10 Best Cookbooks 2025 in the United States

The 'Go-To Dinners: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook' by Ina Garten, known as the Barefoot Contessa, is a popular choice among home cooks. The author brings her extensive culinary expertise to the table, ensuring that the recipes are both reliable and delicious. The cookbook focuses on a variety of dinner recipes, making it suitable for those who frequently prepare evening meals at home.

The recipes cater to a range of skill levels, from beginners to more experienced cooks, providing clear instructions and tips to help users achieve great results. The book covers multiple cuisine types, primarily focusing on American and comfort food, with some international influences sprinkled throughout. This variety can keep meals interesting and cater to different tastes and preferences.

One of the strengths of this cookbook is its visual appeal. The high-quality photographs are not only beautiful but also serve as a helpful guide for presentation and plating. Additionally, the ingredient lists are generally accessible, with most items available at local grocery stores. Despite its size and weight, which might make it a bit cumbersome to handle in the kitchen, its hardcover format ensures durability. 'Go-To Dinners: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook' is an excellent resource for home cooks looking to expand their dinner repertoire with reliable and visually appealing recipes.

The Complete Mediterranean Cookbook is a comprehensive guide featuring 500 vibrant, kitchen-tested recipes that emphasize living and eating well. Its focus on Mediterranean cuisine offers a delightful range of flavors, ideal for those who enjoy or are curious about this healthy and diverse diet. The cookbook spans from simple dishes to more complex creations, making it suitable for cooks of varying skill levels, from beginners to experienced chefs.

The recipes cater to various dietary preferences, including vegetarian, gluten-free, and heart-healthy options, which is beneficial for those with specific dietary needs or health goals. Recipe variety is a strong point, as the book covers a broad spectrum of meals, from appetizers to desserts, ensuring there's something for everyone. Ingredients are generally accessible, with most being available at local grocery stores or easily substituted, which makes daily cooking practical.

The visual appeal is high, with beautiful and appetizing photos that inspire and guide the cooking process. Authored by America’s Test Kitchen, the book benefits from the expertise and detailed testing that the brand is known for, providing reliable and well-explained recipes. The book's size and weight might make it less portable, and its extensive number of recipes could be overwhelming for some users. While the Mediterranean focus is a strength, those looking for a more diverse range of global cuisines might find it limiting. This cookbook is perfect for anyone committed to the Mediterranean diet or looking to incorporate healthier, flavorful meals into their routine.

The Complete Plant-Based Cookbook is a solid choice for anyone interested in exploring plant-based eating through a wide range of recipes. With 500 recipes, it offers impressive variety that covers many cuisines and meal types, helping keep your meals interesting without relying on meat. The recipes are designed to be flexible, which means you can adjust ingredients based on what you have available, making it practical for everyday cooking.

The book comes from America’s Test Kitchen, known for thorough testing and clear instructions, which helps both beginners and more experienced cooks feel confident in the kitchen. While it focuses exclusively on plant-based dishes, it caters well to those with dietary preferences like vegetarian or vegan, but might not suit readers looking for recipes that include meat or seafood.

The 432-page paperback is large and somewhat heavy, which might make it less convenient for quick countertop use, but the layout and photos are attractive and can inspire your cooking. This cookbook is an excellent resource for people who want to commit to or experiment with plant-based meals, offering accessible recipes and expert guidance without overwhelming complexity.