8 Old-School Cookbooks To Look For At Thrift Stores

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For anyone who likes to spend time in the kitchen, shopping for cookbooks is a treat, because they bring new recipes and fresh ideas to the table. But purchasing new ones doesn't necessarily mean they have to be "new." While you can get the latest publications at bookstores and sites like Amazon, you can often find fantastic cookbooks that have been previously loved at thrift stores for excellent prices. As far as which ones to look for, there is a sea of options, and it really depends on your cooking style and tastes. We selected eight that we absolutely love, and some of which are out of print, so finding them at thrift stores could be a rare opportunity.

Some of these could hold some value, but that's not the only reason we chose these books. They also have wonderful, timeless recipes that transition into modern kitchens seamlessly. Several picks, like the Williams-Sonoma, Canal House, and Cocktail books, are part of a series of books, so if you like the challenge of finding and collecting, you'll love these. So, the next time you're scoping out the aisles at Goodwill, the Salvation Army, St. Vincent De Paul, or any thrift shops local to you, it's worth checking out the book sections to see if any of these gems are available, or to find others that will be perfect in your kitchen. Of course, you also should always keep your eye out for old-school baking cookbooks.

Originally published in 2006, this monster of a cookbook clocks in at almost 800 pages, but don't let that intimidate you. It is bursting with fantastic recipes accumulated from the Bon Appétit magazine test kitchen. There are 22 chapters for a huge array of dishes from breakfast and brunch to appetizers to custards and puddings to drinks. Don't miss the quick sausage, cheese, and basil lasagna recipe which might be worth the purchase of this book alone.

Beginning in 2004, kitchenware store Williams-Sonoma began releasing its Foods of the World books, which showcased cities around the world that are known for their cuisine. There were also music cd's to accompany the books. Each book is stunning and contains gorgeous photography, histories of cuisine in these cities (which include New York, Florence, Barcelona, New Orleans, and more), and what foods and beverages said cities are famous for, along with superb recipes. Snag them up quickly if you stumble upon them.

Published in 1986, "Dollywood Presents: Tennessee Mountain Home Cooking" is a no-frills collection of recipes held together by a spiral binding. Despite its humble packaging, this book has become wildly popular among cookbook collectors and Dolly Parton fans, and is quite difficult to find, so you won't find it at her namesake truck stop. The book contains a collection of down-home, unpretentious recipes submitted by people associated with Dollywood amusement park. Additionally, there are fabulous photos of Dolly dispersed throughout the book, with the big curly hair that went so well with the 1980s.

There are a lot of Martha Stewart cookbooks you can keep an eye out for at thrift stores, but our pick is Stewart's very first one: "Entertaining" by Martha Stewart, which was originally published in 1982. It's a vintage treasure from the queen of entertainment, whose recipes and party tips still ring very true today. The book is still being printed thanks to a reemergence of interest, so even if you don't find a first edition, any version will be a great addition to your kitchen.

There are eight books that make up the Canal House Cooking book collection. Each edition focuses on a season or theme, like "Farm Markets & Gardens" and "Fall & Holiday." The books are smaller than most cookbooks, at just under nine inches tall, and are adorned in bright, cheerful colors, both of which add a charming touch of whimsy to any kitchen. You'll likely not find them all at once in any given thrift store, but if you spot one, you won't regret purchasing it.

The Moosewood Restaurant opened in Ithaca, New York, in 1973 and immediately impressed diners with its delicious vegetarian menu. It has released several cookbooks over its lifespan, but we particularly love the original, written by Mollie Katzen, which contains recipes like Swiss cheese and onion soup and date nut cake. It's also considered to be a "kitchen bible." The first publication contained 79 pages, held together by spiral binding. As of this writing, we found a seller asking $900 for a first edition. Any printing would be a wonderful find in your thrift store search.

Several of these cocktail books have been published by Cider Mill Press, and each one features a specific city or country. The recipes are gathered from bars located in said city or are simply inspired by the place they came from. There are individual books inspired by Italy, Mexico City, New York, Paris, New Orleans, Tokyo, Texas, and many more. These would make great gifts and are colorful additions to any kitchen library.

This is the oldest cookbook pick on our list, having first been published in 1747. If you happen to find a first edition, it will be worth thousands of dollars, but you're more likely to find a reprint. What set the book apart from others of its time was that it was written in a way that servants could understand. Even if you never make boiled pickled pork or calf's foot pie (both included in the book), you'll have a wonderful conversation piece and a printed peek into history.