I’m working on this fairly large list of Creole & Cajun Cookbooks and where to find them. I have a rather obscene collection of Creole and Cajun Cookbooks myself, so if you’re searching for a particular recipe from a book I have drop me an email, I will see what I can dig up for you.
Alphabetical by Title:
The 100 Greatest New Orleans Creole Recipes by Roy F. Guste Jr. (1997 reprint)
A Streetcar Named Delicious: I Love New Orleans Cookbook by Todd-Michael St. Pierre (2009)
American cooking: Creole and Acadian (Foods of the world) by Peter S Feibleman (1971)
And Still I Cook by Leah Chase (2003)
Antoine’s Restaurant Cookbook by Roy F. Guste, Jr. (1980)
Arnaud’s Restaurant Cookbook by Kit Wohl, Linda Ellerbee (foreward), David Spielman (2005)
Bayou: Feasting Through the Seasons of a Cajun Life by Melissa M. Martin (2024)
Bayou Banquet: Recipe from a Potpouri of Cultures by D.H. Holmes (1999)
The Best of Creole Cooking by Les Carloss (2001)
Black Magic: 100 Years of Cast Iron Cookery by John D. Folse (1996)
Brennan’s New Orleans Cookbook by Hermann Deutsch (1961)
Brennans of Houston in Your Kitchen by Carl Walker (2003)
Broussard’s Restaurant Cookbook by Gunter & Evelyn Preuss (1996)
The Buster Holmes Restaurant Cookbook: New Orleans Handmade Cookin’ by Buster Holmes (1983)
The Buster Holmes Restaurant Cookbook: New Orleans Handmade Cookin’ by Buster Holmes (Reissue 2010)
Cafe Degas Cookbook by Troy Gilbert (2011)
Cajun Country Cookin by John and Glenna Uhler (1980)
Cajun and Creole Cooking with Miss Edie and the Colonel (2007)
Cajun-Creole Cooking by Terry Thompson (Anderson) (1986)
Cajun Cuisine: Authentic Cajun Recipes from Louisiana’s Bayou Country by W. Thomas Angers (1985)
Cane River Cuisine: Louisiana’s Finest Recipes by Service League of Natchitoches Inc. (1987)
Chachie Dupuy’s New Orleans Home Cooking by Chachie Dupuy (1984) (Reprint)
Chasing the Gator: Isaac Toups and the new Cajun Cooking (2018)
Chef Paul Prudhomme’s Louisiana Kitchen by Paul Prudhomme (1984)
Chef’s Charity for Children (1985)
Chez Helene: House of good food by Austin Leslie (1984)
Christopher Blake’s Easy Elegance Cookbook (1978)
Class Act, Simple Authentic Recipes from the New Orleans School of Cooking by John DeMers
Commander’s Kitchen by Jamie Shannon and Ti Adelaide Martin (2000)
Commander’s Palace New Orleans Cookbook by Ella Brennan and Dick Brennan (1984)
Cooking in Old Creole Days: La Cuisine Creole A L’Usage Des Petits Menages (1904)
Cookin’ New Orleans Style by Bobby Potts (1993)
Cooking Up a Storm: New Orleans Recipes for Recovery by Marcelle Bienvenu & Judy Walker (2008)
Cooking with Chris and Goffredo: Louisiana and Mediterranean Cuisine (1991)
Cooking with Queen Ida: Bon Temps Creole Recipes (and Stories) from the Queen of Zydeco Music (1990)
Cooking with the Uglesiches by John Uglesich (2008)
Court of Two Sisters Cookbook by Joseph Fein III and Mel Leavitt (1996)
The Creole Cookery by the Christian Woman’s Exchange of New Orleans (1885) A Vintage copy
Creole Feast by Rudy Lombard & Nathaniel Burton (1978)
Creole Gumbo And All That Jazz: A New Orleans Seafood Cookbook by Howard Mitcham (1978)
Creole Kitchen Cookbook: Famous New Orleans Recipes by Virginia M. Cooper (1941)
Creole Nouvelle: Contemporary Creole Cookery by Joseph Carey (2004)
Crescent City Cooking: Unforgettable Recipes From Susan Spicer’s New Orleans (2007)
Dig It: Louisiana’s Authoritative Collection of Vegetable Cookery by John D. Folse (2015)
The Dooky Chase Cookbook by Leah Chase (1990)
The Eclectic Gourmet Guide to New Orleans by Tom Fitzmorris (1996)
Emeril’s Creole Christmas by Emeril Lagasse and Christopher Hirsheimer (photographer) (1997)
Emeril’s Delmonico : A Restaurant with a Past by Emeril Lagasse (2005)
Emeril’s New New Orleans Cooking by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch (1993)
The Encyclopedia of Cajun & Creole Cuisine by John D. Folse (2004)
The Evolution of Cajun and Creole Cuisine by John D. Folse (1989)
Favorite Recipes from Famous New Orleans Restaurants by Express Publishing (1982)
Famous Recipes from Old New Orleans by Godchaux Sugars (1938)
First Edition New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Cookbook by Lorraine Landry (1984)
Frank Davis Cooks Cajun, Creole, and Crescent City by Frank Davis (1994)
Frank Davis Cooks Naturally N’Awlins by Frank Davis (1990)
Frank Davis Makes Good Groceries!: A New Orleans Cookbook by Frank Davis (2008)
The Frank Davis Seafood Notebook by Frank Davis (1983)
From Woodstoves to Microwaves – Cooking with EnTergy
Galatoire’s: Biography of a Bistro by Madra Burton and Kenneth Holditch (2004)
Galatoire’s Cookbook : Recipes and Family History from the Time-Honored New Orleans Restaurant by Melvin Rodrigue, Jyl Benson (2005)
Galatoire’s Restaurant Cookbook by Leon Galatoire (1994)
Grandma’s Hands: The Heart and Soul of New Orleans Cooking by Deirdre Guion (1998)
Great Chefs of New Orleans (Volume 1) (1983)
Great Chefs of New Orleans (Volume 2) (1989)
Gumbo Shop : A New Orleans Restaurant Cookbook by Richard Stewart (1999)
Heaven on Seven Cookbooks: Where it’s Mardi Gras All the Time by Jimmy Bannos and John DeMers
Home Style Cooking by Jimmy Fitzmorris (1980)
Hot Beignets & Warm Boudoirs by John Folse, John D. Folse (Editor), Ron Manville, Michaela D. York
Jambalaya, Crawfish Pie, File Gumbo: Cajun and Creole Cuisine by Todd-Michael St. Pierre
Jambalaya: The Ofiicial Cookbook of the 1984 Louisiana Exposition (1983)
Justin Wilson’s Homegrown Louisiana Cookin’ by Justin Wilson (1990)
Justin Wilson Cook Book by Justin Wilson (1973)
Justin Wilson Number Two Cookbook: Cookin Cajun by Justin Wilson (1980)
Kevin Belton’s Cookin’ Louisiana: Flavors from the Parishes of the Pelican State (2021)
The Kitchen Table: Brennan’s of Houston by Randy Evans (2006)
La Bouche Creole by Leon Soniat (1990 reprint)
La Bouche Creole II by Leon E. Soniat (1998)
Lafcadio Hearn’s Creole Cook Book (1885) by Lafcadio Hearn (1990)
Lee Bailey’s New Orleans: Good Food And Glorious Houses by Lee Bailey with Ella Brennan (1993)
Lena Richard’s New Orleans Cookbook: 330 New Orleans Recipes by Lena Richard
LeRuth’s front door back door cookbook by Warren Leruth (1975)
Los Islenos Cookbook: Canary Island Recipes. Recipes from Spanish Louisiana (2000)
Lost Restaurants of New Orleans by Tom Fitzmorris & Peggy Scott Laborde (2011)
Louisiana Cookery by Mary Land (1954)
Louisiana Real and Rustic by Emeril Lagasse and Marcelle Bienvenu (1996)
Louisiana Seafood Bible, The: Crabs by Jerald & Glenda Horst (2010)
Louisiana Seafood Bible, The: Crawfish by Jerald & Glenda Horst (2010)
Louisiana Seafood Bible, The: Shrimp by Jerald & Glenda Horst (2009)
Louis Evans’ Creole Cookbook by Louis Evans (1991)
Madam Begue’s Recipes of Old New Orleans: Creole Cookery (1937)
Magnolias and Ambrosia: Creole Cooking by Dorothy V. Doughty (1967)
Mandy’s Favorite Louisiana Recipes by Natalie Scott (1978)
Maylie’s Table D’Hote Recipes by Eugenis Lavedan Maylie (1950)
Modern Creole: A Taste of New Orleans Culture and Cuisine by Eric Cook (2024)
Mosquito Supper Club: Cajun Recipes from a Disappearing Bayou by Melissa M. Martin (2020)
My Family Table: A Passionate Plea for Home Cooking by John Besh (2011)
My New Orleans: The Cookbook by John Besh (2009)
New Orleans Chef’s Cookbook by Phil Johnson (1988)
New Orleans Classic Appetizers by Kit Wohl (2008)
New Orleans Classic Desserts: Recipes From Favorite Restaurants by Kit Wohl (2007)
New Orleans Classic Seafood by Kit Wohl (2008)
The New Orleans Cookbook by Rima and Richard Collin (1987)
New Orleans Cookbook by Lena Richard (1940)
New Orleans Creole Recipes by Mary Moore Bremer (1976)
New Orleans Cuisine by Mary Land (1969)
New Orleans Cuisine: Fourteen Signature Dishes and Their Histories by Susan Tucker (2009)
The New Orleans Eat Book by Tom Fitzmorris (1991)
New Orleans Italian Cookbook by the Italian-American Society of Jefferson Auxillary (1999)
The New Orleans Restaurant Cookbook by Deirdre Stanforth (1976)
New Orleans Style Cooking by Kate Cranshaw (1994)
The New Orleans Underground Gourmet by Richard H. Collin (1970)
The Official Louisiana Seafood and Wild Game Cookbook by Wade Byrd (1985)
The P&J Oyster Cookbook by Kit Wohl (2009)
Palace Cafe: The Flavor of New Orleans by Dickie Brennan (2002)
The Picayune’s Creole Cookbook by The Picayune
Plantation Cookbook: Junior League of New Orleans by Junior League of New Orleans (1992)
The Pleasures of Seafood by Rima & Richard Collin (1995)
Quelque Chose Piquante, Acadian Meat and Fish Recipes by Mercedes Vidrine (1971)
Ralph Brennan’s New Orleans Seafood Cookbook by Ralph Brennan (2008)
Real Cajun: Rustic Home Cooking from Donald Link’s Louisiana by Donald Link (2009)
River Road Recipes: The Textbook of Louisiana Cuisine by Junior League of Baton Rouge (1950)
River Road Recipes II: A Second Helping by Junior League of Baton Rouge
River Road Recipes III: A Healthy Collection by Junior League of Baton Rouge
Roux Memories: A Cajun-Creole Love Story with Recipes by Belinda Hulin (2010)
Royal Recipes from the Cajun Country by John and Glenna Uhler (1973)
Secrets from New Orleans Best Kitchens by Earlyne S. Levitas (1973)
Secrets of a New Orleans Chef by Tom Cowman
Something Old and Something New: Louisiana Cooking with a Change of Heart by John D Folse (1997)
Talk About Good by Lafayette Junior League Members, Junior League of Lafayette (1967)
Talk About Good II by Lafayette Junior League, Junior League of Lafayette (1997)
Tell Me More: A Cookbook Spiced with Cajun Tradition and Food Memories (2011)
The Ten Greatest New Orleans Recipes by Tom Fitzmorris (1984) (Very Rare)
Tom Fitzmorris’ New Orleans Food: 250 of the City’s Greatest Recipes to Cook at Home (2022)
Top Chefs in New Orleans by Sarah Jane English (1992)
Turkey and the Wolf: Flavor Trippin’ in New Orleans by Mason Hereford and JJ Goode (2022)
Uglesich’s Restaurant Cookbook by John Uglesich, Neil Alexander (photographer) (2004)
Williams Sonoma New Orleans (2005)
Books that I love about New Orleans Cuisine & Restaurants:
Etouffee, Mon Amour: The Great Restaurants of New Orleans by Kari McCaffety (2002)
Gumbo Tales: Finding My Place at the New Orleans Table by Sara Roahen (2008)
In Pursuit of Flavor (Virginia Bookshelf) (2000)
The New Orleans Menu Collection: Actual Menus from 50 Restaurants by Tom Fitzmorris (1985) (Very Rare)
One Hundred New Orleans Restaurants by Tom Fitzmorris (1981) (Very Very Rare)
The Revised New Orleans Underground Gourmet by Richard Collin (1973)
My favorite Southern Cookbooks and books about Southern Cuisine (outside of the above of course):
Charleston Receipts By Juniour League of Charleston South Carolina (original 1965)
Collards & Carbonara: Southern Cooking, Italian Roots by Michael Hudman & Andy Ticer (2013)
Down South: Bourbon, Pork, Gulf Shrimp & Second Helpings of Everything by Donald Link (2014)
The Taste of Country Cooking: 30th Anniversary Edition by Edna Lewis (2006)
Fried Chicken: An American Story by John T. Edge (2004)
Southern Belly: The Ultimate Food Lover’s Companion to the South by John T. Edge (2007)
The Southern Foodways Alliance Community Cookbook by Sara Roahen & John T. Edge (2010)
Novels about New Orleans Cuisine:
Soul Kitchen by Poppy Z. Brite – Haven’t read it yet as it was just released, but can’t wait.
Danno,
What an amazing site this is! I grew up on the West Bank so I’m very familiar with New Orleans and the culture, as well as the food. You’re doing a remarkable job documenting a truly unique and outstanding cuisine and I hope you continue this project indefinitely. As for the cookbooks, two that I didn’t see on your list that you may find of interest are “La Bouche Creole II” and “The Frank Davis Seafood Notebook”.
I like both of the Soniat books for the recipes but also for the background information on the culture of the area. I believe that “Creole II” was completed by Leon Soniat’s wife after his death. The Frank Davis book is also very interesting – a lot of good tips on seafood and is more of a “working man’s” cookbook – not fancy but some good dishes.
Wayne
Danno, All I can tell you is “Thanks”. I was born and raised in Louisiana. My in laws live in Metarie now and we just got back from a family reunion. Their home was damaged in H.K. and it was nice to get back to the crawfish boils, fresh fried catfish, and the gumbo. I am going to use your File’ gumbo recipe tomorrow. I can’t wait!
Anyway, your collection of recipes really hit home for me and my husband. I love this site and will continue to visit it constantly.
Thanks again,
We’ll be seein’ ya.
Do you know about Kitchen Witch Cookbook store in the French Quarter? They have over 5,000 titles and an extensive Creole Cajun section. They are at 631 Toulose St. They ship very inexpensively and take special orders graciously. I found my “storm replacement” copies there.
Hello,my name is Anthony P. Lee and I,m writting to you for help on writting my own cook book. I was a resident of New Orleans, up until Hurricane Katrina uprooted me,now I live in Indio,CA.were I,m begining my new life. Once agan folks I want to know if you can fine it in your hearts to help me, jump start my new life out here. I have tons of recieps I just need some guiedence on how to begin. If you decide to help me my email address is lee.anthony34@yahoo.com. I,m living in a shelter by the name of Martha,s Village & Kitchen the address is 83-791 Date Ave. Indio,CA. 92201, Thank you Anthony P. Lee
Danno,
My grandmother was Mary Land. She lived for many years in Natchitoches and was a well known outdoorswoman and writer. Family lore has it that she basically gave Grits Gresham his start in his profession. Stories about Mimi are endless. She wrote two cookbooks which
were out of print for many years but my father informs me they are now available again. The titles are: Mary Land’s Louisiana Cookery, The Louisiana University Press, 1954, and
New Orleans Cuisine, also through Louisiana University Press.
She also wrote many cooking columns for magazines like Southern Outdoor Living and others which escape me at the moment. If you can find any of them I think you would find them of value for your collection.
Robert Land
The best New Orleans cookbook, by far, is The New Orleans Cookbook by Richard and Rima Collin. I’ve used mine so much that I may need a rubber band together. And i can’t replace it as the hard-bound edition, like mine is out of print. BOO!
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This is a great list and a fantastic website. I have just moved to the New Orleans area and would like to know which is the one book for Creole and the one book for Cajun cooking that I should have in my collection. Your suggestion shall be greatly appreciated.
Curious Onlooker…that is a tough call. I’m working on a recipe for Daube Creole to make tomorrow and had no less than ten books open tonight! Let me streamline and I will give you a top 3 on both sides in the next few days. On the Creole side though, Creole Feast is in my top 3. More to come!