20 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 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 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.

• See our entire collection of Burger Recipes here

Perfect Potstickers

Chef John's top-rated potsticker 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 Chocolate Chip Cookies

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 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 equipped with a delectable whipped cream filling.

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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.

The Perfect Hot Artichoke and Spinach Dip

This cheesy appetizer has a secret ingredient to make it the perfect dip: jalapeños. Serve this artichoke and spinach dip warmed with tortilla chips or French bread.

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