Friends and family often ask me for cookbook recommendations, so I decided to write a post about this just in time for all of your Christmas shopping. I broke my recommendations down into a few different categories because it would be impossible for me to choose a single one. I hope you enjoy!

My Top Recommendation: Juli Bauer’s Paleo Cookbook

I can honestly say that every recipe I have tried from this cookbook is absolutely AMAZING! I don’t use this cookbook every day because the recipes often involve a little more time and effort, but I almost always use it when I am cooking for other people or for a special occasion. This is also a great cookbook for paleo newbies because there are quite a few recipes to replace foods you loved before you changed your diet (like waffles, tortillas, ice cream, sticky chicken, etc.) and they are so dang good you can’t tell they’re paleo. Juli Bauer of PaleOMG is a goddess – check out the millions of free recipes on her blog, too.

My favorite recipes: Buffalo Chicken Casserole, Slow Cooker Jalapeno Popper Chicken Chili, Spicy Stuffed Plantains, Lechon Asado (multiple friends told me this was one of the best dishes they had ever eaten), Maduros.

My Go-To Cookbook: The Healing Kitchen

I constantly return to this cookbook for quick, easy, nourishing recipes that I can make using ingredients I already have in my kitchen. My favorite part about this cookbook is that the recipes are absolutely delicious, but not at the sake of nutrient density; there are few paleo cookbooks that have recipes I would eat on a day-to-day basis, but this is one of them. I don’t usually recommend this one to paleo newbies because the recipes exclude eggs, nuts, and nightshades which can be overwhelming for many people, but I truly cannot say enough good things about Alaena Haber of Grazed and Enthused (the author) and this amazing cookbook.

My favorite recipes: Hamburger Stew, Pronto Pesto, Cinnamon Mashed Carrots, Garlic-Rubbed Tostones, Garlic and Rosemary Crusted Pork Loin, Garlic Roasted Broccoli, and Plantain Wraps.

Honorable Mentions:

Fed & Fit: A 28 Day Food & Fitness Plan to Jump-Start Your Life with Over 175 Squeaky-Clean Paleo Recipes: Cassy Joy Garcia (of Fed and Fit) recently released this book, which includes a 28-day food and fitness plan. I haven’t had a chance to try many of the recipes or workouts, but I love the concept and have my eye on a few recipes to try!

 

The Autoimmune Paleo Cookbook: This was my first paleo cookbook, gifted to me by a dear family friend. I absolutely die for the soups in this book (my favorites!). These recipes are super nutrient-dense but unfortunately often a little complicated – the author (Mickey Trescott of Autoimmune Paleo) used to be a professional chef, so some of her techniques are a little beyond me. Having said that, there are some recipes in this book that I return to time and time again. If you get this book, please do yourself a favor and make the moroccan lamb stew.

 

Against All Grain and Celebrations: I love Danielle Walker (of Against All Grain), so I can’t go without mentioning her books. I don’t own either of these cookbooks, but I have friends that own them and I adore every recipe I have tried in their company!

Clean Eating with a Dirty Mind: This is another one that I don’t know, but it is THE book for paleo desserts. Get it for yourself (or for your best friend/cousin who loves to bake) and make these chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwiches.