2026 is upon us, and we have a suggestion for a resolution: Why not ring in the new year by vowing to shake up your cooking routine? Whether you’re hoping to boost your protein intake, get better weeknight meal material, or explore new cuisines, you’ll need some high-quality recipes to work with. To inspire you to pick up the whisk and dust off the stand mixer, we’ve rounded up the most anticipated cookbooks of 2026.
These are buzzy, exciting new books from fresh talent and veteran writers alike. Passionate bakers and strictly savory cooks will find fresh picks that appeal to their interests: We’ve included an introduction to Native American cuisine, a book filled with budget-friendly culinary hacks, and the first cookbook from a seasoned interior designer who wants to help you level up your hosting game. And don’t stress — we’ve put an emphasis on books that prioritize easy eats that you can whip up in a flash.
The Most Anticipated Cookbooks of 2026
Don’t Think About Dinner: Save Time and Money with 125+ Easy, Nourishing, Delicious Recipes for Every Meal, Jenn Lueke (January 13)
You might know Lueke from her blog, Jenn Eats Goood, but if you’re not already a fan, you’ll still gravitate toward her nourishing, healthy recipes. And if your entire food-shopping routine needs an overhaul, you’ll adore Lueke’s sections on meal planning and building the best grocery list.
Big Bites: Time to Eat!: Nourishing Family Recipes That Cook in an Hour or Less, Kat Ashmore (January 27)
Culinary creator Ashmore has a mission: Instead of restricting yourself, she wants you to add food to your plate. Think satisfying yet healthy meals that emphasize the simple art of the weeknight dinner. (Plus, this cookbook gets bonus points because it was blurbed by our very own Katie Couric.)
Bittersweet: The Five Tastes of Dessert and Beyond, Thalia Ho (February 10)
Ho, the author of Wild Sweetness, returns with a fresh, conceptual new take on what makes a wonderful dessert. Bittersweet explores the five tastes (sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami) and dives into what each can contribute to a surprising, exciting treat. If you’re seeking something culinarily thoughtful — and even a bit poetic — this one’s for you.
We Fancy: Simple Recipes To Make The Everyday Special, Jerrelle Guy (February 10)
From the author of the James Beard Award finalist Black Girl Baking comes a new book that’ll make you feel fabulous. Guy turns pantry staples into dazzling meals to remind us that “fancy” is a mindset. We recommend her “nearly instantaneous” risotto, artichokes in the perfect butter-wine sauce, and olive-oil brownie pudding topped with chopped nuts.
Maxi’s Kitchen: Easy Go-To Recipes to Make Again and Again, Maxine Sharf (March 3)
Sharf — the brains behind the blog Maxi’s Kitchen — developed a particularly cool concept for her debut cookbook. Each section of the book is devoted to a day of the week: Monday includes easy starts, mid-week delves into fun pick-me-ups, and Friday gets into date night territory. Thanks to this structure, you’ll easily be able to slot these recipes into your regular routine.
The High-Protein Plate: 100 Satisfying Everyday Recipes, Rachael DeVaux (March 3)
Now this is an of-the-moment cookbook: In it, New York Times bestselling author and registered dietitian DeVaux wants to help you hit your protein goals. This tome includes a hundred easy ways to fit more protein into your diet — plus, a 28-day plan to help get you started.
Eat to Hustle: 75 High-Protein Plant-Based Recipes, Robin Arzón (March 10)
If your new year’s resolution is to eat less meat, this pick is for you. Arzón is the head instructor at Peloton, but she also moonlights as a culinary creator specializing in plant-based dishes. If you want a taste of Arzón’s flavorful vegan recipes, check out this video of her teaching Katie how to make tofu tacos.
A Feather and a Fork: 125 Intertribal Dishes from an Indigenous Food Warrior, Crystal Wahpepah (March 17)
Acclaimed Indigenous chef Wahpepah wants you to fall in love with Native American cuisine. Her debut cookbook includes over 100 intertribal recipes that urge you to eat with the seasons, connect to the land, and cook colorful, tasty food. Dishes like sweet blue cornbread with huckleberry compote, Indigenous popcorn balls with edible flowers, and smoked salmon dip with red chilies and chips will transform the way you eat.
Soomaaliya: Food, Memory, and Migration, Ifrah F. Ahmed (March 24)
In Soomaaliya, food writer and recipe developer Ahmed tells the story of Somalia through its history, food, and people. You can expect to use fragrant seasonings like cumin, coriander, black pepper, cinnamon, cloves, and turmeric — so if you’ve been craving flavor, be sure to preorder this one. And if you’re on the fence, one look at Ahmed’s unthinkably delicious and simple cardamom crepes will change your mind.
Let’s Get Cooking: Everyday Meals, Tipsy Favorites and Comfort Food Cravings, Remi Cruz Parsons (March 31)
Want to try a little bit of everything? Let’s Get Cooking is filled with a diverse range of recipes that are guaranteed to please. In these pages, you’ll find everything from spicy salmon and avocado on crispy rice to bacon cheese dip with fried pita bread.
A Little Bit Extra: 100 Recipes That Serve Up Something Special, Reilly Meehan (March 31)
Meehan started out as a private chef for swanky clients, and his debut cookbook is designed to bring a little of that opulence to your kitchen. You can expect popular, accessible ingredients, but each recipe features a fun twist that pushes the dish into luxury territory.
Around the Table: Tables and Traditions for Gathering, Shea McGee (April 14)
Veteran interior designer McGee is known for her impeccable style, but she’s also a killer cook. This book is the best of both worlds: It’s teeming with practical tips, seasonal tablescapes, and curated recipes. If you want to throw better parties in 2026, this is the perfect guide.
The LORAfied Cookbook: Easy Recipes and Budget-Friendly Hacks to Feed the Whole Family, Lora McLaughlin Peterson (May 5)
McLaughlin Peterson, a.k.a. LORAfied, is known on social media for her thrifty, time-saving kitchen hacks. And she’s bringing that same energy to her “fancy yet frugal” debut cookbook. Dishes like lemon chia pudding and crunchy garlic butter chicken cutlets are standouts, but she also includes hacks that simplify old favorites like French toast, mashed potatoes, and corn.
Spanglish: Recipes & Stories, Monti Carlo (May 19)
TV host and self-taught chef Carlo wrote Spanglish to blend the cultures of her native Puerto Rico and her adopted homeland, the U.S. You can expect continental American classics crafted with the bold, sometimes surprising flavors of Puerto Rico. Indulge in classics like Abuela Dora’s sweet and savory picadillo, or break the mold with floral hibiscus baked beans (yes, really).
