Admittedly, when Chrissy Teigen first announced she was coming out with a cookbook, my eyes rolled. Even when I was sent to interview her, shortly after its launch, at a hotel in downtown Manhattan. I’d talked to a number of celebrities about cookbook and food business launches—enough to be skeptical that any “family recipe” was truly ever made by the star, let alone eaten.
But then, after spending half an hour trading tips on searing scallops (blot them as dry as you can with a paper towel!) and being sent on my way with a mason jar of John’s chili—which I devoured shamelessly on the subway back to work—I realized: She’s one of us. Someone who genuinely loves cooking and food in general, and didn’t simply sign a deal for a quick payday/brand extension (though, honestly, those are undeniable perks). I found myself cooking through several recipes in the first week, continually surprised at how reliable, easy to follow and straight-up delicious they are (which is a credit to her and coauthor Adeena Sussman, whom Teigen’s been quick to share the spotlight with).
Now that Teigen has released three Cravings cookbooks, though, you may be wondering, where do I begin? Should I buy all three? Which Chrissy Teigen cookbook is better? Or the best?!
After cooking half a dozen or more recipes from each book, I have thoughts. Here’s how the Cravings cookbooks compare, and which one I’d crown the MVP, if I were forced to. Which I’m not. But I am anyway? IDK, guys, I just wanted some space to talk to you about what I love about these cookbooks, okay?!
All 3 Cravings Cookbooks, Reviewed and Ranked
First, the 3 Cookbooks at a Glance:
| Cravings (Book 1) | Cravings: Hungry for More (Book 2) | Cravings: All Together (Book 3) | |
| Page Count | 236 | 252 | 251 |
| What the Cookbook Lacks | Dessert chapter | Noodles chapter | Thai Mom chapter |
| Where the Cookbook Shines | The Noodles chapter | The brunch and breakfast recipes | Creative, crowd-pleasing dinners |
3. Cravings: Hungry for More (Book 2)
It was so hard to rank this book last, because it contains my favorite pancake recipe OF ALL TIME, and pancakes are kind of my thing. (Seriously, at Delish, I’d routinely get asked to film and flip them on camera…baking a fluffy, perfectly golden flapjack is kinda my thing. That and making strange pop culture treats.)
Anyway! Hungry for More is Teigen’s second cookbook, and there’s a lot to love about it. It arguably has the most range, featuring a Thai section (which book three lacks) and a desserts chapter (which is absent in Teigen’s first book). But overall, I find I don’t make these recipes as often. There are some real gems, like the blueberry cream cheese pancakes (which feature tangy pockets of cream cheese that offset the shortstack’s sweetness beautifully), Cool Ranch taco salad, Pad Thai carbonara and—in place of her usual Noodles & Carbs chapter—an entire section devoted to potatoes (and their friends). A lot of the recipes are things I’d Google, rather than reach for a cookbook and make, so I don’t reach for this book as often.
2. Cravings: Recipes for All the Food You Want to Eat (Book 1)
Teigen’s first cookbook takes the no. 2 spot in my book, though I’ve gotta say: This is the first celebrity cookbook I ever truly loved. The Il Buco-style Kale Salad reminds me of the Lemon-Parm Kale salad I fought to recreate after tasting it at a friend’s wedding in Chelsea—it’s salty, acidic and semi-virtuous in all the right ways. The Pot Pie Soup with Pie Crust crackers will make you never make a pot pie the traditional way again; the chili, while a little salty, is hearty and bursting with flavor.
While everyone told me my attempt at Pepper’s pork-stuffed cucumber soup looked revolting, they couldn’t deny its deliciousness—even among those who said they were only taking a bite because they loved me, despite their hatred of cukes (ahem, Nate). I’ve yet to have a cooking fail from this book, and while there’s no dessert chapter, I don’t miss it. Teigen excels at savory recipes; I can whip up my own sweets.
1. Cravings: All Together (Book 3)
Okay, so apparently this is a controversial pick?! Teigen’s latest book has a slightly lower rating and lower price than the rest, but it’s full of gems. I promise! Let me provide some backup: You know what makes a quiche better? Stuffing it in a crusty baguette! You know what side makes people swoon? Yams with lime-yogurt sauce and hot honey! Want a more affordable and foolproof take on beef wellington? Try the meatloaf wellington!
Oh, and you know what dish I make all summer long when I want to feel like I’m on vacation and not mired under loads of laundry in my New York living room? John’s jerk shrimp and grilled pineapple salad (served over a bed of rice, because I need starch in everything, apparently). It’s the cookbook I turn to again and again when people are coming over and I want something tasty that won’t take over my afternoon to make. Jackpot.