My most-loved (and coveted) cookbooks from the past year. See last year’s cookbook guide, complete with pairing gift ideas, here.
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Welcome to gift guide week! I got my act together earlier this year and am sharing a series of gift guides all week long. I wanted to get these to you sooner so you can take advantage of the great deals and discounts that happen in the coming days. Shopping tip: Amazon often offers steep discounts on books around Cyber Monday.
One of my favorite annual guides is the cookbook gift guide. A few of these titles are older than a year, but they’re the cookbooks I keep reaching for in my own kitchen. I’ve also included several books I’m still hoping to add to my shelves.
If you have a cookbook you loved this year, please share it in the comments!
2017 Cookbook Gift Guide
Love Real Food. One of my favorite cookbooks of the year, written by fellow blogger Kathryne. It’s full of approachable, wholesome meat-free recipes that work for everyday meals. The book has earned widespread praise for good reason: the recipes are reliable, fresh, and easy to make any night of the week.
Dinner: Changing The Game. I gifted this to my mom and mother-in-law for Mother’s Day and bought a copy for myself after hearing rave reviews. While not every recipe is simple, the book brings creativity to weeknight dinners with inventive, satisfying dishes. Some recipes use less common ingredients, but overall it’s packed with real dinner recipes that make evenings more interesting.
Salt Fat Acid Heat. My standout favorite from 2017. Samin Nosrat explains the fundamentals of cooking—balancing salt, fat, acid, and heat—in an accessible, inspiring way. It’s both a practical reference and a delightful read, ideal for cooks of all levels who want to improve their instincts in the kitchen.
Sweet. Ottolenghi’s dessert book is a beautiful collection of inventive sweets inspired by the team’s London restaurants. The recipes are distinctive and full of surprising flavor pairings—perfect for bakers who enjoy pushing beyond basic desserts. It’s also a lovely gift when paired with a favorite baking tool.
The Food Lab. For Serious Eats fans or anyone who enjoys learning the science behind cooking, this is an essential reference. Kenji’s methodical, tested approach explains the best ways to cook a wide range of foods. The book is large and thorough, combining technique with many reliable recipes.
Cooking For Jeffrey. Ina Garten remains a go-to for recipes that always work. This book has become one I reach for frequently. While it leans toward a range of dishes rather than focusing solely on weeknight dinners, the recipes are dependable and flavorful—her roasted salmon tacos are a household favorite.
Tartine Bread. I took a big interest in sourdough and traditional bread baking this year, and Tartine is a cornerstone text for serious home bakers. It’s both informative and fascinating to read, with techniques and recipes that are invaluable for anyone exploring long-fermentation and artisanal loaves.
Cheers to the Publican. This book celebrates a much-loved West Loop restaurant with stories from local farmers and striking photography. Some recipes are ambitious and use specialty ingredients, but the book is a thoughtful tribute to a restaurant and its community—especially meaningful for fans of that scene.
Bravetart. A baking book that’s been on my wish list, Bravetart offers a deep dive into American baking classics with an emphasis on technique and testing. Fans of Serious Eats and those who enjoy baking experiments will find a lot to love here—recipes for nostalgic treats with clear explanations.
Back Pocket Pasta. A practical, inspiring pasta book for home cooks who want quick, flavorful pasta dishes without an all-day commitment. The recipes are accessible and designed for everyday cooking—great for pasta lovers who want variety without fuss.
Dinner in an Instant. Melissa Clark’s pressure-cooker book focuses on modern, creative meals that go beyond basic recipes. If someone you know owns an Instant Pot (or you’re considering one), this book offers inventive ideas and reliable techniques for pressure-cooker cooking.
Kitchen Creativity. From the authors of The Flavor Bible and Vegetarian Flavor Bible, this book teaches how to build creativity in the kitchen. Drawing on chef insights and global food traditions, it helps spark ideas, expand flavor combinations, and approach cooking with a more inventive mindset.
None of these recommendations are sponsored; I did receive two of the books for review. This post contains Amazon and RewardStyle affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase through my links.