In the Test Kitchen
This video podcast from America’s Test Kitchen takes you behind the scenes of a bustling test kitchen. Our test cook hosts dive deep into their favorite dishes, taste recipes, and talk about how culture, history, and science influence the foods we love to eat. Discover the messy, fun, and (mostly) delicious work that goes into creating America’s favorite recipes.
Episodes
Episode 15: What makes the best red sauce?
Red sauce pastas can be built dozens of ways: rich and meaty, silky and tomato-forward, or deliberately burnt and charred. Lan, Bryan, Nik, and Lidey taste their way through three ATK recipes, ragù alla bolognese, pasta alla vodka, and spaghetti all’assassina, to hash out what actually makes a red sauce irresistible.
Recipes Mentioned:
Ragu alla Bolognese
Pasta alla Vodka
Spaghetti All'Assassi
Episode 14: What makes a dumpling comforting?
Dumplings are made across the world and come in different shapes, sizes, forms and flavors. Despite their differences, they somehow sooth and delight in equal measure. The juicy filling of a xiao long bao. The warm center of a pierogi. The chewy exterior of a gnudi. How do dumplings achieve that comfort? Lan, Bryan, Nik and Lidey investigate.
Recipes Mentioned:
Shanghai Soup Dumplings
Pot
Episode 13: What's your favorite cold treat on a hot summer day?
The cast combats the dog days of summer by diving into some of their favorite cold treats while reminiscing about their favorite summer memories. Plus, Nik shares his ideas for a high-end ice cream shop and the cast workshops potential flavors to serve.
Recipes Mentioned:
Ice cream sandwiches
Mango Paletas
Philadelphia-Style Cherry Water Ice
Nik Sharma’s Black Forest Ice Cream
Learn more abou
Episode 12: How do you build the perfect hot dog?
Hotdogs are a reliable and convenient option at cookouts. But adding an extra ingredient or two can really level them up. So, how do you do it at home? Lan, Bryan, Nik and Lidey break down the components that can elevate the beloved cookout go-to.
Recipes Mentioned:
Chicago-Style Hot Dog
Sonoran Dog
Homemade Corn Dogs
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Episode 11: What makes a good taco a great taco?
Tacos take all kinds of shapes and forms; crispy shelled tacos, tacos dipped in consommé, there’s even taco ingredients eaten over rice. It’s not just the shapes they take; what kind of meat is used, what ingredients you add to the taco have endless variations. Lan, Bryan, Nik and Lidey come together to discuss the qualities that make a good taco a great taco.
Recipes Mentioned:
Crispy Tac
Episode 10: What makes the best steak?
Lots of cultures and countries love steak, but it has this almost iconic status in American culture. There are so many different cuts and so many different ways to cook them. Lan, Bryan, Nik and Lidey dive into three recipes and discuss the cooking techniques that go into making them seamlessly at home.
Recipes Mentioned:
Pan Seared Strip Steak
Shio Koji-Marinated Flank Steak
Slow-Roasted Med
Episode 9: What makes rice the world’s staple?
Every couple of months at America’s Test Kitchen, an informal poll emerges among test cooks about which starch–bread, pasta, or rice–reigns supreme. It’s always a tight race, but it’s no surprise why rice is often a top contender: it’s a beloved staple across the world. In this episode, Lan, Bryan, Nik, and Lidey eat their way through 3 rice dishes and ask: What makes rice the world’s most popular
Episode 8: What makes the perfect meatball?
Meatballs span cultures and come in all shapes, sizes, and sauces. Lan, Bryan, Nik, and Lidey try three recipes from around the world and ask: What makes the perfect meatball?
Recipes eaten in episode:
Meatballs and Marinara
Lion’s Head Meatballs
Albóndigas (Spanish-Style Meatballs in Almond Sauce)
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Episode 7: What Makes the Best Sandwich?
Most people say a sandwich is filling stuffed between two layers of bread. But what about hotdogs, or a loaded pocket of pita bread? Lan, Bryan, Nik, and Lidey get into a heated debate about what exactly defines a sandwich on this week’s episode of In the Test Kitchen.
Recipes Eaten in episode:
Italian Sub
Diner-Style Sheet-Pan Tuna Melts
Ultimate Grilled Vegetable Sandwich
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Episode 6: What Makes a Salad Exciting?
Salads often get a bad wrap as the thing you have to eat before the rest of the meal. In today’s episode of In the Test Kitchen: Lan, Bryan, Nik, and Lidey finally give salads their due, and reveal how to make them the star of the show.
Recipes Mentioned:
Ultimate Wedge Salad
Horiatiki Salata
Neorm Sach Moan
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Episode 5: What Makes the Best Muffins?
Making muffins used to be a rite of passage for test cooks and applicants who applied to work at America’s Test Kitchen. So we’ve eaten a lot of them; sweet, savory, and everything in between. In this episode, Lan, Bryan, Nik, and Lidey take on the debate: What is a muffin, and what makes it great?
Recipes and reviews mentioned:
Best Blueberry Muffins
Brown Butter Chocolate Chunk Muffins
Saus
Episode 4: What Makes a Pizza Iconic?
Ask 10 people what their favorite kind of pizza is, and you’ll get 10 different answers. This week on In the Test Kitchen: Lan, Bryan, Nik, and Lidey dive into the regional differences, Italian vs. American preferences, and the elements that go into making a great pie.
Recipes Mentioned:
Neapolitan pizza
Thin-Crust Pizza
Detroit-Style Pizza
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Episode 3: What are the Best Types of Fried Chicken?
Can you make a good fried chicken recipe at home? Lan, Bryan, Nik and Lidey say yes as they deconstruct 3 different recipes that represent three different styles of fried chicken. Plus, the quad reveals some fun KFC history, and discuss the difference between crunchy and crispy fried chicken.
Recipes Mentioned: One-Batch Fried Chicken, Super Crunchy Buttermilk Fried Chicken, Chile Fried Chicken
Episode 2: How to Make the Best Burgers
What is your ideal burger? In this episode, Lan, Bryan, Nik and Lidey debate which burger type–smash, pub, or meatloaf burger–reins supreme. Plus, what are the best burger fixings? Is it better to use high-end meats? Find out on this week’s In the Test Kitchen.
ATK Recipes Mentioned in today's episode: Smashed Burgers, Juicy Pub-Style Burgers with Crispy Shallots and Blue Cheese with Pub-Style B
Episode 1: What Makes the Best Chocolate Chip Cookies?
In the Test Kitchen is back with new hosts and a new show!
In this premiere episode, hosts Lan Lam, Bryan Roof, Nik Sharma, and Lidey Heuck, dive into all things chocolate chip cookies. They chat about texture, size, and cookie thickness and ask: What makes the best chocolate chip cookie? Along the way, the quad taste tests 3 separate chocolate chip cookie recipes while dissecting the history, s
In the Test Kitchen Returns February 26!
In the Test Kitchen will be back on Thursday, February 26 with new hosts and a new concept!
Follow Lan Lam, Bryan Roof, Nik Sharma, and Lidey Heuck, as they take you behind the scenes into the meaty, nerdy, and zeitgeist-y conversations that happen at America's Test Kitchen. Each episode revolves around a dish as the quad debate about ingredients, dig into the science, and learn about the histor
Introducing: The Side Dish
Some new podcasts from America’s Test Kitchen are on the horizon! Here's a special preview of The Side Dish, hosted by Bridget Lancaster and Julia Collin Davison. Off-duty and unfiltered, they swap kitchen hacks, play games, and answer listener questions.
Today’s episode is all about romance, because love (and great food) is always in the air.
Subscribe to The Side Dish on Apple Podcasts, Spotif
Grace Young on Championing Chinatowns
In this episode of In the Test Kitchen, host Dan Souza and co-host Lan Lam welcome cookbook author, culinary historian, and stir-fry guru Grace Young to discuss her work as a fierce advocate for Chinatowns across the country. Grace reflects on how, as a young girl, she was inspired by Julia Child—a spark that eventually led her to publish her first cookbook, The Wisdom of the Chinese Kitchen. She
Rick Martinez Hates the Word "Authentic"
In this episode of In the Test Kitchen, host Lan Lam and co-host Nik Sharma welcome chef and author Rick Martinez to talk about his vibrant new cookbook, Salsa Daddy. Rick opens up about the creative process behind the book and the challenges of bringing a deeply personal project to life. The conversation moves from his Texas roots and early food memories to reflections on family, legacy, and how
Roy Choi’s Recipe for Redemption: From The Sporkful Podcast
Today's episode is from our friends atThe Sporkful podcast and features Chef Roy Choi, the man behind the legendary Kogi Korean taco truck and a pioneer of the gourmet food truck movement. Host Dan Pashman sits down with Chef Choi for a wide-ranging conversation about his unlikely path to success, the power of food to create community, and the TV moment that changed his life forever.
Listen to ou
Dan Pashman Hates Spaghetti
Host Dan Souza and co-host Lisa McManus welcome Dan Pashman, host of The Sporkful podcast and creator of the viral pasta shape cascatelli. Filmed on the Cook’s Country set, the trio dives deep into the world of pasta design, exploring what makes a perfect noodle and how texture, sauce-holding power, and mouthfeel come together in the ultimate bite.
No matter how you feel spaghetti as a pasta shap
Lidey Heuck Loves Grocery Shopping
Host Dan Souza and co-host Morgan Bolling welcome food writer and recipe developer Lidey Heuck. Lidey shares stories from her new cookbook Cooking In Real Life and reflects on the lessons she learned working alongside Ina Garten. They also dive into rice crispy treats, swapping their favorite variations and debating the best way to make this nostalgic classic.
Order Lidey's cookbook, Cooking In R
Marina Mabrey Creates Chaos in the Kitchen
Join host Dan Souza and co-host Morgan Bolling for a special conversation with Marina Mabrey of the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun. Marina opens up about overcoming adversity on the court and how an injury led her to discover a new passion in cooking. She shares the ways food became a source of inspiration and healing, along with the favorite dishes she looks for while traveling during the season.
Trying
Jessica B. Harris Travels with Food History and Cotton Candy
Dan Souza and co-host Elle Simone sit down with culinary historian Dr. Jessica B. Harris to talk about her new book, Braided Heritage. They explore the foundational food cultures of the Americas: Native, European, and African, and how these influences shaped the way we cook and eat today. Dr. Harris shares her love of okra, the surprising story of her beginnings as an English teacher, and her fond
Dorie Greenspan Thinks the Simpler the Cake, the Better.
Dan Souza and co-host Nik Sharma sit down with the legendary baker and author Dorie Greenspan to talk about her new book, Dorie’s Anytime Cakes. They dive into what makes a cake special enough for celebration versus perfect for every day, reminisce about the Darth Vader cake Dorie once baked for her son’s fourth birthday, and share the secret to achieving truly great pie dough.
Pre-Order Dorie
Meathead Weighs In on the Great Burger-Pressing Debate
Dan Souza and co-host Bryan Roof welcome legendary BBQ expert Meathead to talk all things grilling. From his new book to the age-old debate about pressing burgers on the grill, Meathead shares his take on the tips, tricks, and myths that every backyard cook should know. The conversation covers whether pressing burgers is a good idea, the best types of smoke to cook with, how to properly heat a wok
Gesine Bullock-Prado Loves Cheese with Apple Pie
Pastry chef, homesteader, and author Gesine Bullock-Prado joins Dan Souza and Morgan Bolling In the Test Kitchen to talk comfort food, homesteading in Vermont, and the science behind perfect pie crust. From chicken and rice to jalapeño popper grilled cheese, they explore easy weeknight recipes before diving into Gesine’s journey from Hollywood to homesteading, and how her German-American roots and
Aran Goyoaga on the Art of Gluten-Free Baking
Dan Souza and Lan Lam welcome cookbook author Aran Goyoaga for a conversation about her journey from a pastry-filled childhood in the Basque Country in Spain, to becoming a leader in gluten-free baking. They discuss the craft of recipe development, the challenges of gluten-free bread, and Aran’s inspiration for her forthcoming cookbook, which will be out in September.
Pre-order Aran Goyoaga's bo
Vallery Lomas and the Great American Baking Show
Winner of The Great American Baking Show and cookbook author Vallery Lomas joins the Test Kitchen to talk about her early cooking influences growing up in the South, her path from lawyer to baker, and her love of recipe development. From her experience filming competitive cooking shows to writing Life Is What You Bake It and contributing to When Southern Women Cook, Vallery shares the stories behi
Eugene Mirman on the Secret Origin of Bob’s Burgers
Comedian and Bob’s Burgers star Eugene Mirman joins the Test Kitchen to share his love of home cooking, pandemic kitchen hacks, and culinary creativity. From his days as a Food Network spokespotato to the origins of Bob’s Burgers, this episode serves up laughs, food tips, and behind-the-scenes stories.
Check out Lan's genius technique for the perfect Sautéed Mushrooms that Dan and Hannah were ra
Ben Mims Maps the World in Cookies
In this week's episode: Cookbook author and food editor Ben Mims shares his unconventional path through journalism and culinary school to becoming a celebrated voice in food media. He discusses the making of his new cookbook Crumbs, exploring global cookie traditions, recipe development, and the evolving world of food writing.
Check out Ben Mims' book, Crumbs: Cookies and Sweets from Around the
Maggie Zhu Is Perfecting Her Shrimp Dumpling Recipe
Dan Souza and Morgan Bolling are the In The Test Kitchen with Maggie Zhu of Omnivore's Cookbook. They dig into how she got her start as a food blogger, her white whale recipes, the dishes she's developing as an Editor in Residence at America's Test Kitchen, and answer questions from the America's Test Kitchen audience.
Check out Maggie's book, Chinese Homestyle: Everyday Plant-Based Recipes for T
Maria Bamford Wants Her Savory Muffins
In this week's episode: Comedian Maria Bamford joins Dan Souza and Hannah Crowley in The Test Kitchen. They dig into Maria's time on Worst Cooks In America, share laughs over waiting tables, savory muffins, eating peanut butter straight from the jar, and chat about when it's okay to just eat food off of the floor.
We have a recipe for a power bar... that hasn't landed on the subway floor! Check
Nik Sharma's Banana Problem
In this episode of In the Test Kitchen, molecular biologist turned cookbook author and ATK Resident Editor, Nik Sharma, spills the tea with hosts Dan Souza and Lan Lam. They chat about Nik's love-hate relationship with photography, why ripe bananas are a no-go, and what ingredient they would choose if they could only use one for the rest of their lives. Plus, Lan discusses how she cracked her S
Matteo Lane Thinks Your Pasta Sucks
America's Test Kitchen's Dan Souza and Elle Simone Scott kick off the premiere episode with comedian Matteo Lane. They chat about the behind-the-scenes making of Matteo's book, Your Pasta Sucks, and discuss why some pasta shapes are superior to others.
Find our recipe for corn pudding, Elle's book, Boards, and more at AmericasTestKitchen.com.
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In The Test Kitchen coming 4/16
Dan Souza and his co-host dig into the latest tastings, recipes, and kitchen conversations happening behind the scenes at America's Test Kitchen. They also bring on guests--from the culinary world and beyond--to talk about what's going on in their lives, and how food plays into it. In the Test Kitchen debuts Wednesday, April 16.
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