Buzz
Some food podcasts share helpful tips for brining or offer delicious sourdough recipes, while others dive deeper into the emotional side of food—our memories tied to it, nostalgia, its cultural and historical significance, and how our food choices impact the world. These 12 podcasts won’t add new recipes to your collection, but they’ll nourish your soul (and make your stomach growl). Curious to hear two comedians humorously review Pizza Hut for the fifth time? Want to peek inside Henry Winkler’s fridge and listen to his thoughts on it? Or perhaps you’re craving a quirky podcast co-hosted by a magical pickle? Savor an episode from each of these shows and then come back for more. (Yes, all food puns intended.)
Doughboys
Doughboys is a podcast where comedians Mike Mitchell and Nick Wiger offer a hilarious yet insightful look at fast food restaurants. The duo invites fellow comedians to taste-test and either praise or humorously roast popular items from chains like Taco Bell to more regional spots like Del Taco. Each episode is packed with detailed discussions—starting with a bit of history on the restaurant, followed by plenty of banter (sometimes a bit much for some listeners), and a thorough review of the food, graded on a 5-fork scale. The more you tune in, the more you’ll appreciate the entertaining dynamic between Mike and Nick, and realize the show is as much about their friendship as it is about the food they review.
The Sporkful
The most reliable and well-seasoned (pun intended) food podcast is The Sporkful, Dan Pashman’s show that’s “for eaters, not foodies.” Dan explores food from a unique perspective, delving into topics like how food affects relationships, racial and cultural issues in the food industry, food etiquette, and more. He also features interviews with people making waves in the food world. One of his most notable feats was creating his own pasta shape, Cascatelli, after extensive research and testing—and you can actually buy it.
Richard’s Famous Food Podcast
Richard’s Famous Food Podcast isn’t just another food podcast—it’s unlike anything else you’ll hear. Host Richard Parks III brings his wild imagination to life through creative, chaotic episodes that play with sound and structure. One episode takes you on a road trip with Wolfgang Puck in L.A., another features an interview with Avery Truffleman about truffles, and another delves into how Everything Is Alive’s Ian Chillag ended up with an air-filled ketchup packet in his Goldburger order. It’s the audio equivalent of Pee Wee’s Playhouse—you may not learn how to pickle a cucumber, but you’ll certainly get a fun song about it and an interview with a very lively pickle.
Green Eggs and Dan
In Green Eggs and Dan, Dan Ahdoot takes you on a hilarious journey through the refrigerators of comedians, offering a peek into what’s inside. Celebrities like Henry Winkler, Eric André, and Jacques Pépin share their fridge contents and let Dan investigate each item, from an overload of White Claws to carefully selected BBQ sauce. It’s like a quirky therapy session where instead of asking “how does that make you feel?”, Dan asks, “what’s the fat content of that oat milk and why?” The conversations are amusing, and you might find yourself curious to try out a new yogurt brand or two.
The Food That Built America
From The History Channel, The Food That Built America uncovers the hidden stories behind iconic American foods. It explores how a driven salesman created a fast food empire, how TGI Fridays evolved from a singles’ bar to a family-friendly restaurant, and how Pizza Hut and Domino’s grew in parallel. The series highlights the colorful personalities and quirky inventions that took off, unique food combinations that resonated with Americans, and cultural moments that sparked the rise of brands, restaurants, and recipes. It’s a must-listen for anyone who’s ever enjoyed a meal.
Climavores
There are podcasts that explore how global warming is affecting our food systems and others that focus on how our food choices are impacting the planet. On Climavores, journalists Tamar Haspel and Mike Grunwald bring their expertise—Mike in public policy and Tamar in the intersection of food and science—to discuss food and the environment from every angle—scientifically, culturally, and deliciously. They agree on one thing: they want us to understand how our eating habits are contributing to global warming, though they don’t always see eye to eye on the details.
Rebel Eater’s Club
Everywhere you look, there's advice about weight loss, but Rebel Eater’s Club is a bold rejection of diet culture. Hosted by writer and activist Virgie Tovar, this podcast is shifting the narrative around food, focusing on what makes you feel good and happy, rather than squeezing into your jeans. (Honestly, who even wears those post-pandemic?) Pizza isn’t the villain here—diet culture is. Let this podcast plant a new thought: when you feel great, you look great. And pizza? It tastes a whole lot better than skinny feels.
Biscuits & Jam
Craving a bit of music with your grits? On Biscuits & Jam, Southern Living’s editor-in-chief sits down with Southern icons like Trisha Yearwood, Alton Brown, and Reba McEntire for an exploration of Southern culture, growing up, and inspiration. The stories are rich, from the Grand Ol’ Opry to Dump Cooking. (If you know what that is, you have to listen. If not, you need to hear it too.) Oh, and there's a Dolly Parton episode, of course.
Bad Table Manners
South Asian food often carries an unwarranted social hierarchy that elevates some dishes to ‘high’ culture and relegates others to ‘low.’ On Whetstone Magazine’s Bad Table Manners, Delhi-based anthropologist Meher Varma uses storytelling to offer an inside view of the diverse contexts within South India—ranging from cozy homes and iconic restaurants to bustling streets and vibrant neighborhoods. The podcast also explores how global culinary trends are reshaping the local food scene. Bad Table Manners is an engaging, thought-provoking journey into food culture. Grab a seat at the table.
Brought To You By…
Brought To You By… is a now-retired podcast from Business Insider, focusing on the captivating tales behind major food brands. From the quirky to the fascinating, this show dives deep into iconic brands with episodes that will leave you hooked. There’s a story about Santa Claus, KFC, and Japan that’s perfect for the holidays; an investigative piece on the Oreo’s iconic creamy filling and the brave little girl who risked divine retribution to sample it; and an in-depth look at how Donald and Ivana Trump tried to make Pizza Hut’s Stuffed Crust Pizza a sensation. It’s a must-listen for anyone curious about the untold stories behind our favorite brands.
Maintenance Phase
Maintenance Phase is here to dismantle our most harmful and misleading health trends, armed with real science and a sense of humor. Whether they’re debunking How To Take 20 Pounds Off Your Man, exploring the tale of Snackwells, or poking fun at calorie counting, it all boils down to food—the media’s messages about it, and the bizarre ways people try to sell it. Hosts Aubrey and Michael bring solid research to the table, challenging the status quo of health, and they’re not afraid to call out the lies we’re being fed. Get ready to be frustrated right along with them.
Gastropod
Gastropod explores the world of food through the lenses of history and science. Twice a month, co-hosts Cynthia Graber and Nicola Twilley uncover surprising facts and intriguing stories, like why ketchup has such a thick consistency and the nearly unbelievable tale of how we began eating eel. Each episode is an immersive journey, featuring interviews, lab visits, and even archaeological digs. Cynthia and Nicola are thoroughly enjoying their deep dive into the annals of food history, shedding light on the fascinating science and past events that shape the way we eat today. After listening to Gastropod, you'll probably be the most captivating person at your next dinner party. (Imagine sharing how the American mango lost its flavor—and how it might just get it back.)
