17 Top-Rated Cookbook Picks for Beginner Chefs, As Voted by Reviewers

We might earn a commission when you buy through our links.

Homo sapiens started preparing cooked meals sometime from 2 million to 50,000 years back. The oldest individual recipes recorded in writing detailed instructions for making flatbreads along with beer. well before the beginning of the argument over bottles versus cans -- Apicius is often recognized as the author of the earliest known Western cookbook, published in 1st-century Rome.

Over the past two thousand years, cookbooks have transformed from elite royal manuals like "The Forme of Cury" and guides for affluent household chefs into a worldwide literary genre. These books have mirrored significant societal changes and brought attention to various cultural backgrounds hidden within the lists of ingredients they feature.

There are countless cookbooks authored by Michelin-star recipients, dedicated hobbyists, and famous personalities. Numerous titles promise to simplify intricate recipes for complete newcomers—but do they succeed? Below you'll find 17 introductory cookbooks with at least 1,000 five-star ratings from those who swear by them and enjoy using these resources.

Read more: 11 Famous Chefs and Their Least Favorite Dishes

Mastering The Art of French Cuisine, Volume 1, by Julia Child

It was so impressive that even James Beard wished he had authored it himself; this best-seller by Julia Child stands out. Expertise in French Culinary Techniques It was the first of two works that has remained deeply beloved for over four decades since its release in 1983. To this day, even beginner chefs who feel daunted by the prospect of preparing French cuisine find encouragement in Child’s opening remark: “If you can read, you can cook.”

"Mastering the Art of French Cooking" has garnered nearly 75,000 reviews on Goodreads, with over half receiving five-star ratings. One person said It was deemed "the most comprehensive, user-friendly, and outstanding cookbook I've ever possessed." Due to Child's guide, a beginner spent six hours on a single dish yet produced one of their finest meals. Another enthusiastic Amazon reviewer agreed. described it As "a pinnacle in the craft, skill, and fervor of cuisine preparation," suggesting it was perfect for newcomers as well as experienced domestic chefs.

Back to Basics with Barefoot Contessa, By Ina Garten

Several stars have lent their names to cookbooks, yet very few boast the fan base enjoyed by Ina Garten. Back in 2008, she released her cookbook. Barefoot Contessa: Back to Basics Her sixth cookbook, which dismantles the components and methods used in some of the refined dishes she has created over the decades .

On Goodreads, it boasts over 36,000 ratings, nearly half of which are five-star reviews. In an extensive review, one poster said For those who might not be very skilled in cooking, this book is quite simple to follow," while another commented, "Excellent for both novice and experienced home chefs!

The reviews on Amazon were equally excited. One said If you're dipping your toes into cooking for the very first time and feel a bit daunted, the recipes and their underlying concepts will guide you gently through the process.

From Criminal to Chef: Premium Recipes from The Boss Dogg's Kitchen, By Snoop Dogg

Who else but Snoop Dogg would secure an intro from the epitome of American living, Martha Stewart, for his cookbook? This is just one of numerous reasons. From Criminal to Chef: Elite Recipes from The Boss Dogg’s Kitchen Has received an overwhelmingly positive response from The News Pulses and the star’s fan base.

This collection includes just 50 recipes, yet they cover a broad spectrum ranging from traditional baked mac 'n' cheese and lobster thermidor to more. snacks to conquer those cravings Nearly 39,000 individuals (with more adding reviews constantly) have shared their thoughts online, with approximately 88% of these reviewers awarding the book a perfect five-star rating.

One Amazon poster mentioned that individuals didn’t necessarily have to enjoy rap music to recognize the value of Snoop’s book, noting it was essential for someone who was “a complete cooking novice.” Another reviewer Appreciated the straightforward recipes along with the comedic aspects of the book, ending with: "Excellent choice for novices, a hilarious present option, and a top pick for anyone looking to create 'herb' brownies akin to Snoop Dogg’s."

Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering The Elements of Great Cooking, By Samin Nosrat

Many people loved the series "Lessons in Chemistry." Based on Bonnie Garmus' 2022 bestseller where a chemist mixed classic recipes with science Five years prior, Samin Nosrat had undertaken a comparable endeavor. Sodium, Lipids, Acidity, Temperature: Mastering the Fundamentals of Excellent Cuisine.

So far, it has accumulated over 23,500 reviews on Amazon and more than 84,400 on Goodreads, with 62% of those ratings being five-star reviews. Several Goodreads reviewers mentioned they went through it from start to finish, whereas another commented: "No matter if you're new to cooking or experienced in the kitchen, this book is a must-read."

On Amazon , a professional chef and food science educator posted a lengthy review, describing it as an "essential culinary guide." Another said It was “nothing less than a transformative gastronomic experience,” and the satisfied reader continued by stating that “Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking” would enhance the cooking abilities of individuals ranging from novices to seasoned professionals.

Better Homes And Gardens New Cook Book, By Better Homes And Gardens

If ever there was a culinary tool designed to help the average American home cook, it would be the "Better Homes and Gardens Cook Book." From the clever tab dividers and plain pages (so people who weren't like Ina Garten when following a recipe From allowing individuals to create their own notes to featuring a practical ring-binding design that enables it to lie flat on kitchen counters, it became an instant success upon its release in 1930.

In 2022, a 100th Anniversary Edition hit the shelves. It's racked up almost 138,000 reviews on Goodreads, including more than 67,000 five-star ratings, with one happy customer writing : "Best cookbook for beginners. It has all the classic instructions and recipes that a new cook needs."

To numerous online commentators, the "Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook" serves as an essential component in their cooking spaces; often evoking memories from their youth or being handed down to family members. Similar to many introductory cookbooks, this one also holds significant charm for seasoned cooks, making it a beloved resource across different culinary skill levels. One individual wrapped up theirAmazonreview. with: "It's a masterpiece."

Air Fryer Cookbook, By Jenson William

Published nine years following the 2010 revolution in cooking brought about by air fryers, Jensen Williams' "Air Fryer Cookbook" sought to give beginners the insights to get the most out of their countertop device, and do far more than just cooking handfuls of frozen French fries Spanning breakfast, lunch, and dinner options, along with a variety of choices ranging from meat-based to vegetarian recipes, William’s cookbook has garnered an astounding 46,110 reviews on Amazon, featuring nearly 30,000 perfect five-star ratings.

An Amazon customer suggested this book as ideal for those new to using air fryers, and another individual purchasing their initial air fryer found the cookbook clarified the appliance’s cooking methods, making them less confusing. preventing them from making common mistakes . Another relative beginner praised "Air Fryer Cookbook" for being a mine of "great basic information," and it was described as "simplified for clarity and an excellent beginning point," as noted by another pleased client.

The Ultimate Cookbook for Young Chefs, By America's Test Kitchen

Launched in 1992, America's Test Kitchen stands as a wealth of cooking resources for home chefs across the United States. It comes as no wonder that this organization has become so popular. "The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs," Published in 2018, this has become extremely popular.

Every recipe in this cookbook was thoroughly tested by more than 750 children to ensure they would be appropriate for everyone, even those just starting out. As of now, "The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs" has accumulated over 24,300 customer reviews on Amazon, with more than 20,000 of them being five-star ratings.

Reviewers have lavished praise, describing it as an "excellent resource," "easy and accessible for kids and beginners," and "gorgeously illustrated." The recipes were found to be straightforward enough for children across all age groups to follow, making it highly commendable. one person posting My son created the monkey bread entirely by himself, and I must say, it was AMAZING. This boosted his self-assurance in cooking.

"The Food Lab: Improving Home Cooking with Science," by J. Kenji López-Alt

Since its release in 2015, this acclaimed cookbook has been embraced by both beginners and seasoned home chefs. The lengthy title gives you an idea of what to expect. The Food Lab: Enhancing Home Cooking with Scientific Techniques J. Kenji López-Alt explores the relationships between culinary techniques and components, revealing how these elements work together to produce exceptional dishes.

A remarkable 92% of over 11,000 Amazon reviews award it five stars, along with nearly 15,000 out of the 23,857 total ratings on Goodreads. A critic from the aforementioned website One reviewer praised it for providing "excellent education and direction regarding tools, materials, and fundamental principles of utilizing your domestic kitchen," whereas another commented that it was "remarkable and impactful." In an extensive Amazon review J. Kenji López-Alt’s book received acclaim as a “tour de force” and was described as “easy to understand for novices and experts alike,” with many commending it for simplifying complex culinary methods.

"Bread Baking for Novices" by Bonnie Ohara

Like anyone who has followed several seasons of "The Great American Baking Show" or "The Great British Baking Show" understands, baking bread can often behave unpredictably, even for an adept domestic baker. In her 2018 publication, Bonnie Ohara delved into this topic. "Bread Baking for Beginners" provides all the assistance and direction beginner bakers require.

Ohara’s detailed instructions on crafting kneaded, no-knead, and enriched breads from scratch have been immensely successful. This book has attracted 10,129 customer reviews on Amazon, with an impressive 7,890 of them being five-star ratings. Meanwhile, “Bread Baking for Beginners” holds around 1,350 reviews on Goodreads.

One Amazon reader commended the book's "warm, inviting, thorough start," along with the "practical" manner in which "Bread Baking for Beginners" was penned. Another said Excellent read that thoroughly outlines both the actions to take and the reasoning behind them, before gradually advancing to create more complex bread recipes.

Simple, By Yotam Ottolenghi

Many home chefs feel daunted by the prospect of attempting American cuisine, let alone tackling a dish from distant lands. Ottolenghi Simple Published in 2018, this cookbook offers assistance. At the beginning, Yotam Ottolenghi explains the book’s title: meals requiring little time, using ten or fewer ingredients, prepared beforehand, centered around pantry staples, suitable for laid-back days, and simpler than anticipated.

The book "Ottolenghi Simple" has accumulated 9,217 reviews on Amazon and more than 11,680 ratings on Goodreads, where one poster said It was the perfect book for those who "aren't yet adept at crafting their own recipes or lack some confidence when cooking."

That opinion was also reflected on Amazon, where a reviewer wrote I discovered that these recipes are quite manageable, and I believe several of them I could prepare alongside my young cousin who is twelve years old.

Classic Italian Cooking Essentials, By Marcella Hazan

In 1991, Marcella Hazan's "Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking," which combined material from two earlier cookbooks she had released in the 1970s, brought classic Italian cooking into kitchens for both novice and seasoned chefs alike. The book received acclaim again in 2022. 30th Anniversary Edition .

Described as "the essential Italian cookbook for students, newlyweds, and seasoned chefs," this book features dishes like parsley and ricotta-filled pasta along with an authentic tomato sauce. With 4,950 reviews on Amazon and 24,862 on Goodreads, nearly half of these ratings are perfect fives stars.

One Goodreads reviewer The person, who wished to award the book with 10 stars, commented, "Her approach of telling things as they ought to be reflects much like my Grandma’s style. She conveys harsh truths with love, understanding, and that quintessential grandmotherly wisdom." On Amazon, a commenter The person who confessed they were never truly drawn to Italian cuisine mentioned that after reading "Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking," they realized it was "usually so straightforward that it becomes hilariously simplistic."

Home Cooking with Gordon Ramsay, By Gordon Ramsay

Many professional chefs have been dismissed from "Hell's Kitchen" by the foul-mouthed chef, whereas newcomers receive a more lenient treatment. "Gordon Ramsay's Home Cooking," Published in 2013, this cookbook features dishes from across the globe designed to instill "enthusiasm, self-assurance, and motivation" in both beginner and seasoned domestic chefs.

The book boasts 5,851 reviews on Amazon, with 85% of these reviewers awarding it five stars. Additionally, out of 2,200 ratings on Goodreads, 49% also gave it a top rating. Similarly, on the Goodreads platform, one person wrote These instructions are great for novices, very motivating to go through and packed with numerous practical recipes suitable for home cooking. Another Goodreads reviewer said This book serves as more of a cooking course—concise yet expertly thorough—rather than merely being a compilation of top-notch recipes. On Amazon, a delighted user commented He is a top-tier chef yet doesn’t make you feel inferior.

Cook This Book: Techniques That Educate And Dishes To Replicate, By Molly Baz

Molly Baz's Cooking From The Book: Methods For Learning And Dishes To Replay Not just setting up the basics, this cookbook also features QR codes that direct you to instructional videos created by the author. Released in 2021, the book boasts an impressive 3,161 customer reviews on Amazon with 87 percent receiving five stars. Similarly, more than half of the 3,346 ratings on Goodreads are also five-star reviews.

One Goodreads reviewer stated " Anyone intrigued by the idea of tackling a kitchen should acquire this book and follow along with the recipes," commented one enthusiast. Another added, "At age 35, I had zero experience, yet four months later, I'm preparing all meals for my spouse." An Amazon reviewer mentioned they'd purchase Baz’s cookbook for anyone looking to learn cooking. Yet another reader thanked the author for instilling the courage needed to take up cooking. roast a whole chicken for the first time.

The Vital Wok Cookbook, By Naomi Imatome-Yun

Published in 2015, Naomi Imatome-Yun's work "The Essential Wok Cookbook" is designed to assist beginners in mastering Chinese cuisine using a wok and preparing tasty dishes. It includes detailed images guiding through complex tasks such as wrapping wontons or spring rolls. not to be mistaken for spring rolls -- along with specialized recipes tailored for home cooks who are short on time and/or money.

The "Essential Wok Cookbook" has received 3,750 ratings on Amazon, with 73% of them being five-star reviews and an additional 17% giving it four stars. Numerous purchasers appreciate that they can prepare healthier and more delicious variations of their favorite takeaway dishes using this cookbook. One self-confessed beginner said "It covers all the terminology and methods, includes step-by-step images, and features simple recipes that are clear and free from excessive non-essential components." Another reader valued how Imatome-Yun’s book catered well to beginners and households with limited budgets.

The Teen Baking Cookbook, By Robin Donovan

The culinary industry is constantly seeking the next crop of chefs like Guy Fieri or Ina Garten, as evidenced by Robin Donovan’s 2018 cookbook. The Teen Baker's Cookbook It's an excellent starting point for aspiring cooks beginning their culinary journey.

Packed with detailed recipes along with essential baking information and terms, this book boasts 3,408 reviews on Amazon, featuring 79% five-star ratings and 14% four-star ratings. Numerous readers mentioned purchasing Donovan’s cookbook as presents for their kids, nieces, nephews, or grandchildren, where it proved highly popular due to how user-friendly it is for young ones.

One person expressed appreciation for the limited number of photos in "The Baking Cookbook," as their child would feel less let down if the final result didn’t match what was pictured. Additionally, they welcomed the absence of easy-to-find substitute ingredients. writing in their review Many recipes require the user to prepare everything from scratch.

Smoking Meat 101: The Essential Guide for Novices, By Bill West

Smoking meat has its own technique, yet Bill West’s quick lesson makes it more accessible. Essentials of Smoking Meat for Beginners: A Comprehensive Guide Everyone has an opportunity to master the art of cooking meat like Michelangelo crafted sculptures. This book was released in 2019 and sought to address all possible queries readers might have, covering everything from top-rated smokers to ideal spice pairings for different meats.

So far, it has accumulated 2,076 reviews on Amazon, with 79% of these being five-star ratings and 15% being four-star ratings. One reviewer said Her husband has recently taken up meat smoking and finds this cookbook quite useful with its variety of recipes to explore... This keeps him occupied during his retirement.

Another detailed How West's cookbook assisted them in making the transition from grilling to smoking, they noted: “The author guides you through it with meticulous steps and thorough explanations,” whereas another reviewer raved about how their father—who wasn’t much of a chef—had devoured the book entirely.

The Basics of How to Cook Everything: Everything You Need to Know to Prepare Fantastic Dishes, By Mark Bittman

Mark Bittman is the author of the extensive, ten-part series "How to Cook Everything series, with the second installment, Fundamentals: Everything Required to Create Excellent Dishes, is termed an "essential teaching cookbook." This book encompasses fundamental techniques for preparing 185 dishes, including Soups where the extra portions taste even better when saved and warmed up again. , leading to delectable desserts. Released in 2021, this book boasts 2,597 Amazon reviews, with more than 2,000 of them being five-star ratings.

One reviewer referred to it as a "superb starter cookbook," noting, "For those who require it — it proves incredibly useful." Numerous individuals purchased "The Essentials" as presents for family members or friends embarking on independent living or, similar to what another reviewer mentioned, lacked the time to acquire new culinary skills themselves. Surprisingly, even experienced chefs found pleasure in using Bittman's cookbook. Another poster described it As a "roadmap to reach my desired destination."

Read the Article from The News Pulse .