10 Best Plant Based Cookbooks 2025 in the United States

The 'Big Vegan Flavor: Techniques and 150 Recipes to Master Vegan Cooking' is a comprehensive guide for anyone interested in vegan cuisine. With 150 recipes, it offers a wide variety of dishes that should cater to diverse tastes and preferences. This extensive selection is a significant strength, providing ample opportunities to explore different vegan meals. The recipes require varying skill levels, making it accessible to both beginners and experienced cooks. Some of the advanced techniques might be challenging for novices without a solid foundation in cooking basics.

Ingredient accessibility is another strong point, as the book aims to use common and easy-to-find ingredients, ensuring that readers can readily source what they need. The visual appeal of the book is also noteworthy; with 608 pages, it is likely to contain numerous high-quality photos that make the dishes look enticing and help in the cooking process. The author's expertise is evident through the detailed techniques and tips provided, showing a deep understanding of vegan cooking. A potential drawback could be the book's size and weight, which might make it less convenient to handle and store. Additionally, the hardcover format might not be as flexible as a paperback for some users. This book seems to be a valuable resource for those looking to master vegan cooking, offering a blend of variety, accessible ingredients, and professional guidance.

The 'PlantYou' cookbook offers over 140 easy and delicious plant-based, oil-free recipes that cater to a variety of tastes and culinary skills. The recipes are designed to be straightforward, making it a great choice for beginners or those new to plant-based cooking. The ingredients used are generally accessible in most grocery stores, which adds to the convenience of trying out these dishes at home.

For those interested in health and nutrition, the cookbook also provides nutritional information which can help you make informed dietary choices. Additionally, the book is visually appealing with high-quality images that make each recipe enticing and easy to follow. The author, Carleigh Bodrug, brings a wealth of expertise in plant-based nutrition, helping to make the transition to or continuation of a plant-based lifestyle both easier and enjoyable.

However, if you prefer recipes that use oils or are looking for advanced culinary techniques, this might not be the right fit for you. At 288 pages, it’s a substantial book that offers a lot for its size and price, making it a valuable addition to any kitchen focused on healthy, plant-based eating.

The Complete Plant-Based Cookbook, part of the America's Test Kitchen series, offers an impressive variety of 500 recipes, ensuring there’s something to suit everyone's taste. This vast collection helps keep meals exciting and diverse. The recipes cater to different skill levels, from beginners to more experienced cooks, making it accessible for anyone interested in plant-based eating. Ingredient accessibility is mostly good, with many recipes featuring common ingredients that are easy to find in most grocery stores. However, a few recipes may call for more specialized items that might require a trip to a specialty store or online shopping.

Nutritional information is provided for each recipe, which is beneficial for those who are mindful of their diet and health. The cookbook excels in visual appeal, with high-quality photographs and a clean, organized layout that makes it easy to follow the recipes. The author’s expertise, backed by America's Test Kitchen, adds credibility to the cookbook, ensuring that the recipes are well-tested and reliable.

On the downside, the book is quite heavy and bulky, which might be inconvenient for some users. Additionally, the paperback format may not be as durable as a hardcover, especially with frequent use in the kitchen. Despite these minor drawbacks, this cookbook is a strong choice for anyone looking to explore or enhance their plant-based diet with well-rounded, nutritious, and delicious meals.