10 Best Cookbooks 2026 in the United States

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 New Cooking School Cookbook: Fundamentals is designed as a thorough guide for home cooks looking to build a solid foundation in cooking. Published by America's Test Kitchen, a trusted name known for tested and reliable recipes, this book covers a broad range of basic cooking techniques and recipes, making it ideal for beginners or those wanting to improve their skills. The emphasis is on fundamental skills rather than specific global cuisines, which makes it great for anyone wanting to master versatile cooking techniques.

The book’s large size and weight reflect its extensive content—680 pages—indicating a wide recipe variety and detailed instructions. It offers clear explanations and step-by-step guidance suitable for those with limited experience. Ingredient accessibility is generally good with America's Test Kitchen, as they tend to focus on common ingredients found in most grocery stores. While it does not explicitly highlight dietary preferences, its broad approach makes it adaptable for various needs, though specialized diets might require additional resources.

Visual appeal is strong, with quality images and illustrations that help readers follow steps easily, enhancing the learning experience. Thanks to the publisher’s expertise, the book provides trustworthy and tested recipes that prioritize success in the kitchen. The comprehensive nature and size might feel overwhelming to some, and those seeking quick, niche cuisine-focused recipes or strict dietary plans may prefer other specialized cookbooks. Nevertheless, it serves as a fundamental cooking resource for anyone wanting to confidently improve their cooking from the ground up.

'Modern Comfort Food: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook' offers a variety of recipes focused on classic comfort dishes with a modern twist, making it ideal for home cooks who enjoy familiar flavors with a bit of refinement. The cuisine leans towards approachable American and European-style comfort food, crafted by Ina Garten, a well-known food personality with a strong reputation for simple yet delicious meals. The skill level is generally accessible, suitable for beginners to intermediate cooks, as Garten’s recipes typically emphasize clear instructions without overly complex techniques.

The cookbook provides a good range of recipes, focusing more on hearty, satisfying meals rather than specialized dietary preferences like vegan or gluten-free. Ingredient lists mostly include pantry staples and common fresh items, so most recipes should be convenient to prepare without hunting down rare products. The book’s visual appeal is enhanced by its clean layout and quality photography, which helps readers visualize the dishes and encourages confidence in trying out the recipes.

Spanning 256 pages, this cookbook is a solid choice for those looking to expand their weeknight dinner options or impress guests with comforting, elegant meals. It may not suit cooks seeking strictly health-focused or highly experimental cuisine, but it excels at delivering dependable, tasty food made with easy-to-find ingredients. Fans of the Barefoot Contessa series or anyone wanting reliable comfort food recipes will likely find it a valuable addition to their kitchen library.