Best Game Cooking Books of 2026

The Complete Guide to Hunting, Butchering, and Cooking Wild Game: Volume 1: Big Game is a comprehensive guide for hunters of all levels. Steven Rinella shares his expertise and strategies, as well as those from experienced hunters in the US. The book covers equipment, hunting strategies, finding hunting locations, procuring hunting tags, species-by-species hunting techniques, backcountry hunting, butchering, and cooking wild game. With over 400 full-color photographs, this guide is perfect for anyone interested in hunting and cooking wild game. Overall, this book is an excellent resource for hunters and cooks alike.

The Grill Bible • Smoker Cookbook 2023 is a comprehensive guide to grilling and smoking meat like a pro. It offers 1200 days of juicy and delicious recipes, including the secrets to cooking the perfect brisket and using the right rubs and wood pellets. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced pitmaster, this cookbook has something to offer. The author, ICEWIL, provides expert advice on maintaining and mastering the grill with style and showmanship. Overall, The Grill Bible • Smoker Cookbook 2023 is a must-have for anyone who wants to impress their guests with tender and juicy BBQ dishes.

The Bushcraft Field Guide to Trapping, Gathering, and Cooking in the Wild by Dave Canterbury is an essential guide for anyone who wants to learn how to survive and thrive in the wilderness. The book covers everything from packing to trapping and preparing food for your outdoor adventures. It includes a guide to foraging and key illustrations, in addition to recipes that are easy to make while on the trail. Canterbury's instructions are accompanied by illustrations and a full-color photo guide of plants to forage and those to avoid. Overall, this is an excellent reference to keep in your pack, and it's perfect for anyone who wants to achieve the full outdoor experience.

The Complete Guide to Hunting, Butchering, and Cooking Wild Game: Volume 2: Small Game and Fowl is an ultimate guide for hunters of all levels, covering everything from hunting techniques, equipment, and butchering to cooking wild game. Written by Steven Rinella, an expert chef and an experienced hunter, this book provides comprehensive information on 30 small game species, including furred small game, upland birds, and waterfowl, as well as wild turkey hunting. The book also covers wingshooting and rifle marksmanship, ammunition selection, and field maintenance of firearms and archery equipment. With detailed instructions on how to field dress and butcher small game animals, this book is a must-read for any hunter who wants to take their skills to the next level.

Buck, Buck, Moose by Hank Shaw is a comprehensive guide to working with and cooking all forms of venison, including deer, elk, moose, antelope, and caribou. The book features more than 100 recipes ranging from traditional dishes from six continents to original recipes never before seen. The author also provides thorough instructions on how to butcher, age, and store your venison, as well as how to use virtually every part of the animal. The book is peppered with stories of the hunt and essays on why venison holds such a special place in human society. Overall, Buck, Buck, Moose is an excellent resource for both experienced and novice cooks, and it stands out for its passion for venison and its meticulous attention to detail.

Venison Every Day is a comprehensive guide to cooking game at home. Allie Doran offers fresh and easy-to-follow field-to-table recipes that make the most of your entire harvest. With helpful sections on field dressing your deer and suggestions for which cuts to use for every dish, even less experienced cooks can get superior quality meals. The book is full of hearty recipes for every cut of meat and every occasion, from Wild Game Charcuterie Board for a party to Roasted Whole Tenderloin with Peppercorns for a date night in. Venison Every Day is a must-have for anyone looking to level up their game cooking skills.

The Pit Boss Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker Cookbook is the ultimate guide for anyone looking to become a pitmaster. With over 1800 flavorful and juicy recipes for different types of meat, fish, seafood, vegetables, baked goods, and desserts, this cookbook ensures that you have all the knowledge you need to make every cookout memorable. The book also teaches you how to harness the full potential of your Pit Boss Wood Pellet Grill to create unforgettable meals and memories. The exclusive bonuses, including mouthwatering BBQ recipes for special occasions, sauces and rubs recipes, and drink recipes, make this book a must-have for any aspiring pitmaster.

Homemade Sausage by James Peisker and Chris Carter is an essential guide for making sausage at home. The book provides step-by-step instructions on sourcing high-quality meat, grinding, seasoning, and stuffing the sausage. The authors also share mouth-watering recipes for classic links, patties, brats, keilbasas, chorizos, and more. What sets this book apart is the authors' emphasis on using locally sourced meat and their attention to detail in every step of the process. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, this book is a must-have for anyone looking to make delicious homemade sausage.

Pheasant, Quail, Cottontail is a beautifully illustrated cookbook that offers a comprehensive guide to preparing and cooking upland birds and small game. Hank Shaw, an award-winning food writer, hunter, and cook, shares his expertise on obtaining, cleaning, and cooking game birds like quail, pheasant, and more. The book includes global yet approachable recipes such as Roast Pheasant, Tuscan Hare Ragu, and General Tso's Pheasant. The unique dishes like Roast Woodcock Michigan and small game charcuterie make this book stand out. This book is a must-read for hunters and home cooks looking to explore new ways of cooking game animals.

The Pit Boss Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker Cookbook is an essential guide for anyone looking to improve their grilling skills. With over 1500 days of juicy recipes, this cookbook provides step-by-step guidance on everything from setting up the grill to cleaning it afterward. The book covers the best types of pellets to use, different cuts of meat, and provides easy-to-understand guidelines on setting the right temperature and cooking timers. The recipes are unconventional and timeless, providing endless inspiration for your next cookout. Overall, this cookbook is a must-have for anyone looking to take their grilling game to the next level.