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The best cookbooks of 2024
If you ever find yourself in a cooking slump, making the same recipes again and again, a new cookbook can help diversify your weekly menu and teach you new kitchen skills. (They’re also just fun to collect if you’re already an avid chef!) There are hundreds of new cookbooks released every year, and this year yielded some especially great picks from trusted publications, fan-favorites, and up-and-coming food influences.
We’re obsessed with the best cookbooks of 2024, which include options for healthy recipes, Italian and Chinese cuisine, wow-worth sandwiches, and delectable desserts—plus so much more! So whether you’re looking to expand your cookbook collection or maybe searching for the perfect Christmas gift, the following are the best cookbooks of the year that absolutely deserve a spot in your kitchen.
If you’re looking for delicious, flavorful recipes made with healthy ingredients, Well Plated Every Day is the latest cookbook from food blogger Erin Clarke. It includes more than 110 recipes, the majority of which are for main entrees that are ready in less than an hour, but there are also some breakfast, lunch, and dessert recipes sprinkled in, too. Some of the new meals include Sheet Pan Honey Orange Pistachio Salmon, Crispy Chicken Schnitzel with Caramelized Cabbage, and Kale Salad with Apples, Pomegranate, and Wild Rice, all of which are packed full of flavor but still made with lighter, wholesome ingredients.
America’s Test Kitchen is known for its virtually foolproof recipes, all of which have been extensively tested and perfected by the brand’s talented culinary team, and this new cookbook celebrates the brand’s 25th anniversary. It includes more than 500 of the Test Kitchen’s best recipes from the hit TV show, and in the 700+ page cookbook, you’ll find everything from appetizers and main dishes to bread recipes, desserts, and more. The recipes are ideal for both experienced chefs and those who are just starting their culinary journey, and it’s sure to be a cookbook you reach for regularly in the kitchen.
You’ll never want to bother with takeout again once you start making recipes from Chinese Enough, the latest cookbook from James Beard Award-winning author Kristina Cho. This new collection of recipes includes 100 meals that are neither entirely Chinese nor entirely American, but strike the perfect balance between the two. It has a whole chapter dedicated to noodle dishes, as well as a detailed guide on making dumplings, and some of the recipes you can look forward to include Wispy Mushroom Chow Mein, Hot Honey Mayo Shrimp, and Chicken and Cabbage Spring Rolls.
If you’ve ever watched Food Network, chances are you know Alex Guarnaschelli, a powerhouse chef who hosts shows like Supermarket Stakeout and Alex vs. America and has been on Chopped, Iron Chef America and Beat Bobby Flay. She’s also a wonderful cookbook author, and her latest release, Italian American Forever, includes 120 recipes for classic Italian-American dishes. Some of the meals include Fettuccine Alfredo, Whole Chicken alla Diavola, and Stuffed Artichokes, and there are also some desserts and side-dishes sprinkled in, too.
When you need a warm, comforting meal, Half Baked Harvest is the way to go. Half Baked Harvest Quick & Cozy is the latest from popular author Tieghan Gerard, and it includes 120 new recipes that use simple ingredients and are quick and easy to get onto the table. (Don’t worry, though—they don’t skimp on flavor!) Some of the meals include Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Bang Bang Sauce and Sheet Pan Mac & Cheese with All the Crispy Edges, and just looking through the cookbook’s beautiful photography is enough to make your stomach growl.
While not a truly vegan cookbook, Justine Cooks includes more than 100 recipes that focus on plant-based ingredients, helping to make plant-forward eating more accessible for everyone. It’s the debut cookbook from social media star Justine Doiron, and in addition to delicious entrees, there are lots of options for salads, snacks, vegetables, breads, and more. Some of the recipes you’ll find inside include Baked Kale Salad with Chili Quinoa, Breaded Beans with Nutty Skhug, Whitefish Peperonata, and Crispy Rice in Sungold-Miso Broth, all of which are sure to bring you a new appreciation for plant-based eating.
Life can get hectic sometimes, and when you don’t feel like spending hours in the kitchen, this cookbook is sure to come in handy. What to Cook When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking is the latest from author Caroline Chambers, who runs a popular newsletter with the same title, and it’s written for busy people who still love good food. The recipes inside are organized by the amount of time they take to cook, and there are entrees that take as little as 15 minutes to get on the table. The easy, accessible recipes are also great for beginners, making this a worthwhile pick if you’re just getting into cooking.
Sarah Kieffer may be best-known for her viral pan-banging cookie technique, but she has a variety of other amazing cookbooks that include recipes for all types of delicious desserts. 100 Afternoon Sweets is her latest release, and it’s packed full of mouth-watering baked goods that are perfect for a mid-afternoon pick-me-up. Some of the new recipes include Pecan Espresso Bars, Roasted Strawberry Cream Pie, and Kitchen Sink Crispy Treats, and the new cookbook is a must-have if you enjoyed Kieffer’s previous cookbook, 100 Cookies.
Whether you’re a fan of Dolly Parton or just craving some Southern comfort food, you’ve got to get your hands on Good Lookin’ Cookin. This recently released cookbook was authored by the award-winning country singer and her sister, Rachel Parton George, and it contains 80 tasty recipes, including Country Ham and Biscuits, Barbecue Spare Ribs, and Family Favorite Meatloaf. The book is structured around the months of the year, and it includes multi-course menus for all the major holidays, as well as tips for hosting a successful party.
When it comes to bread baking, King Arthur is one of the most trusted sources out there—both for ingredients and recipes—and the brand just released its Big Book of Bread, a comprehensive guide that will help you whip up delicious loaves at home. It includes 125 recipes for both yeasted and naturally leavened breads, as well as everything you need to know about bread-making techniques like folding, shaping, and even storage. It’s the perfect choice for anyone just getting into bread making, but experienced bakers will certainly learn new tips and tricks in the pages, too.
The latest from pastry chef and popular food blogger Zoë François, Zoë Bakes Cookies is a must-have for anyone with a sweet tooth. It includes 75 delectable recipes for cookies and bars, ranging from classics like Ultra-Peanut Butter and Zoë's Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies to out-of-the-box creations including Lemon Lavender Shortbread Cookies, and each easy-to-follow recipe is better than the last!
If pizza night is a recurring event in your home, you should definitely invest in Pizza Night from Alexandra Stafford, the food blogger behind Alexandra’s Kitchen. This new cookbook includes four recipes for quintessential pizza doughs—including thin-crust, pan, Neapolitan-style, and gluten-free—as well as 52 delicious seasonal recipes to try out. Plus, every pizza is paired with a matching salad, making it easy to serve a well-rounded and delicious meal.
It’s easy to get lost in Owen Han’s social media feed, which is filled with mouth-watering videos of his lunchtime creations, and now you can recreate some of his best sandwiches at home with the help of Stacked. It’s filled with sandwich recipes for every meal, from Bacon and Egg Biscuit Sandwiches to elevated lunchtime classics like a Turkey Crunch Sandwich with Frico Crisps and Salted Brownie Ice Cream Bars for dessert. Plus, there’s a whole section on sauces, sides, and homemade breads to add extra flavor to your meals.
If your grilling repertoire solely includes hamburgers, hot dogs, and the occasional steak, What's Gaby Cooking: Grilling All the Things will help you get more use out of your grill. A great read for anyone who’s new to grilling, this cookbook walks you through all the important grill mechanics, and it also contains 100 recipes, including appetizers, seafood, meat and poultry, vegetables, and desserts. Plus, many of the recipes are healthy, including lots of vegetables, for lighter summertime meals.
Matty Matheson is an actor and executive producer of the popular TV show, The Bear, but he’s also an acclaimed chef. His best-selling new cookbook focuses on all things soups, salads, and sandwiches, and it includes innovative updates to classic recipes that deliver bold, delicious flavors. Some of the recipes you’ll find inside include Creamy Sausage Soup with Rapini and Tortellini, Griddled Salami Panzanella Salad, and Sun Warmed Tomato Sandwiches, and they’re sure to become regular additions to your lunchtime meal rotation.
Other great cookbooks from 2024
Henry Laporte, a.k.a. Salt Hank, is another social media star, and A Five Napkin Situation is his debut cookbook. As you may have guessed from the title, this collection of recipes includes a variety of decadent comfort meals with dripping sauce, juicy meats, and crispy bread. It includes many of his signature recipes, such as his viral Lamb Burger, Steak Frites Sandwich, and Vodka Parmesan, as well as brand-new meals that will make your mouth water.
For baking enthusiasts, Sweet Tooth is an impressive collection of fun dessert recipes from Sarah Fennel, the creator behind Broma Bakery. It features 100 recipes for those times when you just need something sweet, and many are modern twists on classic desserts, such as Funfetti Crumb Cake or Oatmeal Cream Cookies.
If you enjoy out-of-the-box baking, you’re sure to have fun working your way through Peculiar Baking. Written by Nikk Alcaraz, the creator behind Practical Peculiarities, this cookbook features a unique collection of desserts—we’re talking Apple Eye Pies and Tarot Sun Sheet Cake—all of which are delightfully eccentric and will be the perfect centerpiece for a spooky dinner party.
Ottolenghi Comfort is the latest from chef and restaurateur Yotam Ottolenghi, and it focuses on creative comfort dishes. Ottolenghi and his co-authors include more than 100 recipes for comfort meals from around the world, presenting meals that are simultaneously familiar yet fresh and innovative. You can look forward to trying recipes like Garlicky Aligot Potato with Leeks & Thyme and Cheesy Bread Soup with Savoy Cabbage & Cavolo Nero, as well as appetizers, desserts, and more.
You can expand your weekly dinner menu with Delicious Tonight, a new cookbook from Nagi Maehashi, the creator behind RecipeTin Eats. It contains more than 150 easy recipes, including many meals that are ready in 20 minutes, use only one pan, or are made solely from pantry staples. Maehashi also offers hundreds of recipe variations that you can make, helping to tailor the meals to your family’s preferences.
Pass the Plate is the debut cookbook from recipe creator Carolina Gelen, and it’s filled with fresh takes on beloved comfort dishes. There are more than 100 meals to explore, including options like Chicken Schnitzel with Caramelized Lemon Gremolata and Many Mushrooms Lasagna. The cookbook has entire chapters dedicated to salads, vegetable-based meals and even eggs, and it’s filled with beautiful photography of all the different dishes.
From the creator behind food blog Brocc Your Body, Seriously, So Good is filled with nourishing yet delicious recipes that you’ll feel good about making—and equally enjoy eating. Author Carissa Stanton shares her stress-free cooking approach throughout the book, as well as more than 100 recipes like Chicken Pot Pie Soup, Sun-Dried Tomato and Feta Turkey Burgers, and Crunchy Shrimp Roll Bowls.
If you love hosting dinners for your friends and family, you’re sure to get lots of tips, tricks, and new recipes from Big Night, the debut cookbook from author Katherine Lewin. It features 12 full menus for your next big event, as well as 80 additional recipes for complementary snacks, apps, mains, desserts, and cocktails. The book is designed to help you discover the joy of hosting, and it would also make a great gift for your loved one who’s always the gracious hostess.
If you’re a fairly experienced home cook but don’t like long, complicated recipes, Cooking in Real Life offers the perfect middle ground, with meals that are inventive and slightly outside the box yet still low-effort. There are recipes for fuss-free weeknight meals, celebratory dishes, and seasonal produce, and many of the dishes are vegetable-forward, in case you’re looking for easy ways to fit more healthy ingredients into your diet.
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