In the Test Kitchen
- Episodes
- 40
- Released
- every two weeks
- Latest episode
- Nov 5, 2026
About the podcast
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 40
Episode 19: How do you put a twist on a holiday pie?
It hardly feels like the holidays without these pies: pecan, pumpkin, and apple. That said, if you’re thinking about shaking things up, Lan, Bryan, Nik and Lidey dig into three recipes that put a show-stopping …
Show notes
It hardly feels like the holidays without these pies: pecan, pumpkin, and apple. That said, if you’re thinking about shaking things up, Lan, Bryan, Nik and Lidey dig into three recipes that put a show-stopping spin on the classics to try at your next holiday gathering.
ATK Recipes Mentioned:
Other recipes mentioned:Sablé Breton Tart with Cranberry Curd
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Episode 18: What are the defining characteristics of a great pancake?
Pancakes can be a canvas for all kinds of flavors and textures. Lan, Bryan, Nik, and Lidey taste their way through three ATK recipes: blueberry pancakes, katayef asafiri, and crepes, to explore what makes a …
Show notes
Pancakes can be a canvas for all kinds of flavors and textures. Lan, Bryan, Nik, and Lidey taste their way through three ATK recipes: blueberry pancakes, katayef asafiri, and crepes, to explore what makes a pancake a pancake, and how this humble dish takes on a different character around the world.
Recipes Mentioned:
Qatayef Asafiri [kuh-TAH-yef] (Little Birds)
Crepes with Berries and Apricot Beurre Monte
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Episode 17: How have curries changed as they moved across the world?
South Asian cooks were masterfully blending spices long before the Europeans arrived in India, and when Portuguese traders brought chiles from the Americas in 1498, it permanently changed the trajectory of the …
Show notes
South Asian cooks were masterfully blending spices long before the Europeans arrived in India, and when Portuguese traders brought chiles from the Americas in 1498, it permanently changed the trajectory of the country’s dishes, including what we now refer to as curry. Over the next 400 years, curry took on a new form in nearly every culture it touched; in Japan, America, and beyond. Nik, Lan, Bryan, and Lidey discuss the evolution of the dish as it crossed the globe.
Recipes Mentioned:
Kare Raisu (Japanese Curry Rice with Chicken)
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Episode 16: Are there any store-bought snacks worth making at home?
Store-bought snacks offer satisfaction and convenience. But what happens when you pit quick bites against their homemade counterparts? Lan, Bryan, Nik and Lidey explore which snacks are worth the bit of extra …
Show notes
Store-bought snacks offer satisfaction and convenience. But what happens when you pit quick bites against their homemade counterparts? Lan, Bryan, Nik and Lidey explore which snacks are worth the bit of extra effort!
Recipes Mentioned:
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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 …
Show notes
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:
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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 …
Show notes
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:
Spinach and Ricotta Gnudi with Tomato-Butter Sauce
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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 …
Show notes
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:
Philadelphia-Style Cherry Water Ice
Nik Sharma’s Black Forest Ice Cream
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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 …
Show notes
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:
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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 …
Show notes
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:
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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 …
Show notes
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:
Shio Koji-Marinated Flank Steak
Slow-Roasted Medium-Rare Short Ribs
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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 …
Show notes
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 dish?
Recipes Mentioned:
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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 …
Show notes
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:
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 …
Show notes
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: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 …
Show notes
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:
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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 …
Show notes
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:
Brown Butter Chocolate Chunk Muffins
Achieving generously sized bakery-style muffins
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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 …
Show notes
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:
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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 …
Show notes
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
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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 …
Show notes
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 Burger Sauce, Meatloaf Burgers
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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 …
Show notes
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, science, and nerdy aspects of recipe development.
ATK Recipes Mentioned in today's episode: Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies, Thin and Crispy Chocolate Chip Cookies, Levain-Style Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies.
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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 …
Show notes
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 history behind the dish. And of course, there are taste tests along the way as the cast dissect what went into the 3 recipes that appear throughout the show.
The first episode of In the Test Kitchen will be on February 26 on Netflix and wherever you find podcasts.
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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 …
Show notes
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, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. You can also watch The Side Dish on Netflix. Please consider leaving a commend and rating -- it helps other people find the show!
And stay tuned... there’s a big announcement coming next week on the feed.
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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 …
Show notes
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 also shares the story of her now-iconic family wok, which she donated to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History contributing to the preservation of Chinese-American food history.
If you want to learn more about Young's important work, you can visit her website here.
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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 …
Show notes
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 recipes can carry the stories of those we’ve lost. This heartfelt and flavorful conversation explores how food connects us to our past, our loved ones, and the joy of cooking itself.
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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 …
Show notes
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 our episode of In the Test Kitchen with Dan Pashman himself, and then listen to and learn more from The Sporkful on their website.
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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 …
Show notes
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 shape, our recipe for Spaghetti All'Assassina makes it shine.
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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 …
Show notes
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 Real Life, here!
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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 …
Show notes
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 to find a way to sneak vegetables into your own diet? Check out our recipe for a Super Greens Smoothie.
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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 …
Show notes
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 fondness for Schoolhouse Rock. She also walks us through an unexpected recipe for fried maple leaves.
Check out our recipes for Detroit, French Bread, and Neapolitan-Style Pizza on our website!
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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 …
Show notes
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 Greenspan's new cookbook; Dorie's Anytime Cakes.
Craving cake now? Check out our recipe for a deliciously simple Olive Oil Cake.
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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 …
Show notes
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, and a variety of other grilling tips. If you love grilling, smoking, or just want to level up your backyard cooking game, this episode is packed with expert advice, a few surprises, and plenty of laughs.
Check out Meathead's new cookbook, The Meathead Method; and check out our favorite gas grills here!
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