23 Recipes So Good You Could Call Them ‘Perfect’

Chef John’s Perfect Mashed Potatoes

The creamy, comforting reliability of mashed potatoes is perfected in Chef John’s recipe. Large russets are combined with whole milk and butter for a smooth spoonful every time.

Maya’s Perfect Pesto Salad

Corkscrew pasta is tossed with homemade pesto, chopped radicchio, and a bit of mayo for added creaminess. Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving — the flavor gets better with time.

Perfect Sesame Chicken

With over 700 5-star reviews, this mouthwatering deep-fried chicken recipe has earned its name. Cubed chicken breast is slathered with a rich sauce made from dark soy sauce, chili paste, sesame oil, and garlic.

Perfect Cast Iron Skillet Chicken Breasts

“Use a cast iron skillet to cook perfectly juicy and tender chicken breasts. Make sure your skillet is hot and the chicken sizzles as it hits the pan to prevent sticking.” —Amanda Stanfield

Perfect Ten Baked Cod

This baked cod recipe is easy, buttery, and leagues above your standard fish dinner. Cod loin is cooked with lemon and white wine, then finished with a crumbly cracker topping for a delicious, multi-textured bite.

Perfect Chicken

“This is goood,” raves home cook Gracie. “Definitely company-worthy. It takes time, but the melding of flavors is worth it.” A mushroom caper sauce is reduced, then poured onto chicken thighs for an amazingly rich result.

Perfect Key Lime Pie with Coconut Rum Whipped Cream

“This perfect key lime pie, served with coconut rum whipped cream, is rich and delicious, sweet and tart, and absolutely the best use of lime juice there is.” —Nicole McLaughlin

Perfect Pressure Cooker Pot Roast

Use your pressure cooker to create a moist, flavorful roast that rivals Grandma’s. Ranch dressing and brown gravy mixes make for incredibly tender meat that is cooked alongside broth-soaked onions.

Perfect Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms

Perfect decadence is achieved in this seafood-stuffed dish. Crabmeat, bread crumbs, Monterey Jack, and dill create the mixture that fills oven-baked mushroom caps. A great finger food for intimate gatherings and big crowds alike.

Pitcher Perfect Margaritas

A great margarita is easy, strong, and ready in 10 minutes or less. “Well named,” says cooks4forty. “They make a pitcher, and they’re perfect. This is a great way to serve margaritas without manning the blender all night.”

Perfect Fried Green Tomatoes

A spicy Southern classic takes a dip in a creamy Cajun ranch sauce. Create your own crispy fried tomatoes by dredging slices in a cayenne-cornmeal mixture, then frying to a lovely deep golden color.

Perfect Deviled Eggs

Horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, and hot peppers give these deviled eggs serious flavor. This delectable recipe is one you’ll revisit again and again for anything from a church picnic to a quick weekday snack.

The Perfect Basic Burger

“Excellent base burger,” says reviewer Ken. “I added a few extra seasonings to give it the specific flavor I wanted. Held together well on the grill.” Add your personalized fixings to this tasty beef burger recipe.

Perfect Pot Stickers

Chef John’s top-rated pot sticker recipe makes it possible to create your own succulent dumplings at home. The filling is a mouthwatering mixture of ground pork, fresh ginger, and spring onions that will leave you wanting more.

Perfect Pan Pizza

“Perfect pan pizza baked in a cast iron skillet is achievable at home with this recipe. A homemade dough, an easy, no-cook sauce, pepperoni, and mozzarella make this a classic.” —Nicole McLaughlin

The Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie

One bite of these soft, decadent cookies and you’ll understand how aptly named they are. Almond extract gives these treats a super-special flavor, while standard ingredients like brown sugar and salt ensure a tender crumb.

Perfect Pancakes

“Serve these pancakes with butter and syrup, or up the ante with toppings such as sprinkles, chopped bittersweet chocolate, and sliced or chopped fruit for a perfect breakfast.” —Darnell Ferguson

Perfect and Easy Apple Crisp

Hundreds of home cooks agree on the great quality of this apple crisp recipe. Every serving is sweet, buttery, and filled with luscious sliced apples. Create a deliciously down-home dessert in just an hour.

Perfect Chocolate Cake

With so many chocolate cake recipes, it can be difficult to find a delicious, fuss-free option. Look no further than this straightforward layer cake recipe with a delectable whipped cream filling.

Perfect Flat Iron Steak

Flat iron steak is marinated in oil, Cabernet Sauvignon, and seasonings for at least two hours before pan-frying. Recipe creator Cocina JNOTS says this steak tastes best at medium rare, but you can cook to your preferred doneness.

Perfect Breakfast

This open-faced sandwich is piled with avocado, eggs, and Parmesan cheese on sourdough bread with Dijon mustard. It makes a quick and easy breakfast with some unique flavors.

Perfect Cheesecake Everytime

Get the perfect cheesecake every time with this no-fuss recipe. Cheesecakemama’s recipe uses a whole container of sour cream and only cooks for 30 minutes but stays in the oven for hours after. This recipe may seem unconventional, but it has over 100 5-star reviews.

Perfect Baked Potato

This comfort food recipe turns out a baked potato that is crispy on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside. “This is just like ordering a great baked potato at a restaurant. You can eat the entire potato — the crusted salt is yummy on the skin,” says reviewer Karen Van Lawick-Stenicka.

More Inspiration