Salt Hank by Henry Laporte – Hardback Cookbook

Salt Hank: A Five Napkin Situation is the first cookbook from Henry Laporte, the social media cook known as @Salt_Hank, and it's a hardback full of big-flavour sandwiches, fried food, sauces and pickles, including the viral French Dip from his New York sandwich shop. It was an instant New York Times bestseller and one of Esquire's best cookbooks of the year.

Big, messy flavour from the sandwich king of your feed

Hank's food videos barely use words, just sizzling close-ups, dripping sauce and his gasp at the first bite, and millions of people can't stop watching. His love of food started with a slice of salami on Christmas Day when he was six, and this book bottles that same joy into recipes you can actually cook at home, mostly from scratch.

What's inside

There's an entire chapter of fried food, a chapter dedicated to sauces and dips, plenty of pickles, big main courses and, of course, sandwiches, a lot of sandwiches. Hank also shares his tips for shooting better food photos and videos.

Viral favourites include the French Dip, Lamb Burger, Steak Frites Sandwich, Vodka Parmesan and Pesto Chicken, alongside mains like Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos and Duck Breast with Potato Chips and Pan Sauce, plus brand-new recipes made for the book.

Who it's for

Anyone who believes the best part of a barbecue is the sandwich you build the next day. It's gold for turning leftover brisket, pulled pork or grilled steak into something special, and fun enough to get younger cooks into the kitchen.

About Henry Laporte

Henry Laporte, better known as Salt Hank, is a recipe developer and content creator famous for over-the-top, flavour-packed recipe videos watched by millions. His love of cooking started in his parents' kitchen, where he learned that good food comes from having fun and experimenting, and he now has a sandwich shop in New York City.

The Rub Smuggler's Verdict

Officer, I've never seen that French Dip before in my life. Hank's book is a love letter to the gloriously messy end of cooking, sandwiches, fried bits and sauces you'll want to drink, and that viral French Dip, dunked in its jus, is worth every napkin. Buy it and your leftover brisket will never sit sad in the fridge again. Line it up with Tailgreat for game-day spreads and Wing Crush for a hundred wings off the grill or smoker, and squeeze The Feedlot Lot Sauce onto anything with bread around it.

Questions answered

Who wrote Salt Hank: A Five Napkin Situation?

It was written by Henry Laporte, the recipe developer and content creator known online as Salt Hank.

What's inside the Salt Hank cookbook?

Sandwiches, a full chapter of fried food, sauces and dips, pickles and mains, including the viral French Dip, Lamb Burger, Steak Frites Sandwich and Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos.

Is Salt Hank good for beginners?

Yes. The recipes are fun and mostly made from scratch, and Hank writes for home cooks who just love great-tasting food.

Is Salt Hank a hardback, and how many pages?

Yes. It's a 256-page paper-over-board hardback, published by Simon Element in 2024.

Is Salt Hank a barbecue book?

Not strictly. It's about sandwiches, fried food and sauces, but it's perfect for turning smoked meats and grilled steak into next-level sandwiches.