10 Reasons Why The 'Let Him Cook' Meme Is Still Dominating The Internet In 2025

As of late 2025, the phrase "Let Him Cook" remains one of the most versatile and enduring pieces of internet slang, a true testament to the cyclical nature of online culture. What started as a niche piece of hip-hop jargon has exploded into a global phenomenon, used everywhere from professional sports commentary to viral TikToks and Twitch streams. It's more than just a meme; it's a universal declaration of confidence—or sometimes, a warning of impending chaos.

This deep dive will trace the phrase's journey from the Bay Area rap scene to its current status as a foundational internet expression, explaining why its simple four-word structure holds so much power, and how its meaning continues to evolve in the digital landscape.

The Recipe: Tracing the 'Let Him Cook' Meme Back to Its Hip-Hop Kitchen

The true origin of the "Let Him Cook" meme is not found in a viral video from 2022, but rather in the world of underground rap over a decade ago. It is a classic example of how urban slang can be adopted, amplified, and repurposed by mainstream internet culture.

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The Original Chef: Rapper Lil B

The phrase is widely credited to Bay Area rapper Lil B, also known as The BasedGod, and his dedicated fanbase around 2010. Lil B popularized the phrase "Let that boy cook" and the associated "cooking dance," a physical gesture mimicking the act of stirring a pot. In this original context, "cooking" was a metaphor for working hard, creating something great, or performing at an elite level, particularly in music or sports.

• Originator: Rapper Lil B (The BasedGod).
• Original Phrase: "Let that boy cook."
• Metaphorical Meaning: Creating, hustling, or performing exceptionally well.

The NBA Controversy and Early Spread

The phrase received an early, high-profile boost in the world of professional basketball. NBA star James Harden began using a "cooking" celebration during his games, which Lil B publicly challenged, accusing Harden of stealing his signature dance. This controversy, which played out on social media, brought the phrase to a much wider audience beyond the hip-hop community and cemented its association with high-level athletic performance.

Following this, the phrase was adapted and popularized within American Football (NFL) media, most notably with the "Let Russ Cook" meme, referring to quarterback Russell Wilson’s offensive strategy. This demonstrated the phrase’s versatility and its ability to be applied to any context where a person is being given the freedom to execute a plan.

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The Evolution: From Slang to Universal Internet Emote

While the phrase had roots in the early 2010s, its explosion into a mainstream internet meme happened much later, primarily due to its adoption on platforms like Twitter (now X), TikTok, and Twitch. The meme’s virality in 2022 and 2023 ensured its status as an essential piece of 2025 internet lexicon.

The Core Meaning: A License to Create

At its heart, "Let Him Cook" means: "Allow this person to continue what they are doing, because they are either about to achieve something brilliant, or they are executing a plan that is so surprising it must be seen through to the end." It is a declaration of faith in someone's process, no matter how unorthodox it may seem.

The key to its enduring popularity is its dual nature:

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1. Positive/Praise: Used when someone is performing an incredible feat (e.g., a streamer getting a 1v5 clutch in a video game).
2. Ironic/Disaster: Used when someone is doing something utterly ridiculous, nonsensical, or clearly leading to failure. The user is essentially saying, "I know this is a bad idea, but I have to see how this trainwreck ends."

Viral Contexts and Key Entities in 2025

By late 2025, the meme has permeated every corner of digital life, becoming a staple in several major communities:

• Twitch and Esports: It is one of the most viral and frequently used emotes on Twitch. In gaming, "Let Him Cook" is used to cheer on a player who is attempting a highly risky or creative strategy. The counter-phrase, "He Not Cooking Shit," is used when the attempt fails spectacularly.
• TikTok and Short-Form Video: The phrase is a common sound or caption, often applied to videos of people performing surprising hidden talents, elaborate pranks, or unique creative projects.
• Professional Golf: Australian golfer Min Woo Lee notably used the phrase in a social media post in 2023, further demonstrating its leap from urban slang to global sports commentary.
• Pop Culture: The phrase is often associated with figures known for their unique creative processes, such as Kanye West, who has a song titled "Let The Cook," solidifying the connection between the phrase and artistic genius.

Topical Authority: The Linguistic Power of 'Let Him Cook'

The meme’s longevity is rooted in its inherent linguistic and psychological appeal. It’s a perfect phrase for the speed and context of internet communication, providing maximum impact with minimal effort.

LSI Keywords and Meme Variations

The existence of numerous, widely-used variations demonstrates the meme’s topical authority and deep integration into internet slang. These related LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) keywords are essential to its cultural footprint:

• "Who Let Him Cook": The most common variation, usually posed ironically after a person does something baffling or disastrous.
• "He Not Cooking Shit": A direct, negative reaction to a failed attempt, confirming the person was not, in fact, creating anything worthwhile.
• "Hold Up…Let Him Cook": Used when a seemingly bad idea starts to show unexpected promise.
• "Let Her Cook" / "Let Them Cook": Gender-neutral variations that expand the phrase's universal applicability.

The Psychology of the 'Cook' Metaphor

The "cooking" metaphor works because it is instantly understandable and universally relatable. Cooking is a process that requires time, effort, and a degree of unpredictability. When you "let someone cook," you are trusting their expertise to turn raw ingredients (an idea, a strategy, a video clip) into a finished, hopefully impressive, product. It’s a moment of suspense, making it perfect for the high-stakes, instant-reaction environment of social media and live streaming. The phrase captures the thrill of risk and the potential for a spectacular payoff, which is exactly why it continues to dominate online discourse in late 2025.

From its humble origins with Lil B and the Bay Area music scene to its current status as a viral Twitch emote and a key phrase in Esports, NFL, and TikTok culture, "Let Him Cook" has proven to be far more than a fleeting trend. It is a permanent fixture in the digital lexicon, offering a quick, powerful way to express both admiration and incredulous anticipation. Its journey is a perfect case study in how niche urban slang can become a universal language of the internet.