Recipe Presentation Guidelines

These guidelines offer suggestions to help you create clear, accessible recipes that are easy to follow. While we encourage following these best practices to maintain consistency across recipe.exchange, they are not strict rules. Feel free to adapt them to best suit your recipe’s unique needs while keeping the core principles of clarity and accessibility in mind.

General Principles

1. Be clear and concise
2. Use consistent formatting
3. Write for accessibility
4. Include essential details only
5. Consider international audiences

Recipe Names

Do

• Use descriptive, specific names (e.g., “Crispy Garlic-Parmesan Roasted Potatoes”)
• Include key cooking methods or distinctive ingredients

Don’t

• Use personal names without context (e.g., “Grandma’s Special”)
• Include unnecessary words like “delicious” or “best ever”

Recipe Descriptions

Do

• Keep descriptions between 2-3 sentences
• Mention important variations or substitutions
• Note special dietary features

Don’t

• Include personal stories
• Repeat information found elsewhere in the recipe
• Make claims about health benefits
• Include serving suggestions (use the dedicated field)

Ingredients

Format

• List ingredients in order of use
• Use standard abbreviations (tbsp, tsp, g, oz)
• List ingredients on separate lines

Specifics

• Be specific about ingredient types (e.g., “all-purpose flour” not just “flour”)
• Note temperature requirements (e.g., “butter, softened”)
• Specify preparation methods (e.g., “onion, finely diced”)
• Include package sizes when relevant (e.g., “1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes”)

Don’t

• Include ingredients in instructions that aren’t listed
• Include decorative garnishes in main ingredients
• List salt and pepper as one ingredient

Instructions

Format

• Keep steps short and focused
• Use one action per step
• Include visual cues for doneness

Language

• Use active voice
• Start with action verbs
• Be specific about techniques
• Include temperatures and times

Example

Good:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
3. Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.

Bad:

1. Get everything ready and turn on the oven.
2. Mix dry stuff together then do the wet ingredients.
3. Combine and bake until done.

Times and Temperatures

Do

• Include prep time, cook time, and total time

Don’t

• Include inactive time (like marinating) in cook time
• Be vague about cooking times (e.g., “cook until done”)
• Forget to mention preheating times

Yields and Servings

Do

• Be specific about quantity (e.g., “24 cookies” rather than “serves 12”)
• Note size or portion information (e.g., “12 3-inch cookies”)

Don’t

• Use subjective serving sizes (e.g., “serves a crowd”)

Special Dietary Information

Do

• Mark all relevant dietary categories (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, etc.)
• Note potential allergens
• Include substitution options for common allergens
• Specify if substitutions have been tested

Don’t

• Make health claims
• Assume dietary compliance without verification
• Forget to mention cross-contamination risks

Photos

Do

• Include at least one clear photo of the finished dish
• Show important technique steps if needed
• Use good lighting and focus
• Show scale when relevant

Don’t

• Use heavily filtered or edited photos
• Show garnishes not included in the recipe
• Use stock photos

Additional Tips

• List any special equipment needed
• Specify sizes of pans or dishes
• Note alternative equipment options
• Include capacity requirements

Accessibility Considerations

Language

• Use plain, clear language
• Avoid idioms and regional terms
• Define unusual techniques
• Include sensory cues beyond visual

Remember: The goal is to help cooks of all skill levels successfully recreate your recipe. Clear, concise, and accurate information is key to achieving this goal.