Summer has arrived bloomers, and it’s time to break out the grill, pots, pans and start cooking some delicious meals. Or maybe you’re more of a dessert person and all you’ve been craving are the sweet tooth ingredients found in your pantry.
Thanks to social media, home cooking, and baking have become more popular than ever before. People are sharing their favorite recipes and cooking tips online, inspiring others to get creative in the kitchen.
Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just starting out, plenty of new cookbooks can help you take your cooking to the next level. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best cookbooks by brown and black people you need in your home for summertime cooking.
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Black Girl Baking
Jerrelle’s baking journey is a tantalizing invitation to indulge in the world of food, where every bite is a sensory experience that conjures up cherished memories. With a deft hand, she reinvents classic delicious recipes, infusing them with ingredients that connect her to the world around her and the person she has become.
Editors Choice: Her creations are a celebration of the sweet moments that have shaped her into the vibrant and imaginative person she is today, using whole flours, less refined sugar, and vegan alternatives to craft delectable treats that are as wholesome as they are delicious.
Franklin Barbecue
Prepare to embark on a mouth-watering journey with Franklin and coauthor Jordan Mackay as they unveil the secrets to creating truly great barbecue with this debut cookbook. Drawing on years of experience and hard-won knowledge, Franklin Barbecue is the ultimate guide for the backyard pitmaster, offering invaluable advice on everything from building or customizing your own smoker to sourcing top-quality meat.
Editor’s Choice: With a focus on precision and attention to detail, this much-anticipated debut is a definitive resource for anyone seeking to master the art of barbecue. With Franklin Barbecue as your guide, you’ll be cooking up a storm in no time, crafting mouth-watering dishes that are better than you ever thought possible. It’s definitely one of my favorite cookbooks on this list.
Rodney Scott’s World of BBQ
Step into Rodney’s world of mouth-watering flavors with this cookbook, co-written by award-winning writer Lolis Eric Elie. From pit-smoked turkey to barbecued spare ribs, smoked chicken wings, hush puppies, Ella’s Banana Puddin’, and award-winning whole hog, Rodney spills the secrets behind his signature dishes, allowing you to recreate them in your own kitchen.
Editor’s choice: So whether you’re a barbecue pro or a novice, this new book or recipe is the ultimate reference for achieving those special flavors that make Rodney’s dishes unforgettable. With his guidance, you can create mouth-watering dishes that will impress and delight you and experience the magic of South Carolinian, the American south cuisine in your home.
Afro-Vegan
Dive into a world of bold and innovative flavors with Afro-Vegan, a cookbook that celebrates the rich cultural heritage of the African continent. With over 100 modern and delicious dishes, Bryant Terry takes you on a culinary journey that draws on his memories and the history of food that has traveled from Africa to the rest of the world.
Editor’s Choice: A necessary book that must be on all book recommendations lists featuring BIPOC authors, black cooks, and chefs.
This is the first book that explores the intersection of African diaspora cuisine and vegan cooking boldly and innovatively, challenging traditional notions of what plant-based recipes can be. The recipes in this book are delicious and healthy, showing that plant-based cooking can be just as flavorful as conventional meat-based dishes.
In Bibi’s Kitchen
Through Hawa’s writing—and her own personal story—black women from the African diaspora and the stories behind the traditional recipes come to life. With evocative photography shot on location by Khadija Farah and food photography by Jennifer May, In Bibi’s Kitchen uses food to teach us about families, war, loss, migration, refuge, and sanctuary.
Editor’s Choice: The recipes in this book are inspired by the grandmothers of eight African countries, and they offer a glimpse into the region’s rich culinary history. With evocative photography shot on location by Khadija Farah and stunning food photography by Jennifer May, In Bibi’s Kitchen is a feast for the senses that will transport you to the heart of Africa.
Ethiopia
Embark on a culinary adventure with Ethiopia’s gourmet guru, James beard award winner Yohanis Gebreyesus, as he invites you to discover Ethiopian cuisine’s rich and vibrant flavors. After years of working as a chef worldwide, Yohanis returned home with a mission to showcase the beauty and diversity of his country’s culinary traditions.
Editor’s Choice: In this cookbook, he shares his passion for Ethiopian cuisine, offering a tantalizing array of dishes that will delight your taste buds. With each dish, you’ll experience the unique blend of spices, herbs, and aromatics that make Ethiopian cuisine so distinctive, and I’m all for this, are you?
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The Essential Cuban Cookbook
Journey to the heart of Cuba with this captivating cookbook that celebrates the island’s rich culinary heritage. Discover the fascinating evolution of Cuban cuisine, from the influence of Spanish, African, and Caribbean cultures to the enduring culinary traditions that have shaped this dynamic and alluring cuisine.
Editor’s Choice: With 50 authentic recipes, you’ll be able to recreate the flavors of beloved Cuban dishes in your own kitchen, from the aromatic Arroz con Pollo a la Chorrera (Yellow Rice with Chicken) to the mouth-watering Ropa Vieja (Braised Shredded Beef) and the succulent Lechon Asado (Pork Roast), just like Abuela used to make.
The Chilean Kitchen
Organized seasonally for maximum freshness, these seventy authentic Chilean recipes have been tweaked ever-so-slightly to fit neatly into the US market, creating an accessible, authentic, and uniquely Chilean cooking experience. With Pilar’s family recipes and Eileen’s astute writings, even those who have never visited Chile will feel like they have found home.
Editor’s Choice: 75 Seasonal flavorful recipes for stews, breads, salads, cocktails, desserts, and more by Pilar Hernandez and Eileen Smith is a great book for anyone who wants to explore the flavors of Chilean cuisine.
Chicano Bakes
Get ready to satisfy your sweet tooth with this delightful companion new cookbook to Chicano Eats. Award-winning blogger Esteban Castillo invites you to explore the sweet and dreamy side of Chicano cuisine with 80 irresistible recipes for desserts, cakes, tamales, pan dulce, and drinks.
Editor’s Choice: With each recipe, Esteban shares a piece of his life, family, and culture, offering a glimpse into the rich and diverse traditions of Mexican American cuisine. From the decadent Tres Leches Cake to the mouth-watering Conchas (Mexican sweet bread), these desserts celebrate the sweet and spicy flavors that define Chicano cuisine.
Sweet Potato Soul
In this cookbook, Jenné Claiborne revives the long tradition of using fresh, local ingredients creatively, infusing dishes like Coconut Collard Salad and Fried Cauliflower Chicken with flavor and depth. And she updates classics with Jalapeño Hush Puppies and her personal favorite, Sweet Potato Cinnamon Rolls.
Editor’s Choice: Place this on your “cookbook shelf” because I’ve been stuck on her sweet potato muffins for several years and cannot stop eating them around Thanksgiving. Jenné shows that plant-based cuisine can be just as soulful and satisfying as traditional Soul Food with each recipe. Her innovative approach to cooking proves that you don’t have to sacrifice flavor for health and that delicious, life-giving, glow-worthy foods can feed both the body and the soul.
The Rise: Black Cooks and the Soul of American Food
It’s time to give Black excellence in the culinary world the recognition it deserves. For too long, the contributions of Black chefs, cooks and creators to American culture have been overlooked and erased from the story of American food on tv shows online and beyond. But now, in The Rise, chef, author, and television star Marcus Samuelsson is on a mission to celebrate the diverse deliciousness of Black cooking today within the food industry.
Editor’s Choice: There are many different ways to honor the black creatives whose food you relish, and it shouldn’t happen just during Black History Month. Driven to fight against bias, reclaim Black culinary traditions, and inspire a new generation of cooks, Marcus shares his journey alongside 150 recipes in honor of top chefs, writers, and activists in the United States. Go get this book.
Eat Plants, B*tch: 91 Vegan Recipes That Will Blow Your Meat-Loving Mind
Indulge in guilt-free, plant-based cuisine with the latest cookbook from the renowned Slutty Vegan founder herself. Pinky Cole’s collection of ninety-one delicious recipes is sure to satisfy your cravings and leave you feeling nourished and energized.
Editor’s Choice: Recently released at the end of 2022, Pinky is one of my favorite black vegan chefs that pays homage to the comfort foods I know and love eating in the deep South. For many African Americans, coming around to plant-based cuisine can be challenging, but with Eat Plants, B*tch, Pinky Cole has created a cookbook that bridges the gap between traditional comfort foods and veganism.
Cooking from the Spirit: Easy, Delicious, and Joyful Plant-Based Inspirations
Get ready to unleash your inner chef with the latest cookbook from Tab. Her recipes are not just delicious but also flexible and creative, giving you the freedom to cook food how it makes you happy. Whether you’re an experienced cook who likes to cook from the spirit or a newbie to the kitchen, Tab’s cookbook is the perfect guide to help you get comfortable and have fun doing it.
Editor’s Choice: New York Times bestseller author (A Feeding the Soul Book) Tabitha Brown proves that her recipes are an excellent book for anyone who wants to explore plant-based cooking.
With over eighty easy and family-friendly recipes, this joyful book is filled with personal stories, inspirational “Tabisms,” and practical tips to help you create delicious vegan dishes you can genuinely call your own.
Fix Me a Plate: Traditional and New School Soul Food Recipes from Scotty Scott of Cook Drank Eat by Scotty Scott
Prepare to revolutionize your home cooking with the most soul-satisfying dishes you’ve ever tasted. Chef Scotty Scott brings his signature humor and creativity to the deep dive into the delicious world of soul food, showcasing traditional recipes and awe-inspiring remixes of the classics.
Editor’s Choice: One word: southern cooking. Discover the rich history behind these iconic dishes embedded in soulful southern culture, and follow along as Scotty shares heartwarming, sometimes side-splitting stories of how they were interwoven into his family history and childhood. With Fix Me A Plate, you’ll capture the essence of family, history, and hearty goodness.
Super Soul Food with Cousin Rosie
Get ready to experience the ultimate soul food feast with the latest cookbook from Rosie Mayes. As the popular author of I Heart Soul Food and creator of I Heart Recipes, Rosie knows a thing or two about creating delicious and satisfying dishes that will bring joy to her cousins’ hearts.
Editor’s Choice: In this cookbook, Rosie showcases her culinary prowess by infusing classic comfort dishes with her soulful spin and creating exciting recipes to satisfy your cravings. With her expert guidance and stunning photography, you can bring the magic of soul food cuisine into your kitchen and create mouth-watering dishes that will leave you and your loved ones wanting more.
Everyday GrandSoulful Recipes for Celebrating Life’s Big and Small Moments
Jocelyn Delk Adams is of the firm belief that every single day is worthy of celebration, no matter if it’s a dreary weekday or a lively weekend or holiday. Her take on comfort food is not only approachable but also exhilarating, showcasing a blend of classic and remixed Southern-inspired recipes that are bursting with flavor and color, all of which are a reflection of her vivacious and dynamic personality.
Editor’s Choice: With her latest cookbook, Everyday Grand, Jocelyn Delk Adams invites readers to cultivate joy through affirmations, thankfulness, and the magic of mouth-watering cuisine. Each recipe is a flavor-packed celebration in itself, offering a unique reason to revel in life’s smallest moments and elevate them with a touch of culinary gratitude.
Blk + Vegan: Full-Flavor, Protein-Packed Recipes from My Kitchen to Yours
Indulge in your cravings while pursuing a plant-based diet without compromising on taste with these delectable and wholesome vegan comfort food recipes. Crafted by Emani Corcran, a long-time vegan and renowned food blogger, this recipe book is a labor of love that honors her cherished family dishes and her upbringing, steeped in the rich culinary traditions of Black food culture.
Editor’s Choice: Whether you’re new to veganism or a seasoned plant-based foodie, these hearty meals are all about paying homage to your body by celebrating the delicious and wholesome ingredients that fuel it. With her adept guidance and captivating photography, you’ll be able to whip up mouth-watering and nutritious meals that are guaranteed to satiate your palate and nourish your soul.
Groundbreaking Bipoc Chefs and Beyond
These brown and black-authored cookbooks are essential for anyone who loves delicious recipes, soul food, and exploring different cuisines. From traditional dishes to modern interpretations, these books showcase the creativity and innovation that can be found in the kitchen.
Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just starting out, these books are a must-have for anyone who loves to cook and explore new flavors.