Let’s be honest. Sometimes the most challenging part of cooking is figuring out what to make. Sometimes, it feels impossible if you try to follow a healthy lifestyle.
The Mediterranean Diet is no different. Figuring out what to cook can be tricky, especially in the beginning. Enter Mediterranean Diet Cookbooks.
We combed through stacks to find the best Mediterranean Diet Cookbooks for everyone from beginners to pros.
Want to find the best Mediterranean diet cookbooks?
Let’s go to The Chalkboard.
Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase. All opinions are my own. Read our full disclosure.
Jump Ahead To
What Is The Mediterranean Diet?
We write about this lifestyle at length in the beginner’s Mediterranean diet guide. Although diet can be a misnomer as it’s about more than eating habits than being restrictive.
It’s about living a healthy life.
Here are the guidelines:
- Eat primarily plant-based food (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes)
- Healthy fats are good
- Eat fish 2-3 times a week
- Limit processed foods
- Limit your intake of sweets
- Meals are to be eaten with family and friends and enjoyed
- Physical activity is to be plentiful
Why Do You Need Mediterranean Diet Cookbooks?
These books are in two categories, books about the Mediterranean diet and Mediterranean cookbooks.
The former provides information about the diet. The authors make a case for why you should follow it and offer tips and tricks on how to do so.
Cookbooks help to give us ideas on what to eat! Even if you don’t make all of the recipes, they will inspire your meal plans.
A simple search on Amazon will provide over 5,000 titles; here are ones worth your time.
Best Mediterranean Diet Cookbooks
THE BEST Overall Mediterranean Diet Cookbook
“Live to Eat” By Michael Psilakis
Chef Michael Psilakis knocks it out of the park with his second cookbook, showcasing the Mediterranean diet.
The recipes are accessible and flavorful. The author, a father of two, knows how hard it can be to prepare dinner. To counter that, he provides tips on meal prepping and offers store-bought substitutions for complicated components.
“Live to Eat” is organized around seven essential pantry items the author deems are the foundations for cooking the Mediterranean way.
Early sections have tips and tricks to prep each ingredient. Later chapters have readers use that knowledge in recipes that allow the food to shine. You will want to flip through this one.
This book is excellent for anyone short on time but still wants to create meals for their loved ones. If you want simple food full of flavor, this book is for you.
Buy on Amazon.
Best Mediterranean Diet Cookbook For Meal Planning
“The Mediterranean Diet Plan” By Susan Zogheib
This cookbook by registered dietician Susan Zogheib focuses on meal plans. The beginning chapters briefly discuss why you should follow the Mediterranean diet and dive deep into meal plans and recipes.
“The Best Mediterranean Diet Cookbook” is perfect if you want ideas and inspiration for what to cook. The dinner recipes are straightforward and flavorful so you won’t get bored. The breakfasts, which are notoriously tricky, are not quick to prepare.
It’s also worth checking out if you want to try different flavor combinations and dishes. The recipes are simple but solid.
If you are trying to get organized and make a meal plan, this book is a jumping-off point. Be sure to read Chapter 2, which has excellent tips, including an invaluable portion size chart.
Buy on Amazon.
The Best Mediterranean Diet Cookbook For Beginners
“The Complete Mediterranean Diet” By Michael Ozner
The word complete is overused often; this is not the case with this book by doctor Michael Ozner. The Complete Mediterranean Diet truly has it all.
There are over 500 recipes in the book, and many are family-friendly. My kids loved the Crispy Parmesan Chicken Tenders. There is something for everyone in here. If you are looking for a comprehensive Mediterranean Diet Cookbook, this one’s for you.
If you are looking for meal plans, check out the Susan Zogheib book. The meal plans in this book feel repetitive. There’s no need to repeat meals when you can easily repurpose leftovers!
Buy on Amazon.
Best Mediterranean Diet Cookbook For Seasoned Cooks
“Living the Mediterranean Diet: Proven Principles & Modern Recipes For Staying Healthy” By Nick Nigro & Bay Ewald
This cookbook is separated by seasons and provides beautiful photos that invoke a light and airy vibe. Reading the book transports you to the Med, where you envision enjoying breezy meals outside.
Many dishes are made entirely from scratch, but you can easily use shortcuts to cut down prep time. Store-bought pizza dough can substitute for homemade, pasta from a box can replace fresh, etc.
If you are a confident cook looking for great recipes, this book is for you. The recipes are great, but this may not be for you if you are a complete beginner.
Buy on Amazon.
Mediterranean Diet Cookbook Using Special Tools
“America’s Test Kitchen Mediterranean Instant Pot”
America’s Test Kitchen and its publication Cook’s Illustrated are known for their solid recipes that go through rigorous testing to get them just right. This book is no exception. If you love your Instapot, this book is for you.
Each recipe has beautiful photos and a great description of what makes the recipe work. Within that paragraph is a wealth of knowledge for the cook. Don’t skip reading that part!
Some recipes I wondered if using the Instapot was worth it, like Cod With Warm Tabbouleh Salad. Those are all quick-cooking ingredients, so I’m not sure how much time it saves using the pressure cooker, but that’s a minor gripe.
Buy on Amazon.
Best Books For Mediterranean Diet
“The Mediterranean Way of Eating” By John J.B. Anderson and Marilyn C. Sparling
If you are on the fence about starting the Mediterranean Diet, you need to pick up this book. “The Mediterranean Way of Eating” goes through a study per chapter to cement the benefits of this lifestyle.
If you want actual data behind information and learn the ins and outs of why this way of eating works, this book is for you. It is not a light read, but you will learn a lot.
Buy on Amazon.
“The Mediterranean Method” By Steven Masley
If you are on the fence about whether the Mediterranean Diet is right for you or questioning if the Mediterranean diet is a way to lose weight, this is the book for you.
The author, Dr. Masley, makes a case for why this way of life leads to weight loss and better health overall. Each chapter has facts to back up the claims and information on each element.
Once it convinces you to try the diet, it provides recipes to help you get started. Many are standard, and you may have tried them before if you cook often. But there are some you may have never heard of, like the White Bean and Celery Salad which is now a family favorite.
Buy on Amazon.
Learn more about Mediterranean Diet basics and how to stick with it. Read our Complete Guide.
What Do You Think?
Have you read any interesting Mediterranean diet cookbooks or books lately? Comment below with the titles; I’d love to check them out.
If you want to learn more about this great lifestyle, check out the best Mediterranean Diet Breakfasts, Desserts, and the Beginners Guide.
Happy Eating!
