Best Cooking, Food & Wine Reference Books of 2026

Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking by Samin Nosrat is a James Beard Award-winning and New York Times bestseller cookbook that teaches readers how to cook with just four simple elements - salt, fat, acid, and heat. With over 100 recipes and 150 illustrations, Samin demystifies the four elements of cooking and inspires a new generation of cooks to make better decisions in the kitchen. This cookbook is a must-have for anyone looking to transform their cooking skills and elevate their dishes to the next level.

Joshua Weissman: An Unapologetic Cookbook, a #1 New York Times Bestseller, is an invitation to elevate your cooking game. Weissman challenges the notion that fast and easy meals are the only option for busy people. Instead, he encourages readers to take the time to craft their meals from scratch and make them truly their own. The book features over 100 delectable recipes, from simple staples to gourmet dishes, all with Weissman's irreverent humor and light razzing. If you're looking to take control of your food, impress your guests, or simply indulge in some delicious cooking, this is the ideal kitchen companion.

The Perfect Loaf is a comprehensive guide to sourdough baking that covers everything from the fundamental techniques to advanced recipes. Written by renowned blogger and bread baker Maurizio Leo, this book offers a range of foolproof recipes for bread, pizza, sweets, and more. The book is perfect for beginner bakers, with troubleshooting sections and sidebars that answer almost every question they may have. Experienced bakers can also benefit from the deep dives into the science behind baking processes and expert information on how to level up their skills. Overall, The Perfect Loaf is an indispensable guide for anyone interested in sourdough baking.

The Flavor Bible is a must-have book for any kitchen. It's an essential guide to creating deliciousness in any dish, with thousands of ingredient entries that provide a treasure trove of spectacular flavor combinations. The book is organized alphabetically and cross-referenced, making it easy to work more intuitively and effectively with ingredients. It's seasoned with tips, anecdotes, and signature dishes from America's most imaginative chefs. The book won the 2009 James Beard Book Award for Best Book: Reference and Scholarship. Overall, it's an outstanding reference for anyone looking to elevate their cooking skills to the next level.

Wine Folly: Magnum Edition is an expanded hardcover guidebook that offers an inventive and easy-to-digest approach to learning about wine. It includes more than 100 grapes and wines, a wine region explorer with detailed maps, wine labeling and classification 101, an expanded food and wine pairing section, and more essential tips to help you become an expert. Written by Madeline Puckette, a certified sommelier, and Justin Hammack, a founding partner of Wine Folly, the book is a must-have for both newbies and devotees looking to take their wine knowledge to the next level. Overall, Wine Folly: Magnum Edition is a practical and fun guidebook that offers a unique and comprehensive approach to wine education.

The All New Ball Book of Canning and Preserving is a must-have guide for home cooks who want to preserve their garden-fresh produce. With over 350 recipes ranging from classic favorites to new flavors such as Smoked Maple-Juniper Bacon and homemade Kombucha, this book covers all the techniques of canning, pickling, fermenting, freezing, dehydrating, and smoking. The book is thoroughly tested for safety and quality, making it a reliable guide for beginners and advanced home canners alike. The All New Ball Book of Canning and Preserving is an excellent addition to any kitchen and a classic in the making for a new generation of home cooks.

This two-volume set of the acclaimed cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, is a must-have for any fan of Julia Child and lover of French cuisine. The first volume contains over 500 savory recipes, while the second volume presents an additional 250 recipes that take the home cook's skills to the next level. The precise instructions and detailed line drawings make even the most daunting recipes approachable. Julia Child's impact on American cuisine is immeasurable, and this cookbook is a testament to her immense talent and passion for French cooking.

Cook This Book by Molly Baz is a must-have for anyone who loves good food but lacks the skills and confidence to make it at home. It's a foundational cookbook that breaks down the essentials of cooking into clear and uncomplicated recipes that deliver big flavor with little effort and a side of education. What makes this book unique is its visually compelling lessons on topics such as the importance of salt and how to balance flavor, along with dozens of QR codes that link to technique-driven videos hosted by Molly. Cook This Book is an inspiration for a new generation to find joy in the kitchen and take pride in putting a home-cooked meal on the table.

The Unofficial Dollywood Cookbook is a must-have for foodies and fans of Dolly Parton's famous theme park. Featuring 100 of the most delicious dishes from Dollywood and its surrounding parks, this cookbook allows you to recreate your favorite snacks, main dishes, refreshing drinks, and popular desserts at home. From Frannie's Famous Fried Chicken Sandwiches to Grist Mill Cinnamon Bread, this cookbook has it all. The book also includes stories and history of the down-home, unique, and superb flavors that make Dollywood a beloved destination. Overall, this hardcover book is a great addition to any kitchen counter or bookshelf and perfect for those who want to experience the amazing food of Dollywood without leaving home.

The Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book celebrates the brand's 100th anniversary with over 1,000 recipes and a photo for each one. The book covers traditional dishes and new favorites while maintaining fresh organization to reflect how we cook today. The recipes have flavor variations, options to swap out ingredients, and ways to make dishes healthier. This edition also includes clear directions, how-to photos, identification photos, charts for meat and poultry, and "cheat sheets" throughout. The book is a handy, lay-flat hardcover perfect for today's kitchens. Overall, this book is a trusted staple in American kitchens and a great addition to any cookbook collection.