As a new homesteader myself, I’m learning so many new cooking techniques to use up the garden produce and become a “from-scratch” cook! I have found that these are the cookbooks every homesteader needs in their kitchen to continually grow, learn, and be resourceful!
I didn’t grow up learning a wide array of cooking techniques. There were a few basic skills in my toolbox; however, when I got married and we started a family is when I really noticed my lack of knowledge.
Over the years I have found that between reading cookbooks and watching YouTube videos of other homesteading mamas, I have added quite a bit to the toolbox! But, there is still so much I want to dive into.
Homesteaders have a unique perspective when it comes to cooking and preparing meals. We have to consider the produce that we have coming in fresh each day – eggs, raw milk, vegetables, fruits, and meat – but also consider the many different ways to preserve the bounty.
Because of this, more from-scratch cooking is not just necessary, but also enjoyable! Making our own bread, yogurt, condiments, and more is all a part of the lifestyle! Changes like cooking in cast iron, using a sourdough starter, and owning a wood cookstove have all brought me closer to the homesteading lifestyle and mindset.
Let’s dive into the best cookbooks every homesteader needs…
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This was one of the first cookbooks on this list that I picked up. It is extremely large and comprehensive. I loved flipping through the pages and reading about the kitchen skills because it really brings you back to the basics!
Today, our kitchens are filled with so many gadgets and tools that only serve one purpose. We may use some of them only once or twice a year. It’s not resourceful and it’s not simple.
I have to constantly declutter my kitchen and make sure I only keep what is most important. This book is a classic that assists you in decluttering your useless kitchen gear and go back to the necessary and simple basics.
It will also remind you to use all that you have, avoiding waste, and how to benefit from basic homesteading skills! It’s one of the cookbooks every homesteader needs because of its simple yet profound detail on the topic.
Check it out on Amazon here!
I have loved learning from Shaye over the past few months from her books and YouTube channel. She teaches very practical homesteading skills and specializes in the kitchen!
This cookbook, and also her book From Scratch, are amazing resources to have on hand. They are jam-packed with knowledge and recipes that are both tasty and simple.
Check it out on Amazon here!
Related Post: The Top 10 Most Enlightening Books On How To Homestead
This is such a genuine book. The Kilcher family lives in the heart of Alaska and you can tell that they know exactly what they are talking about. In fact, it’s almost like a storybook at times. They’ve been doing this for years!
I love having resources from experts in the area that I want to grow in, and this cookbook is just that! It was so fun for me to flip through and try some of the recipes.
Check it out on Amazon here!
Like a lot of the other homesteading cookbooks on this list, this is a cookbook first and foremost but it also has lots of other homesteading advice, like managing chickens and a milk cow.
This book is large and full of love! I feel like a mentor homesteader is talking directly to me and helping me learn how to cook in my homestead, tiny home kitchen.
Related Post: 11 Things I No Longer Do As A Mom Since Taking My Job As A Homemaker Seriously
Check it out on Amazon here!
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Canning is a huge part of homesteading. It is one of the best ways to preserve the garden produce and harvest.
However, canning is intimidating and overwhelming at first. You don’t want to get anything wrong because contaminating the food and potentially hurting someone is on the line. Safety is the number one priority when it comes to canning.
I love that this is one of the cookbooks every homesteader needs because you not only get simple and safe instructions but also easy and tasty recipes to try.
Check it out on Amazon here!
Melissa K. Norris is another homesteader that I love to learn from through her books, podcast, and YouTube channel. This cookbook was a wonderful read!
What makes her cooking secrets unique is that she comes from generations of previous homesteaders that made it through the last hundreds of years, including The Great Depression. She has great ideas on canning, sourdough, and wholesome meals for the whole family from generations past.
Her book, The Made From Scratch Life, is also a fabulous read to learn more about cooking the way homesteaders do it – from scratch!
Check it out on Amazon here!
Related Post: The 5 Best Beginner Gardening Books Written By Experts On YouTube
Have you ever made your own bread? I hate to admit this now, but it was only about a year ago that I made my first loaf of homemade bread. I had only ever purchased it from the grocery store but the taste and quality differences are not even comparable!
Baking bread is so simple, quick, and easy if you want it to be! You can also turn it into beautiful art that takes hours or even days. Either way, it’s delicious!
I love this cookbook because it goes over everything you might be confused about when it comes to baking bread. It helps you organize the different types, techniques, and options in your head.
Check it out on Amazon here!
Let’s be honest, the Mennonites and the Amish are the best at passing down traditions and especially cooking skills from generation to generation. The rest of society seems to stop practicing the basics and take the easy route of fast food, quick meals, and take out.
As homesteaders, we know the importance of our kitchen! It truly is the heart of the home. In this homesteading cookbook, Hope is essentially inviting us into her kitchen and passing on the forgotten recipes and skills of our culture.
Another example of this would be The Essential AmishCookbook. It is another wonderful resource to understand the importance and necessity of everyday wholesome meals.
Check it out on Amazon here!
The farmer (aka the homesteader) knows the produce the best because he is the one caring for it all growing season and then harvesting it. This cookbook is all you need to get started with fermenting, preserving, and handling your produce correctly.
As homesteaders, we can’t forget the importance of saving everything we harvest for the future! This is the main focus of this cookbook and I really appreciate it.
Check it out on Amazon here!
If you are like us, then you started with backyard chickens as your first homestead animal. And, rightly so! They are easy, entertaining, and give you farm fresh eggs daily!
But, sometimes we get sick of boiled or scrambled eggs. Sometimes, we need a cookbook like this to help us stay creative with an influx of eggs we bring inside from the coop every day. That is exactly why it is one of the cookbooks that every homesteader needs in their kitchen!
Check it out on Amazon here!
There you have it, the cookbooks every homesteader needs in their kitchen. Let me know in the comment below which one is your favorite!
Kelsey at GoodPointGrandma
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