The BEST episodes of America's Test Kitchen
Every episode of America's Test Kitchen ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of America's Test Kitchen!
In "America's Test Kitchen From Cook's Illustrated," a team of expert chefs continue to provide viewers with practical recipes and recommendations that they can use to save money, time and effort in the kitchen. With its uniquely scientific flavor, the show uses blind tasting judges, flash animations and laboratory procedures to answer a variety of kitchen questions. Putting everything from pasta and pasta pots, cheese and cheese graters, as well as host Chris Kimball to the test, this series offers surprises that often defy price points and move beyond fancy packaging and brand expectations.
#1 - Easy Summer Supper
Season 14 - Episode 21 - Aired 5/24/2014
Test cook Bridget Lancaster shows host Christopher Kimball how to make the best Grilled Lemon Chicken with Rosemary. Next, equipment expert Adam Ried reviews skillets and saucepans in the Equipment Corner. And finally, test cook Julia Collin Davison uncovers the secrets to the ultimate Beets with Lemon and Almonds.
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#3 - Barbecued Brisket and Corn Fritters
Season 7 - Episode 18 - Aired 5/5/2007
When you’re looking for a main course to serve a summertime crowd, or want to give a new twist to a summertime vegetable, we hope you’ll turn to these recipes. Summertime entertaining can often mean preparing food for groups larger than 6 to 8—school graduations, Fourth of July, the neighborhood block party—the list goes on. For those times, hamburgers just aren’t practical—unless the cook plans on standing at the grill until everyone is fed. Instead, think brisket. This hefty piece of meat (a full cut can weigh 13 pounds) turns smoky and tender on the grill and leftovers, if there are any, are terrific. Best of all, brisket doesn’t require constant attention, so the cook can enjoy the party too. Brisket isn’t without its challenges, however. On the grill, the meat can take about 12 hours to become fully tender. We wanted to find not only the best way to barbecue brisket, but a way do so more quickly. Summertime also calls for corn. And while we love corn on the cob, we also enjoy other preparations. Take corn fritters. These savory cakes are pan-fried and served hot. They make a terrific side dish or hors d’oeuvres, served as is, or sprinkled with hot sauce. Some recipes are short on corn flavor, but we wanted a recipe that brings the corn front and center. Recipes: Barbecued Beef Brisket For a Charcoal Grill Barbecued Beef Brisket for a Gas Grill Spicy Chili Rub Farmstand Corn Fritters Corn Fritters with Cheddar and Chives Out-Of-Season Corn Fritters Tasting Lab: Hot Sauces Equipment Center: Charcoal Grills—Update
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#4 - Bistro Steak Dinner
Season 8 - Episode 17 - Aired 4/26/2008
Cutting into a steak to find that the rosy meat is confined to a measly spot in the center—with the rest a thick band of overcooked gray—is a great disappointment. Our surefire method for pan-searing thick-cut steaks delivers both a flavorful crust and juicy, rosy meat throughout. Recipe: Pan-Seared Thick-Cut Strip Steaks, Garlic and Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes Equipment: Slotted Spoons Science: Tender Steaks
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#5 - More Chicken in a Skillet
Season 8 - Episode 14 - Aired 4/5/2008
It’s not a surprise that so many cooks turn to chicken breasts for dinner. They’re convenient, low in fat, and, when made right, juicy and satisfying. To keep boredom at bay, one of our simple skillet recipes features a flavorful drizzling sauce, another a golden Parmesan crust. Recipe: Parmesan-Crusted Chicken Cutlets, Pan-Roasted Chicken Breasts with Potatoes Equipment: Inexpensive Instant-Read Thermometers
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#6 - Fish on the Grill
Season 8 - Episode 19 - Aired 5/10/2008
Fish fillets might look innocent, but once their delicate flesh hits the grill, there’s no getting them off without a fight—simply put, fish sticks. And because fish is delicate, in comparison to meat, the flesh easily dries out. We decided to take the fear out of grilling fish by tackling these two recipes: blackened grilled snapper and glazed salmon. Recipe: Charcoal-Grilled Blackened Red Snapper, Sweet and Saucy Charcoal-Grilled Salmon with Lime-Jalapeno Glaze Equipment: Barbecue Mitts
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#7 - A Taste of Spain
Season 13 - Episode 3 - Aired 1/19/2013
Host Christopher Kimball goes into the kitchen with test cook Bridget Lancaster to learn the secrets to making perfect Catalan-Style Beef Stew with Mushrooms. Then, tasting expert Jack Bishop challenges Chris to a tasting of spaghetti. Finally, test cook Julia Collin Davison shows Chris how to make classic Spanish-Style Toasted Pasta with Shrimp.
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#8 - Great Italian Pasta Sauces
Season 13 - Episode 15 - Aired 4/13/2013
Test cook Julia Collin Davison shows host Christopher Kimball how to make perfect Pasta all’Amatriciana. Then, equipment expert Adam Ried reveals his top pick for box graters in the Equipment Corner, and tasting expert Jack Bishop challenges Chris to a tasting of canned whole tomatoes. And finally, test cook Bryan Roof uncovers the secrets to making the best Quick Mushroom Ragu with lots of mushroom flavor.
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#9 - Irish Comfort Classics
Season 13 - Episode 7 - Aired 2/16/2013
Host Christopher Kimball heads into the test kitchen with test cook Julia Collin Davison to update a classic recipe for Shepherd’s Pie. Next, gadget guru Lisa McManus reveals her favorite quirky kitchen gadgets. Then, Chris answers questions from viewers. And finally, test cook Bridget Lancaster uncovers the secrets to making New England–Style Home-Corned Beef and Cabbage.
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#10 - Ultimate Italian
Season 13 - Episode 6 - Aired 2/9/2013
Man on the Street John “Doc” Willoughby ventures to New York City to learn secrets of homemade pasta from the pros. In the test kitchen, test cook Dan Souza shows host Christopher Kimball how to make Fresh Pasta Without a Machine. Next, tasting expert Jack Bishop challenges Chris to a tasting of Mozzarella Cheese. And finally, test cook Bryan Roof uncovers the secrets to the ultimate Ragu alla Bolognese.
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#14 - Pasta, Please
Season 12 - Episode 5 - Aired 2/4/2012
Join us as we make over two Italian classics. First, we minimize the fuss and the mess of cooking spaghetti and meatballs for a crowd. Then we use a few thoughtfully chosen vegetables and a light but full-bodied sauce to make our modern Spring Vegetable Pasta.
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#15 - Rise and Shine Breakfast
Season 12 - Episode 3 - Aired 1/21/2012
Scrambled eggs are easy to cook but hard to cook well. We nail down an approach that guarantees fluffy, tender scrambled eggs every time. Then we serve them alongside our foolproof Cranberry Nut Muffins for a breakfast worth waking up for.
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#16 - Best Burgers and Fries
Season 10 - Episode 22 - Aired 5/29/2010
Recipes : Easier French Fries Best Old-Fashioned Burgers Classic Burger Sauce Belgian-Style Dipping Sauce Chive and Black Pepper Dipping Sauce Equipment Corner : Electric Deep Fryers Science Segment : Handling Meat Cold Oil Frying
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#17 - Favorite Citrus Desserts
Season 7 - Episode 25 - Aired 6/23/2007
Join us as we infuse one citrus dessert with bright lemony flavor and make another dessert easier than ever to enjoy. Even after the heartiest meal, we find the bracing bite of a citrus dessert welcome. Lemon Bundt cake, glazed with a snowy white icing, is a simple, elegant dessert. But time and again, we are disappointed in its often elusive lemon flavor. Some recipes soak the cake in a sugar syrup flavored with lemon, but we find this makes the cake soggy, ruining its springy fine crumb. We wanted to find a way to infuse Bundt cake with the assertive tang of lemon without marring its texture. Key lime pie is another favorite citrus dessert, but transporting this pie, which has a delicate, wobbly filling, can be difficult. We wanted to find a way to transform this pie into a bar cookie. Not only would a Key lime bar be more portable, it could also be eaten out of hand, making it a far easier dessert to serve—and eat. Recipes: Lemon Bundt Cake Key Lime Bars Triple Citrus Bars Tasting Lab: Are Key Limes Really Key?—Updated Equipment Center: Are Nonstick Baking Sprays Better Than Butter? Science Desk: The 'Magic' of Sweetened Condensed Milk
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#18 - Italian Chicken
Season 17 - Episode 15 - Aired 4/15/2017
Hosts Julia Collin Davison and Bridget Lancaster go into the test kitchen together to uncover the secrets to Better Chicken Marsala. Next, equipment expert Adam Ried reviews Manual Citrus Juicers in the Equipment Corner. Finally, test cook Erin McMurrer shows Bridget how to make the ultimate Skillet-Roasted Chicken in Lemon Sauce at home.
#19 - Vegan for Everyone
Season 18 - Episode 7 - Aired 2/17/2018
Test cook Becky Hays makes Julia the ultimate Vegan Pinto Bean-Beet Burger, tasting expert Jack Bishop challenges Bridget to a tasting of vegan mayo, and gadget critic Lisa McManus reviews spiralizers. Finally, test cook Elle Simone makes perfect Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
#20 - Autumn Desserts
Season 17 - Episode 16 - Aired 4/22/2017
Host Bridget Lancaster goes into the test kitchen with host Julia Collin Davison to learn how to make the ultimate Chewy Oatmeal Cookies. Then, equipment expert Adam Ried reviews mini prep bowls in the Equipment Corner. Finally, test cook Elle Simone reveals the secrets to Ultranutty Pecan Bars.
#21 - Chinese Takeout, Revised
Season 17 - Episode 17 - Aired 4/29/2017
Host Bridget Lancaster goes into the test kitchen with host Julia Collin Davison to learn how to make the best Beef Stir-Fry with Bell Peppers and Black Pepper Sauce at home. Then, tasting expert Jack Bishop challenges Bridget to a tasting of soy sauce. Next, test cook Keith Dresser shows Julia how to make the ultimate Scallion Pancakes with Dipping Sauce.
#22 - Elegant Fall Dinner
Season 17 - Episode 18 - Aired 5/6/2017
Host Bridget Lancaster shows host Julia Collin Davison how to make the best Tuscan-Style Roast Pork with Garlic and Rosemary. Next, equipment expert Adam Ried reviews wine accessories in the Equipment Corner. Then, test cook Becky Hays reveals the secrets to making the perfect Farro Salad with Asparagus, Sugar Snap Peas, and Tomatoes.
#23 - Canning Classics
Season 17 - Episode 19 - Aired 5/13/2017
Host Julia Collin Davison goes into the test kitchen with test cook Becky Hays to reveal the secrets to making Classic Strawberry Jam at home. Next, gadget guru Lisa McManus uncovers the best canning tools. Finally, test cook Dan Souza shows host Bridget Lancaster how to make the ultimate Bread and Butter Pickles.
#24 - Steak and Veggies
Season 17 - Episode 20 - Aired 5/20/2017
Host Bridget Lancaster shows host Julia Collin Davison how to make the best Pan-Seared Flank Steak with Mustard-Chive Butter. Then, equipment expert Adam Ried reviews carbon steel skillets in the Equipment Corner. Finally, test cook Becky Hays uncovers the secrets for making Walkaway Ratatouille.
#25 - Mediterranean Grill
Season 17 - Episode 21 - Aired 5/27/2017
Host Julia Collin Davison uncovers the secrets to making the best Grilled Shrimp and Vegetable Kebabs. Then, tasting expert Jack Bishop challenges host Bridget Lancaster to a tasting of whole-milk greek yogurt. Finally, test cook Dan Souza shows Julia how to make the best Persian-Style Rice with Golden Crust at home.