The Essential Cottage Cookbook

A GLOBE & MAIL, TORONTO STAR, AND CBC BESTSELLER

SHORTLISTED FOR 2026 TASTE CANADA AWARDS

GLOBE & MAIL BEST COOKBOOKS OF 2025
INDIGO'S BEST COOKBOOKS OF 2025

100+ easy recipes and practical tips for a delicious and carefree getaway—whether it’s at a cottage, lake house, or cabin, or campsite (or even your own backyard).

Whether you vacation at a cottage, cabin, lake house, campsite, or trailer, the experience is universal. It’s about getting away from the daily grind and spending time surrounded by nature. But what’s on the menu when you arrive? The Essential Cottage Cookbook has got you covered.

Written by Andrea Buckett, who has vacationed at her family’s cottage countless times since she was a child, this cookbook is full of flexible, flavor-packed recipes. Everything is developed for minimal kitchen tools and equipment, so you can easily whip up a filling meal and still have time to relax. Chapters are divided by meals for every cottage experience under the sun (or rain, or snow!), including:

Make It and Take It: Recipes prepped at home and then easily assembled when you arrive after the drive, like Little Bean Chili, Half-Time Ribs, or the Epic-Layered Breakfast Pie.In the Cottage Kitchen: For when you want to savor the joy of preparing a meal, indulge in the One-Pot Roasted Chicken with Mushroom Barley or Taco Tater Tot Cottage Pie.Happy Hour: Snacks and drinks for those precious in-between moments, such as Dill-icious Pickle Dip and No-Bake Kettle Chip “Nachos” or a Pitcher of Margaritas for the adults and Easy Shave Ice for the kids.Light the Barbecue: Nothing beats cooking outdoors! Bask in meals straight off the grill like Curried Chickpea Flatbread with Fresh Tomato Relish or Steak Fajitas with Chimichurri Avocados.For a Crowd: Hunger-crushing recipes perfect for a large group of friends or family such as Fully Loaded Corn on the Cob or Creamy Tortellini & Greens Salad.Around the Campfire: A must-do cottage activity when the stars illuminate the night sky! Recipes like Three-Ingredient Macaroni & Cheese or Raspberry Waffle S’mores make campfire cooking easy.
The Essential Cottage Cookbook also includes guides on how to stock a cottage kitchen (whether you rent or own), packing tips, and menu plans. And you’ll find hosting tips for cottage owners, trip-ready advice for renters, and advice on how to be a great cottage guest and be invited back year after year. Whether swimming, hiking, or even just relaxing outside, enjoy satisfying and relaxing cottage meals morning, noon, and night, thanks to this cookbook.