Bobby Flay’s 3 Best Cookbooks — And What to Make From Each One

Food Network fans can attest that while many chefs come and go, there’s one in particular that definitely isn’t abandoning our TV screens anytime soon — and that’s Bobby Flay. He’s been a continuous presence on the network since his debut in 1994, bringing his cooking prowess, criticism, and charisma to shows like Boy Meets Grill, Bobby Flay’s Barbecue Addiction, Worst Cooks, Iron Chef, Brunch @ Bobby’s, Beat Bobby Flay, and more.

When he’s not filming these seemingly countless food shows, Bobby has somehow also found time to open restaurants all over the country, run an Instagram for his cat Nacho (who currently has more than 187,000 followers), and author 15 cookbooks. Of those cookbooks, we decided to narrowed it down to our three favorites, that have helped Flay fans bring his recipes into their kitchens for decades.

At just 25 years old in 1991, Bobby Flay was offered the chance to open his own restaurant in New York City’s East Village: Mesa Grill. The hugely successful and highly reviewed restaurant became a launchpad from which his signature contemporary southwestern cooking style took flight. Sixteen years later, he decided to include 150 of those recipes in a print edition so people could cook his restaurant favorites in their own kitchens.

The best recipes: You’d be remiss not to cook the chile-rubbed short ribs with polenta and cotija cheese, grilled shrimp with smoked chile butter and tomatillo salsa, and grilled red snapper with New Mexico red chile sauce. Sensing a theme here? Chiles galore.

Buy the book: Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill Cookbook: Explosive Flavors from the Southwestern Kitchen, $21

Back away from the barbecue! This book shows a different side of the chef — where he proves that hosting brunch at home can still feel like a party. In addition to griddled favorites like home fries, pancakes, and bacon, Bobby makes sure to leave plenty of room to pay homage to the all-important brunch cocktail.

The best recipes: Hello, carrot cake pancakes, mole-rubbed steak and eggs, and chorizo-potato cakes with salsa verde! These don’t all belong in one brunch together, but that just means you need to plan a few Sunday afternoon parties in the future!

Buy the book: Brunch at Bobby’s: 140 Recipes for the Best Part of the Weekend, $22

Bobby made sure to fill his latest cookbook with more than 165 casual, everyday recipes he truly likes to cook at home. In a way, it’s the most approachable we’ve seen him yet. Flo Fab of the New York Times‘ Front Burner column calls it “a solid weeknight guide,” so you know you’ll be turning to it again and again.

The best recipes: We suggest you try making the Calabrian chile crab spaghetti, brick chicken with salsa verde, and cast iron porterhouse steaks to start.

Buy the book: Bobby at Home: Fearless Flavors from My Kitchen, $20

Agree to disagree? Share your favorite Bobby Flay cookbook in the comments below, along with your favorite recipe!