★best-of-all-time.comAll 50 lists

The top 50

Cookbooks of all time

50 standout choices selected for practical usefulness, technique, authority and decades of kitchen relevance.

What earns a placePractical usefulness, technique, authority and decades of kitchen relevance. Every pick combines lasting value with current availability.
#1

The Joy of Cooking

The Joy of Cooking by Irma S. Rombauer is a durable cookbook choice, recognized for practical usefulness, technique, authority and decades of kitchen relevance.

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#2

Mastering the Art of French Cooking

Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child, Simone Beck and Louisette Bertholle is a durable cookbook choice, recognized for practical usefulness, technique, authority and decades of kitchen relevance.

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#3

Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat

Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat by Samin Nosrat is a durable cookbook choice, recognized for practical usefulness, technique, authority and decades of kitchen relevance.

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#4

The Food Lab

The Food Lab by J. Kenji López-Alt is a durable cookbook choice, recognized for practical usefulness, technique, authority and decades of kitchen relevance.

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#5

Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking

Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking by Marcella Hazan is a durable cookbook choice, recognized for practical usefulness, technique, authority and decades of kitchen relevance.

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#6

The New Basics Cookbook

The New Basics Cookbook by Julee Rosso is a durable cookbook choice, recognized for practical usefulness, technique, authority and decades of kitchen relevance.

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#7

The Fannie Farmer Cookbook

The Fannie Farmer Cookbook by Marion Cunningham is a durable cookbook choice, recognized for practical usefulness, technique, authority and decades of kitchen relevance.

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#8

The Moosewood Cookbook: Recipes from Moosewood Restaurant, Ithaca, New York

The Moosewood Cookbook: Recipes from Moosewood Restaurant, Ithaca, New York by Mollie Katzen is a durable cookbook choice, recognized for practical usefulness, technique, authority and decades of kitchen relevance.

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#9

Barefoot Contessa Family Style: Easy Ideas and Recipes That Make Everyone Feel Like Family

Barefoot Contessa Family Style: Easy Ideas and Recipes That Make Everyone Feel Like Family by Ina Garten is a durable cookbook choice, recognized for practical usefulness, technique, authority and decades of kitchen relevance.

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#10

The Silver Palate Cookbook

The Silver Palate Cookbook by Julee Rosso is a durable cookbook choice, recognized for practical usefulness, technique, authority and decades of kitchen relevance.

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#11

The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Food from My Frontier

The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Food from My Frontier by Ree Drummond is a durable cookbook choice, recognized for practical usefulness, technique, authority and decades of kitchen relevance.

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#12

The King Arthur Flour Baker's Companion: The All-Purpose Baking Cookbook

The King Arthur Flour Baker's Companion: The All-Purpose Baking Cookbook by King Arthur Baking Company is a durable cookbook choice, recognized for practical usefulness, technique, authority and decades of kitchen relevance.

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#13

Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book: Pink Plaid

Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book: Pink Plaid by Better Homes and Gardens is a durable cookbook choice, recognized for practical usefulness, technique, authority and decades of kitchen relevance.

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#14

The Complete America's Test Kitchen TV Show Cookbook 2001-2012

The Complete America's Test Kitchen TV Show Cookbook 2001-2012 by America's Test Kitchen is a durable cookbook choice, recognized for practical usefulness, technique, authority and decades of kitchen relevance.

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#15

Moosewood Restaurant New Classics

Moosewood Restaurant New Classics by The Moosewood Collective is a durable cookbook choice, recognized for practical usefulness, technique, authority and decades of kitchen relevance.

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#16

Betty Crocker's Picture Cook Book

Betty Crocker's Picture Cook Book by Betty Crocker is a durable cookbook choice, recognized for practical usefulness, technique, authority and decades of kitchen relevance.

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#17

The Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays

The Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays by Ree Drummond is a durable cookbook choice, recognized for practical usefulness, technique, authority and decades of kitchen relevance.

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#18

The Silver Spoon

The Silver Spoon by Clelia D'Onofrio is a durable cookbook choice, recognized for practical usefulness, technique, authority and decades of kitchen relevance.

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#19

How to Cook Everything Vegetarian: Simple Meatless Recipes for Great Food

How to Cook Everything Vegetarian: Simple Meatless Recipes for Great Food by Mark Bittman is a durable cookbook choice, recognized for practical usefulness, technique, authority and decades of kitchen relevance.

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#20

The New Best Recipe

The New Best Recipe by Cook's Illustrated is a durable cookbook choice, recognized for practical usefulness, technique, authority and decades of kitchen relevance.

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#21

Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day: The Discovery That Revolutionizes Home Baking

Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day: The Discovery That Revolutionizes Home Baking by Jeff Hertzberg is a durable cookbook choice, recognized for practical usefulness, technique, authority and decades of kitchen relevance.

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#22

Mrs. Fields Cookie Book, 100 of Her Favorite Recipes

Mrs. Fields Cookie Book, 100 of Her Favorite Recipes by Mrs. Fields is a durable cookbook choice, recognized for practical usefulness, technique, authority and decades of kitchen relevance.

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#23

Fix-it and Forget-it 5-Ingredient Favorites: Comforting Slow Cooker Recipes

Fix-it and Forget-it 5-Ingredient Favorites: Comforting Slow Cooker Recipes by Phyllis Pellman Good is a durable cookbook choice, recognized for practical usefulness, technique, authority and decades of kitchen relevance.

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#24

Soup: A Way of Life

Soup: A Way of Life by Barbara Kafka is a durable cookbook choice, recognized for practical usefulness, technique, authority and decades of kitchen relevance.

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#25

The Great British Bake Off: Big Book of Baking

The Great British Bake Off: Big Book of Baking by Linda Collister is a durable cookbook choice, recognized for practical usefulness, technique, authority and decades of kitchen relevance.

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#26

The Victory Garden Cookbook

The Victory Garden Cookbook by Marian Morash is a durable cookbook choice, recognized for practical usefulness, technique, authority and decades of kitchen relevance.

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#27

Simply in Season

Simply in Season by Mary Beth Lind is a durable cookbook choice, recognized for practical usefulness, technique, authority and decades of kitchen relevance.

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#28

Veganomicon: The Ultimate Vegan Cookbook

Veganomicon: The Ultimate Vegan Cookbook by Isa Chandra Moskowitz is a durable cookbook choice, recognized for practical usefulness, technique, authority and decades of kitchen relevance.

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#29

Madhur Jaffrey's World Vegetarian: More Than 650 Meatless Recipes from Around the World

Madhur Jaffrey's World Vegetarian: More Than 650 Meatless Recipes from Around the World by Madhur Jaffrey is a durable cookbook choice, recognized for practical usefulness, technique, authority and decades of kitchen relevance.

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#30

How to Cook Everything: Simple Recipes for Great Food

How to Cook Everything: Simple Recipes for Great Food by Mark Bittman is a durable cookbook choice, recognized for practical usefulness, technique, authority and decades of kitchen relevance.

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#31

Mary Berry's Complete Cookbook

Mary Berry's Complete Cookbook by Mary Berry is a durable cookbook choice, recognized for practical usefulness, technique, authority and decades of kitchen relevance.

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#32

Barefoot in Paris

Barefoot in Paris by Ina Garten is a durable cookbook choice, recognized for practical usefulness, technique, authority and decades of kitchen relevance.

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#33

The New Book of Middle Eastern Food

The New Book of Middle Eastern Food by Claudia Roden is a durable cookbook choice, recognized for practical usefulness, technique, authority and decades of kitchen relevance.

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#34

Nigella Christmas: Food, Family, Friends, Festivities

Nigella Christmas: Food, Family, Friends, Festivities by Nigella Lawson is a durable cookbook choice, recognized for practical usefulness, technique, authority and decades of kitchen relevance.

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#35

Better Than Store-Bought: A Cookbook Authoritative recipes for the foods that most people never knew they could make at home.

Better Than Store-Bought: A Cookbook Authoritative recipes for the foods that most people never knew they could make at home. by Helen Witty is a durable cookbook choice, recognized for practical usefulness, technique, authority and decades of kitchen relevance.

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#36

30-Minute Meals

30-Minute Meals by Rachael Ray is a durable cookbook choice, recognized for practical usefulness, technique, authority and decades of kitchen relevance.

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#37

The Art of Simple Food: Notes, Lessons, and Recipes from a Delicious Revolution

The Art of Simple Food: Notes, Lessons, and Recipes from a Delicious Revolution by Alice Waters is a durable cookbook choice, recognized for practical usefulness, technique, authority and decades of kitchen relevance.

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#38

Keepers: Two Home Cooks Share Their Tried-and-True Weeknight Recipes and the Secrets to Happiness in the Kitchen

Keepers: Two Home Cooks Share Their Tried-and-True Weeknight Recipes and the Secrets to Happiness in the Kitchen by Kathy Brennan is a durable cookbook choice, recognized for practical usefulness, technique, authority and decades of kitchen relevance.

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#39

Jamie's Kitchen

Jamie's Kitchen by Jamie Oliver is a durable cookbook choice, recognized for practical usefulness, technique, authority and decades of kitchen relevance.

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#40

The Guide for Hot Pot Cooking: The Best Hot Pot Cookbook That Will Become Your Best Friend in The Kitchen

The Guide for Hot Pot Cooking: The Best Hot Pot Cookbook That Will Become Your Best Friend in The Kitchen by Valeria Ray is a durable cookbook choice, recognized for practical usefulness, technique, authority and decades of kitchen relevance.

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#41

Quick Meal-in-a Mug Recipes That Are Too Delicious: Prepare Your Meals In Just 5 Minutes

Quick Meal-in-a Mug Recipes That Are Too Delicious: Prepare Your Meals In Just 5 Minutes by Valeria Ray is a durable cookbook choice, recognized for practical usefulness, technique, authority and decades of kitchen relevance.

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#42

Crazy Dumplings II - Even Dumplinger

Crazy Dumplings II - Even Dumplinger by Amanda Roberts is a durable cookbook choice, recognized for practical usefulness, technique, authority and decades of kitchen relevance.

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#43

Your Guide to Fall Baking: Discover Delicious Baked Goods Recipes That Are Perfect for Fall!

Your Guide to Fall Baking: Discover Delicious Baked Goods Recipes That Are Perfect for Fall! by Valeria Ray is a durable cookbook choice, recognized for practical usefulness, technique, authority and decades of kitchen relevance.

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#44

The Creme Brulee Cookbook: Decadent Dessert Recipes to Grace Your Dinner Table

The Creme Brulee Cookbook: Decadent Dessert Recipes to Grace Your Dinner Table by Christina Tosch is a durable cookbook choice, recognized for practical usefulness, technique, authority and decades of kitchen relevance.

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#45

Authentic Japanese Food Cookbook: Delicious Japanese Dishes from Popular Japanese Restaurants in Japan

Authentic Japanese Food Cookbook: Delicious Japanese Dishes from Popular Japanese Restaurants in Japan by Daniel Humphreys is a durable cookbook choice, recognized for practical usefulness, technique, authority and decades of kitchen relevance.

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#46

How to Be a Domestic Goddess: Baking and the Art of Comfort Cooking

How to Be a Domestic Goddess: Baking and the Art of Comfort Cooking by Nigella Lawson is a durable cookbook choice, recognized for practical usefulness, technique, authority and decades of kitchen relevance.

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#47

Short n' Sweet: 40 Best Shot Glass Desserts

Short n' Sweet: 40 Best Shot Glass Desserts by Christina Tosch is a durable cookbook choice, recognized for practical usefulness, technique, authority and decades of kitchen relevance.

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#48

Great British Bake Off: Christmas

Great British Bake Off: Christmas by Lizzie Kamenetzky is a durable cookbook choice, recognized for practical usefulness, technique, authority and decades of kitchen relevance.

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#49

The Cinnamon Recipe Book: Discover Delicious Cinnamon-Spiced Recipes!

The Cinnamon Recipe Book: Discover Delicious Cinnamon-Spiced Recipes! by Valeria Ray is a durable cookbook choice, recognized for practical usefulness, technique, authority and decades of kitchen relevance.

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#50

The Looneyspoons Collection : Janet & Greta's Greatest Recipe Hits Plus a Whole Lot More!

The Looneyspoons Collection : Janet & Greta's Greatest Recipe Hits Plus a Whole Lot More! by Janet Podleski is a durable cookbook choice, recognized for practical usefulness, technique, authority and decades of kitchen relevance.

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