How to Use AI to Find and Create Recipes

Cooking can feel like a puzzle, especially when the fridge is half full and you aren't sure what goes together. AI can help you turn those odds and ends into a proper meal.

You still do the cooking, but the AI can save you time and spark ideas you might not have thought of.

What AI can do for recipes

AI is good at combining ingredients, adjusting portion sizes, and suggesting swaps if you're missing something. It can also offer ideas for dietary needs like vegetarian, gluten-free, or low sugar. We've tested this with several common fridge combinations and found the results genuinely useful for weeknight meals.

If you like a certain style of food, tell it. "Something like a curry" or "a simple pasta" gives it a useful direction.

Start with what you already have

Open the fridge, look in the cupboard, and list what you actually want to use up. The more specific you are, the less likely you are to get a recipe that needs a last-minute dash to the shops.

Try: "I have chicken thighs, carrots, onions, and a tin of tomatoes." That's enough for a solid dinner idea.

Copy and paste prompts you can use

Here are prompts you can lift straight into your AI chat.

• "I have [ingredients]. Give me a simple dinner for two with clear steps."
• "Make a vegetarian recipe using [ingredients]. Keep it under 30 minutes."
• "Create a low-salt recipe for [dish] that still tastes good."
• "I need a gluten-free lunch idea using [ingredients]."
• "Scale this recipe for 6 people instead of 2: [paste recipe]."
• "Give me a shopping list for a week of easy dinners for one."
• "Suggest three sauces I can make with [ingredients]."

Adjusting portions without the headache

AI is great at portion maths. You can say, "This recipe is for four, make it for two." It will adjust the ingredient amounts for you.

Still, use common sense. It might say "half an egg," which isn't helpful. That's when you decide to use one and accept a slightly larger omelette.

Dietary needs and swaps

If you have allergies or preferences, say so early. "No nuts," "no dairy," or "low sugar" should be part of the first prompt. AI can also suggest substitutes like oat milk or lentils. For general guidance on balanced eating, the NHS Eat Well guide is a reliable reference alongside AI suggestions.

When it suggests something you can't find, ask for alternatives. "Give me a version with ingredients from a small UK supermarket."

Check the basics

AI doesn't taste food. It can also make mistakes, like forgetting a step or suggesting a cooking time that seems too short. Read through the recipe before you start. For tried-and-tested recipes to compare against, BBC Good Food is an excellent resource alongside AI suggestions.

If you're unsure, ask a follow-up question. "What temperature should the oven be?" or "How do I know the chicken is cooked?"

Make it your own

The best recipes are often the ones you tweak. Use AI for the outline, then add a splash of lemon, a bit more garlic, or a favourite spice.

If you like a recipe, save it or ask the AI to format it neatly so you can print it.

Example: use up odds and ends

Imagine you have half a pack of mince, a tin of beans, and a few peppers. You could ask: "Make a simple one pan dinner using mince, beans, peppers, and onions. No spicy heat, serves three." The AI will often suggest a chilli-style dish, but you can say, "Make it milder and add rice."

If the recipe includes something you don't have, ask for a swap. AI is good at finding substitutes like lentils for mince or yoghurt for cream.

Kitchen common sense still matters

AI doesn't know your oven or your hob. If a time feels too short, cook for longer. If you aren't sure about food safety, check a trusted guide.

Think of AI as a cookery book that talks back. It gives ideas, and you adjust to your kitchen and your taste. It's one of the most practical day-to-day uses for AI around the home. See our practical uses for AI page for more ideas like this. And if you grow your own produce, our guide to AI for gardening pairs well with this one.

Helpful links for beginners

If you want more help getting started with AI, these guides are a good place to begin.

• What is AI?
• How to use ChatGPT
• Try AI now
• Practical uses for AI
• Glossary of simple AI terms
• Common fears about AI
• Learn more with simple guides
• Back to the blog
• Staying safe with AI

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