The BEST episodes of MasterChef (US)

#1 - Winner Revealed (2)

Season 1 - Episode 13 - Aired 9/15/2010

The winner is revealed.

#2 - Winner Revealed

Season 2 - Episode 20 - Aired 8/16/2011

One contestant wins the grand prize of $250,000.

#3 - Winner Revealed (1)

Season 1 - Episode 12 - Aired 9/15/2010

After enduring pressure tests and grueling challenges, the remaining chefs compete for $250,000 and a cookbook-publishing deal.

#4 - Winner Revealed

Season 4 - Episode 25 - Aired 9/11/2013

The final two cooks prepare three-course meals; the judges choose the winner.

#5 - 6 Chefs Compete (2)

Season 1 - Episode 11 - Aired 9/8/2010

The contestants go fishing, and use their catches for their entrees. Another chef is eliminated.

#6 - Top 10 Compete

Season 4 - Episode 14 - Aired 7/10/2013

The contestants must prepare fish tacos for hungry surfers; in a pressure test, contestants must prepare a perfect chicken breast three different ways.

#7 - Finale Part 2 - Special Guest Christina Tosi

Season 12 - Episode 20 - Aired 9/14/2022

The three remaining chefs rush against the clock to complete their final entree and whip up a gourmet dessert with the help of former judge Christina Tossi; a new champion is crowned.

#8 - Top 5 Compete (1)

Season 4 - Episode 21 - Aired 8/28/2013

The judges are joined by their sons, who help critique a mystery box challenge; re-creating a dish.

#9 - Top 7 Compete

Season 4 - Episode 17 - Aired 7/31/2013

The cooks create dishes inspired by loved ones; tag-team sushi challenge.

#10 - The Finale (2)

Season 8 - Episode 21 - Aired 9/20/2017

#11 - Top 9 Compete

Season 2 - Episode 13 - Aired 7/26/2011

The contestants try to impress the judges and advance to the next round.

#12 - Auditions (1)

Season 2 - Episode 1 - Aired 6/6/2011

Hopefuls prepare signature dishes in hope of impressing the judges.

#13 - Winner Revealed

Season 3 - Episode 20 - Aired 9/10/2012

The remaining cooks make a final effort to impress the judges; one contestant wins the grand prize.

#14 - Regional Auditions - The West

Season 13 - Episode 3 - Aired 6/7/2023

Chefs of the West compete; each contestant has 45 minutes to prepare a signature dish.

#15 - Top 3 Compete

Season 2 - Episode 19 - Aired 8/16/2011

The remaining cooks compete.

#16 - Top 8 Compete

Season 4 - Episode 16 - Aired 7/24/2013

The cooks compete in an overnight challenge; the losing team faces a spun sugar dessert pressure test.

#17 - 11 Chefs Compete (1)

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 8/25/2010

The contestants are asked to make a single cupcake; chef Cat Cora and the contestants cook at a truck stop.

#18 - Bake to Win

Season 12 - Episode 9 - Aired 7/27/2022

One chef selects a dessert for each of his or her fellow competitors to bake to perfection. Anything less will force the contestants to face elimination.

#19 - Top 7 Compete

Season 3 - Episode 13 - Aired 7/17/2012

Chef Paula Deen selects items for the mystery box challenge, which includes Southern staples and a surprise for the contestants; the challenge winner pairs the remaining contestants, who must prepare a Japanese dish as a team.

#20 - The Finale (2)

Season 9 - Episode 23 - Aired 9/19/2018

The home cook with the best overall menu is crowned the winner wih a prize of a quarter of a million dollars and the coveted title of MasterChef.

#21 - Top 14 Compete

Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired 6/28/2011

#22 - Dish That Sent You Home

Season 12 - Episode 4 - Aired 6/15/2022

In the first elimination round of the season, all 20 chefs must cook something inspired by the dish that originally sent them home. The chef that recreates their elimination dish in the most elevated, refined and skillful way will win immunity.

#23 - Top 7 Compete

Season 4 - Episode 19 - Aired 8/14/2013

The cooks must prepare a T-bone steak dish; the challenge winner assigns a type of poultry to the other contestants.

#24 - Top 11 Compete

Season 4 - Episode 13 - Aired 7/10/2013

Restaurateur Eva Longoria selects Mexican-inspired ingredients for a mystery box challenge.

#25 - Top 3 Compete

Season 4 - Episode 24 - Aired 9/4/2013

The remaining three contestants cook more sophisticated versions of the dishes they made in their initial auditions.