This post was last updated on March 14, 2021 by India
I am a cookbook addict! The first time I asked for a cookbook for Christmas was my sophomore year of high school and ever since, I’ve included at least one cookbook on my wishlist every year, but usually like 5, lol. I can’t help it! There are so many amazing new books published every year and 2018 is no exception. This list below are not only the best cookbooks of 2018, they’re also the ones I’m adding to my wishlist and giving as gifts. Some of the books boast quick and easy meals that are perfect for weeknights, bold flavors, and books that will no doubt become ones you’ll reach for again and again for years to come.
No matter what type of cookbook you’re looking for this holiday season, I’ve got you covered with the list below!
The Best Cookbooks of 2018: Holiday Gift Guide
(affiliate links below)
1. What’s Gaby Cooking: Everyday California Food by Gaby Dalkin (click for Amazon link): I’ve recently started following Gaby’s blog and her recipes are approachable, but never boring. This book, with recipes focusing on fresh flavors, will bring some serious inspiration to any dinner table and will transport you to southern Cali. What’s Gaby Cooking has 280 customer reviews, with an average of 4.9 stars.
2. Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking by Samin Nosrat (click for Amazon link): Okay, so technically this was published in 2017, but the Netflix series based on this book came out this year, so I feel like its fair to include it as a best book of 2018. I have yet to get my hands on this book (or watch the show), but it has already changed how I cook as I try to incorporate those four elements into my recipes, leading to more balanced and better tasting dishes. This book will improve how even an accomplished chef cooks. Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat has 470 customer reviews, with an average of 4.8 stars.
3. Ottolenghi Simple: A Cookbook by Yotam Ottolenghi (click for Amazon link): I am SO excited about this book! I am a fiend for any of Ottolenghi’s books. We own 5 of his other books. His flavors are bright and inspired from the Middle East. This book focuses on meals that are either: made in 30 minutes, use pantry staples, made with 10 or less ingredients, or prepared ahead of time. Ottolenghi Simple will seriously up my weeknight meal game. This book has 47 customer reviews, with an average of 3.8 stars.
4. Season: Big Flavors, Beautiful Food by Nik Sharma (click for Amazon link): This is one of the most anticipated cookbooks of 2018. The author, Nik Sharma, has a popular food blog called A Brown Table. This cookbook has approachable ways to cook Indian food at home. I absolutely LOVE Indian food and can’t wait to get my hands on this book. Seasons has 20 reviews with an average of 4.8 stars.
5. Wine Folly: Magnum Edition: The Master Guide by Madeline Puckette (click for Amazon link): This magnum edition is an expansion of the original Wine Folly by Madeline Puckette. This book makes learning about wine easy and with beautiful and informative graphics. This edition also includes an expanded food and wine pairing section, so next time you have friends over for drinks, you’ll be able to show off your with some delicious wine pairings! Wine Folly: Magnum Edition: The Master Guide has 92 customer reviews with an average of 4.9 stars.
6. Cravings: Hungry for More by Chrissy Teigen (click for amazon link): The much anticipated second cookbook from Chrissy Teigen, this reprise from her first cookbook, Cravings, includes recipes that are slightly more health conscious. I purchased this when it first came out and have loved flipping through it. I can’t wait to try the Khao Tod (Crispy Rice Salad) with Fried Eggs recipe or the Cheesy Polenta with Mushrooms recipe. This book has 161 reviews with an average of 4.8 stars.
7. Once Upon a Chef, the Cookbook: 100 Tested, Perfected, and Family-Approved Recipes by Jennifer Segal (click for Amazon link): I actually learned about this book through my sister, who is a very talented cook. The author, Jennifer Segal, is a professional chef turned food blogger. This book is a collection of her fun and fresh recipes. I can’t wait to put my gluten free spin on her Buttermilk Fried Chicken Tenders recipe! Once Upon a Chef has 478 customer reviews with an average of 4.9 stars.
8. Everyday Dorie: The Way I Cook by Dorie Greenspan (click for Amazon link): First of all, the quiche on the cover looks so freaking good, so how can anything in this book be bad? While these recipes may not be quick enough for a busy weeknight, I imagine cooking up something from this book with a glass of wine for a special meal at home. This would be a great cookbook to have on your shelf if you love having friends over for dinner or want to cook something special for your signifiant other. My mother-in-law loves parsnips, and I would love to make her the Triple Layer Parsnip and Cake! Everyday Dorie has 17 customer reviews with an average of 4.8 stars.
9. Cook Like a Pro: Recipes and Tips for Home Cooking by Ina Garten (click for amazon link): I love Ina Garten. Besides being snobby about her ingredients (like saying to always use “the good vanilla”, lol), her recipes are pretty simple, yet always delicious. Cook Like a Pro has 126 customer reviews with an average of 3.5 stars.
10. Skinnytaste One and Done: 140 No-Fuss Dinners for your Instant Pot, Slow Cooker, Air Fryer, Sheet Pan, Skillet, Dutch Oven, and More by Gina Homolka and Heather Jones (click for amazon link): Is this cookbook the answer to my prayers for quick weeknight meals? I think it is. I can’t wait to dig into a warm bowl of the Shepherds Pie with Cauliflower Crust recipe and learn more ways to use our Instant Pot. This book has 280 reviews with an average of 4.7 stars.
11. Together: Our Community Cookbook by The Hubb Community Kitchen (click for Amazon link): Reading through this book is akin to flipping through family recipe cards and hearing from your friend their memories about a certain dish. Each recipe comes from a woman in the West London community who created the Hubb Community Kitchen after the Grenfell Tower fire in London. Many of the recipes are passed down from generations. This book has recipes from the Middle East, Europe, North Africa, and Eastern Mediterranean. HRH, the Duchess of Sussex (Megan Markle) has been involved with The Hubb and wrote the foreword for this book. Together has 239 customer reviews with an average of 4.7 stars.
P.S. This blog post contains Amazon affiliate links which means that I earn a commission if you make purchases through the links above. This is at no extra cost or work for you. I only recommend products I would use and truly enjoy. Thank you for supporting India from Indiana!
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