• Home
  • Cooking 101
    • Handbooks
    • How To
    • Skills + Tips
  • Cooking 102
    • Cooking Hacks
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Quick & Easy Meals
    • Seasonal/Holiday Recipes
  • Recipes + Videos
    • Course
    • Cuisine
    • Entertaining
    • Ingredient
    • Videos
  • Homemade Products
    • Beauty & Skincare
    • Everyday Products
    • Household Cleaners
    • Natural Health
  • Kitchen + Cookware
    • Supplies
    • Appliances
    • Books
  • Food + Drink
Logo
  • About HR
  • Contact Us
  • Contribute
  • FAQs
  • Homemade Recipes Coupons
  • Cooking Hacks
  • Healthy Recipes
  • Quick & Easy Meals
  • Seasonal/Holiday Recipes
Home » 21 Cookbooks Every Home Chef Needs

21 Cookbooks Every Home Chef Needs

September 23, 2022 By Homemade Recipes Leave a Comment

Cookbooks are a chef’s best friend and greatest resource. We can’t tell you how many cookbooks we have lying around the Homemade Recipes office and our collection only continues to grow! We truly believe they’re great to have in order to grow as a chef and creative individual. Because we’re all about sharing the love, we’ve put together 21 essential cookbooks every home chef needs! 

21 Cookbooks Every Home Chef Needs

Here are 21 cookbooks every home chef needs. These books will serve as a guide to choosing and creating perfect meals for you and your family.

1. The Back in the Day Bakery Cookbook

Homemade Desserts Book l Homemade Recipes  https://homemaderecipes.com/cooking-101/21-cookbooks-every-home-chef-needs
Because homemade treats are the best treats!

by Cheryl Day and Griffith Day

The Back in the Day Bakery Cookbook has over 100 traditional recipes for everything from Old Fashioned Cupcakes to Cheddar Pecan Rounds. Every recipe in this cookbook has soul, a story behind it, and love. These recipes are sure to bring your family closer together as you all gather around homemade Banana Pudding, sharing stories and building memories.

2. Preserving by the Pint: Quick Seasonal Canning for Small Spaces 

Preserving Fruits and Snacks Recipes l Homemade Recipes  https://homemaderecipes.com/cooking-101/21-cookbooks-every-home-chef-needs
Preserve seasonal food in no time with this awesome cookbook.

by Marisa McClellan 

The recipes in Marisa’s latest book, Preserving by the Pint, are very helpful and contain brilliant ideas on how to preserve your favorite seasonal foods to enjoy year ’round. You will love her sauces, chutneys, butters, jams, and jellies (most of which take less than 60 minutes to make). This book is sure to send you into a preserving craze. (We’re still in one.)

3. Seriously Delish: 150 Recipes for People Who Totally Love Food

Best Homemade Recipes with Beautiful Photography l Homemade Recipes  https://homemaderecipes.com/cooking-101/21-cookbooks-every-home-chef-needs
Perfect recipes for every meal.

by Jessica Merchant

When we bought Jessica Merchant’s cookbook, we knew we made the right choice when we read her dedication to her mother, “For my mom, who taught me about bacon. And therefore, taught me about life.” The creator behind the How Sweet It Is blog, Jessica Merchant delivers with 150 recipes for all courses and palates. This book is an absolute must-have.

4.  The Kitchn Cookbook: Recipes, Kitchens & Tips to Inspire Your Cooking

The Kitchn Recipes and Ideas l Homemade Recipes  https://homemaderecipes.com/cooking-101/21-cookbooks-every-home-chef-needs
The recipes in this book will please the pickiest of eaters.

by Sara Kate Gillingham and Faith Durand

Sara and Faith’s book is not only packed with 150 amazing recipes, but with tutorials on cooking techniques, tips on how to set up and care for your kitchen, and lists of essential kitchen tools. The Kitchn Cookbook is a practical resource every home chef should have.

5. 1,000 Gluten-Free Recipes

Health-Conscious Gluten-Free Meal Planning l Homemade Recipes  https://homemaderecipes.com/cooking-101/21-cookbooks-every-home-chef-needs
The perfect tool for gluten-free folks.

by Carol Fenster

This cookbook is the holy grail of books for gluten-free cooks. I mean, there are 1,000 recipes in this beautiful baby, along with advice, tips and resources for reputable gluten-free brands and products. The recipes in this book are variations of classics and family favorites, with a gluten-free twist. Sure to please everyone, this is a book you must have on your shelf.

6. Meals in a Jar: Quick and Easy, Just-Add-Water, Homemade Recipes

Quick and Easy Meal Planning in a Jar l Homemade Recipes  https://homemaderecipes.com/cooking-101/21-cookbooks-every-home-chef-needs
These meals are easy to make and come in a mason jar? Heck yeah!

by Julie Languille

The mason jar craze is here to stay with this Meals in a Jar cookbook. This book has 125 recipes using all natural ingredients. With these step-by-step instructions, you’ll learn how to make granola, omelets, short ribs and oatmeal cookies in a jar in no time! May you never have to buy lunch again!

7. Bountiful: Recipes Inspired by Our Garden

Beautiful Photography and New Healthy Recipes l Homemade Recipes  https://homemaderecipes.com/cooking-101/21-cookbooks-every-home-chef-needs
Honor Mother Earth one meal at a time.

by Todd Porter and Diane Cu

This cookbook focuses on wholesome ingredients to make whole food meals. The recipes in this book vary from seafood and meat to whole grains and vegetables. And, of course, there’s a section with dessert recipes.

 8. Oh She Glows Cookbook : Vegan Recipes to Glow from the Inside Out

Oh She Glows Homemade Vegan Meals l Homemade Recipes  https://homemaderecipes.com/cooking-101/21-cookbooks-every-home-chef-needs
From the wonderful Angela Liddon!

by Angela Liddon

I’ve loved Angela Liddon’s site (ohsheglows.com) for a long time, so of course I bought this book as soon as it came out. All of her recipes are vegan, delicious, and easy to make. In this book, she includes 95 gluten-free recipes with over 10 recipe chapters. We guarantee you’ll be wearing this book out in less than a week.

9. Mastering the Art of French Cooking

French Cooking with Illustrations l Homemade Recipes  https://homemaderecipes.com/cooking-101/21-cookbooks-every-home-chef-needs
This book is a classic must-have.

by Simone Beck, Louisette Bertholle and Julia Child

Julia Child is a goddess and no list would be complete without one of her cookbooks. A beautiful book that explains how to create authentic French dishes in American kitchens with American foods, this book comes with accompanying illustrations and is sure to be one of your greatest resources in the kitchen.

10. Gather: The Art of Paleo Entertaining

Paleo Recipes for the Entire Family l Homemade Recipes  https://homemaderecipes.com/cooking-101/21-cookbooks-every-home-chef-needs
Paleo meals the entire family can enjoy.

by Bill Staley and Hayley Mason

Great for paleos and anyone who loves food, this book is all about feeding your family and friends wholesome, delicious healthy meals. This book comes with 16 menus, each with its own detailed shopping list and helpful tips to make cooking a breeze.

11. Mug Cakes: 100 Speedy Microwave Treats to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth

Beautiful Baking Desserts for Kids l Homemade Recipes  https://homemaderecipes.com/cooking-101/21-cookbooks-every-home-chef-needs
Instant desserts are now possible with this cookbook!

by Leslie Bilderback

If you have a child in college or just a raging sweet tooth, this book was written for you (or them)! All of these recipes make two servings of treats that you can microwave in two minutes or less. It’s like an Easy Bake Oven cookbook for adults!

12. Veganomicon: The Ultimate Vegan Cookbook

Modern Book for the Vegan Kitchen l Homemade Recipes  https://homemaderecipes.com/cooking-101/21-cookbooks-every-home-chef-needs
The Vegan Bible.

by Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Terry Hope Romero

If we could rename this book, it would be The Vegan Bible. This book has recipes for every- and anything, and not only are they delicious, but incredibly gourmet. Perfect to try for pot lucks or dinner parties, these dishes were made to be shown off! If you love this book, you’ll love all of Isa Chandra Moskowitz’s books (our favorite is Vegan Cupcakes Take over the World).

13. The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook

Ina Garten Barefoot Contessa Cookbook l Homemade Recipes  https://homemaderecipes.com/cooking-101/21-cookbooks-every-home-chef-needs
Channel the Ina Garten in you!

by Ina Garten with a foreword by Martha Stewart

Ina Garten and Martha Stewart? Be still, our beating hearts! Ina Garten has been cooking and baking for over 20 years, so rest assured she knows what she’s doing. The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook is one you’ll fall in love with and refer to over and over again.

14. Deliciously Ella: Awesome ingredients and incredible food that you and your body will love

Modern, Low Carb Healthy Dishes l Homemade Recipes  https://homemaderecipes.com/cooking-101/21-cookbooks-every-home-chef-needs
Healthy dishes for the modern family.

by Ella Woodward

This book is packed with hundreds of amazing recipes from Super Food Bread to Sweet Potato Brownies. Recently released in the US in March of this year, the recipes in this book are going to leave you glowing from the inside out.

15. Quand Katie cuisine: Recettes et autres petits secrets

Homemade French Desserts l Homemade Recipes  https://homemaderecipes.com/cooking-101/21-cookbooks-every-home-chef-needs
Homemade French desserts to make on a daily basis.

by Katie Quinn Davies

For American buyers, the title of this book is What Katie Ate: Recipes and other Bits and Bobs. Katie Quinn Davies, renowned food photographer, puts together 107 of  her favorite recipes with the most beautiful, mouth-watering pictures you’ll ever see. This book is as visually appetizing as its recipes are delicious.

16. Green Kitchen Travels: Healthy Vegetarian Food Inspired by Our Adventures

Vegetarian Food and Travel Inspiration l Homemade Recipes  https://homemaderecipes.com/cooking-101/21-cookbooks-every-home-chef-needs
Perfect for curbing our wanderlust cravings.

by David Frenkiel and Luise Vindahl

For those of you who love food and love traveling, we’ve brought you this amazing book by David Frenkiel and Luise Vindahl. This book comes with beautiful photos, yummy recipes, and author anecdotes about their travels and journeys.

17. Vibrant Food: Celebrating the Ingredients, Recipes, and Colors of Each Season

Vibrant Vegetarian Food Recipes l Homemade Recipes  https://homemaderecipes.com/cooking-101/21-cookbooks-every-home-chef-needs
Vibrant mind, body and soul.

by Kimberley Hasselbrink

From the creator of the acclaimed blog, The Year in Food, Kimberley’s cookbook is sure to change your perception on what food is and the role it plays in our lives. With an emphasis on celebrating Earth’s bounty, Vibrant Food will leave you grateful and appreciative of all of the wonderful ingredients nature has to offer.

18. The Skinnytaste Cookbook: Light on Calories, Big on Flavor

Weight Watchers Healthy Low Carb Recipes l Homemade Recipes  https://homemaderecipes.com/cooking-101/21-cookbooks-every-home-chef-needs
Healthy, tasty and totally satisfying.

by Gina Homolka

This book was written with calorie-conscious folks in mind. The Skinnytaste Cookbook features 150 recipes, along their nutritional content and helpful tips by dietitian Heather K. Jones to help you eat skinny and stay healthy.

19. Chloe’s Vegan Italian Kitchen: 150 Pizzas, Pastas, Pestos, Risottos, & Lots of Creamy Italian Classics

Vegan Italian Homemade Meals l Homemade Recipes  https://homemaderecipes.com/cooking-101/21-cookbooks-every-home-chef-needs
Beautiful Italian dishes made vegan!

by Chloe Coscarelli

Chloe Coscarelli, winner of Food Network’s Cupcake Wars, brings you this amazing cookbook packed with classic and decadent Italian dishes. The best part of all? They’re vegan! Now you can indulge in guilt-free cheesy pizza and tiramisu.

20. One Pot: 120+ Easy Meals from Your Skillet, Slow Cooker, Stockpot, and More

Martha Stewart One Pot Recipes l Homemade Recipes  https://homemaderecipes.com/cooking-101/21-cookbooks-every-home-chef-needs
One-pot meals with ten times the flavor!

by the Editors of Martha Stewart Living

We love it when things are made easier and, believe us, this cookbook makes homemade meals that much easier. The One Pot cookbook is great for everyday cooking and makes kitchen clean up virtually non-existent. So, now you can enjoy your meal without worrying about the inevitable clean up!

21. The 21-Day Sugar Detox: Bust Sugar & Carb Cravings Naturally

Health Conscious Detox Meal Planning l Homemade Recipes  https://homemaderecipes.com/cooking-101/21-cookbooks-every-home-chef-needs
The perfect answer to the holidays.

by Diane Sanfilippo

This book includes easy-to-follow meal plans and more than 90 simple recipes. Diane Sanfilippo divided this book into three levels making it easy for anyone, regardless of where they are in their detox program, to reap the benefits of sugar detoxing. The 21 Day Sugar Detox is perfect for health-conscious folks and those in the Weight Watchers program.

We hope these cookbooks serve as great guides to making cooking fun, personal, and new. Don’t stop cooking! 

 

If you enjoyed our 21 Cookbooks Every Home Chef Needs post, then check out our MasterChef Recipes to Make at Home. 

That’s all, folks! If you enjoyed our 21 Cookbooks Every Home Chef Needs post, let us know in the Comments section below. We love hearing your feedback and comments; we also love sharing, so if you have a a favorite cookbook, we’d love to hear about it and read it for ourselves! HomemadeRecipes.com was founded to create an online community where foodies, epicureans and chefs can share recipes and learn new ones! We need your help, however, in creating this community where you can come, share and learn. If you love to cook, love food or have some great recipes and ideas you’d like to share with us, shoot us an email and make sure to stay in touch on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest! We’re always looking for contributors and want to hear from you.

Do you have Instagram? Don’t forget to follow @HomemadeRecipesOfficial.

Click here to Like Us on Facebook.

Click here to Follow Homemade Recipes on Pinterest

Filed Under: Advanced Cooking Skills, Basic Cooking Skills, Books, Cooking 101, Intermediate Cooking Skills, Recipes, Skills, Supplies, Tips Tagged With: best cookbooks, best cookbooks of all time, best paleo cookbook, best vegan cookbooks, best vegetarian cookbooks, cookbook, cookbooks, featured, recipe book

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Summer Drinks: Why Everyone’s Ditching the Bottled Juices and Blending These Homemade Coolers

Summer Drinks: Why Everyone’s Ditching the Bottled Juices and Blending These Homemade Coolers

Pin it Hot days are more tolerable when you have a cold beverage in hand. The following summer drinks are simple to make and help you stay hydrated when the heat’s in full swing. Beat the Heat With These Homemade Summer Drinks Instead of cracking open another boring bottled juice, why not make a homemade…Continue Reading

BBQ Recipes: Grilled Dishes Worth Serving This 4th of July

BBQ Recipes: Grilled Dishes Worth Serving This 4th of July

Pin it You’ve got the guest list set, and the grill cleaned off. Now it’s time to figure out what to include on the menu. Instead of pulling something together last minute, why not start with BBQ recipes that actually work for hungry crowds in the outdoor heat? A 4th of July BBQ usually features…Continue Reading

No-Bake Dessert Fun for the 4th: Red, White, and Blue Treats Kids Can Make

No-Bake Dessert Fun for the 4th: Red, White, and Blue Treats Kids Can Make

Pin it If you’ve got little ones in the house, the Fourth of July holiday is a great time to bring them into the kitchen. Holiday-themed snacks and treats aren’t only fun to look at but they can also help kids get more comfortable with new foods. This roundup includes simple, red, white, and blue…Continue Reading

Calling All Cooks! We Want You! Click here to contribute!

Top Recipes

beef flank steak

Learn to Make this Fancy Steak Recipe+ Wine Pairing

chicken

2 Easy Chicken Recipes-Chicken Napoli & Thai Grilled Chicken

beef kebabs

How to Make Asian Beef Kebabs

AhiTuna

Seared Tuna with Soy Wasabi Glaze + Wine Pairing

Homemade Recipes RSS Feed
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • instagram
  • youtube

Other Great Sites

  • Homesteading
  • DIY Projects
  • Garden Season
  • Sewing.com

Categories

  • Popular Recipes
  • Quick & Easy Meals
  • Appetizers & Snacks
  • Breakfast & Brunch
  • Healthy Recipes
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • FAQs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Become a Contributor
  • Advertise With Us
Homemade Recipes
Email Support: support@homemaderecipes.com
Phone: 737-249-2781

Product returns go to:
1889 E Maule Ave, Ste G
Las Vegas 89119

Copyright © 2025 · Homemade Recipes


This copyrighted material may not be republished without express permission. The information presented here is for general educational purposes only.

MATERIAL CONNECTION DISCLOSURE: You should assume that this website has an affiliate relationship and/or another material connection to the persons or businesses mentioned in or linked to from this page and may receive commissions from purchases you make on subsequent web sites. You should not rely solely on information contained in this email to evaluate the product or service being endorsed. Always exercise due diligence before purchasing any product or service. This website contains advertisements.