The Grateful Dead will serve up a cookbook of vegetarian and vegan recipes for the band’s 60th anniversary. Out October 21st and written by chef and culinary author Gabi Moskowitz, Dead in the Kitchen: The Official Grateful Dead Cookbook offers a vibrant and delicious collection of recipes inspired by the band’s music, ethos, and loyal community of Deadheads [pre-order].
More than just a novelty, Dead in the Kitchen is a fully authorized project designed as a thoughtful extension of the Dead’s communal energy. Featuring the band’s classic artwork, logos, and psychedelic design elements, the book brings the unmistakable Grateful Dead aesthetic to life on every page. It blends beautifully crafted visuals with easy-to-follow recipes that encourage creativity in the kitchen, making it a must-have for fans and curious cooks alike.
Dishes range from hearty staples like Curried Vegetable Pot Pie and Meatless Meatball Sandwiches to sweet indulgences like Pumpkin Cheesecake, all crafted to be approachable and accessible. Much like a live Dead show, improvisation is encouraged. Moskowitz stresses that each recipe is designed as a jumping-off point rather than a rigid script. Find your flow in the kitchen and deepen your sense of connection by gathering with others to share delicious food that nourishes the mind, body, and soul.
“As a Northern California native who grew up eating tofu, brown rice, and alfalfa sprouts, writing this cookbook has been the ultimate honor,” Moskowitz said. “It’s a chance to weave together my love of the Dead and the vibrant, health-conscious food culture that blossomed on Shakedown Streets across America in the ’70s. The Grateful Dead wasn’t just about the music; it was about community, consciousness, and a revolution rooted in kindness. This book represents the beautiful intersection of the spirit of the Dead, the wisdom of whole foods, and the beautiful chaos of a movement that changed how America eats.”
Grateful Dead legacy manager and archivist David Lemieux added, “When my friends and I were traveling the U.S., Canada, and Europe seeing the Dead, we were always searching for healthy, nutritious, and sustaining food to keep us energized to dance for hours. We brought that love of vegetarian and vegan food home with us, and with a few choice cookbooks, we all became competent home cooks. It’s a thrill to now add to my cookbook shelf a new vegetarian and vegan cookbook inspired by Grateful Dead music and culture. This is the cookbook I’ve been waiting for 35 years.”
Related: New Book Explores The Literary Depth & Poetic Philosophy Of The Grateful Dead
The project also features a foreword by legendary cookbook author Mollie Katzen (The Moosewood Cookbook), further cementing its roots in the natural food movement that paralleled the Dead’s rise in the 1970s. With colorful photography and psychedelic flourishes, the hardbound book doubles as both a practical kitchen guide and a unique collectible for fans.
More than a celebration of food, Dead in the Kitchen honors the enduring legacy of a band whose influence reaches far beyond music. By blending nourishing recipes with the improvisational spirit of the Dead, Moskowitz hopes to inspire the same sense of connection and community that’s kept the music and the movement alive for 60 years.
Dead in the Kitchen: The Official Grateful Dead Cookbook is out October 21st, 2025, and available here for pre-order. Peruse some sample recipes below, and check out the Dead’s extensive live catalog on nugs. [Editor’s note: Live For Live Music is a nugs affiliate. Ordering your subscription via the links on this page helps to support our work covering the world of live music. Thank you for reading!]