We write plenty of best cookbook lists (for our favorite new titles, wander over to our spring cookbook preview). But when it comes to choosing the best cookbooks for newlyweds, you should think about helping them build a collection that will stand the test of time.
If the couple in mind doesn't have many cookbooks, consider a four-tiered approach. Begin with the fundamentals: Books like Joy of Cooking (read why it's still relevant for modern cooks here) and Samin Nosrat's equally beloved Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat will gently mold any novice cook into shape. (Who doesn't want Nosrat to teach them to cook after that fabulous focaccia-making clip?!)
Then move onto the weeknight favorites. These are the cookbooks everyone should have in their arsenal for that just got home from work what's in the fridge?! panic (and for the more tidy solution to avoiding this exact scenario: meal planning).
Next, there are the baking books, which you are more than welcome to skip ahead to-we won't tell. The new couple can learn something as complex as laminating dough, or can simply find their ideal muffin recipe for Sunday mornings.
Finally, consider a few of those books people would never buy themselves, but desperately want to flip through: the coffee table cookbooks. Round out their collections with a few choice books that are just fun to look at-full of tweezery, out of reach, gorgeous dishes that will serve inspiration and eye candy, if not practical cooking information.
Fundamentals
Of course the cookbooks in this category are full of recipes-fabulous, delicious, impressive, and dependable recipes-but they're particularly excellent for learning the basics of how to cook. (Or, if you're a bit more experienced, touching up on a few techniques.) Samin Nosrat's Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat and this revised edition of Joy of Cooking make excellent first cookbooks, while Nik Sharma and Niki Segnit's recent releases will help you fine-tune and bolster your cooking confidence.
Weeknight favorites
These are the recipes that get dinner on the table, night after night. Start with Epi contributor Hetty McKinnon's extremely cookable, riffable collection. Rely on Diana Henry to somehow take the ordinary ingredients in your pantry and turn them into something not just weeknight dinner-worthy, but that you'd pull out for entertaining. And go to Heidi Swanson for those nourishing everyday meals that don't feel restrictive or sacrifice on flavor-or require any fussy wizardry.
Impressive yet doable
Here are the best cookbooks for newlyweds looking for dinner party stunners: Those Bombay Rolls from East are sure to become a signature appetizer at their cocktail parties. The gift-worthy packaged set of two Ottolenghi classics means parties full of bright, flavorful, singularly-Ottolenghi vegetarian dishes that are designed to elicit oohs and aahs from company. And the revised edition of the classic River Café cookbook brings the restaurant's restrained, beautifully simple Italian food into the couple's home.
Baking and desserts
If you're shopping for a who fed the starter today? couple or a let's bond over babka couple, look here. Adventurous and skilled bakers will happily spend hours pouring over Joanne Chang's patient, detailed descriptions, or the detailed steps of any recipe in the revised and timeless Tartine tome. On the other hand, if you're not sure of their baking skill level, you cannot go wrong with Claire Saffitz's first cookbook, which has a little something for everyone. And for those sourdough people? Look to Bryan Ford's thoughtful exploration of bread from around the world to push them beyond the go-to loaf.
Inspirational and educational
For anyone who was awed by Toni Tipton-Martin's The Jemima Code, a compilation of two centuries of recipes penned by Black chefs, recipe developers, and home cooks: consider gifting Jubilee. This one is still thoroughly researched but offers a bit more of a classic cookbook approach. For a dreamy coffee table peek at French-meets-Northern-Californian fare, choose Thomas Keller. Or, for ultra pared back beauty, give architect John Pawson's beloved cookbook. And for an academic dive into the food of Sichuan (and plenty of Sunday afternoon project cooking) consider The Food of Sichuan.