The BEST Episodes of MasterChef (US)
Every episode ever - ranked by fan votes!
Last Updated: Jul 24, 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.
8.70 
#2 - Winner Revealed
Season 2 - Episode 20 - Aired Aug 16, 2011
One contestant wins the grand prize of $250,000.
8.46 
#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.
8.39 
#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.
8.19 
#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.
8.06 
#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.
7.98 
#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.
7.96 
#9 - Audition 1
Season 2 - Episode 1 - Aired Jun 6, 2011
Hopefuls prepare signature dishes in hope of impressing the judges.
7.94 
#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 - 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.
7.91 
#13 - Top 3 Compete
Season 2 - Episode 19 - Aired Aug 16, 2011
The remaining cooks compete.
7.87 
#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.
7.87 
#15 - 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.
7.87 
#16 - Top 14 Compete
Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired Jun 28, 2011
The cooks compete for a spot in the next round.
7.86 
#17 - 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.
7.83 
#18 - 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 
#19 - 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.
7.82 
#20 - 14 Chefs Compete (2)
Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired Aug 18, 2010
The cooks prepare their best dishes in hopes of impressing the judges.
7.82 
#21 - Top 7 Compete
Season 4 - Episode 17 - Aired Jul 31, 2013
The cooks create dishes inspired by loved ones; tag-team sushi challenge.
7.82 
#22 - 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 
#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
7.81 
#24 - Top 8 Compete
Season 4 - Episode 16 - Aired Jul 24, 2013
The cooks compete in an overnight challenge; the losing team faces a spun sugar dessert pressure test.
7.80 
#25 - Top 6 Compete
Season 4 - Episode 20 - Aired Aug 21, 2013
The cooks must re-create popular dishes served at a fine-dining restaurant in downtown Los Angeles; the losing team must prepare a perfect plate of fried calamari with a side of marinara sauce.
7.79