10 Ways to Cook Like Ina Garten Every Season

The iconic cook and entertainer has a way of making ingredients shine.

Ashley Day

25 February 2025 at 10:30 am·3-min read

Food & Wine / Photo by Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer / Prop Styling by Priscilla Montiel

Ina Garten has inspired millions with a dozen cookbooks and her specialty food shop turned Food Network television show The Barefoot Contessa. Her kitchen tips, tried-and-true recipes, and entertaining expertise are trusted by cooks and hosts far and wide. Our readers love Garten's favorite butter, cooking tips like slightly undercooking chicken, and recipes for homemade condiments like vinaigrette and vanilla extract. We love how she uses coffee in baking, found the quicker way to cook coq au vin, and lets seasonal ingredients like spring peas and summer strawberries shine. Here are some of our favorite Ina Garten recipes, complete with pro tips from the Barefoot Contessa herself.

Tabbouleh with Roasted Chicken

Food & Wine / Photo by Jason Donnelly / Food Styling by Holly Dreesman / Prop Styling by Gabe Greco

Load the traditional cracked wheat salad from The Barefoot Contessa with roasted chicken chunks, fresh herbs, cherry tomatoes, and crisp cucumber.

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Sautéed Asparagus with Sugar Snap Peas

Garten expertly showcases the flavors of peak asparagus and sugar snap peas in spring with olive oil, salt, and pepper.

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Grilled Halibut with Tomato and Caper Sauce

Make a savory sauce ahead with Italian plum tomatoes, onions, fennel, cloves, capers, chicken stock, and dry white wine to serve with smoky grilled fish, and garnish the platter with bright, fresh basil.

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Outrageous Brownies

This recipe taught Garten to always use the best ingredients — including instant coffee. The fudgy, walnut-studded brownies were so popular at the Barefoot Contessa store that Garten once sold 1,600 in a single weekend.

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Coq au Vin

Garten used her beef recipe as the inspiration for this easy chicken dinner that satisfies in less than two hours and is perfect for a winter night.

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Country Cake with Strawberries and Whipped Cream

Garten makes this cake extra moist with sour cream, flavoring the batter with lemon and orange zests. Two halves are layered with homemade whipped cream and fresh strawberry slices for an irresistible presentation.

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French Lentil and Vegetable Soup

Garten goes for Le Puy, or small, green French lentils, which are less starchy than common brown lentils, for this hearty soup with robust flavor.

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Double Chocolate Layer Cake

Garten bolsters cocoa powder with a little coffee and enriches icing with butter and melted semisweet chocolate for a two-layered cake that's intensely chocolaty.

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Chicken Pot Pie Soup with Puff Pastry Croutons

*Photo by Jennifer Causey / Food Styling by Melissa Gray / Prop Styling by Heather Chadduck Hillegas*

Garten's version of the ultimate comfort soup harnesses aromatic vegetables, plenty of tender chicken, and a rich, silky broth, all garnished with buttery puff pastry croutons in less than two hours.

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