The BEST episodes of Cook's Country
Every episode of Cook's Country ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Cook's Country!
A team of cooks travel the country and scour the history books to find the very best traditional and contemporary American dishes, then bring them back to the test kitchen and develop practical, approachable recipes.
#1 - All-American Sweet Dough Desserts
Season 8 - Episode 7 - Aired 10/25/2015
Test cook Julia Collin Davison revives a classic recipe for Dakota Peach Kuchen. Then, tasting expert Jack Bishop challenges host Christopher Kimball to a tasting of peach jam. Finally, test cook Erin McMurrer shows Chris how to make the perfect Kolaches.
#2 - New England for Everyone
Season 15 - Episode 2 - Aired 8/27/2022
Christie Morrision makes host Julia Collin Davison Woodman's-Style Clam Chowder. Tasting expert Jack Bishop explains how to eat oysters at home. Toni Tipton-Martin talks about how to humanely cook lobster, and Ashley Moore cooks host Bridget Lancaster Hot Buttered Lobster Rolls.
#3 - Spring Feast
Season 13 - Episode 13 - Aired 12/5/2020
Test cook Christie Morrison makes host Julia Collin Davison a show-stopping Slow-Roasted Fresh Ham. Next, equipment expert Adam Ried reveals his top pick for inexpensive stand mixers. Finally, test cook Bryan Roof makes host Bridget Lancaster famous St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake Bars.
#4 - Cast Iron Everything
Season 15 - Episode 1 - Aired 8/20/2022
Lawman Johnson makes host Bridget Lancaster Japanese Steakhouse Steak and Vegetables, and Toni Tipton-Martin discusses the legacy of a Japanese Steakhouse in the US. Adam Ried shares his top picks for cast iron skillets. Bryan Roof makes host Julia Collin Davison Charred Cherry Tomatoes with Bell Peppers and Mozzarella.
#5 - Elegant and Orange
Season 14 - Episode 13 - Aired 12/18/2021
Host Bridget Lancaster makes Slow Roasted Salmon, and Toni Tipton-Martin shares the indigenous origins of the American salmon industry. Ingredient expert Jack Bishop talks about leavening agents. Finally, Ashley Moore makes a show-stopping Clementine Cake.
#6 - Pork, Peaches and Potatoes
Season 14 - Episode 10 - Aired 11/20/2021
Host Julia Collin Davison makes Bacon-Wrapped Pork Roast with Peach Sauce. Equipment expert Adam Reid reveals his top pick for graters. Toni Tipton-Martin explores the rich German community in Texas and Morgan Bolling makes Texas Potato Pancakes. Christie Morrison makes Easy Homemade Mayonnaise from the Recipe Box.
#7 - Paprikash and Stroganoff
Season 14 - Episode 9 - Aired 11/13/2021
Host Bridget Lancaster makes Chicken Paprikash and Butter Spaetzle and Toni Tipton-Martin shares the story of Hungarian immigrants in Cleveland. Equipment expert Adam Reid reveals his top pick for wooden spoons and Ashley Moore makes weeknight-friendly Ground Beef Stroganoff.
#8 - Regional Sandwich Roundup
Season 14 - Episode 7 - Aired 10/30/2021
Host Bridget Lancaster makes Crispy Iowa Skinny sandwiches. Equipment expert Adam Reid reveals his top pick for 12-inch nonstick skillets. Christie Morrison makes the Boogaloo Wonderland Sandwich from Detroit, and Toni Tipton-Martin dives into the origin of the sandwich. Bryan makes a St. Louis favorite, the St. Paul Sandwich.
#9 - Italian-American Comforts
Season 14 - Episode 6 - Aired 10/23/2021
Host Julia Collin Davison makes the ultimate Italian Meatloaf. Ingredient expert Jack Bishop reviews substitutes for fresh garlic and Morgan Bolling makes Asparagus Baked in Foil from the Recipe Box. Toni Tipton-Martin tells the immigrant origins of scampi and Ashley Moore makes Chicken Scampi.
#10 - Chicken Soup and Cheesy Bread
Season 14 - Episode 12 - Aired 12/11/2021
Host Julia Collin Davison makes Old-Fashioned Chicken Noodle Soup, and Toni Tipton-Martin talks about the restorative properties of chicken soup. Ingredient expert Jack Bishop explores the world of broths. Christie Morrison makes Beer-Batter Cheese Bread. And from the Recipe Box, Morgan Bolling whips up Make-Ahead Hot Chocolate and Lawman Johnson makes Spinach Salad with Gorgonzola and Pear.
#11 - French Fare
Season 14 - Episode 11 - Aired 12/4/2021
Host Bridget Lancaster makes Easy Steak Frites, and Toni Tipton-Martin shares the origin of French Fries. Equipment expert Adam Reid shares his top pick for braisers. Bryan Roof makes the ultimate French Onion soup.
#12 - Thanksgiving, Simplified
Season 14 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/6/2021
Host Julia Collin Davison makes One-Pan Turkey Breast and Stuffing, and Toni Tipton-Martin enters the dressing versus stuffing debate. Ingredient expert Jack Bishop shares tips for buying turkey and Christie Morrison makes Pear-Cranberry Chutney from the Recipe Box. Lawman Johnson makes Roasted Butternut Squash and Apple.
#13 - One-Pot Meals
Season 14 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/16/2021
Host Bridget Lancaster makes One-Pot Chicken Jardinière, and Toni Tipton-Martin shares the history of cooking in one pot. Equipment expert Adam Reid shares his top pick for bird’s beak paring knives and Ashley Moore makes Wacky Cake from the Recipe Box. Morgan Bolling makes One-Pan Mediterranean Shrimp.
#14 - Carne Guisada and Enchiladas
Season 14 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/9/2021
Host Julia Collin Davison makes a Texas favorite Carne Guisada, and Toni Tipton-Martin shares the origins of the dish. Equipment expert Adam Reid reveals his top pick for oven mitts. Finally, Christie Morrison makes show-stopping Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas.
#15 - Summer Berry Desserts
Season 14 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/2/2021
Host Bridget Lancaster makes Mixed Berry Buckle, and Toni Tipton-Martin shares the history of baked fruit desserts. Ingredient expert Jack Bishop talks about thickening agents. Bryan Roof makes the ultimate Strawberry Cheesecake Bars, and Lawman Johnson makes Strawberry Compote from the Recipe Box.
#16 - Roast Chicken and Salad
Season 14 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/25/2021
Host Julia Collin Davison makes Green Goddess Roast Chicken, and Toni Tipton-Martin shares the origins of Green Goddess dressing. Ingredient expert Jack Bishop gives a primer on herbs. Bryan Roof makes Perfect Pesto from the Recipe Box, and Ashley Moore makes Potato, Green Bean and Tomato Salad.
#17 - Fried Bites
Season 14 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/18/2021
Host Bridget Lancaster makes Popcorn Chicken, and Toni Tipton-Martin talks about the snack's inventor. Equipment expert Adam Reid shares his top pick for electric deep fryers. Bryan Roof makes Gobi Manchurian, and Lawman Johnson fries up Crispy Vegetable Fritters.
#18 - The Cuban Sandwich Show
Season 15 - Episode 18 - Aired 12/24/2022
Bryan Roof visits the Cuban Sandwich Festival in Tampa, Florida. Bryan makes host Bridget Lancaster the ultimate Cuban Sandwich, with homemade Cuban Bread and Roast Pork with Mojo. Tasting expert Jack Bishop and host Julia Collin Davison taste our favorite mustards.
#19 - Low Country Party
Season 15 - Episode 3 - Aired 9/3/2022
Morgan Bolling makes host Julia Collin Davison Okra and Shrimp Stew, and Toni Tipton-Martin shares the story of the Gullah Geechee people. Equipment expert Adam Ried reveals his top picks for lightweight Dutch ovens. Julia makes host Bridget Lancaster Pickled Shrimp.
#20 - Midwestern Favorites
Season 15 - Episode 4 - Aired 9/10/2022
Hosts Bridget Lancaster and Julia Collin Davison make a Minnesota favorite Tater Tot Hotdish. Toni Tipton-Martin talks about the first printed hotdish recipe and a fun Congressional competition. Equipment expert Adam Ried reviews corn strippers, and Christie Morrison makes Buckeye Candies from the Recipe Box. Ashley Moore makes Bridget Wisconsin Butter Burgers.
#21 - Fried Chicken and Biscuits
Season 15 - Episode 5 - Aired 9/17/2022
Christie Morrison makes host Julia Collin Davison Lard-Fried Chicken, and Toni Tipton-Martin delves into the history of Edna Lewis' famous fried chicken. Tasting expert Jack Bishop challenges host Bridget Lancaster to a tasting of regional potato chips, and Bryan Roof makes a BLT Salad from the Recipe Box. Morgan Boiling makes Bridget Blueberry Biscuits.
#22 - Thai Comforts
Season 15 - Episode 6 - Aired 9/24/2022
Bryan Roof visits Portland, Oregon and shares his version of Khao Man Gai (Thai-Style Chicken and Rice) with host Bridget Lancaster. Toni Tipton-Martin talks about holy basil, and Lawman Johnson makes host Julia Collin Davison Pad Gra Prow (Holy Basil Stir-Fry).
#23 - Seafood Two Ways
Season 15 - Episode 7 - Aired 10/1/2022
Ashley Moore makes host Bridget Lancaster Seafood Fra Diavolo, and Toni Tipton-Martin shares the story behind the recipe's name. Tasting expert Jack Bishop explains when to splurge at the grocery store, and Morgan Bolling makes Roasted Garlic-Parmesan Bread from the Recipe Box. Christie Morrison makes host Julia Collin Davison Salmon Piccata.
#24 - Two Tastes from the Bay Area
Season 15 - Episode 8 - Aired 10/8/2022
Bryan Roof visits Oakland, California and shares his version of Sinigang with host Julia Collin Davison. Toni Tipton-Martin shares the backstory of the food incubator La Cocina, and Morgan Bolling makes host Bridget Lancaster Neorm Sach Moan.
#25 - Never Enough Chocolate
Season 15 - Episode 9 - Aired 10/15/2022
Christie Morrison makes host Bridget Lancaster Chocolate Babka, and Toni Tipton-Martin shares the history of babka and its Seinfeld connection. Tasting expert Jack Bishop reveals his top picks for espresso powder. Ashley Moore makes host Julia Collin Davison foolproof Chocolate Fudge.