The BEST Episodes of America's Test Kitchen
Every episode ever - ranked by fan votes!
Last Updated: Apr 3, 2021
Network: PBS
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 - Paella Party
Season 6 - Episode 17 - Aired Apr 29, 2006
A Spanish classic: saffron rice loaded with seafood, meat, and vegetables. Recipes: Sangria; Paella Equipment Corner: Paella Pans Tasting Lab: Olive Oil
10.00 
#2 - Meat and Potatoes II
Season 6 - Episode 8 - Aired Feb 25, 2006
Braised brisket and smashed potatoes make for a delicious, cold-weather meal. Recipes: Onion-Braised Beef Brisket; Smashed Potatoes Equipment Center: Electric Knives
10.00 
#3 - Two Curry Traditions
Season 6 - Episode 15 - Aired Apr 15, 2006
Rich, exotically spicy Indian curry and lighter, herbaceous Thai curry. Recipes: Indian Curry; Thai Green Curry with Chicken, Broccoli, and Mushrooms Tasting Lab: Coconut Milk
10.00 
#4 - Two Chocolate Cakes
Season 3 - Episode 25 - Aired Jun 21, 2003
One old-fashioned, moist and homely, the other elegant, dense and ethereal.
10.00 
#5 - Easy Apple Desserts
Season 9 - Episode 6 - Aired Feb 7, 2009
With our no-frills approach to apple pie, you can convert this special-occasion dish to an everyday dessert. And our technique for making moist, rich applesauce cake produces a tender crumb with pronounced apple flavor. Recipes - Skillet Apple Pie - Ginger-Cardamom Applesauce Snack Cake - Applesauce Snack Cake with Oat-Nut Streusel - Applesauce Snack Cake Equipment Center - Drip Coffee Makers
10.00 
#6 - Flash in a Pan
Season 5 - Episode 7 - Aired Feb 12, 2005
Dinner in less than 20 minutes is the holy grail of weeknight cooking. Many recipes make good on this promise, but most ultimately reflect the minimal effort exerted on the part of the cook. They are fine in a pinch but rarely worth making again. But it doesn't have to be this way. Recipes - Chicken Paillard - Pan-Seared Shrimp with Garlic Lemon Butter Equipment Corner - Cookware cleaning products Tasting Lab - Chicken cutlets
10.00 
#7 - Soups of the Day
Season 9 - Episode 8 - Aired Feb 21, 2009
Think it takes all day to make a flavorful soup? Think again. We set out to disprove this misconception with our intense, meaty-flavored beef and vegetable soup that’s on the table in under an hour. And if you’d like to take more time cooking, our classic Tuscan bean soup is a rustic stew worthy of the effort. Recipes - Beef and Vegetable Soup - Hearty Tuscan Bean Stew - Quick Hearty Tuscan Bean Stew - Vegetarian Hearty Tuscan Bean Stew - Hearty Tuscan Bean Stew with Sausage and Cabbage Tasting Lab - Beef Broth Science Desk - In Search of Glutamates - Brining Beans
10.00 
#8 - Resurrecting The Roast Beef Dinner
Season 9 - Episode 11 - Aired Mar 14, 2009
Join us as we uncover the secret to turning an inexpensive cut of beef into a tender roast worthy of Sunday dinner. Recipes - Horseradish Cream Sauce - Mashed Potatoes and Root Vegetables with Bacon and Thyme - Mashed Potatoes and Root Vegetables - Mashed Potatoes and Root Vegetables with Paprika and Parsley - Slow-Roasted Beef Equipment Center - Meat-Probe Thermometers Science Desk - Salting Meat
10.00 
#9 - Pork on the Grill
Season 9 - Episode 18 - Aired May 2, 2009
We found a sure-fire method to keep a grilled, stuffed pork loin moist without brining. And we paired the pork with a host of great sautéed spinach recipes. Recipes - Sautéed Spinach with Chickpeas and Sun-Dried Tomatoes - Sauteed Spinach with Almonds and Golden Raisins - Sauteed Spinach with Pecans and Feta - Sautéed Spinach with Leeks and Hazelnuts - Grilled Pork Loin with Apple-Cranberry Filling on a Charcoal Grill - Grilled Pork Loin with Apple-Cherry Filling with Caraway on a Gas Grill - Grilled Pork Loin with Apple-Cranberry Filling on a Gas Grill - Grilled Pork Loin with Apple-Cherry Filling with Caraway on a Charcoal Grill Tasting Lab - Artisanal Bacon
10.00 
#10 - Japanese-Inspired Favorites
Season 21 - Episode 7 - Aired Feb 13, 2021
Host Bridget Lancaster fries up a batch of Karaage (Japanese Fried Chicken Thighs), ingredient expert Jack Bishop discusses soba noodles, and gadget critic Lisa McManus recommends the best drainers and strainers. Finally, test cook Becky Hays makes Chilled Soba Noodles with Cucumber, Snow Peas, and Radishes.
10.00 
#11 - Crepes Two Ways
Season 21 - Episode 8 - Aired Feb 20, 2021
Host Julia Collin Davison cooks a French staple, Galettes Complètes (Buckwheat Crepes with Ham, Egg, and Cheese); ingredient expert Jack Bishop compares alternative flours; and test cook Dan Souza makes Bánh Xèo (Sizzling Vietnamese Crepes).
10.00 
#12 - Rustic Italian Fare
Season 21 - Episode 9 - Aired Feb 27, 2021
Host Bridget Lancaster makes a hearty Acquacotta (Tuscan White Bean and Escarole Soup), ingredient expert Jack Bishop shares tips for buying extra-virgin olive oil, and test cook Keith Dresser makes easy Piadine (Italian Flatbreads).
10.00 
#13 - Mediterranean Comfort Food
Season 21 - Episode 11 - Aired Mar 13, 2021
Host Bridget Lancaster shares the steps to making a hearty Pastitsio; ingredient expert Jack Bishop tells you what you need to know about feta cheese; and test cook Lan Lam makes Braised Eggplant with Paprika, Coriander, and Yogurt.
10.00 
#14 - Schnitzel and Roesti
Season 21 - Episode 12 - Aired Mar 20, 2021
Host Julia Collin Davison fries up crispy Chicken Schnitzel, equipment expert Adam Ried reveals our top picks for cooking thermometers, and test cook Keith Dresser prepares a satisfying Potato Roesti.
10.00 
#15 - Indian Feast
Season 21 - Episode 13 - Aired Mar 27, 2021
Host Julia Collin Davison cooks Murgh Makhani (Indian Butter Chicken), ingredient expert Jack Bishop gives a primer on tomato products, and test cook Becky Hays makes Palak Dal (Spinach Dal with Cumin and Mustard Seeds).
10.00 
#16 - Easy Summer Supper
Season 14 - Episode 21 - Aired May 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.
9.72 
#17 - Easy Skillet Suppers
Season 8 - Episode 22 - Aired May 31, 2008
Easy Skillet Suppers Streamlined methods for Beef Stroganoff and Baked Ziti condense all the steps into one skillet—yes, even the noodles. Recipe: Skillet Baked Ziti, Skillet Beef Stroganoff Equipment: Can Openers Taste test: Supermarket Extra-Virgin Olive Oils
9.50 
#18 - Restaurant Cooking Comes Home
Season 5 - Episode 9 - Aired Feb 26, 2005
Have you ever been tempted to prepare a restaurant recipe only to be disappointed with the results? The recipe sounded great, but once you got to work you realized it was never tested in a home kitchen. Recipes - Flambéed Pan-Roasted Lobster - Crab Towers with Avocado and Gazpacho Salsas
9.50 
#19 - Simple and Elegant Dinner
Season 21 - Episode 4 - Aired Jan 23, 2021
Host Bridget Lancaster makes a foolproof recipe for Pan-Seared Strip Steaks. Equipment expert Adam Ried shares his picks for nonstick-friendly tools, and gadget critic Lisa McManus shares her favorite tools to keep your kitchen clean. Finally, test cook Dan Souza prepares Beet Salad with Spiced Yogurt and Watercress.
9.50 
#20 - Latin Comfort Food
Season 19 - Episode 26 - Aired Aug 3, 2019
Test cook Elle Simone makes Julia the best Braised New Mexico–Style Pork in Red Chile Sauce (Carne Adovada), and equipment expert Adam Ried reveals his top pick for 9-inch tongs. Then, test cook Erin McMurrer makes Bridget the ultimate Mexican Corn Salad (Esquites).
9.40 
#21 - Asian Chicken
Season 6 - Episode 16 - Aired Apr 22, 2006
Not-so-sweet versions of a Japanese classic and a Chinese take-out standby. Recipes: Chicken Teriyaki; Orange-Flavored Chicken Tasting Lab: Store-Bought Teriyaki Sauce
9.33 
#22 - Nutritious and Delicious
Season 20 - Episode 10 - Aired Mar 7, 2020
In this episode, test cook Becky Hays shows host Julia Collin Davison how to make the ultimate Skillet-Roasted Chicken Breast with Harissa-Mint Carrots. Then, tasting expert Jack Bishop challenges host Bridget Lancaster to a tasting of sriracha. Gadget critic Lisa McManus reveals her top picks for gadgets for a healthy lifestyle. Finally, test cook Dan Souza shows Bridget how to make a Brown Rice Bowl with Vegetables and Salmon at home.
9.20 
#23 - Fish and Chips at Home
Season 7 - Episode 8 - Aired Feb 24, 2007
The problem with English-style fish and chips is that you’ve got to hop a plane across the Atlantic to enjoy the dish. We wanted to be able to serve English-style fish and chips—large pieces of moist and delicate cod in a crisp and tender coating with thick-cut fries—at home. Most American restaurants that tackle England’s most popular fast food do so poorly—turning out a greasy mess of fish and potatoes. We aimed to create a home-cook friendly recipe for the real thing: large pieces of moist cod coated in a delicate, crisp batter and chips cut thick and served up crispy, with soft interiors. To start, we’d first need to tackle frying for the home cook. While most restaurants have dedicated frying workstations, deep-frying in a home kitchen is a different matter. Cramped space, spattering oil, and inappropriate equipment all conspire to take the fun out of the job. But it needn’t be an onerous task: With a bit of organization and some basic working knowledge, you’ll be turning out fish and chips that will rival those in England. Along the way, we’d also needed to figure out how to organize the process so that everything made it to the table at once—meaning that both fish and chips are served piping hot. Anything less just wouldn’t be acceptable. Recipes: Fish and Chips Tartar Sauce Tasting Lab: Mayonnaise Equipment Center: Candy Thermometers—Update High-End Deep Fryers
9.14 
#24 - South-of-the-Border Soups
Season 6 - Episode 3 - Aired Jan 21, 2006
With the help of the ATK team, these south-of-the-border soups are sure to please the whole family. Recipes: Black Bean Soup; Tortilla Soup Equipment Corner: Chefs Knives Tasting Lab: Chicken Broth
9.00 
#25 - Cookies
Season 6 - Episode 24 - Aired Jun 17, 2006
Two cookies, one crisp and elegant; the other oversized and chewy. Recipes: Spritz Cookies; Chocolate-Chunk Oatmeal Cookies Equipment Corner: Cookie Presses Science Corner: Convection Ovens
9.00