The 5 Best Recipe Books Every Home Cook Should Own

We know that being a busy mom means that you often have the same 10 recipes your family loves on rotation. It can be hard to find new recipes that don't take too long, have expensive ingredients, or are too complicated. We sorted through the top 40 recipe books to find the best 5 that are perfect for the home cook. These include a variety of recipes from all around the world. Some of these books are even written by familiar faces from TV and beyond. Whatever you like cooking, you'll find your perfect recipe match with these books.

Magnolia Table: A Collection of Recipes for Gathering

Joanna infused her home-grown warmth into this book, with favorites like Chicken Pot Pie, Peach Caprese, and White Cheddar Bisque. This recipe book includes all categories from small plates to breakfast and incorporates seasonal produce for maximum taste. This book includes no-fuss 125 recipes from authors Joanna Gaines and Marah Stets.

Pros:

Includes personal stories and stunning photos
New York Times bestseller
Practical recipes great for large families
Crisp and thick pages
Cover and binding are coffee table worthy

Cons:

The book itself does not lay flat
Some recipes include a lot of processed foods

Cravings: Recipes for All the Food You Want to Eat: A Cookbook

This next cookbook was a collaboration between TV personality/model Chrissy Teigen, and authors Adeena Sussman and Aubrie Pick. We loved this one because it truly embraces the joy of cooking and the very act of sharing a meal with loved ones. It’s full of things you actually want to eat, with fantastic imagery guaranteed to make you drool. This book includes hearty comfort food recipes great for all types of events. We recommend trying the Jok Moo, Biscuits and Gravy, and Cucumber Soup.

Pros:

Great photos
Awarded Best Cookbook by Epicurious
Recipes are straightforward and simple
Directions are clear
Includes easy recipes & dinner party-worthy recipes

Cons:

We wished this book included more desserts

The Ultimate Instant Pot Cookbook: Foolproof, Quick, and Easy Recipes

Whether you’re new to pressure cooker ownership, or you’ve had it for years this will expand your list of favorite recipes. This book includes 800 quick and budget-friendly ideas that will have dinner on the table in no time. A variety of categories are included such as soups and stews, pork, lamb, poultry, rice, pasta, vegetarian dishes, appetizers, and more. This might just be the only pressure cooker book you’ll ever need. It’s perfect for Instant Pot owners but can be adjusted for other pressure cookers brands as well.

Pros:

Available in a spiral-bound format
Suitable for all skill levels
800 recipes
Easy to cook recipes

Cons:

Must own a pressure cooker to use these recipes
Some ingredients may be hard to find

The MeatEater Fish and Game Cookbook: Recipes and Techniques for Every Hunter and Angler

If you’re a hunting and fishing family, this is the recipe book for you. Field-to-table cooking will never go out of style for its fresh taste and use of what might just be in your backyard. Author Steven Rinella is an outdoorsman and TV personality who seamlessly brings the hunting lifestyle into the kitchen. This book is complementary to the Netflix show and podcast Meat Eater. The book contains not only 100 recipes, but also lessons about how to start using your prey in the kitchen. Some example recipe categories include big game, small game, upland birds, waterfowl, freshwater and saltwater fish, and more.

Pros:

Great photos
Clear instructions on processing game in and out of the kitchen
Includes a variety of prey
Through recipes that show respect to the animal

Cons:

Not for the squeamish cook

The Complete Cooking for Two Cookbook

This recipe book is great for empty nesters, college kids, small households, and newlyweds who don’t want to get stuck with leftovers. The recipes are designed to feed two people but can always be scaled up. Despite their smaller size, the recipes deliver on mouthwatering flavors with soups and stews, stir-fries, lasagnas, cakes, and more. Our favorite was the Greek-Style Lamb Pita Sandwiches for a fresh pop of Mediterranean flavor. We tried the lasagna, which serves 2 using a loaf pan and has a smooth texture with a rich taste.

Pros: