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How to write recipes.
Simple tips in pictures
You want to write recipes so great that they'll attract readers and make them fall in love with your cooking? It's easy. We've put together a list of suggestions for you. Follow them and you'll see your recipes regularly in Cookpad's recipe search, in our newsletters, in our cookery favourites and in our social networks. You'll get enthusiastic photo feedback and help people be a little happier.

Of course, these are not strict rules, you don't have to follow everything exactly. However, this text also touches on the mandatory requirements for a recipe, which will determine whether or not your recipe will be approved by a moderator. Unapproved recipes will not appear in Cookpad's search results or main recipe feed.

Step 1: Title

Write the title so that, firstly, it gives a clear idea of which category the food belongs to (salad, drink, cake, etc.). Secondly, to give at least a rough idea of what it is made of. This means mentioning either 1-2 main ingredients ("Chicken and potato soup") or the name by which people know the dish ("Mother Tongue"). This will allow the search to promote your recipe to the top of the list.
So if you write "Salad" or "Delicious Salad" in the title, the recipe is unlikely to be found, as people don't just look for salads, they want specific salads. Better to write "Olivier salad", "Tomato and cucumber salad".
You can also add a couple of emoji to the title, but don't put too many. And don't use Caps Lock for titles.

Step 2: Main photo

The main photo of the cooked food is shown at the very top, above the title of the recipe. It should be clear and not blurred out, with the focus on the cooked dish. You do not need to make a nice arrangement and use the best tableware. You can take an appetising and uncluttered photo.
Decorate the food carefully, with no hands or pets in the frame. No human faces should be visible in the main photo - just the food. This is a must. If you really want to show selfies with a pot of borscht, a cat next to a pie or something similar, you can add such photos to the cooking steps.

Step 3: Introduction

Don't underestimate the importance of an introductory text under the heading. Firstly, you can add value to your recipe by saying something interesting: the history of the dish, your experiences, an episode in your life associated with the dish, and give some advice to those who will cook it.
The text in the introduction affects the recipe's ranking in search results, so it's worth taking a couple of minutes to write it well. Note that hashtags can only be put in the intro, they don't work elsewhere. You don't need to write a sheet of hashtags like on Instagram. 1-3 hashtags are enough. If you are participating in a contest, mention the contest hashtag, otherwise we won't know you want to participate.

Step 4: Time and portions

This is an optional section, but many readers are guided by it when they choose a recipe. We recommend filling it out.

Step 5: Ingredients

The rules to the ingredient list are the strictest. It is because of mistakes in the ingredients that most often recipes are not passed by the moderators or don't show up in searches.
  • It is necessary to list all the products you have used. Carefully reread the recipe when you have written the cooking steps and check if you have missed anything.
  • Avoid grammatical errors in the ingredients, otherwise the recipe will not show up when you use filters in a search.
  • Each ingredient should be with a specified amount, especially if it is a baked product. In simple recipes like sandwiches, it is not necessary to specify a quantity.
  • You can specify the quantity in measures of weight (g, kg), volume (tbsp, ml, glass, cup, etc.) as well as in pieces. It is advisable to state how much of the glass you have used.
  • Always write the quantity and unit of measure first, and then the product. Our system automatically moves the quantity to the left, no matter how hard you try to put it back. This makes the lines look ugly, with all the characters mixed up.
  • One ingredient, one line! You cannot list several products in one line.

Step 6: Cooking steps

  • The recipe should be written in such a way that anyone can understand how to cook. For example, it's obvious to you in which order to mix the products for the dough and what temperature they should be at. But take care of those who are new to cooking: don't be too lazy to write down all the details.
  • The more steps, the better. The recipe becomes structured and easy to follow, especially if you don't want to touch the screen with food-stained hands.
  • A maximum of 500 signs of text can fit in one step. Keep the steps small, ideally 1-2 sentences.
  • For clarity, it is advisable to attach a photo and/or video lasting up to 10 seconds to the step (for example: making dumplings, carving biscuits, decorating the dish, the consistency of the dough).
  • It is important to specify the temperature and baking time (at least approximately), the mode of the multicooker, etc.

Remember that a high-quality recipe:


  • Easy to find in a search.
  • More often viewed and cooked according to it.
  • Goes on the newsletters to thousands of users.
  • Helps beginners cook without spoiling food.
  • Delivers esthetic pleasure, you'll want to keep it and share it with your friends.
  • Increases popularity among experienced cooks.
  • Receives cooksnaps.
By posting recipes with detailed cooking descriptions you have the opportunity to get into the Top 10 Recipes of the Week, where even more users will see it.
Open Top 10 Recipes
Now you know how to write fantastic recipes. And let it be a fun activity for you!
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