GUIDE TO WRITING RECIPES GUESTS CAN USE
- Aim for 4-8 servings per recipe.
- Make sure to note how many servings the recipe will produce.
- Give a rough estimate of time required. If something needs to chill for several hours or overnight, give a prominent heads up.
- Do not use grams except as an alternate measure. Most home cooks don’t use a scale.
INGREDIENTS
- List ingredients in the order they will be used in the recipe, with each ingredient on its own line.
- Please indicate common ingredient swaps to account for different dietary restrictions (ex: note that agave is an acceptable swap for honey).
- If there are different components to the recipe (ex: filling, crust, etc.), group and then list ingredients and directions separately.
- Spell out teaspoon, tablespoon, and cup. If you must abbreviate for space, use tsp and TB.
- Use numbers and fractions, not words, for your recipe measurements (“1 1/2 cup,”)
- Make sure directions/measurements are very clear, for example:
“1 cup walnuts, chopped” means measure cup, then chop them.
“1 cup chopped walnuts” means chop them, then measure.
- If an ingredient is used more than once in the recipe, make sure that is indicated in the ingredient list. For example: “1 cup granulated sugar, divided.” Then, break down when and where the divided ingredient will be used in the recipe.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Prominently state the oven preheat setting at the top of your recipe.
- If relevant to the recipe, make sure to specify which type of pan to use and what level of heat.
- If you’re cooking something in the oven, make sure to tell how to check for doneness. Will the completed recipe be golden-brown when done? What internal temperature does the recipe need to reach?
- Be concise in your directions, but very clear. Separate steps into a single sentences or short paragraphs work best.
- Include serving details. Should it be served immediately? Is it best the next day?
- Include post-cooking storage directions. Room temp? Refrigeration and/or freezer? Time?
BONUS: CHEF TIPS
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- If possible, give “pro tips” or adaptations/substitutions. This will help make your recipes more approachable to different tastes and dietary choices.
EXAMPLE OF COMPLETED RECIPE + RECIPE TEMPLATE WALK-THROUGH

