Best Raw Cooking Books of 2025

Plantifully Lean is a cookbook that offers more than 125 plant-based, low-fat recipes and a four-week meal plan to help readers lose weight and improve their health. Written by Kiki Nelson, who lost seventy pounds and reversed her risk for diabetes and heart disease through a plant-based diet, this cookbook covers every meal and includes snack recipes such as Microwave Potato Chips and Mini Oat Bars. The book also features meal prep guidelines and tips, lists of high-volume foods, and charts for balancing your plate with grains. Overall, Plantifully Lean is an excellent resource for anyone looking to adopt a healthy, plant-based lifestyle.

Nourishing Traditions challenges conventional nutrition wisdom and promotes animal fats and cholesterol as essential components of a healthy diet. Sally Fallon's well-researched guide provides practical tips on how to prepare traditional foods for optimum nutrition and taste. Topics range from the benefits of saturated fats to the dangers of vegetarianism, and even diets for babies and children. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in a can-do diet that is both nutritious and delicious.

The Blue Zones American Kitchen is a recipe book that offers plant-forward dishes inspired by the traditional roots of American cuisine. Written by Dan Buettner, the book draws on the author's research into the Blue Zones, places around the world where people live to or past 100, to create a collection of 100 healthy recipes. The book also includes lifestyle tips and insights from more than 50 food experts, chefs, and cooks from across the country. With recipes like Pennsylvania Dutch apple dumplings and Southern Hoppin' John, this book is both delicious and informative, offering a fresh perspective on healthy eating and living.

The "Simple and Delicious Vegan" cookbook by Michaela Vais, aka ElaVegan, is a must-have for anyone looking to add more plant-based meals to their diet. With 100 vegan and gluten-free recipes, this cookbook offers innovative ideas for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The recipes are easy to follow and use simple ingredients that are healthy, allergy-friendly, and good for the planet. The author's expertise in plant-based cooking shines through in this beautifully photographed cookbook. Overall, "Simple and Delicious Vegan" is a great addition to any cookbook collection and a perfect choice for those looking to embrace sustainable living while enjoying delicious food.

Appetites: A Cookbook by Anthony Bourdain is a must-have for home cooks who want to learn how to prepare delicious meals. In this book, Bourdain shares his personal favorite recipes, which he has perfected over the years as a professional chef and a world-traveling food expert. The book is not only a collection of recipes but also a glimpse into the personal life of the chef, who has embraced the role of a father and enjoys entertaining at home. The book is written with the same no-holds-barred ethos as Bourdain's popular TV shows, making it an enjoyable read. Overall, Appetites is a unique cookbook that offers a glimpse into the personal life of a famous chef and provides practical tips for home cooks.

Wild Edibles: A Practical Guide to Foraging is an informative and well-researched book that explores the health benefits of wild-harvested food. It teaches readers how to safely identify and harvest 60 edible plants found worldwide, and includes 67 nutrient-dense recipes. The author, Sergei Boutenko, draws on years of experience and research to make a compelling case for the environmental, economic, and health benefits of a diverse, local-food diet that includes wild greens. The book is a valuable resource for hikers, backpackers, raw foodists, and anyone interested in sustainable living.

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.

Ruffage: A Practical Guide to Vegetables is a comprehensive cookbook by Abra Berens that covers 29 types of vegetables and provides techniques for new flavors, textures, and ways to enjoy them. The book is organized alphabetically by vegetable, with each chapter featuring variations on how to prepare them. With 300 recipes and 140 photographs showcasing the finished dishes and the vegetables themselves, this cookbook is a must-have for vegetable lovers. The recipes range from shaved cabbage with chili oil to massaged kale with creamed mozzarella, tomatoes, and wild rice. Overall, Ruffage is a valuable reference for anyone looking to incorporate more vegetables into their diet in a delicious way.

The Art of Natural Cheesemaking by David Asher is a refreshing take on cheesemaking that emphasizes natural and intuitive techniques, ecological principles, and biological science. The book covers everything from sourcing good milk and making bacterial starter cultures to avoiding plastic equipment and chemical additives. It also provides specific recipes and handling advice for various types of cheese, fully illustrated with hand-drawn diagrams and triptych photos. What makes this book unique is its political stance against Big Dairy, promoting the use of ethical animal rennet and criticizing both standard industrial and artisanal cheesemaking practices. Overall, this is an informative and thought-provoking read for home and small-scale commercial cheesemakers alike.

The Whole Fish Cookbook is a game-changer for fish cookery. Written by Sydney's innovative seafood chef Josh Niland, this book takes readers on a deep dive into all aspects of fish preparation, challenging preconceived notions and encouraging a nose-to-tail approach to fish. With over 60 recipes featuring a variety of fish species, readers can expect to find new and exciting ways to prepare fish, from Cod Liver Pate on Toast to the Perfect Fish and Chips. This award-winning book is a must-have for anyone who wants to expand their culinary horizons and explore the full potential of fish as a source of protein.