The BEST episodes of America's Test Kitchen season 26
Every episode of America's Test Kitchen season 26, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of America's Test Kitchen season 26!
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 - Mediterranean Eggplant Dishes
Season 26 - Episode 14 - Aired 1/17/2026
Test cook Ben Mims makes host Julia Collin Davison Silky Roasted Eggplant with Tomato and Feta. Tasting expert Jack Bishop challenges Julia and a special guest to a head-to-head tasting of hummus. And test cook Antoinette Johnson prepares Zaalouk (Moroccan Eggplant Meze) for host Bridget Lancaster.
#2 - Weeknight Chicken and Mashed Potatoes
Season 26 - Episode 13 - Aired 1/10/2026
Test cook Alex Heugel makes host Bridget Lancaster Cold-Start Pan-Seared Chicken Breasts with Cherry and Rosemary Pan Sauce. Equipment expert Adam Ried reviews paper towels. And test cook Sam Block makes host Julia Collin Davison the Fastest, Easiest Mashed Potatoes.
#3 - Farmer’s Brunch
Season 26 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/18/2025
Test cook Keith Dresser prepares host Bridget Lancaster a hearty German Farmer’s Breakfast (Bauernfrühstück). Equipment expert Adam Ried reviews cookie sheets. And Bridget makes host Julia Collin Davison a delicious Appeltaart (Dutch Apple Pie).
#4 - Two Takes on Chicken and Rice
Season 26 - Episode 7 - Aired 11/1/2025
Test cook Erica Turner makes host Bridget Lancaster Chicken Yassa (Senegalese Braised Chicken with Caramelized Onion and Lemon). Tasting expert Jack Bishop challenges Bridget and host Julia Collin Davison to a tasting of chicken broths. And test cook Becky Hays prepares Peruvian Arroz con Pollo for Julia.
#5 - Breakfast from Scratch
Season 26 - Episode 16 - Aired 1/31/2026
Test cook Alex Heugel makes host Julia Collin Davison Biscuit Breakfast Sandwiches. Techniquely host Lan Lam Lan shares techniques to make picture-perfect pancakes. And test cook Aran Goyoaga makes Spiced Pear, Buckwheat, and Almond Pancakes for host Bridget Lancaster.
#6 - Make-Ahead Masterclass
Season 26 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/20/2025
Test Cook Erin McMurrer makes host Julia Collin Davison tender Glazed Boneless Beef Short Ribs. Gear Heads hosts Hannah Crowley and Lisa McManus share expert-reviewed tools and tips for easier meal prep. And Test Cook Sam Block shows host Bridget Lancaster how to bake Make-Way-Ahead Dinner Rolls.
#7 - New Thanksgiving Favorites
Season 26 - Episode 9 - Aired 11/15/2025
Test cook Lan Lam makes host Bridget Lancaster a crowd-pleasing Stuffed Spatchcock Turkey. Equipment expert Adam Ried reveals our top pick for slicing knives. And test cook Erin McMurrer makes host Julia Collin Davison a crisp Shaved Celery Salad with Pomegranate-Honey Vinaigrette.
#8 - The Ultimate Holiday Dinner Party
Season 26 - Episode 11 - Aired 12/13/2025
Test cook Antoinette Johnson makes host Julia Collin Davison Shrimp Cocktail. Gear Heads hosts Hannah Crowley and Lisa McManus share what expensive gadgets are worth the price. And Julia makes host Bridget Lancaster Easy Beef Tenderloin with Harissa Rub and Cilantro-Mint Relish.
#9 - Turkey Lasagna and Chocolate Sorbet
Season 26 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/11/2025
Test cook Vallery Lomas makes host Bridget Lancaster a savory Turkey Sausage Lasagna. Tasting expert Jack Bishop talks all about sugar. And test cook Antoinette Johnson makes a refreshing Chocolate Sorbet for host Julia Collin Davison.
#10 - Ice Cream Cake
Season 26 - Episode 6 - Aired 10/25/2025
Test cook Lan Lam shows Julia Collin Davison how to build a showstopping Ice Cream Cake. And science expert Dan Souza reveals the unexpected powers of melting ice.
#11 - Comforting Japanese Dinners
Season 26 - Episode 20 - Aired 4/11/2026
Test cook Dan Souza makes Tonkatsu (Japanese Fried Pork Chops) for host Bridget Lancaster. Tasting expert Jack Bishop reviews types of Japanese rice. Test cook Lan Lam prepares Kare Raisu (Japanese Curry Rice with Chicken) for Julia Collin Davison.
#12 - Savory Mexican Classics
Season 26 - Episode 19 - Aired 4/4/2026
Test cook Keith Dresser makes Chiles en Nogada for host Bridget Lancaster. Science expert Dan Souza explains why oil shimmers. And test cook Elle Simone Scott prepares Tacos Gobernador for host Julia Collin Davison.
#13 - A Tale of Two Pastas
Season 26 - Episode 18 - Aired 2/14/2026
Test cook Dan Souza makes Pici alla Boscaiola (Handmade Pasta with Mushrooms and Sausage) for host Julia Collin Davison. Tasting expert Jack Bishop talks all about stone-ground flour. And test cook Nik Sharma prepares a punchy Pasta with Creamy Lemon–Sichuan Peppercorn Sauce for host Bridget Lancaster.
#14 - A Taste of Sichuan
Season 26 - Episode 17 - Aired 2/7/2026
Test cook Lan Lam makes Dry Chili Chicken (Làzi Jī 辣子雞) for host Bridget Lancaster. Tasting expert Jack Bishop breaks down different miso. And test cook Dan Souza prepares Suan La Bai Cai (Sour and Hot Nappa Cabbage) for host Julia Collin Davison.
#15 - Catalan Supper
Season 26 - Episode 15 - Aired 1/24/2026
Test cook Erin McMurrer makes Bridget Lancaster Zarzuela (Spanish Seafood Stew). Gear Heads hosts Hannah Crowley and Lisa McManus compare disposable and reusable plastic bags. And Bridget prepares Red Pepper Coques for host Julia Collin Davison.
#16 - Pan-Seared Halibut and Ma’amoul
Season 26 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/8/2025
Test cook Ben Mims prepares Pan-Seared Halibut with Wilted Bitter Salad for host Bridget Lancaster. Tasting expert Jack Bishop challenges Bridget and host Julia Collin Davison to a tasting of frozen puff pastries. And test cook Erica Turner makes Julia buttery Ma’amoul, or semolina cookies.
#17 - Flavor-Packed Pastas
Season 26 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/27/2025
Test cook Keith Dresser makes host Julia Collin Davison Spaghetti All’Assassina, a hyperlocal dish from Bari, Italy. Tasting expert Jack Bishop challenges Julia and host Bridget Lancaster to a head-to-head tasting of canned whole tomatoes. And test cook Elle Simone Scott makes Bridget a Triple Mushroom Pasta.
#18 - Zesty Salmon and Salad
Season 26 - Episode 12 - Aired 1/3/2026
Test cook Elle Simone Scott prepares Double-Glazed Salmon with Lemon and Thyme for host Julia Collin Davison. Gear Heads hosts Hannah Crowley and Lisa McManus share their take on natural cleaning sprays. Tasting expert Jack Bishop talks all about tofu, and test cook Becky Hays prepares Kale Salad with Radishes, Grapefruit, and Candied Pepitas.
#19 - Corn Cakes and Chowder
Season 26 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/4/2025
Test cook Becky Hays makes host Julia Collin Davison Cachapas con Queso de Mano (Venezuelan Cheese-Filled Corn Cakes). Equipment expert Adam Ried reviews dish towels, and science expert Dan Souza uses physics to demonstrate the importance of a sharp knife. Finally, test cook Joe Gitter makes host Bridget Lancaster Fresh Corn Chowder.
#20 - Taiwanese Staples
Season 26 - Episode 10 - Aired 12/6/2025
Test cook Dan Souza makes Gua Bao (Taiwanese steamed buns with braised pork belly) for host Julia Collin Davison. Tasting expert Jack Bishop and host Bridget Lancaster review hoisin sauce. And test cook Maggie Zhu prepares a Quick Taiwanese Pork Rice.
#21 - Maple Pork Chops and Squash Soup
Season 26 - Episode 21 - Aired 4/18/2026
Test cook Erin McMurrer makes host Bridget Lancaster Maple Pork Chops with Sweet Potato–Bacon Hash. Equipment expert Adam Ried reviews enameled cast-iron skillets, and Techniquely host Lan Lam explains how to defrost food quickly. Finally, test cook Aran Goyoaga prepares Leek, Fennel, and Squash Soup with Sausage for host Julia Collin Davison.