10 Best Cookbooks 2025 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 cookbook '5 Ingredients: Quick & Easy Food' is a practical choice for those looking to prepare meals without much hassle. Its core strength lies in the simplicity of its recipes, which are suitable for cooks at all levels, especially beginners or those pressed for time. The concept of using only five ingredients makes meal preparation less daunting and ensures that dishes are quick to put together. This aspect also enhances ingredient accessibility, as most of these ingredients are likely to be found in a regular supermarket.

The author of the book is well-regarded, lending credibility to the recipes and instructions. The book covers a variety of cuisines, offering a broad spectrum of flavors while sticking to the simplicity principle. However, those seeking highly specialized dietary options might find the selection somewhat limited, as the focus is more on ease and speed than on accommodating specific dietary needs.

Visually, the book is appealing, with clear photos that accompany each recipe, making it easier for readers to visualize the final product. However, the simplicity could also be a drawback for more experienced cooks who might be looking for complex techniques or gourmet-level dishes. In terms of physical attributes, it’s a hardcover book weighing 2.6 pounds, which might be slightly cumbersome for some users to handle in the kitchen. Its dimensions are standard for a cookbook, making it easy to store on a shelf but not necessarily convenient for on-the-go use.

This cookbook is ideal for anyone wanting to streamline their cooking process while still enjoying diverse flavors. It's best suited for individuals or families who need quick meal solutions without sacrificing taste.

'Martha: The Cookbook' by Martha Stewart is an extensive collection of 100 favorite recipes that combines practical cooking lessons with personal stories from the author's own kitchen. Martha Stewart's reputation as a culinary expert adds a significant level of credibility to this cookbook. The recipes cover a broad range of cuisine types, making it suitable for those who enjoy exploring different tastes and dishes.

Given Martha's expertise, the skill level required for these recipes can vary from beginner to advanced, providing a learning curve for new cooks while still challenging seasoned ones. The cookbook is likely to include a variety of dietary preferences, though it may not cater specifically to niche diets like vegan or gluten-free. Ingredient accessibility is expected to be reasonable, as Martha often emphasizes the use of fresh, common ingredients that should be available at most grocery stores.

The visual appeal of the cookbook is another strong point, with high-quality photographs that inspire and guide readers through the cooking process. The hardcover format and substantial page count make it a durable and comprehensive addition to any kitchen. On the downside, the weight and size of the book could make it less convenient to handle or store in smaller kitchens. Furthermore, while the recipes are varied, those looking for highly specialized or modern dietary trends might find the selection less accommodating. In summary, 'Martha: The Cookbook' is an excellent choice for home cooks who appreciate a blend of classic and inventive recipes, enjoy learning from a seasoned expert, and value visually appealing cookbooks.