The BEST Episodes of MasterChef (US)
Every episode ever - ranked by fan votes!
Last Updated: Oct 11, 2021
Network: FOX
Award-winning chef Gordon Ramsay, acclaimed chef Aarón Sánchez and renowned restaurateur Joe Bastianich put a new batch of talented home cooks through a series of challenges and elimination rounds.
#1 - Winner Revealed (2)
Season 1 - Episode 13 - Aired Sep 15, 2010
The winner is revealed.
8.72 
#2 - Winner Revealed
Season 2 - Episode 20 - Aired Aug 16, 2011
One contestant wins the grand prize of $250,000.
8.49 
#3 - Winner Revealed (1)
Season 1 - Episode 12 - Aired Sep 15, 2010
After enduring pressure tests and grueling challenges, the remaining chefs compete for $250,000 and a cookbook-publishing deal.
8.40 
#4 - Winner Chosen
Season 4 - Episode 25 - Aired Sep 11, 2013
The final two cooks prepare three-course meals; the judges choose the winner.
8.32 
#5 - 6 Chefs Compete (2)
Season 1 - Episode 11 - Aired Sep 8, 2010
The contestants go fishing, and use their catches for their entrees. Another chef is eliminated.
8.20 
#6 - Top 10 Compete
Season 4 - Episode 14 - Aired Jul 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.
8.05 
#7 - The Finale (2)
Season 8 - Episode 21 - Aired Sep 20, 2017
The remaining chefs compete for the trophy and the $250,000 prize. Guest judge: Joe Bastianich.
7.97 
#8 - Top 9 Compete
Season 2 - Episode 13 - Aired Jul 26, 2011
The contestants try to impress the judges and advance to the next round.
7.95 
#9 - Audition 1
Season 2 - Episode 1 - Aired Jun 6, 2011
Hopefuls prepare signature dishes in hope of impressing the judges.
7.93 
#10 - Winner Chosen
Season 3 - Episode 20 - Aired Sep 10, 2012
The remaining cooks make a final effort to impress the judges; one contestant wins the grand prize.
7.93 
#11 - Top 5 Compete (1)
Season 4 - Episode 21 - Aired Aug 28, 2013
The judges are joined by their sons, who help critique a mystery box challenge; re-creating a dish.
7.92 
#12 - Finale (1) - Curtis Stone
Season 11 - Episode 17 - Aired Sep 15, 2021
Legendary Chef Curtis Stone returns as a guest judge for the semi-finals when the Top Three battle for a spot in the finale in the appetizer round.
7.90 
#13 - Top 7 Compete
Season 3 - Episode 13 - Aired Jul 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.
7.90 
#14 - 11 Chefs Compete (1)
Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired Aug 25, 2010
The contestants are asked to make a single cupcake; chef Cat Cora and the contestants cook at a truck stop.
7.88 
#15 - Top 3 Compete
Season 2 - Episode 19 - Aired Aug 16, 2011
The remaining cooks compete.
7.88 
#16 - Season Finale (2)
Season 9 - Episode 23 - Aired Sep 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.
7.86 
#17 - Finale (2) - Michael Cimarusti
Season 11 - Episode 18 - Aired Sep 15, 2021
Michelin star chef Michael Cimarusti is the final legend to grace the MasterChef kitchen and it's the finalists last chance to impress with their entrée and dessert dishes. Only one will be crowned the winner and earn the coveted title of MasterChef.
7.85 
#18 - Top 14 Compete
Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired Jun 28, 2011
The cooks compete for a spot in the next round.
7.85 
#19 - 14 Chefs Compete (2)
Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired Aug 18, 2010
The cooks prepare their best dishes in hopes of impressing the judges.
7.84 
#20 - 6 Chefs Compete (1)
Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired Sep 8, 2010
The contestants undergo a Mystery Box challenge and an Invention Test.
7.83 
#21 - Top 3 Compete
Season 5 - Episode 18 - Aired Sep 15, 2014
One chef moves on to the finals after impressing a panel of judges representing all 50 states and a second finalist is determined based on a challenge involving three classic American desserts.
7.83 
#22 - Top 3 Compete
Season 4 - Episode 24 - Aired Sep 4, 2013
The remaining three contestants cook more sophisticated versions of the dishes they made in their initial auditions.
7.82 
#23 - 9 Chefs Compete (1)
Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired Sep 1, 2010
In their first challenge of the day, the chefs are asked to make a dish with dungeness crab
7.82 
#24 - Top 7 Compete
Season 4 - Episode 17 - Aired Jul 31, 2013
The cooks create dishes inspired by loved ones; tag-team sushi challenge.
7.81 
#25 - Top 8 Compete
Season 3 - Episode 12 - Aired Jul 16, 2012
The eight finalists must prepare, cook and serve a hearty meal to 101 cowboys; the challenge losers must prepare six eggs four different ways in only 20 minutes.
7.81