There are thousands of seemingly great cookbooks on the market right now, which makes it nearly impossible to know just which one is really going to be worth it. I know we’ve all been through it, you buy or are gifted a cookbook, you thumb through it one night while you’re watching Netflix, mentally mark one or two recipes you *might* make and then never look at it again.
If you’ve been around for any amount of time, you know I am obsessed with cooking and all things related to it. One of the passions this hobby has brought out in me, is the obsession with cookbooks. I never got the appeal before, but since becoming engrossed in all-things-cooking, I now appreciate them more than ever.
I also know deciding which cookbooks to invest in can be overwhelming, especially when you’re first starting out. I love using cookbooks in my home— they’re great not only for actually using but also as homey accents in your kitchen.
You cannot go wrong with these six cookbooks, make sure to read see which ones (maybe all) you need in your life!
The Best Cookbooks in 2021
Half Baked Harvest Super Simple
Tieghan Gerard of Half baked Harvest is one of the best and most followed food bloggers on Instagram, and there are a million reasons why. She specializes in really elevated recipes that are still easy and contain normal ingredients.
Her “Super Simple” cookbook is perfect for just that, simple cooking. This is a great cookbook for beginners and experts looking to save a little time and peace of mind. Her original cookbook is great as well, just less focused on those super simple, yet delicious, meals.
Do not be overwhelmed when you first dive into her cookbook. I promise the recipes look more difficult than they are- which is the beauty of them! You will quickly learn to cook and impress your guests with any of her recipes.
Magnolia Table Cookbook Vol. 1
Who isn’t obsessed with Joanna Gaines? If you’ve seen her cookbook around a million times before, I wouldn’t be surprised. This is your sign though, invest in her cookbooks. The recipes are truly so basic and simple, without sacrificing major taste and comfort. It’s all just too delicious! If you find yourself asking, “Is the Magnolia cookbook worth it?” The answer is yes.
My favorite recipes from this one are the Mexican cornbread, chocolate chip cookies, chocolate french silk pie, the list goes on! The Mexican cornbread is definitely what I make the most out of this one.
Magnolia Table Cookbook Vol. 2
I didn’t think I really needed both her cookbooks, but I was wrong. I picked this one up when I saw it on sale a few weeks ago, and I just had time to dive into it more this week. The first thing we made was the chicken florentine… YUM! Again, every recipe is a simple classic. Those foods you’ve had a thousand times, but this time better and easier to make yourself. I also love that all the ingredients are so normal. Who wants to spend hours roaming around the grocery store?
The blueberry muffins I shared all about on my Instagram are also from this cookbook- seriously the best blueberry muffins I’ve ever had!
The Defined Dish
If you’re looking for something on the healthier side, look no further. The Defined Dish sacrifices nothing on taste while also offering the brightest, yummiest meals. I think she really excels in all-things-Mexican-inspired!
Cookbooks for healthy and easy meals can be hard to find, but the Defined Dish will not disappoint. I also like her recipes she shares on her website.
Modern Comfort Food
You cannot go wrong with Ina Garten. The hardest part is deciding which of her cookbooks to pick up. I love that modern comfort food was the theme of her latest cookbook, I think that was a really smart move. There are so many people looking to eat a little bit on the healthier side, without missing out on those classic comfort foods we’re used to.
Beautiful Boards
Perhaps my most frequently used “cookbook,” this is the out of the ordinary pick! I particularly love using this to display as a holiday decoration, the holiday boards are so beautiful and definitely a conversation starter when they’re on display in my kitchen. I never draw clear inspiration from them when making my boards, but it’s really fun to have on the counter.
Shop these cookbooks:
Those are the six cookbooks you should purchase! With the right cookbooks, I think you can truly find those classic meals to feed your family or self on weeknights, special occasions and more. These cookbooks have truly taught me how to cook and become a better chef! I can even semi-create my own recipes using principles I’ve learned from these.
Please let me know which cookbooks you try and love, I could talk about cooking for hours.
[…] actually use. If you’re looking for other good cookbooks ideas, make sure you check out my ‘six cookbooks you will actually use’ post for even more […]