Best Gourmet Cooking Books of 2026

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.

Knife Drop: Creative Recipes Anyone Can Cook by Nick DiGiovanni is a must-have cookbook for anyone who wants to become fearless in the kitchen. The author provides staple recipes and mouthwatering selections that are easy to make and packed with flavor. The book also includes QR codes linking to video tutorials showcasing key cooking techniques. Nick’s expert advice on equipment, ingredients, and techniques makes it easy for home cooks of any ability level to pick up some new skills. Overall, Knife Drop is an excellent addition to any cookbook collection and a great resource for anyone looking to up their cooking game.

The French Laundry Cookbook by Thomas Keller is a must-have for any home cook looking to elevate their culinary skills. This cookbook showcases the genius of Keller himself, offering a series of small, impeccable, highly refined, and intensely focused courses. The recipes are exact recipes from the French Laundry kitchen, with no shortcuts taken and all thoroughly tested in home kitchens. From innovative soup techniques to breathtaking desserts, this cookbook captures the essence of one of America's greatest restaurants and its chef. The French Laundry Cookbook is a transformative cookbook that celebrates the beauty and simplicity of French cuisine.

Binging With Babish: 100 Recipes Recreated from Your Favorite Movies and TV Shows is a cookbook that every movie and TV show buff should have. Andrew Rea, the host of the Binging with Babish YouTube cooking show, teaches viewers how to make dishes from their favorite TV shows and movies. This cookbook includes some of the most popular recipes from the show, such as Bubba's shrimp from Forrest Gump and the chocolate lava cake from Jon Favreau's Chef. The book also includes behind-the-scenes stories and never-before-seen photos. Overall, this cookbook is a fun and unique way to bring the dishes from your favorite shows and movies into your own kitchen.

The Mediterranean Diet Cookbook for Beginners is a comprehensive guide that includes 1500+ mouth-watering Mediterranean recipes, a 16-week meal plan, and tips for shopping and meal planning. The book emphasizes the importance of healthy eating and adopting a healthier lifestyle. The Mediterranean diet is a great way to lose weight without compromising flavor, and this cookbook provides a wide range of food options, delicious recipes, and fresh ingredients. Overall, this book is a fantastic resource for anyone looking to embrace a healthier lifestyle and enjoy the benefits of the Mediterranean diet.

Bread Illustrated by America's Test Kitchen is a comprehensive cookbook that simplifies the art and science of bread baking, making it accessible for anyone to create professional-quality bread at home. This cookbook is organized by level of difficulty, progressing from the simplest recipes for novice bakers to artisan-style loaves, breads that use starters, and more complex project recipes. With clear instructions and step-by-step photos, this book covers a wide range of breads from basics and classics to interesting breads from around the world. Overall, Bread Illustrated is an excellent resource for both novice and experienced bakers who want to achieve bakery-quality results at home.

Sous Vide for Everybody is a cookbook that simplifies sous vide cooking and shows how it can make cooking easier and more exciting. The book features recipes that teach readers how to cook sous vide, starting with basics like soft-cooked eggs. There are also recipes that challenge readers to expand their creativity in the kitchen using sous vide, from a chuck roast that tastes like prime rib to fruit-on-the-bottom yogurt cups. This book is a great addition to any cook's collection, especially those interested in gourmet cooking. America's Test Kitchen delivers once again with a cookbook that demystifies a cooking technique that once seemed intimidating.

Dinner in French: My Recipes by Way of France: A Cookbook is a collection of 150 recipes that reflects a modern yet distinctly French sensibility. Melissa Clark, one of the nation's favorite cookbook authors and food writers, updates classic French techniques and dishes to reflect how we cook, shop, and eat today. From Salade Nicoise with Haricot Vert to Apricot Tarte Tatin, the recipes are traditional yet fresh, and the writing is informative yet playful. This book is a must-have for anyone who loves French cuisine and wants to cook and share delicious food anywhere they are.

The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook is a collection of over 100 recipes from celebrated food blogger and best-selling cookbook author Deb Perelman. The book features innovative and creative recipes that are approachable and uncompromised for home cooking. Deb shares her favorite summer cocktail, tips for cooking for a crowd, and essential items for your own kitchen. The book is gorgeously illustrated with hundreds of beautiful color photographs that make the recipes even more appetizing. Overall, The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook is a must-have for anyone who loves to cook and wants to impress their friends and family with delicious meals made with simple ingredients.