The MeatEater Outdoor Cookbook by Steven Rinella – Hardback Cookbook

The MeatEater Outdoor Cookbook is Steven Rinella's New York Times bestselling hardback of more than 100 wild game recipes for the grill, smoker, campstove and campfire, from the Montana-based host of MeatEater. It's written with Krista Ruane and covers everything from backyard smoking to cooking in the backcountry.

Haul the kitchen outside and cook like you mean it

Steven Rinella's earlier books brought wild game into the kitchen. This one takes the kitchen back outdoors, because food caught, cooked and eaten outside just tastes better. It's built for real conditions, from a backyard smoker to a car-camping set-up to a pack stove miles from anywhere.

What's inside

Each chapter covers a different outdoor cooking method, including grilling, smoking and cooking over coals. Every recipe is tagged for backyard cooking, car camping or backpacking, and Rinella explains how to set up an outdoor kitchen for any situation and how to build and keep a fire.

Recipes range from Stuffed Game Burgers 3 Ways and Bulgogi Backstrap Lettuce Wraps to Hot-Smoked Trout, Grilled Lobster with Kelp Butter, Venison Stir-Fry with Cabbage and Coal Roasted Bananas. The Ancho Cola Jerky is a cracker for anyone with a smoker and a stash of lean meat.

Who it's for

Hunters and fishers, obviously, but also anyone who camps, four-wheel drives or simply loves cooking outside. Most recipes work with beef, lamb or farmed fish if you don't have wild game in the freezer.

About Steven Rinella

Steven Rinella is an outdoorsman, writer and wild-food advocate who hosts the MeatEater television show and podcast. His writing has appeared in Outside, Field & Stream and The New Yorker, and he lives in Bozeman, Montana. Co-author Krista Ruane works alongside him at MeatEater.

The Rub Smuggler's Verdict

Darryl doesn't hand out nods lightly, and this one earns it. It's a camp-and-backyard bible for anyone who'd rather cook under the sky than a rangehood, sorted by fire method and tagged for how far from the car you are. The Ancho Cola Jerky alone is worth the cover price. Buy it and every trip out bush eats better. Pack it with The New Camp Book for campsite know-how and Stoked for more outdoor fire cooking. For backstrap steaks, a heavy shake of Elk Creek Beef Shake and a screaming hot grate is all you need.

Questions answered

Who wrote The MeatEater Outdoor Cookbook?

It was written by Steven Rinella, host of the MeatEater TV show and podcast, with Krista Ruane.

How many recipes are in The MeatEater Outdoor Cookbook?

It has more than 100 recipes, organised by outdoor cooking method and tagged for backyard cooking, car camping or backpacking.

Is The MeatEater Outdoor Cookbook good for beginners?

Yes. Rinella explains how to set up an outdoor kitchen and build and maintain a fire, and the recipes are easy to follow.

Is it a hardback, and how many pages?

Yes. It's a 432-page hardback published by Random House in 2024, and it's a New York Times bestseller.

Can I use the recipes without wild game?

Yes. Many recipes suit beef, lamb, pork or farmed fish, so you can cook from it even if you don't hunt or fish.