beneficial for those with specific dietary needs or health goals. Recipe variety is a strong point, as the book covers a broad spectrum of meals, from appetizers to desserts, ensuring there's something for everyone. Ingredients are generally accessible, with most being available at local grocery stores or easily substituted, which makes daily cooking practical.

The visual appeal is high, with beautiful and appetizing photos that inspire and guide the cooking process. Authored by America’s Test Kitchen, the book benefits from the expertise and detailed testing that the brand is known for, providing reliable and well-explained recipes. The book's size and weight might make it less portable, and its extensive number of recipes could be overwhelming for some users. While the Mediterranean focus is a strength, those looking for a more diverse range of global cuisines might find it limiting. This cookbook is perfect for anyone committed to the Mediterranean diet or looking to incorporate healthier, flavorful meals into their routine.

Customer Highlights

A summary of real customer reviews to highlight what shoppers are saying!
Cuisine Type
This book is a fantastic resource for anyone wanting to delve into Mediterranean cooking, offering plenty of tips and knowledge.
Skill Level
This cookbook has significantly improved my cooking skills, teaching me how to choose, mix, and prepare ingredients effectively.
Dietary Preferences
Nutritional information for each recipe is included, making it easier to maintain a healthy diet.
Recipe Variety
The recipes are delicious and diverse, from zucchini and feta fritters to scallops with orange/lime dressing and orzo with lemon shrimp.
Ingredient Accessibility
Ingredients might not always be pantry staples, but once stocked, they become regulars in your cooking routine.
Author's Expertise
The cookbook has helped me modify recipes to suit my personal preferences, thanks to the thorough explanations and tips.
#2

Martha: The Cookbook: 100 Favorite Recipes, with Lessons and Stories from My Kitchen

'Martha: The Cookbook' by Martha Stewart is an extensive collection of 100 favorite recipes that combines practical cooking lessons with personal stories from the author's own kitchen. Martha Stewart's reputation as a culinary expert adds a significant level of credibility to this cookbook. The recipes cover a broad range of cuisine types, making it suitable for those who enjoy exploring different tastes and dishes.

Given Martha's expertise, the skill level required for these recipes can vary from beginner to advanced, providing a learning curve for new cooks while still challenging seasoned ones. The cookbook is likely to include a variety of dietary preferences, though it may not cater specifically to niche diets like vegan or gluten-free. Ingredient accessibility is expected to be reasonable, as Martha often emphasizes the use of fresh, common ingredients that should be available at most grocery stores.

The visual appeal of the cookbook is another strong point, with high-quality photographs that inspire and guide readers through the cooking process. The hardcover format and substantial page count make it a durable and comprehensive addition to any kitchen. On the downside, the weight and size of the book could make it less convenient to handle or store in smaller kitchens. Furthermore, while the recipes are varied, those looking for highly specialized or modern dietary trends might find the selection less accommodating. In summary, 'Martha: The Cookbook' is an excellent choice for home cooks who appreciate a blend of classic and inventive recipes, enjoy learning from a seasoned expert, and value visually appealing cookbooks.

Customer Highlights

A summary of real customer reviews to highlight what shoppers are saying!
Skill Level
The recipes cater to a wide range of tastes and skill levels, from comforting classics to show-stopping dishes.
Recipe Variety
The recipes cater to a wide range of tastes and skill levels, from comforting classics to show-stopping dishes.
Visual Appeal
A stunning blend of culinary expertise and personal storytelling, featuring 100 of Martha's most cherished recipes alongside beautiful photography and heartfelt anecdotes.
Author's Expertise
A stunning blend of culinary expertise and personal storytelling, featuring 100 of Martha's most cherished recipes alongside beautiful photography and heartfelt anecdotes.
#3

The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook

The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook, authored by Ina Garten, is a beloved classic in the cooking world. This cookbook focuses on American cuisine with a twist of gourmet flair, making it versatile for family meals and special occasions. It's suitable for cooks with a moderate skill level, while beginners may find some recipes challenging without basic kitchen skills. The recipes cater to a broad audience with no strict dietary preferences, making it less ideal for those strictly following vegan, gluten-free, or other specific diets.

It offers a diverse range of recipes from appetizers to desserts, ensuring a full culinary experience. Ingredients are generally accessible, with many recipes using common grocery store items, although some may require specialty ingredients. The visual appeal is strong with beautiful photographs that illustrate the recipes clearly, enhancing the cooking experience.

Ina Garten's expertise as a renowned cook and author adds significant value, providing reliable and well-tested recipes. The book is a hardcover with 256 pages, making it a durable addition to your kitchen library. This cookbook is a great choice for home cooks looking to expand their repertoire with gourmet-inspired, yet practical dishes.

Customer Highlights

A summary of real customer reviews to highlight what shoppers are saying!
Skill Level
The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook shines by being more accessible than other high-end cookbooks, making it an excellent first choice for both beginners and experienced cooks.
Recipe Variety
This cookbook stands out for its careful selection of durable recipes, perfect for entertaining and everyday meals alike.
Visual Appeal
Beautiful photographs of the food are both excellent and inspiring, enhancing the overall cooking experience.
Author's Expertise
Ina Garten's recipes are reliable and were all prepared in her store, ensuring they appeal to a discerning palate and are practical for home use.

Buying Guide for the Best Cookbooks

Choosing the right cookbook can be a delightful journey, especially if you love to cook or are looking to improve your culinary skills. The right cookbook can inspire you, teach you new techniques, and help you create delicious meals. When selecting a cookbook, consider your cooking experience, dietary preferences, and the type of cuisine you enjoy. Here are some key aspects to consider when picking the perfect cookbook for you.
Cuisine TypeCuisine type refers to the specific style of cooking that the cookbook focuses on, such as Italian, Mexican, or Asian. This is important because it aligns with your taste preferences and the kind of dishes you want to prepare. If you love pasta and pizza, an Italian cookbook would be ideal. If you enjoy spicy and flavorful dishes, a Mexican cookbook might be the right choice. Think about the types of food you enjoy eating and want to learn how to cook.
Skill LevelSkill level indicates the complexity of the recipes and the techniques required to prepare them. Cookbooks can range from beginner-friendly to advanced. If you are new to cooking, look for a cookbook with simple, easy-to-follow recipes and basic techniques. If you are more experienced, you might enjoy a cookbook that challenges you with more complex recipes and advanced techniques. Consider your current cooking skills and how much you want to challenge yourself.
Dietary PreferencesDietary preferences refer to specific dietary needs or restrictions, such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or keto. This is important because it ensures that the recipes align with your dietary choices and health goals. If you follow a vegetarian diet, look for a cookbook that offers a variety of plant-based recipes. If you are on a keto diet, find a cookbook with low-carb, high-fat recipes. Choose a cookbook that supports your dietary lifestyle.
Recipe VarietyRecipe variety refers to the range of different dishes included in the cookbook. A good cookbook should offer a mix of appetizers, main courses, desserts, and side dishes. This is important because it provides you with a comprehensive guide to creating complete meals. If you like to experiment with different types of dishes, look for a cookbook with a wide variety of recipes. If you prefer to focus on a specific type of meal, such as desserts, choose a cookbook dedicated to that category.
Ingredient AccessibilityIngredient accessibility refers to how easy it is to find the ingredients listed in the recipes. This is important because it affects how practical and convenient it is to cook from the cookbook. If you live in an area with limited access to specialty ingredients, look for a cookbook that uses common, easily available ingredients. If you enjoy sourcing unique ingredients, you might prefer a cookbook that introduces you to new and exotic items. Consider the availability of ingredients in your local area.
Visual AppealVisual appeal refers to the quality and attractiveness of the photographs and illustrations in the cookbook. This is important because it can inspire and motivate you to try the recipes. A cookbook with beautiful, high-quality photos can make the cooking process more enjoyable and help you visualize the final dish. If you are a visual learner, look for a cookbook with plenty of photos and step-by-step illustrations. If you prefer text-based instructions, this might be less important.
Author's ExpertiseAuthor's expertise refers to the background and experience of the person who wrote the cookbook. This is important because it can give you confidence in the reliability and quality of the recipes. An author with professional culinary training or a well-known chef can provide valuable insights and tips. If you are looking to learn from an expert, choose a cookbook by a reputable author with a strong culinary background. If you prefer a more casual approach, look for cookbooks by home cooks or food bloggers.

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