How does the ingredient recipe finder decide what comes first?
It checks the ingredient list attached to every published recipe. A recipe matching chicken, rice, and bell pepper ranks above one matching only rice. If two recipes match the same number, the one with fewer missing ingredients wins. Very democratic. Slightly biased against recipes that need the entire supermarket.
What counts as a missing ingredient?
Anything listed in the recipe that you haven't entered is missing. We split out common pantry basics such as salt, pepper, oil, water, and dried spices so they don't make a nearly complete dinner look impossible. Check your cupboards anyway. The cumin jar has a habit of being empty precisely when you feel confident.
Can you adjust the recipes for more or fewer people?
Yes. Each result shows its original serving count. Open the recipe and change the servings above the ingredient list. The quantities update before you shop, which beats dividing 1/3 cup by four while someone is asking when dinner will be ready.
What if none of the recipes match?
Try a broader name such as “beans” instead of a brand or “tomatoes” instead of “cherry tomatoes.” The matcher handles basic singular and plural forms, but it can't identify the unlabeled frozen block in the back of your freezer. Some mysteries belong to you.
Frequently asked questions
How does the recipe finder match my ingredients?
It compares the ingredients you enter with every published recipe ingredient list, then ranks recipes by the number matched and the number still missing.
Does the recipe finder include every recipe on the site?
It currently searches 80 published recipes that have complete ingredient lists and serving counts.
Do salt, oil, and spices hurt a recipe's ranking?
No. Common pantry basics are shown separately, so a teaspoon of salt doesn't outrank the chicken you actually need to buy.
Can I change the number of servings after finding a recipe?
Yes. Open a result and use the serving control above its ingredient list. The listed quantities scale from the recipe's original serving count.
Does the site save the ingredients I enter?
No. Your ingredient list stays in this browser tab. Analytics records only that the finder was used, never the foods you typed.