Rodney Scott and The Pihakis Restaurant Group: The 36 best new cookbooks to buy in 2021

New Cookbooks 2021
Image: Time Out

The best new cookbooks of 2021 will send you around the world for dumplings, barbecue, tamales and more.

Written by

Morgan Olsen

There’s a lot to look forward to this year as cities around the world spring back to life. As much as we’re frequenting the heck out of our favorite restaurants again, home cooking has become an essential part of our weekly routine – and we don’t hate it. Whether you’re just mastering sourdough or you’re a TikTok-famous feta influencer, we could all use some new material. The best new cookbooks of 2021 offer just that: heaps of fantastically fresh recipes that span the globe and boost your skills.

Trying to break out of a cooking rut? Pick up Sam Sifton’s No-Recipe Recipes, which ditches formality in favor of fun. Craving something lighter? You’ll find plenty of inspiration in Julia Turshen’s Simply Julia as well as Gregory Gourdet’s Everyone’s Table. But that’s just scraping the surface. Take a look at the best new cookbooks of 2021 and pre-order your favorites today. Rest assured, we’ll keep this list updated as more new titles are announced throughout the year.

Cookbooks are listed in chronological order by their release date, with newer and forthcoming picks toward the bottom of the list (keep scrolling!).

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Best new cookbooks of 2021

‘Rodney Scott’s World of BBQ’ by Rodney Scott and Lolis Eric Elie

Calling all wannabe pitmasters! Award-winning chef and restaurateur Rodney Scott is spilling meaty, saucy secrets in his debut cookbook. Learn how to build your own pit before delving into fan-favorite recipes like barbecued spare ribs, smoked chicken wings and Ella’s banana puddin’. Along the way, Scott opens up with intimate stories from his remarkable journey.