I have to confess something: I am not an Elvis fan. I couldn't name a single song if my life depended on it. When someone talks to me about Elvis (which is surprisingly common) I just nod along and pretend I know what's happening. But this part cookbook-part autobiography was a super entertaining read.
It’s packed with history, photos, anecdotes from his personal chef, and fun facts about his life and interests. It’s storytelling meets recipes. It’s pure nostalgia. And the retro aesthetic is 👌 It’s simple, clean, eye-catching, and makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a 1960s kitchen.
Note: since I know less than nothing about Elvis, I can't comment on how accurate the trivia is, or on how authentic the Southern comfort recipes are.
I can't stop thinking about the pantry list.
This man was specific. There were certain items and quantities of said items that had to be on hand at all times.
Three packs each of Wrigley’s Spearmint, Doublemint, and Juicy Fruit. No more. No less.
At least six cans of biscuits. Brand unknown.
At least three bottles of milk and half-and-half.
Sooo… was he a diva? Possibly. Am I allowed to judge? Absolutely not. I'm the type of person who'll have a meltdown if I run out of my favourite rice (Nishiki, if anyone’s curious). So, I respect the specificity. We all have our things 🍚💅
The book also includes menu suggestions for themed parties, which is so fun. It also gives insights into what he’d serve for holidays and special occasions, including his beloved comfort food pork chops with mashed potatoes and gravy followed by apple pie.
The recipes are a fascinating mix. Some are pure retro party energy while others are fully weeknight-friendly.
I'm very curious about fried cheese balls and hush puppies. And why does corn pudding sound so good??
Under mains, we have a peanut butter and banana sandwich. Is it a main? Well, if you follow the meal plan suggestions for brunch (which apparently equals four meals in one!), then yes, that'll be about all you can manage come dinner time. Brunch in this book isn’t a meal, it's an endurance test.
What surprised and impressed me is that the recipes are actually solid. Gimmicky cookbooks either lean too far into the gimmick or they go hard, and this one's the latter. This book understood the assignment. It's packed full of comfort food.
The scrambled eggs alone deserve awards. Heavy cream. Bacon. Gruyère. Caramelised onions. It's so excessive, but is absolutely going into my breakfast rotation immediately.
This book doesn't expect you to make everything from scratch. No homemade pie crust pressure or elaborate stock-making. It embraces shortcuts, premade ingredients, and practical substitutions, like pancake mix for fried chicken batter. It’s about getting dinner on the table, not winning Iron Chef. Do I prefer scratch cooking? Yes. But I would absolutely try these recipes.
It’s also extremely beginner-friendly. The language is gentle and non judgemental. The glossary definitions are almost comically simple, like:
“Bake: To cook in an oven.” “Stir: To mix ingredients in a circular motion.”
Maybe it's overexplained at times, but that's also the point. It's welcoming and refuses to exclude anyone which deserves respect. This has something for everyone, from beginner to master chef.
And despite entering this book as a non-Elvis person, I left with respect for his love of food. I felt like I'd found another kindred spirit.
Can't believe I experienced my own character arc reading this ✨️
I've never been a huge Elvis Presley fan—his peak fame came a bit too early in my life for me to fully appreciate the King in his prime. But comfort food cookbooks? Those are my weakness, and The Elvis Presley Cookbook (a celebration of the King's favorite Southern classics) completely won me over.
This charming book is packed with nearly 100 hearty, nostalgic recipes straight from Elvis's table—think iconic Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwiches, Pork Chops with Sauerkraut, Split Pea Soup, Tomato Fritters, fluffy Buttermilk Biscuits, Tennessee Jam Cake, and even Chocolate Soda. It's more than just recipes; it's a backstage pass to Graceland, loaded with Elvis trivia, personal stories from his cooks, fun facts (like how he preferred meatloaf over steak because it was quicker to eat, or his holiday ham salad request while serving guests turkey), and what he always kept stocked (Oreos, Pepsi, and chocolate/vanilla ice cream). There are recreated menus for special occasions, like his wedding reception or the Beatles' visit, so you can host a full "Elvis" meal.
The layout is delightfully vintage and comforting—just flipping through it feels like a warm hug. Most recipes have colorful food photos, plus tons of black-and-white shots of Elvis, movie stills, and even contributions from former staff. The recipes themselves are simple, budget-friendly, and straightforward—no fancy techniques or hard-to-find ingredients. Perfect for novices or seasoned cooks craving classic American comfort: fried dishes, casseroles, rich desserts, and family-style Southern flavors from the 1950s and beyond.
Nothing groundbreaking here, and that's exactly the point—these are timeless, hearty dishes meant for everyday eating and sharing. I can't imagine a single one I wouldn't love, and I plan to cook my way through the whole book. For me, the nostalgia, insights into Elvis's life, and pure comfort-factor make it a winner. Elvis superfans will go wild, but even casual fans of vintage Americana or food history will find it irresistible.
A wonderful tribute that's as much cultural keepsake as cookbook. 4 out of 5 stars.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for providing me with an advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
I know all about Elvis Presley thanks to my Mom and later my Stepdad; they were both huge fans, and when they married, my Stepdad sang “Can’t Help Falling in Love With You”. It was their song. To this day, I have movie marathons on both the day he was born, and the anniversary of his passing. So, when I had a chance to review this cookbook, I became all shook up at the chance. The cookbook was a fun read, lots of hip shaking, lol. But to be serious, the tidbits of information was great to read, the pictures were enticing (both the man and the food), and the recipes were so easy that even my husband followed them. I also love the pantry list and how specific it was. I mean, who else is tasked with having a certain amount of specific chewing gum?? I’m not like that, I’m more of the one that runs on generic products, but certain items (like ketchup) have to be a specific brand (either Whataburger brand or Heinz). Now for the recipes, they are easy to follow and delicious when made. At least the bevy of ones my family made. We picked and chose from the ones that tickled our fancy. I wrote up the grocery list, and was shocked when the price was low. That’s right, this isn’t some fancy cookbook. This is pocket friendly. In other words, cheap. We spent maybe half of our bi-weekly budget on our 9 days’ worth of suppers and were very happy. And no peanut butter and banana sandwiches for us. I definitely recommend this cookbook for Elvis fans, but also fans of Southern cooking, people looking for budget friendly recipes, and easy to follow recipes. Definitely a 5 star review. I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.
*Thanks to Netgalley for the chance to preview this title*
For a very casual fan of The King, this might serve as an introduction, but it's very surface level. Lots of nice pictures and little tidbits of info sprinkled throughout.
The authors seem to have lifted information from other Elvis-themed cookbooks; I own several and the foreward, by EP's longtime cook at Graceland, is taken from one of those. I don't think they ever talked to/interviewed her. themselves. (Is this actually a repackaging of their own 2001 book of the same title?)
As for the recipes themselves, I have issues. I come from the same Southern background as the Presley family, and have celebrated Southern culture and foodways my whole life. I've visited Graceland and dined at the 'official' Elvis-themed restaurant. Many of the "Southern-inspired" dishes the authors include are simplistic and not authentic......cornbread made in a loaf pan (with sugar added) vs. a cast-iron skillet? Mustard greens with potatoes? (No, potatoes are cooked with green beans.)
The most egregious example is their Banana Pudding 'recipe'.....it includes unflavored gelatin, whipped egg whites, bananas and a couple other things blended and put into a mold to set, like Jell-o.
Real Southern banana pudding, like the cooks kept on-hand at Graceland, and that my grandma made, is homemade vanilla custard, layered with sliced bananas and Vanilla wafers, and crowned with swirls of meringue topping, browned in the oven. It is best served slightly warm, with the softened cookies a lovely contrast to the custard and banana. Love and comfort in a bowl!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
The Elvis Presley Cookbook by Elizabeth McKeon and others is a fun and engaging celebration of Elvis that nicely blends food, nostalgia, and fandom. Having read the original edition, Fit for a King, I found this to be a noticeably improved and more polished update, both in presentation and overall feel.
The book is especially enjoyable if you’re an Elvis fan who also likes cooking. It captures the spirit of Elvis’s world through recipes and anecdotes that give the reader a sense of his tastes and the era he lived in. While I haven’t tried making any of the recipes yet, several stood out as intriguing and tempting, and the variety makes the book enjoyable to browse even without heading straight to the kitchen.
A few of the historical facts aren’t always entirely accurate—for example, the timing doesn’t support the idea that Elvis went to record a record for his mother’s birthday, nor was he invited by Sam Phillips to return and record the next two songs during his second visit. That said, these minor inaccuracies don’t detract much from the overall experience, as the book is clearly focused more on recipes and atmosphere than on being a definitive Elvis biography.
Overall, this is a charming and well-produced cookbook that improves on Fit for a King and offers plenty to enjoy. It’s a great choice for fans of Elvis, casual cooks, and anyone who appreciates a creative, nostalgic take on food and pop culture.
⭐️The Elvis Presley Cookbook — A Whole Lotta Comfort, History, and Heart ⭐️
This cookbook was such a joy from start to finish. I’ve adored Elvis all my life, so finding a cookbook dedicated to his favorite Southern comfort dishes felt like discovering a little treasure meant just for me. From the moment I opened it, I could feel the love and care poured into every page.
The book is packed with Elvis memories, photos, and stories that make you feel like you’re stepping right into Graceland’s kitchen. I loved learning the behind‑the‑scenes details—like the dishes served at his wedding and the meals he enjoyed during some of the most iconic moments of his life. It’s more than a cookbook; it’s a piece of history.
The recipes themselves are easy, budget‑friendly, and full of that classic Southern charm I grew up with. I even found some traditional dishes that brought back so many memories from my own childhood. And the best part? I discovered new favorites too—like the delicious Chocolate Soda that instantly won me over.
You can tell how much time, research, and heart went into creating this book. As a lifelong fan, it made me fall even more in love with the King and the comforting flavors that shaped his world.
If you have an Elvis fan in your life—or if you are one—this cookbook is an absolute delight. A hunka‑hunka heartwarming fun.
The Elvis Presley Cookbook would make a great gift for any fans of the King. It is filled with recipes, photos, and memorable moments that make it more than just a cookbook. What makes this standout from your typical celebrity/themed cookbook is that it's told from the perspective of his long time chef. It takes the reader on an experience, like they are truly listening to his chef and she's sharing those recipes with us.
There are a number of recipes in this cookbook that I truly wouldn't try myself. As a picky eater, it's hard to find recipes I would follow to the last ingredient, but I still enjoyed this immensely. I can see other readers enjoying it too, even if they aren't looking to have a taste of the cook from Graceland.
Thank you NetGalley and Harper Celebrate for giving me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
I am not the biggest Elvis fan, but my daughter sure is! So I was super excited when I was chosen to review this book. I love cookbooks and browsing them over and over trying to find a recipe for the mood I’m in, and this book was so much fun to look through.
First off this book is pretty. The pictures make me want to eat everything! And the retro design of the pages is fun to look at and engaging.
The recipes surprised me! There are quite a few that I want to make and try. I liked that there are so many different option’s and categorizes for whatever strikes your fancy.
And all of the Elvis pictures and stories were even fun for me! My daughter loved them all, but even I found myself interested and I learned a few things about the King I hadn’t ever known before!
If you like Elvis or recipes you’ll love this book!
First off I love Elvis so if you are an Elvis fan, you'll like it, was there really any new information no not so much do I care no- I'm also a suckered for a cookbook so I was excited to get this copy- I read it in one sitting and made notes on what to try and while I knew Elvis liked a PB and banana sandwich I didn't know it was grilled. Definitely making for my fam- other good recipes were the meatloaf, monkey bread, fried chicken and all the deserts my one negative is the photos I thought were cheap looking and could have been so much better (especially the cheeseburger photo) but if you like a cookbook (especially comfortable food) you will like it and if you ad in the Elvis photos and facts it's a must!
Thank you netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review
As someone who was brought up on a love for everything Elvis, this is a great cookbook that showcases the dining favorites of The King. This is so much more than just a cookbook. I enjoyed reading the numerous personal stories from those close to Elvis, and the accompanying photos of his life.
The recipes are classic southern comfort foods, which were staples at Graceland. The recipes are simple and easy to follow, with bright, colorful photos. From grits to banana pudding, no comfort foods were overlooked in this book. To my delight, I found the classic Elvis favorite (and mine) - Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwiches.
Thank you to the authors, Harper Celebrate, and NetGalley, for the opportunity to read this book as an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This cookbook offers a large amount of comfort food and classic recipes as well as a great theme; perfect for both an Elvis fan or someone who craves good, old-fashioned food.
The book has fun facts and pictures sprinkled throughout that give some information about Elvis. While the blurbs didn't necessarily "match" the recipes, this did not take away from enjoying the book as a whole. I especially enjoyed the sample menu suggestions.
The recipes themselves are approachable both in steps/directions and ingredient lists. Exactly what you would expect from this type of cookbook. While it is not going to have groundbreaking recipes that are going to excite a staunch foodie, it absolutely delivers on what it promises. A cookbook full of recipes that Elvis enjoyed.
Wow this could really be a cookbook from MidCentury Modern Era, of course that represents the timeframe Elvis was with us and often think about what his favorites might be today. This has photo's and a couple of memories surrounding Elvis and his foods he enjoyed. The recipes are not anything unique and represent many that I enjoyed at my grandma's house but for the Elvis fan this will be something nice to add to the collection. Many thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity.
Thank you so much to NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Elvis Presley Cookbook coming out July 7, 2026. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.
I love cookbooks and I love Elvis Presley, so I was excited to get this book. The recipes seemed fairly simple to make. There were a few I’m not sure about. The directions were on the shorter side. I enjoyed the tidbits about Elvis’ life, but I knew a lot of those facts anyway. There were definitely a lot of 50s and 60s recipes. I would enjoy trying some of them.
Netgalley ARC- Typical southern fare, nothing remarkable here. The Elvis facts throught weren't necessarily related which made them kind of annoying. I think if they had tied in the recipes to the historical rather then basing them on thing he maybe ate it would be more interesting. The random blurb about some of the recipes coming from his longtime cook, doesn't mention which ones nor are they marked in the collection.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Celebrate for the ARC! The Elvis Presley Cookbook is the perfect book for all those Elvis lovers! It provides a brief overview of Elvis’s life and then dives right into some delicious recipes! The recipes are also perfect if you are looking for some southern inspiration in your cooking. They are simple enough for beginners to follow and provide an array of options that I can’t wait to try out!
As a Mississippi girl, I was curious to read this cookbook of Elvis Presley’s favorite recipes, especially since he was a fellow Mississippian. The recipes were definitely interesting, and some were more unusual than I expected. While I probably won’t make many of them myself, I enjoyed learning about the foods Elvis loved and getting a glimpse into his life outside of music. I would recommend this book to Elvis fans or anyone who enjoys fun, nostalgic cookbooks rather than looking for everyday recipes.
A special shoutout to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced copy.
As someone who grew up with a grandma that loved Elvis, I was excited to read this book. This cookbook was written by the King's cook. Not only are there lots of recipes in this book, but there are so many story's about Elvis. His food likes and dislikes as well as some foods that he absolutely loved and asked for over and over. The way that Elvis treated his workers as family and how they treated him that way in return was good to hear.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.