8 Best Cookbooks For Beginners In 2025

With countless cookbooks available, choosing the right one is essential for building a strong foundation in the kitchen. Below is a list of the 8 best cookbooks for beginners, designed to take you from novice to confident home cook with ease. These titles are rich in practical guidance, step-by-step instructions, and foundational cooking techniques every beginner needs.

1. How to Cook Everything by Mark Bittman

This cookbook is a trusted classic for beginners who want to develop lifelong cooking skills. Mark Bittman offers over 2,000 straightforward recipes that cover everything from breakfast staples to elegant dinners. The writing is accessible and practical, ensuring that even novice cooks can follow along confidently. It’s not just a recipe collection—it’s a comprehensive guide to essential cooking techniques, pantry staples, substitutions, and meal planning. Bittman’s emphasis on simplicity and flexibility makes it an ideal reference for home cooks looking to build confidence and independence in the kitchen without being overwhelmed by complicated instructions or hard-to-find ingredients.

2. Kitchen Confidence by Kelsey Nixon

Kelsey Nixon’s Kitchen Confidence is the perfect combination of friendly advice and practical cooking education. Designed for aspiring home cooks, it delivers more than 100 essential recipes that teach core techniques—like searing, sautéing, roasting, and baking—through hands-on learning. Recipes like Baked Mac & Cheese, Roasted Chicken, and Breakfast Burritos are simple but flavorful, and they’re supported by tips on grocery shopping, time-saving tools, and meal planning. Nixon’s upbeat style makes the process feel fun rather than overwhelming, making this an ideal choice for beginners who want to develop solid skills while building a well-rounded recipe collection.

3. Eat What You Watch by Andrew Rea

From the creator of the popular YouTube channel Binging with Babish, Andrew Rea’s Eat What You Watch is a cookbook filled with dishes inspired by iconic movies. While this may seem niche, it’s very beginner-friendly, with simple instructions, familiar ingredients, and a focus on cooking approachable meals. Recipes include the Big Kahuna Burger from Pulp Fiction, Carbonara from Eat Pray Love, and the classic grilled cheese from Chef. It’s a fun, unique way to learn cooking by replicating famous food scenes, making the experience enjoyable and memorable for new cooks.

4. Dinner for Everyone by Mark Bittman

Mark Bittman does it again with Dinner for Everyone, a beautifully structured cookbook that offers three versions of 100 classic dinners: one easy, one vegan, and one perfect for guests. The beginner-friendly version of each recipe ensures that even total novices can create a satisfying meal. Bittman includes smart prep techniques and explanations without overwhelming the reader. Recipes like Chicken with Rice, Lasagna, and Stir-Fried Noodles evolve across the pages, encouraging experimentation. The layout makes this book a brilliant way for beginners to grow while still having a fallback easy version for every dish.

5. The Food Lab by J. Kenji López-Alt

For curious beginners who love understanding the mechanics of cooking, The Food Lab is a must. J. Kenji López-Alt combines culinary science with approachable, everyday recipes to help readers cook smarter. This cookbook explains the “why” behind cooking methods, offering over 300 recipes along with more than 1,000 full-color images. López-Alt covers everything from the perfect scrambled eggs to homemade pasta, always backing up his methods with science. While it’s slightly more detailed than other beginner books, it’s incredibly rewarding and educational. It’s ideal for those who want more than just instructions—they want mastery and understanding.

6. Start Here by Sohla El-Waylly

Sohla El-Waylly’s Start Here isn’t just a cookbook—it’s a kitchen curriculum for beginners who want to go beyond just following recipes. Organized by essential techniques—like searing, steaming, and emulsifying—it teaches foundational cooking skills with an emphasis on how and why things work in the kitchen. With more than 200 recipes and hundreds of step-by-step photos, this book is a deep-dive that transforms new cooks into confident, skilled food-makers. For beginners ready to invest in their cooking knowledge, this is a game-changer.

7. The 5-Ingredient College Cookbook by Pamela Ellgen

Perfect for college students or those new to cooking, The 5-Ingredient College Cookbook keeps things simple without sacrificing flavor. Pamela Ellgen focuses on affordability, accessibility, and ease, using only five ingredients per recipe (plus pantry staples). This book is excellent for beginners with limited time, space, or kitchen tools. Recipes like Chicken Tacos, Baked Ziti, and Banana Pancakes are quick to prepare and taste great. Ellgen also includes basic cooking tips, shopping advice, and nutritional information. Whether you’re living in a dorm or cooking your first meals at home, this book helps you build your skills stress-free.

8. The Pioneer Woman Cooks by Ree Drummond

Ree Drummond’s The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Dinnertime is a beginner-friendly cookbook that focuses on family-friendly, hearty meals. With easy-to-follow recipes and comforting dishes like Chicken Fried Steak, Creamy Mac and Cheese, and Beef Stroganoff, this book is perfect for those who want simple meals with big flavor. Drummond includes helpful tips for busy cooks and encourages using accessible ingredients. Her approachable writing style and beautiful photography make the cooking process enjoyable and inviting for anyone new to the kitchen.

Start Your Culinary Journey Today

With the right cookbook in hand, anyone can become a confident home cook. The titles we’ve listed offer practical, engaging, and educational approaches to learning how to cook. Whether you prefer scientific depth, visual step-by-steps, or fast and easy meals, there’s a book on this list to suit your style.

Ready to sharpen your skills and savor the rewards of home-cooked meals? Start with one of these best cookbooks for beginners and cook your way to confidence.