Keep It Simple, Y'all: Easy Dinners from Your Barefoot Neighbor: A Cookbook

by Matthew Bounds

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • 60 quick and tasty recipes for hassle-free meals from the viral creator of Your Barefoot Neighbor, featuring comforting slow cooker, sheet pan, and one-pot dinners

Social media creator Matthew Bounds is beloved for his simple and satisfying recipes that help you get dinner on the table with minimal fuss. Whether you’re new to cooking or simply looking for efficient and delicious meals, Keep It Simple, Y’all is packed with recipes that will fit seamlessly into your busy lifestyle. With easy-to-follow instructions and budget-friendly ingredients, Matthew’s laid-back approach to cooking takes the intimidation out of making delicious, home-cooked meals.

In Keep It Simple, Y'all, you’ll find sixty dishes that come together effortlessly but deliver undeniably delicious results. Imagine coming home to a savory, slow-cooked meal like Beef and Mushroom Stroganoff or Chicken Tortilla Soup that’s been simmering all day, throwing together flavorful sheet pan dinners with minimal cleanup like Shrimp and Veggie Stir Fry or Cajun Ranch Chicken Breasts, or using rotisserie chicken to whip up a Goat Cheese Pesto Pasta or French Onion Chicken Casserole. The recipes here are flexible and beginner-friendly, relying mostly on pantry ingredients, and Matthew includes tips that encourage you to make the recipes your own—leave out the ingredients you don’t like and swap in what you have on hand. With Your Barefoot Neighbor to the rescue, you’ll find yourself creating wholesome, homemade meals the whole family will enjoy.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Nonfiction, Food and Drink, Food

144 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 19, 2024

Reviews

[Kasey Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Also one of my favorite Tik Tockers, Matthew Bounds showcases recipes that are for every skill level. He doesn't make assumptions about what you might already know, and he isn't snobby about premade ingredients. He doesn't care how dinner gets on your table, and recognizes it's a victory just that it's done, for many of us. His authenticity is refreshing and his recipes delicious!

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genuinely simple recipes, many of which I think my picky a$s kids will eat 😆

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great recipes with simple ingredients!

[Brenda Lower · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fairly straightforward recipes, easy instructions.

[Sharon McMaster · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're a fan of Southern cuisine or simply adore wholesome, flavorful dishes that bring comfort and joy to the table, "Keep it Simple Y'all" by Your Barefoot Neighbor is an essential addition to your cookbook collection. This delightful compilation of recipes embodies the spirit of Southern cooking—unpretentious, hearty, and deeply satisfying.

The author, known affectionately as Your Barefoot Neighbor, brings a refreshing approach to cooking with an emphasis on simplicity without sacrificing flavor. Each recipe is thoughtfully crafted to be accessible to home cooks of all skill levels, encouraging you to dive into the joys of preparing delicious meals without unnecessary fuss.

What sets this cookbook apart is its authenticity. Your Barefoot Neighbor shares not only recipes but also videos on different social media platforms where even a novice (such as myself) can learn to make new and delicious dishes. The layout of the book is clean and user-friendly, with each recipe presented in a straightforward manner accompanied by beautiful photography that will make your mouth water. You'll find yourself not just cooking but also learning and appreciating the rich heritage behind Southern cooking.

Overall, "Keep it Simple Y'all" by Your Barefoot Neighbor is a gem of a cookbook that deserves a spot on your kitchen shelf. With its down-to-earth charm and mouthwatering dishes, this book is a testament to the timeless appeal of simple, delicious food done right. Grab a copy and get ready to embark on a culinary adventure that celebrates the warmth and flavor of Southern cooking—just as Your Barefoot Neighbor intended and come fix you a plate!

[Ivonne Rovira · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re a Brooklyn-worthy foodie, this book is not for you. There won’t be broccoli rabe, za’atar, Gochujang Sauce or pomegranate molasses in this cookbook. If you’re looking for “clean” recipes, Paleo, keto, vegan, Whole 30 — anything like that — again, this book is not for you. There will be canned cream of mushroom soup, frozen peas, Lipton’s onion-soup mix, Hidden Valley Ranch dry packets, cornbread stuffing mix and — horror of horrors! — an entire chapter on casseroles.

Now that they’ve all gone away, I’ll address the rest of us. If you’re the typical worker who is tired of frozen TV dinners and can’t even think about affording food delivery, Matthew Bounds has come to the rescue with recipes to make when you’re very busy or tired. He’s packed 60 recipes into this cookbook that cooks can make with items most of us have at hand: pasta, rice, ground beef, chicken (a whole chapter on using rotisserie chicken!), pork chops, canned biscuits and those dreaded packets. I, for one, welcome our new casserole overlord with five processed stars!

Before the lectures begin on processed foods, a homemade casserole — even with cream of celery soup and/or onion-soup mix — beats out frozen pizza or a Subway sandwich for flavor and nutrition. Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good on days you’re just exhausted.

[Mallory · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite #FoodTok creators, so down to earth & who you see is who you get. His recipes are so easy to follow & time saving, as most are one pot meals which I LOVE! I've made a couple of these meals myself & every single one was so delicious. The goat cheese meatball & gnocchi soup - 10\10! Only tweak I made to it was I browned the gnocchi in a hot pan with butter for 5 mins to help them retain their shape & bring out a subtle toasty flavor. Check out this & his other cookbook, you won't be disappointed!

[Jliongrrrl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love his recipes from tiktok and purchased this book so I could easily see them without searching online. I wasn't sure about a paperback cookbook but it's thee perfect size to open and lie flat-is while I'm cooking. I'm far from a good cook but his recipes really are simple and easy to follow. I also appreciate that I'm not buying a bunch of strange ingredients and seasonings that I will only use for one recipe and then they will languish in a cupboard until I throw them out.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many great recipes that are tasty and simple. No major techniques needed just basic cooking skills. I love how each recipe has the photo right beside it. All of the ingredients are easily found in a regular home pantry and on the off chance it isn't something you always have on hand it won't be difficult to find at the average grocery store. I follow Matthew on TikTok which led me to discover his book. I recommend Keep It Simple, Y'all for beginner chefs and the more advanced.

[Charolette Loeks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it! The Salisbury Steak was so yummy! Plus, I love all of the little side notes or how he doesn't make them with fancy ingredients, so it makes it easy! I have a couple of other cookbooks that ingredients are really hard to find or expensive to get. So thank you for making the recipes for everyday people to be able to make them!

[ஐ Katya (Book Queen)ஐ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't think this was worth what I paid for it. He's just some random dude who posted what he cooked online.

Recipes are divided into categories: Low & Slow (slow cooker meals), Sheet pan dinners, One-pot meals, Rotisserie Realness and Come for you a Plate. The last chapter are the most popular recipes from his last cookbook.

144 pages. Photos of every recipe.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love this guy on TikTok and have made several of his recipes previously. I have now made a few more from this book. They are simple, quick and most importantly delicious. Written for the novice cook, the recipes are explained well. Plus this guy and his TikTok followers have raised a ridiculous amount of money for kids in foster care and food pantries.

[Heather Poet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listen... this man really out here proving supper doesn't have to be a three-act tragedy!!
The recipes are so easy even your grandma would stop side-eyeing you for bringing store-bought potato salad to family gatherings!
The book should come with a warning label: May cause you to suddenly feel like a professional chef while barefoot in your own kitchen.

[Eve MaCCurry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great cookbook. Super easy and fun

What I really like about this cookbook is that the directions are simple, the ingredients are easy to find, and the backstories are amusing. The recipes are not fussy. This would be a great book for a beginner cook, but super useful for someone more experienced. Love it!

[Yuuto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice collection of quick, easy meals to prepare. I think I need to get myself a copy of this cookbook in the future, I’ve tried a few of them from Your Barefoot Neighbor’s TikTok and they’ve been stellar.

[Lauren Wittenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE Matthew and I'm using this to teach my kids how to make easy, good meals (for when their gourmet-inspired dad is no longer around to cook for them in college and beyond). Great book, great chef... and you should absolutely follow him on all of the social media channels as well!

[Samantha Melendez · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ so many easy and quick recipes with ingredients that are not complicated. Husband, 11 year old, and myself all have no issues with the recipes. So far almost all the recipes have been a success in our home.

[Anna W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love following Matthew online and I’m excited to try a few of these recipes for weekly lunch meals. With my son moving out and working a ton, I think these will offer easy options for him too. I’m a huge fan of the accessibility of the recipes!

[Laurie L Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great cookbook!

[Lori Gay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of great and easy recipes. Trying different ways to make them Keto friendly. So far so good.

[Craig Helm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genuinely an excellent cookbook!! Recipes are straightforward and easy to follow. Each dish I make from this book has turned out delicious!!

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love him! all his recipes are simple and easy to make.

[Jodi Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love him! his recipes are easy and simple to make!

[Janis]

Didn't really find anything that appealed to me 🤷‍♀️

[Sherri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great full recipes with pictures.

[Mary C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This cook book is so down to earth, and food families will eat. He is really goofy and I love watching him cook on instagram.

[Stacy C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the easy step-by-step in language I understand and makes it simple, because that's my level of cook expertise... but it makes a good meal with this.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This would be a fabulous addition to anyone's kitchen! The recipes are easy to follow, they sound delicious, and the ingredients are common.

[Dana Stiff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy recipes but we haven’t tried one yet that we actually love. They’re okay.

[Louise Ennesser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very simple and easy to adapt to your taste recipes that are fast to make.