The WORST episodes of Cook's Country
Every episode of Cook's Country ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst 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 - Hearty Italian Meals
Season 3 - Episode 7 - Aired 10/16/2010
We take on two Italian classics and uncover the secrets to preparing the perfect Italian Pot Roast and foolproof Baked Manicotti at home.
#2 - Hearty Autumn Dinner
Season 5 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/15/2012
Smothered Pork Chops, a tasting of Breakfast Sausage and perfect Apple Fritters are highlighted.
#3 - Autumn Desserts
Season 4 - Episode 11 - Aired 11/19/2011
Bridget reveals the secrets to the ultimate Apple Dumplings. Then, Adam reveals his top picks for cake carriers. Next, Chris learns about the best apple varieties for baking at Saratoga Orchards. And finally, Julia shows Chris how to make Old- Fashioned Pecan Pie.
#4 - Road Food at Home
Season 4 - Episode 10 - Aired 1/7/2012
Bridget uncovers the secrets to perfect Slow-Cooker BBQ Brisket. Then, Adam reveals his top picks for slow cookers. Next, Chris visits Harpoon Brewery to discover the best beers for cooking. And finally, Julia shows Chris how to make the ultimate Beer-Battered Onion Rings.
#5 - Fried Chicken and Biscuits
Season 4 - Episode 9 - Aired 11/12/2011
Chris and Bridget visit Princes in Nashville to try their famous Nashville Hot Chicken. They return to the kitchen determined to replicate the top-secret recipe. Then, Jack challenges Chris to a tasting of whole kosher dill pickles. Next, Adam reveals his top picks for skimmers. And finally, Erin revives a classic recipe for Cat Head Biscuits.
#6 - Not Just for Kids
Season 4 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/5/2011
Bridget shows Chris how to make the ultimate Chicken Nuggets at home. Then, Jack challenges Chris to a tasting of yellow mustard. Next, Adam reveals his top picks for broiler-safe cooking dishes. And finally, Julia uncovers the secrets to perfect Tomato Mac and Cheese.
#7 - Bayou Classics
Season 4 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/15/2011
Bridget shows Chris how to make the ultimate Gumbo. Then, Jack challenges Chris to a tasting of long-grain white rice. And finally, Julia updates a lost recipe and shows Chris how to make Lane Cake.
#8 - Tropical Barbecue
Season 4 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/1/2011
Bridget reveals how to make Huli Huli Chicken right at home. Then, Jack challenges Chris to a tasting of reduced-fat potato chips. Next, Adam reveals his top picks for pastry brushes. And finally, Julia uncovers the secrets to perfect Chinese BBQ Spareribs.
#9 - Fancy Chicken
Season 4 - Episode 3 - Aired 9/24/2011
Bridget shows Chris how to make the best Chicken Cordon Bleu. Next, Erin demonstrates how to cut a whole chicken. Then, Jack challenges Chris to a tasting of Black Forest deli ham. And finally, Julia uncovers the secrets to perfect Cider-Braised Chicken. Recipes: Foolproof Chicken Cordon Bleu, Apple Cider Chicken Taste Tests: Black Forest Deli Ham
#10 - Roast Beef Dinner
Season 4 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/10/2011
Chris visits the local butcher to learn about top sirloin. Then, Bridget shows Chris how to make affordable Roast Beef and Whipped Potatoes. Next, Chris shares the test kitchen’s tips and techniques for cooking with salt. And finally, Adam reveals his picks for multi-timers.
#11 - Ultimate Ham Dinner
Season 3 - Episode 13 - Aired 11/27/2010
Join us as we make the best Cider-Baked Ham, then prepare two tasty side dishes: quick and easy Cornmeal Biscuits and classic Delmonico Potatoes. And in the equipment corner, Adam Ried reviews electric knives.
#12 - Chicken Two Ways
Season 3 - Episode 12 - Aired 11/20/2010
Our Roast Lemon Chicken features real lemon flavor, and our Chicken Parmesan cooks entirely on the stovetop. We’ll demonstrate these two recipes, as well as conduct a tasting of store-bought Chicken Noodle Soup.
#13 - Breakfast Show Stoppers
Season 3 - Episode 11 - Aired 11/13/2010
We update two lost recipes: Monkey Bread and Dutch Baby. Then, equipment expert Adam Ried reviews toasters, and tasting expert Jack Bishop challenges host Chris Kimball to a tasting of decaf coffee.
#14 - Southwestern Suppers
Season 3 - Episode 10 - Aired 11/6/2010
We reveal the test kitchen’s secrets to two Southwestern staples: Authentic Beef Enchiladas and Easy Chicken Tacos. Then, Jack Bishop challenges host Chris Kimball to a tasting of Baked Beans, and Chris shares the test kitchen’s top freezer tricks.
#15 - The Chemistry of Cakes
Season 3 - Episode 9 - Aired 10/30/2010
Join us as we make a perfect Lemon Pudding Cake and foolproof Angel Food Cake. Then watch Adam Ried review two vital pieces of kitchen equipment: hand mixers and tube pans.
#16 - Northern Cookout
Season 3 - Episode 8 - Aired 10/23/2010
Bridget Lancaster demonstrates how to make a state fair classic, Cornell Barbecued Chicken, and serves it with a side of Syracuse Salt Potatoes. Then, to round out the cookout, Julia Collin Davison brings a Midwest favorite home and prepares perfect Jucy Lucy Burgers.
#17 - Southwestern Vegetarian Fare
Season 17 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/19/2024
Test Cook Christie Morrison makes host Julia Collin Davison Vegetarian Chili and Toni Tipton-Martin talks about the International Chili Society. Jack Bishop challenges Bridget Lancaster to a tasting of Kansas-City Style Barbecue Sauce, and Ashley Moore bakes Jalepeño-Cheddar Scones.
#18 - Everybody Loves Chocolate
Season 3 - Episode 6 - Aired 10/9/2010
We show you how to make two sweet-tooth-satisfying desserts: Chocolate Cream Cupcakes and Texas Sheet Cake. Then tasting expert Jack Bishop challenges host Chris Kimball to a tasting of hot cocoa.
#19 - Beef Meets Grill
Season 3 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/2/2010
Bridget Lancaster shows host Christopher Kimball how to make real Texas Barbecued Beef Ribs at home. Next, equipment expert Adam Ried reviews paper plates, and finally, Julia Collin-Davison uncovers the secrets to preparing perfectly Char-Grilled Steaks at home. Also in the episode, homemade Classic Steak Sauce.
#20 - Old Fashioned Pork
Season 3 - Episode 3 - Aired 9/18/2010
Bridget Lancaster shows host Christopher Kimballhow to make crispy Pan-Fried Pork chops. Next, equipment expert Adam Ried is reviewing vacuum sealers. And finally, Julia Collin-Davison uncovers the secrets to perfect Pork Pot Roast using a slow cooker.
#21 - Two Perfect Pies
Season 3 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/4/2010
Bridget Lancaster updates a classic recipe for Shaker Lemon Pie. Then, Julia Collin-Davison shows host Christopher Kimball how to make Icebox Strawberry Pie with real strawberries. Next, equipment expert Adam Ried reviews pie plates, and finally, tasting expert Jack Bishop challenges Chris to a tasting of strawberry yogurt.
#22 - Perfect Pork
Season 2 - Episode 12 - Aired 11/21/2009
We make Grilled Mustard-Glazed Pork with a deeply caramelized crust and Christopher Kimball shares the test kitchen tips for gas grilling. Later, Erin McMurrer makes Cider-Braised Pork Chops in a skillet. Recipes - Grilled Mustard-Glazed Pork Loin - Cider-Braised Pork Chops Tasting Lab - Coarse-Grain Mustard
#23 - Texas Beef Barbecue
Season 2 - Episode 10 - Aired 11/7/2009
We bring a Texas favorite home—Shredded Barbecued Beef and we pair it with a unique take on a classic side dish: Ranch Potato Salad. Recipes - Shredded Barbecued Beef - Ranch Potato Salad Tasting Lab - Whole Wheat Bread
#24 - Fail-Safe Thanksgiving
Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired 10/24/2009
Bridget Lancaster makes an Old-Fashioned Roast Turkey with Gravy, revisiting a classic technique known as larding. She also reveals the secrets to quick and easy Garlic Mashed Potatoes. Recipes - Old-Fashioned Roast Turkey with Gravy - Garlic Mashed Potatoes Tasting Lab - Frozen Dinner Rolls
#25 - Southern BBQ
Season 2 - Episode 7 - Aired 10/17/2009
Bridget Lancaster makes Big Bob’s famous Alabama BBQ Chicken with a unique white barbecue sauce. She serves it along side Tangy Apple-Cabbage Slaw. Recipes - Alabama BBQ Chicken - Tangy Apple-Cabbage Slaw Tasting Lab - Iced Tea