YouTube has become one of the most accessible platforms for learning how to cook. Whether you’re a beginner trying to master the basics or an experienced cook looking to pick up new skills, there’s a cooking channel out there tailored to your needs. With video tutorials, recipe walk-throughs, and practical tips, cooking content has never been more engaging or easier to follow.
One of the biggest advantages of YouTube is the variety. You can find short, no-frills videos for busy weeknight dinners, deep dives into food science and technique, or full episodes that feel like a cooking show right in your kitchen. Plus, it’s free and constantly updated with new content from creators around the world.
These channels also offer something beyond recipes – they give you insight into different cuisines, cultures, and approaches to food. Some are personality-driven, offering a mix of humor and cooking, while others focus more on method and precision. This range allows you to pick channels that match not just your skill level but also your cooking style and interests.
In this article, we’ll highlight some of the best cooking YouTube channels that consistently deliver useful, well-structured, and inspiring content. Whether you’re looking to improve your knife skills, explore international flavors, or just make better pasta, these creators have something worth watching.
1. Joshua Weissman
Subscribers: 10.1 million
Joshua Weissman’s channel offers a blend of cooking tutorials, recipe recreations, and food explorations. His content ranges from making fast-food favorites at home to in-depth cooking techniques. Weissman’s approach is both educational and entertaining, providing viewers with practical cooking knowledge.
Videos typically feature step-by-step instructions with clear visuals and concise explanations. The production quality is high, with attention to detail in both the cooking process and presentation. Weissman often incorporates humor and personal anecdotes, making the content relatable and engaging.
This channel is suitable for home cooks looking to expand their culinary skills, food enthusiasts interested in recipe development, and viewers seeking cooking inspiration. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced cook, Weissman’s content offers valuable insights into the culinary world.
Common Topics Covered:
- Recipe recreations of popular dishes
- Cooking techniques and tutorials
- Food explorations and taste tests
Who It’s For:
- Home cooks seeking to improve their skills
- Food enthusiasts interested in recipe development
- Viewers looking for cooking inspiration and entertainment
2. Babish Culinary Universe
Subscribers: 10.4 million
Babish Culinary Universe, created by Andrew Rea, is a YouTube channel that blends cooking with pop culture. The channel features series like “Binging with Babish,” where Rea recreates dishes from movies and TV shows, and “Basics with Babish,” focusing on fundamental cooking techniques. The content is known for its clear instructions and high production quality, making it accessible to a wide audience.
In addition to Rea’s own series, the channel hosts shows by other chefs and creators, such as “Stump Sohla” with Sohla El-Waylly and “Anime with Alvin Zhou,” expanding its culinary content. This variety offers viewers a range of cooking styles and recipes, from traditional dishes to creative interpretations of fictional foods.
The channel’s approach appeals to both novice cooks and experienced food enthusiasts. Its combination of entertainment and education provides viewers with practical cooking knowledge while engaging them with familiar cultural references.
Common Topics Covered:
- Recreations of dishes from films and television
- Fundamental cooking techniques and recipes
- Collaborative series with guest chefs
Who It’s For:
- Fans of pop culture and culinary arts
- Individuals seeking to improve their cooking skills
- Viewers interested in diverse cooking styles and recipes
3. Honeysuckle
Subscribers: 1.52 million
Honeysuckle, hosted by Dzung Lewis, offers a blend of approachable recipes, lifestyle content, and culinary experiments. The channel focuses on simplifying gourmet dishes, often incorporating Asian-inspired flavors and modern twists. Dzung’s background and personal experiences influence her cooking style, making the content relatable and diverse.
The videos range from testing viral recipes to creating family-friendly meals. With a consistent upload schedule, viewers can expect new content regularly. The channel’s production quality and clear instructions make it accessible to both novice and experienced cooks.
Honeysuckle is suitable for individuals seeking easy-to-follow recipes with a touch of creativity. The channel also appeals to those interested in lifestyle content, including beauty and design, alongside cooking.
Common Topics Covered:
- Simplified gourmet and Asian-inspired recipes
- Testing and reviewing viral food trends
- Lifestyle content, including beauty and design
Who It’s For:
- Home cooks looking for easy and creative meal ideas
- Viewers interested in a mix of cooking and lifestyle content
- Fans of Asian-inspired cuisine and modern twists on classics
4. Jamie Oliver
Subscribers: 6.02 million
Jamie Oliver’s YouTube channel offers a variety of cooking tutorials, focusing on fresh ingredients and practical techniques. The content ranges from quick meals to traditional dishes, catering to a broad audience. The channel also features collaborations with other chefs and culinary experts.
Videos are structured to provide clear, step-by-step instructions, making them accessible to both novice and experienced cooks. The production quality is consistent, with a focus on the cooking process and final presentation.
This channel is suitable for individuals seeking straightforward cooking guidance and those interested in expanding their recipe repertoire. The diverse content ensures that viewers can find recipes that align with their culinary interests and skill levels.
Common Topics Covered:
- Quick and easy meal preparations
- Traditional and comfort food recipes
- Collaborative cooking sessions with guest chefs
Who It’s For:
- Home cooks looking for practical cooking tutorials
- Individuals interested in a variety of cuisines
- Viewers seeking to improve their cooking skills with clear guidance
5. Ethan Chlebowski
Subscribers: 2.23 million
Ethan Chlebowski’s channel focuses on the science and techniques behind cooking, aiming to improve viewers’ culinary skills by explaining both the “how” and “why” of recipes. His content includes a variety of dishes, emphasizing practical methods and ingredient understanding.
The videos are structured to provide clear, step-by-step instructions, often incorporating experiments to test cooking theories or compare techniques. This analytical approach appeals to viewers interested in the mechanics of cooking.
Ethan’s channel is suitable for home cooks who wish to deepen their knowledge of cooking fundamentals and explore the reasoning behind culinary practices.
Common Topics Covered:
- Scientific explanations of cooking techniques
- Recipe development with a focus on fundamentals
- Comparative analyses of ingredients and methods
Who It’s For:
- Home cooks interested in the science of cooking
- Individuals seeking to understand the rationale behind recipes
- Viewers looking to improve their cooking skills through detailed explanations
6. You Suck at Cooking
Subscribers: 3.57 million
You Suck at Cooking is a YouTube channel that combines cooking tutorials with satirical humor. The anonymous host presents recipes in a first-person perspective, often incorporating absurdist comedy and unconventional methods. The channel’s unique approach has garnered a substantial following, appealing to viewers who enjoy a blend of culinary instruction and entertainment.
The content features a variety of dishes, from simple snacks to full meals, all delivered with a comedic twist. Recurring themes include anthropomorphic ingredients, fictional characters like Pimblokto the robot, and humorous terminology for kitchen tools and processes. Despite the comedic tone, the recipes are practical and can be replicated by viewers.
This channel is suitable for individuals seeking an unconventional approach to cooking tutorials. Its blend of humor and instruction offers an engaging experience for both novice cooks and seasoned food enthusiasts looking for entertainment.
Common Topics Covered:
- Comedic cooking tutorials with absurdist elements
- Parodies of traditional cooking shows
- Creative recipes and unconventional cooking methods
Who It’s For:
- Viewers who appreciate humor-infused culinary content
- Individuals looking for entertaining cooking tutorials
- Fans of satirical and unconventional YouTube channels
7. Tasty
Subscribers: 21.4 million
Tasty, operated by BuzzFeed, is a prominent food-focused YouTube channel known for its concise and visually engaging recipe videos. The channel offers a wide array of content, from quick meal ideas to elaborate dishes, catering to a diverse audience. Its format emphasizes clear instructions and appealing visuals, making cooking accessible to viewers of varying skill levels.
The channel’s content includes step-by-step recipes, cooking hacks, and themed compilations. Tasty also features series that explore different cuisines and cooking techniques, providing viewers with inspiration for various culinary endeavors. The consistent upload schedule ensures a steady stream of new content for its audience.
Tasty’s approach combines practicality with creativity, offering recipes that are both easy to follow and visually appealing. The channel’s extensive library serves as a valuable resource for anyone looking to expand their cooking repertoire.
Common Topics Covered:
- Quick and easy recipes for everyday meals
- Cooking tips and kitchen hacks
- Themed recipe compilations and series
Who It’s For:
- Individuals seeking straightforward cooking tutorials
- Viewers interested in a variety of cuisines and cooking styles
- Home cooks looking for inspiration and practical recipes
8. Epicurious
Subscribers: 5.79 million
Epicurious offers a wide range of cooking content with an educational tilt. The channel is known for comparing culinary approaches between beginners, home cooks, and professionals, often within the same video format. This structure allows viewers to see how skill level impacts technique, timing, and outcome across common recipes.
Regular series include breakdowns of dishes made by different experience levels, expert commentary, and cooking challenges. The tone is informative but light, with a focus on learning through comparison and experimentation. Some episodes also dive into ingredient tests, food science, and equipment overviews.
This channel suits viewers who enjoy structured content with a clear educational purpose. It’s a solid choice for those who want to understand the “why” behind different cooking methods or see how pros solve problems in the kitchen compared to home cooks.
Common Topics Covered:
- Comparative cooking across beginner to expert levels
- Professional tips and commentary
- Ingredient tests and kitchen equipment evaluations
Who It’s For:
- Home cooks looking to sharpen their technique
- Viewers curious about how skill levels affect cooking outcomes
- Fans of structured, concept-driven cooking content
9. First We Feast
Subscribers: 14.6 million
First We Feast is a food channel that focuses on the cultural side of eating rather than traditional cooking tutorials. Its content often revolves around high-energy conversations, taste challenges, and food deep-dives that highlight different dishes, flavors, and trends. The channel uses food as a way to spark discussions and bring together different perspectives.
The videos feature a range of food-related content, from spicy food challenges to breakdowns of popular dishes and snacks. The editing is fast-paced, and the tone is informal, often leaning into humor and personality. While the cooking process may appear at times, it’s not the central focus – presentation and experience are prioritized.
This channel is suited for viewers who enjoy food as entertainment. It’s ideal for those who like casual content that mixes humor, interviews, and interesting takes on popular foods, rather than hands-on instructional videos.
Common Topics Covered:
- Food challenges and taste tests
- Popular and nostalgic dishes
- Cultural exploration through food
Who It’s For:
- Viewers who enjoy food-based entertainment
- People curious about food trends and cultural context
- Those looking for informal, high-energy food content
10. Gordon Ramsay
Subscribers: 21.3 million
Gordon Ramsay’s YouTube channel offers a range of cooking content, including recipe tutorials, culinary tips, and highlights from his television appearances. The channel features a variety of dishes, from simple home-cooked meals to more complex recipes, catering to a broad audience of cooking enthusiasts.
The videos often showcase Ramsay’s approach to cooking, emphasizing technique and flavor. Viewers can find content that covers different cuisines and cooking styles, providing insights into both everyday cooking and professional culinary practices.
This channel is suitable for individuals interested in expanding their cooking repertoire and learning from a well-known chef. The content is structured to be informative, offering practical guidance for viewers looking to improve their culinary skills.
Common Topics Covered:
- Step-by-step cooking tutorials
- Culinary techniques and tips
- Highlights from television appearances
Who It’s For:
- Home cooks seeking to enhance their skills
- Fans of Gordon Ramsay’s culinary style
- Individuals interested in diverse cooking content
11. Adam Ragusea
Subscribers: 2.55 million
Adam Ragusea’s channel offers a blend of cooking tutorials, food science explanations, and discussions on culinary culture. His background in journalism is evident in his straightforward and analytical approach to presenting content. The channel focuses on practical recipes and explores the reasoning behind cooking techniques and food-related topics.
Videos often delve into the science of cooking, addressing questions about ingredients, methods, and kitchen practices. Ragusea’s content is designed to be informative, aiming to enhance viewers’ understanding of food preparation and culinary principles.
This channel is suitable for individuals interested in the ‘why’ behind cooking processes, offering insights that go beyond standard recipe instructions. It’s a resource for those looking to deepen their culinary knowledge and apply thoughtful techniques in the kitchen.
Common Topics Covered:
- Practical cooking tutorials with an emphasis on technique
- Explorations of food science and culinary principles
- Discussions on food culture and kitchen practices
Who It’s For:
- Home cooks seeking to understand the reasoning behind recipes
- Individuals interested in the scientific aspects of cooking
- Viewers looking for informative and analytical culinary content
12. Brian Lagerstrom
Subscribers: 1.6 million
Brian Lagerstrom’s channel offers practical cooking tutorials that emphasize efficiency and clarity. With a background as a professional chef and baker, he focuses on demystifying recipes, making them accessible to home cooks. His content often includes time-saving techniques and straightforward explanations, catering to those looking to improve their everyday cooking skills.
The videos are well-structured, guiding viewers through each step of the cooking process. Lagerstrom’s approach is methodical, aiming to teach fundamental cooking principles that can be applied across various recipes. His content is suitable for individuals seeking to build a solid foundation in cooking without unnecessary complexity.
This channel is ideal for home cooks who appreciate clear instructions and practical tips. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your skills, Lagerstrom’s tutorials provide valuable insights into efficient and effective cooking.
Common Topics Covered:
- Step-by-step cooking tutorials focusing on efficiency
- Techniques for improving everyday meals
- Tips for simplifying complex recipes
Who It’s For:
- Home cooks seeking practical and efficient cooking methods
- Individuals looking to enhance their foundational cooking skills
- Viewers who prefer straightforward, no-nonsense culinary guidance
13. J. Kenji López-Alt
Subscribers: 1.68 million
J. Kenji López-Alt’s YouTube channel offers a unique perspective on cooking, combining scientific analysis with practical kitchen techniques. His content is characterized by a hands-on approach, often filmed in a point-of-view style that immerses viewers in the cooking process. López-Alt focuses on demystifying cooking methods, providing clear explanations that help viewers understand the ‘why’ behind each step.
The channel covers a wide range of recipes, from simple home-cooked meals to more complex dishes, all presented with an emphasis on technique and efficiency. López-Alt’s background in food science and his experience in professional kitchens inform his approach, making his tutorials both informative and accessible.
This channel is ideal for home cooks who are interested in improving their culinary skills through a deeper understanding of cooking principles. López-Alt’s engaging style and thorough explanations make complex techniques approachable for cooks at all levels.
Common Topics Covered:
- Scientific explanations of cooking techniques
- Step-by-step recipe tutorials
- Tips for improving kitchen efficiency
Who It’s For:
- Home cooks seeking to deepen their understanding of cooking
- Individuals interested in the science behind culinary techniques
- Viewers looking for practical, hands-on cooking tutorials
14. JunsKitchen
Subscribers: 5.24 million
JunsKitchen, created by Jun Yoshizuki, presents a calm and visually refined approach to Japanese home cooking. The channel stands out not just for its traditional recipes and skilled knife work, but also for the frequent, peaceful presence of Jun’s cats, who quietly observe from the sidelines. The overall tone is serene, focusing as much on the process as on the final result.
The videos typically feature carefully prepared Japanese dishes, as well as segments on knife sharpening and simple meal presentations. There’s little to no spoken narration – just ambient sound and music – which allows the visuals and actions to carry the narrative. Jun’s cats occasionally appear next to the cutting board or watching the stove, adding an unexpectedly soothing and personal touch.
This channel is ideal for viewers who enjoy thoughtful, slow-paced cooking content. It appeals to those interested in Japanese cuisine, as well as anyone looking for a quiet, visually immersive alternative to the usual fast-paced food media.
Common Topics Covered:
- Traditional Japanese cooking techniques
- Knife maintenance and sharpening
- Peaceful kitchen routines featuring his cats
Who It’s For:
- Viewers interested in Japanese home cooking
- Those who enjoy relaxing, aesthetic cooking videos
- Fans of animals and quiet domestic moments in the kitchen
15. Maangchi
Subscribers: 6.46 million
Maangchi, hosted by Emily Kim, is a YouTube channel dedicated to authentic Korean home cooking. Since its inception in 2007, the channel has aimed to make Korean cuisine accessible to a global audience. Maangchi’s approach focuses on traditional recipes, providing clear instructions that cater to both beginners and experienced cooks.
The channel features a wide array of Korean dishes, from everyday meals to festive foods. Maangchi emphasizes the importance of understanding ingredients and cooking techniques, often sharing personal anecdotes that add depth to her tutorials. Her content is characterized by a straightforward presentation style, aiming to educate viewers on the nuances of Korean cooking.
This channel is suitable for individuals interested in exploring Korean cuisine through detailed, step-by-step guidance. Maangchi’s commitment to authenticity and education makes her channel a valuable resource for those looking to expand their culinary repertoire.
Common Topics Covered:
- Traditional Korean recipes with step-by-step instructions
- Ingredient selection and preparation techniques
- Cultural context and cooking tips
Who It’s For:
- Home cooks seeking to learn authentic Korean dishes
- Individuals interested in the cultural aspects of Korean cuisine
- Viewers looking for comprehensive cooking tutorials
16. Munchies
Subscribers: 5.3 million
Munchies, the food-centric channel from Vice Media, offers a diverse range of culinary content that explores global food culture. The channel features a variety of programming, including cooking tutorials, chef interviews, and food documentaries, all aimed at providing viewers with an in-depth look at the culinary world.
The content often delves into the stories behind dishes, highlighting the cultural and social aspects of food. From street food vendors to high-end restaurants, Munchies covers a broad spectrum of the food industry, providing insights into different cooking techniques, ingredients, and traditions.
This channel is suitable for viewers interested in exploring the intersection of food, culture, and society. Whether you’re a home cook looking to expand your recipe repertoire or a food enthusiast curious about global culinary practices, Munchies offers content that caters to a wide audience.
Common Topics Covered:
- Cooking tutorials and recipe demonstrations
- Chef interviews and behind-the-scenes looks at restaurants
- Food culture and culinary traditions from around the world
Who It’s For:
- Home cooks seeking new recipes and techniques
- Food enthusiasts interested in global culinary practices
- Viewers curious about the cultural and social aspects of food
17. Sam the Cooking Guy
Subscribers: 3.8 million
Sam the Cooking Guy, hosted by Sam Zien, offers a straightforward and approachable take on home cooking. With no formal culinary training, Sam emphasizes that great food doesn’t require complexity. His content focuses on making delicious meals using simple ingredients and methods, aiming to make cooking accessible to everyone.
The channel features a variety of recipes, from comfort foods to international dishes, all presented with clear instructions and a touch of humor. Sam’s relaxed and unpretentious style encourages viewers to experiment in the kitchen without fear of making mistakes.
This channel is ideal for home cooks looking for easy-to-follow recipes that deliver on flavor. Whether you’re a beginner or someone seeking inspiration for everyday meals, Sam the Cooking Guy provides practical guidance to enhance your cooking experience.
Common Topics Covered:
- Simple and flavorful recipes for everyday cooking
- Tips for efficient meal preparation
- Creative twists on classic dishes
Who It’s For:
- Home cooks seeking straightforward and tasty recipes
- Individuals looking to build confidence in the kitchen
- Viewers who appreciate a casual and humorous approach to cooking
Conclusion
YouTube remains one of the most accessible and diverse platforms for cooking content. Whether you’re interested in technique-driven tutorials, cultural food explorations, or just need easy meal ideas, there’s a channel that fits your needs and cooking style. From simple home cooking to deep dives into culinary science, the creators featured here bring a wide range of formats and perspectives to the table.
Some channels focus purely on instruction, while others blend entertainment, lifestyle, or humor into their content. Subscriber counts may vary, but what they all offer is consistent, valuable insight into making better food at home. You don’t need a professional kitchen to get started, just a bit of time and the right guide.
As cooking continues to evolve online, these channels represent a cross-section of the most practical, engaging, and informative voices in the space. No matter your experience level, you’ll find something useful and probably something new to try.
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