How to Use Ratings and Reviews to Choose Recipes on America's Test Kitchen

Updated

Ratings on America's Test Kitchen (ATK) recipes are a quick filter, but the number of ratings matters as much as the score. A recipe showing "Average rating 4.5" from 22 ratings is a different signal than one showing "Average rating 4" from 986 ratings. Use the score to screen, then use the volume of ratings to decide how much weight to give it.

What the rating numbers actually tell you

ATK recipe cards display two pieces of data: an average rating (typically 4 to 5) and a count of ratings in parentheses. Both appear next to the recipe title, as seen across the site's Editors' Picks and collection pages.

Signal What it suggests How to use it
High average, high count (e.g., 4 with 986 ratings) Broadly tested by many home cooks; the average has stabilized Strong default choice for a first attempt
High average, low count (e.g., 5 with 22 ratings) Promising but based on a small sample Worth trying, but read the recipe method carefully
Mid average, high count (e.g., 4 with 342 ratings) Popular but with some consistent friction Check whether the complaints match your equipment or skill level
Mid average, low count Little signal either way Treat as untested for your purposes

The average alone can mislead. A 4.5 from 22 ratings and a 4.5 from 211 ratings both round to the same number, but the second reflects far more independent attempts.

Examples from the site's own listings

The ATK homepage surfaces recipes with both figures attached. A few from the Cozy Comfort Foods and Fall Baking collections:

  • Best Beef Stew — Average rating 4, 986 ratings. High volume, solid score: a reasonable first pick if you want a stew with a track record.
  • Simple Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese — Average rating 4, 949 ratings. Same pattern: many cooks, consistent result.
  • Turkey Meatloaf with Ketchup–Brown Sugar Glaze — Average rating 4, 725 ratings.
  • Pasta alla Vodka — Average rating 4, 617 ratings.
  • Tater Tot Hotdish — Average rating 4, 558 ratings.
  • Pear Crisp with Miso and Almonds — Average rating 5, 22 ratings. Perfect score, small sample: the method is the real guide here.
  • Salted Malted Milk Chocolate Chip Cookies — Average rating 5, 80 ratings.
  • Kare Raisu (Japanese Curry Rice with Chicken) — Average rating 4.5, 211 ratings.
  • One-Pot Pork and Cabbage Stew with Cheddar Dumplings — Average rating 4.5, 286 ratings.

Notice that the highest averages (5) tend to sit on lower counts, while the workhorse recipes cluster at 4 with hundreds of ratings. That pattern is the practical takeaway: a 4 with a high count is often a safer bet than a 5 with a low count.

A practical selection routine

  1. Set a floor. Decide your minimum acceptable average — 4 is a reasonable starting point given how ATK ratings cluster.
  2. Check the count. If a recipe has fewer than roughly 50 ratings, read the full method before committing; the score is not yet a consensus.
  3. Match the recipe to your constraints. A high-rated recipe still fails if it needs equipment or time you don't have. Scan the ingredient list and technique steps, not just the number.
  4. Cross-check against the collection. Recipes grouped under Cozy Comfort Foods, Weekend Inspiration, or The Fall Baking Edit have already been curated; a high rating within those collections reinforces the pick.
  5. Use the count as a tiebreaker. Between two similar recipes, the one with more ratings has survived more kitchens.

Common pitfalls

  • Treating a 5 as better than a 4. With small samples, a single enthusiastic rating can push an average to 5. Volume corrects for this.
  • Ignoring the recipe method. Ratings reflect outcomes, not whether the steps suit your skill level or pantry. A 4-rated recipe with a long ingredient list may still be the wrong choice tonight.
  • Assuming ratings are the only quality signal. ATK's editorial collections and Editors' Picks already apply testing and curation; a recipe appearing there carries context beyond its score.

Quick decision guide

  • Want a reliable weeknight dinner? Pick a 4-rated recipe with 500+ ratings.
  • Want to try something new? A 4.5–5 rating with under 50 ratings is fine if you read the method first.
  • Torn between two recipes? Choose the one with more ratings.
  • Cooking for an occasion? Favor high count over high average.