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There’s a certain appeal to flipping through a physical cooking magazine. The glossy pages, beautiful photography, high-quality recipes, and dog-eared corners marking the recipes you want to try. Cooking magazines have a physical experience that digital can’t replicate. When that magazine arrives in the mail, it’s like a small celebration. A big burst of culinary inspiration was just delivered to your front door.

In a world dominated by food blogs, YouTube, and TikTok, you might wonder: are cooking magazines still a thing? The answer is a resounding yes. In fact, they’re having a bit of a renaissance. With more people rediscovering the joy of home cooking, cooking magazines offer curated, tested, and beautifully presented recipes that go beyond an algorithm. They’re not just about what’s trending—they’re about what people enjoy.

Today, we’re diving into five standout food magazines that cover a wide range of tastes, techniques, and styles. They’re similar in their dedication to delicious food, yet each brings a unique flavor to the table. Whether you’re a comfort food enthusiast, culinary trend chaser, or reluctant home cook, this list has something for you.

Let’s meet the The Delicious Five

Taste of Home is the warm hug of the cooking magazine world. It’s built on the idea that home cooks are the best cooks, and it’s been celebrating that philosophy for over three decades. What makes it special? The recipes come straight from readers—real people with real kitchens and real stories. Each dish is vetted by the magazine’s test kitchen, so you know it’s going to work.

What Kinds of recipes will I find in Taste of Home Magazine?

Inside, you’ll find everything from Grandma’s apple pie to weeknight sheet-pan dinners. Past issues have featured themed collections like “Fall Comforts,” “Grandma’s Favorites,” and “30-Minute Meals.” There’s also a healthy dose of seasonal inspiration—think gingerbread creations in winter and berry-packed desserts in summer.

Taste of Home appeals to a broad audience, but it especially resonates with those who value tradition, simplicity, and the joy of sharing meals with loved ones. If you’re the kind of cook who loves potlucks, family dinners, and recipes with a story, this one’s for you.

How many issues are there per year of Taste of Home Magazine?

The Taste of Home cooking magazine is issued quarterly. Therefore, a subscriber to Taste of Home would receive 4 magazine issues per year

Born from the wildly popular Allrecipes.com community, this magazine is a digital-to-print success story. It’s like the best of the internet, curated and polished for your coffee table. What sets Allrecipes apart is its crowd-sourced nature—recipes are submitted, rated, and reviewed by millions of home cooks before they make it to print.

What Kinds of recipes will I find in Allrecipes Magazine?

Each issue is a seasonal snapshot of what real people are cooking. You’ll find recipes like air fryer coconut shrimp, slow-cooker beef bourguignon, and TikTok-inspired pasta bakes. There’s also a focus on kitchen hacks, product reviews, and trending ingredients.

Allrecipes Magazine is perfect for the modern home cook who wants reliable recipes with a side of community wisdom. If you love experimenting, reading reviews, and discovering what’s hot in the food world, this one’s your jam.

How many issues are there per year of AllRecipes Magazine?

The AllRecipes cooking magazine is issued 5 times per year. So, a someone with a subscription to AllRecipes Magazine would receive 5 magazine issues each year.

Food & Wine is where culinary sophistication meets everyday accessibility. It’s not just about recipes—it’s about the lifestyle of food. From wine pairings and restaurant reviews to travel features and chef interviews, this magazine is a feast for the senses.

What will I find inside Food and Wine Magazine?

Food and Wine Magazine offers a unique spin on food from a global perspective. It celebrates flavors from around the world, often spotlighting emerging culinary trends and cultural traditions. Past issues have featured dishes like Peruvian chicken, tamarind-glazed ribs, and saffron-infused risottos. You’ll also find guides to the best new chefs, wine innovators, and food cities.

The audience here skews toward adventurous eaters, wine lovers (naturally), and those who see cooking as both art and exploration. If you’re the type who plans vacations around food or loves hosting dinner parties with flair, Food & Wine Magazine will feel like your destination.

How many issues are there per year of Food and Wine Magazine?

Food and Wine Magazine is issued 11 times per year. If you get a subscription to Food and Wine Magazine you’ll receive them on a monthly basis. However, the December and January issues are combined into 1 issue.

Cook’s Illustrated is the scientist of the bunch. It’s all about the “why” behind the “how.” Every recipe is the result of rigorous testing, and the magazine walks you through the process step by step. There are no ads, no fluff—just pure culinary knowledge.

What will I find inside Cook’s Illustrated Magazine?

What makes Cook’s Illustrated unique is its commitment to precision. You’ll learn why your roast chicken turns out dry, how to fix it, and which thermometer to trust. Past issues have tackled everything from mastering stew to baking the perfect pie crust. There are also detailed equipment reviews and taste tests for ingredients like balsamic vinegar and dark chocolate.

Cook’s Illustrated is ideal for analytical cooks who love understanding the mechanics of a recipe. If you’re the type who reads cookbooks like textbooks and enjoys geeking out over kitchen gear, this cooking magazine will be your culinary companion.

How many issues are there per year of Cook’s Illustrated Magazine?

Cook’s Illustrated comes out on a bi-monthly basis, so if you have a subscription to this cooking magazine, you’ll received it in the mail 6 times per year.

Bon Appetit is the cool kid of food magazines. It’s stylish, trend-savvy, and always pushing the envelope. With a mix of global flavors, modern techniques, and pop culture flair, it’s as much about vibe as it is about food.

What makes Bon Appétit different from other Cooking Magazines?

Bon Appetit magazine has evolved over the years, embracing diversity and storytelling in fresh ways. You’ll find recipes like jammy onion miso pasta, Korean fried chicken, and harissa-roasted carrots. There’s also a strong editorial voice, with columns that explore food culture, restaurant life, and the intersection of cuisine and identity.

Bon Appétit appeals to creative cooks, foodies, and anyone who sees cooking as a form of self-expression. If you love bold flavors, beautiful plating, and discovering the story behind the dish, this cooking magazine will be your inspiration.

How many issues are there per year of Bon Appétit Magazine?

Bon Appetit magazine has 10 issues per year. Typically they are mailed monthly, however there are a few months that are combined.

The Final Bite on the “Delicious Five” Cooking Magazines

So, what makes The Delicious Five so special? Together, they cover the full spectrum of cooking—from nostalgic comfort to cutting-edge cuisine. They’re similar in their dedication to quality and inspiration, yet different enough to keep your menu fresh all year long.

Whether you’re flipping through pages with a cup of coffee or pulling out a dog-eared recipe for dinner, these food magazines offer more than just instructions. They offer a connection to tradition, innovation, and the joys of cooking.

Hungry for more? Subscribe to one (or all five) and let the inspiration roll in with the mail. Your taste buds will thank you!