American Cookbooks

Our collection of recommended titles is a work in progress. We’re in process of adding many more, so please check back often! And drop us a line if there’s something you’d like us to consider including. We have included links to our reviews and other coverage of the books, along with links to purchase them through our affiliates. Buying through Bookshop is a great way to support independent bookstores, as well as our work at Cooks Without Borders.

If you’d like to see all our cookbook reviews in one place, find them here.

Featured

AFRO-VEGAN

Bryant Terry's 2014 book of Vegan dishes featuring flavors of Africa, the Caribbean and the American South is deliciously inspiring. Terry is the chef-in-residence of the Museum of the African Diaspora in San Francisco, a Smithsonian affiliate. Read more.

$25 at Bookshop - buy now

$17 at Amazon - buy now

AMÁ

L.A. superstar chef Josef Centeno takes us to his hometown, San Antonio, liberating Tex-Mex on the way. Read our review.

$28 at Bookshop - buy now

$22 at Amazon - buy now

BLACK FOOD

Subtitled “Stories, Art & Recipes from Across the African Diaspora,” this is the highly anticipated debut volume from publisher 4 Color, edited and curated by its Editor-in-Chief, Bryant Terry. Try a sample recipe.

$37 at Bookshop - buy now

$36 at Amazon - buy now

CHEZ PANISSE COOKING

Paul Bertolli's 1994 book feels as relevant as the day it was published; it makes you want to drop everything, roll up your sleeves and get cooking. Take it to the farmer's market with you and let your imagination fly. Co-written with Alice Waters. Read more.

$26 at Bookshop - buy now

$22 at Amazon - buy now

DIASPORICAN: A PUERTO RICAN COOKBOOK

Award-winning author Illyanna Maisonet offers personal and traditional recipes reflecting the Puerto Rican diaspora. One of our Best New Cookbooks of 2022.

$30 at Bookshop - buy now

$27 at Amazon - buy now

DINNER IN ONE

“Exception and Easy One-Pan Meals” from award-winning cook and New York Times “A Good Appetite” columnist Melissa Clark. One of our Best New Cookbooks of 2022.

$28 at Bookshop - buy now

$25 at Amazon - buy now

DON'T COUNT THE TORTILLAS

Chef Adán Medrano celebrates the foodways of the indigenous people who created the true Texas Mexican cuisine to life in his second book. Read more.

$28 at Bookshop - buy now

$20 at Amazon - buy now

GJELINA

Travis Lett's relaxed yet exuberant Venice style is its own subset of California cuisine. It may seem effortless in the restaurants, but the inspiring 2015 book shows how much thought and care goes into it. The great ideas that fill its pages (like this one) will be especially inspiring to chefs and more serious and experienced home cooks.

$32 at Bookshop - buy now

$25 at Amazon - buy now

JOY OF COOKING

We've never quite found the joy in this book, but it did teach us how to cook. An essential American reference, especially for those interested in food history — or who just want a basic recipe for pancakes, biscuits or turkey tetrazzini.

$37 at Bookshop - buy now

$20 at Amazon - buy now

JUBILEE: RECIPES FROM TWO CENTURIES OF AFRICAN AMERICAN COOKING

Toni Tipton-Martin's award-winning book is a must for everyone who knows that Black Food Matters. Read our review.

$32 at Bookshop - buy now

$24 at Amazon - buy now

THE MOZZA COOKBOOK

Nancy Silverton's L.A. restaurant is one of our faves in the country, and its flavors shine in this wonderful book. A must for budding and experienced pizzaioli.

$32 at Bookshop - buy now

$16 at Amazon - buy now

MY AMERICA: RECIPES FROM A YOUNG BLACK CHEF

Kwame Onwuachi is one of the most dynamic and interesting chefs in the country. This cookbook, his first, deliciously celebrates the food of the African diaspora. Try a sample recipe.

$33 at Bookshop - buy now

$19 at Amazon - buy now

THE RISE: BLACK COOKS AND THE SOUL OF AMERICAN FOOD

Chef Marcus Samuelsson is always awesome, and this book — honoring Black chefs and their contributions to American cooking — is fabulous. Another Black Food Matters must-have. Read our review.

$35 at Bookshop - buy now

$32 at Amazon - buy now

This inspiring book from Atlanta chef Steven Satterfield (Miller Union) is filled with simple yet brilliant ideas. It’s a delicious treat for produce-worshipping cooks. Try a sample recipe.

$45 at Bookshop - buy now

WINE STYLE

Kate Leahy’s first solo cookbook will appeal to wine lovers, those who want to learn about wine, and anyone looking for awesome, easygoing recipes that pair well with wine. Read our review.

$20 at Bookshop - buy now

$20 at Amazon - buy now