New cookbooks land on the market weekly, serving up mouthwatering inspiration to beginners and experienced home cooks everywhere. But with such an abundance of choice – and with every book tailored to a different style of cookery – it can be tricky to know where to start.
The best cookbooks are full of inspiration for both weeknight dinners and indulgent dinner parties. They’re the collections of recipes that we know will never fail us: easy to follow, original and utterly delicious. And whether you’re looking to gift a first cookbook or inject new vegetarian recipes, vegan recipes or gluten-free dinners into your own repertoire, the below picks – as chosen by the passionate home cooks who swear by them – fall into this category.
They span across a variety of cuisines, from Italian and Mediterranean to Japanese, Chinese and Korean, as well as a variety of cooking styles. Think: one pot dinners for when you’re in a rush, plant-based delights to satisfy your cravings and delectable deserts for when you need to show-off. Only the best recipes ahead.
Best cookbooks at a glance, chosen by passionate home cooks
- Best cookbook for beginners: How to Cook Everything by Mark Bittman
- Best new cookbook: Cook and Share: 120 Delicious New Fuss-free Recipes by Mary Berry
- Best healthy cookbook: Pinch and Nom Comfort Food – Kate Allison & Kay Featherstone
- Best Ottolenghi cookbook: Simple by Yotam Ottolenghi
- Best cookbook for families: Cook, Eat, Repeat: Ingredients, Recipes and Stories by Nigella Lawson
After more books content? We’ve got sleep books, poetry books, romance novels, true crime books, autobiographies, veggie cookbooks, mental health books and adult colouring books. We’ve also got coffee table books, summer books, vegan cookbooks and books by black authors.