How to Write an Easy to Read Recipe

By: Tamara Saslove, P.H.Ec. 

Do you ever find yourself following a recipe and just get frustrated because it seems like you have to jump all over the page, back and forth, up and down to figure out what to do? There are tons of recipes online and even in some cookbooks that do not follow the basic recipe writing guidelines. There are several key rules that should be followed in order to make a recipe easy to read and easy to follow. This will lead to less frustration, reduced risk of missing a step, or ingredient and therefore it will lead to a more positive experience overall! A win-win for you as the recipe writer and for whoever is reading your recipe.

Below I have compiled a list of rules that I have picked up over the years and I have found certain recipes quite frustrating to follow if they don’t abide by these rules. I’m sure there are some that are missing, so feel free to comment if you have any additional rules to add. All recipes should have a title, and should ideally mention how much the recipe makes ie. 24 cookies. First things first let’s start with the ingredients list.

Ingredient List

• Ingredients should be listed in order of use, as per the recipe directions.
• If an ingredient is used multiple times within a recipe, ensure to write “divided” after the ingredient.
• Include both household measures (cups, tsp., tbsp. etc) as well as metric measures (mL, L, g, etc).
• If a recipe has multiple components, such as a cake and an icing, use subheadings and list ingredients for the cake under “cake” and ingredients for icing under “icing”.
• If an ingredient should be prepared in a certain way before it is used within the recipe, then mention this after the ingredient. Ie. Banana, mashed.
• EVERYTHING should be included in the ingredients list, water included.

Directions

• Always start with preheating the oven to a specific temperature, if required.
• Preheating the oven should always be followed by preparation of the cooking vessel. Ie. “Grease a 9x13” baking pan, line a baking sheet with parchment paper, etc”.
• Ensure state cooking/baking times and at what temperature (Ie. Sear steak for 1 minute each side over high heat).
• If the ingredients are to be added to a medium sized bowl, then start the step with " In a medium sized bowl, combine..".
  
• If your ingredient list has multiple components, then ensure the directions are broken up into multiple components as well.
• Include serving, garnish and storage directions, as required.