How to organize recipes.

From casseroles to cocktails, keep all your recipes neat and organized with these simple techniques.

Need to learn how to organize recipes, but not sure where to start? Anyone who loves cooking knows just how fast recipes can pile up. You’ll start finding stacks of recipe blogs you printed out stuffed into every nook and cranny in your kitchen, while your mom’s old favorites are written on yellowing index cards and packed into a cookie tin.

Of course, this makes it almost impossible to find the right recipe at the right time. So, we’re here to help you get organized so that you can cook more and search less.

How to organize recipes by digitizing them

You don’t need a special recipe scanner or big expensive equipment to digitize your recipes. Follow these steps to get started:

1. Collect your recipes. Make sure you’ve got all your favorites ready to go. Separate the printed ones from the handwritten ones. This will come in handy in step 3.
2. Download a mobile scanning app. With a free scanner app like Adobe Scan, all you need to do is take a photo of your recipe and the app will scan it into a PDF right from your phone.
3. Convert your handwriting. You can convert any handwritten scans into more legible documents through the scanning app, too. The app will read the document with technology called optical character recognition (OCR) and convert the handwriting into machine-readable text. This extra step will make your handwritten notes as readable as your printed notes.
4. Save, organize, and share. Save your PDFs to a folder on your desktop and organize them according to your own tastes. Since each recipe is now a PDF, they’ll keep their formatting and legibility regardless of who you share them with. You can even use a recipe card template to help streamline the process.

While the first method offers a simple and convenient way to digitize recipes using your phone, an alternative option is to scan recipes directly into your computer. This method involves using a regular scanner connected to your computer. However, it’s important to note that there are a few drawbacks to consider.

Regular scanners may not offer the same level of convenience as mobile scanning apps, as they require separate equipment and may take up more space. Additionally, digitizing handwritten recipes may not be as easily converted into editable text using regular scanning methods.

Despite these limitations, scanning recipes into your computer can still be an effective way to digitize and preserve your culinary treasures if you prefer working with a computer setup.

How to sort, store and share your recipes

Now that you have digitized your recipes into PDFs, it’s time to sort and organize them. Make sure that you merge (link to Merge PDF) any multiple-page recipes and save any web pages as a PDF copy too. The result? PDFs of all of your favorites.

With our guidelines on how to digitize recipes, you can easily transition to storing your recipes digitally — ensuring they’re safe, easily searchable, and always at your fingertips whenever culinary inspiration strikes.

With your recipes digitized and organized, it’s time to store them online and enjoy the benefits of a digital recipe collection. Create a dedicated folder on your desktop or preferred cloud storage platform and save your PDFs in it. The folder structure can align with your chosen categorization, allowing you to navigate through your recipes effortlessly. By going digital, you can also easily share your recipes with others. Sharing recipes online using PDFs offers a secure and versatile way to exchange culinary delights with specific individuals or groups. Here’s how you can do it:

• Email. Attach recipe PDFs and send them directly to recipients.

• Cloud storage. Upload to Google Drive or Dropbox, then share links with specific access.

• Direct messaging. Share PDFs through private messaging.

How to organize recipes on paper

As with any method of organization, the way of organizing that works best for you will depend on your personal preferences. We’ve compiled four different approaches to organizing recipes so you can find the one that works best for you and your kitchen.

1. Create a recipe binder organized by sections such as “Meat” or “Quick Breakfasts” for easy reference.
2. Buy an accordion folder and label each pocket with a different recipe category.
3. Use sticky arrows or tabs to mark your favorite recipes inside recipe books.
4. Buy plastic sleeve organizers for index cards and add them to an organized binder to organize older recipe cards.

How to organize recipes by category.

Having all your recipes sorted into easy-to-reference categories is the best way to eliminate some of the stress surrounding meal planning. It also makes it easier to mix up your weekly dining routine. Here are a few tips to help you effectively organize your recipes by category:

• Create broad categories. Start by creating broad categories such as “Breakfast,” “Appetizers,” “Main Courses,” “Desserts,” and “Beverages.” These overarching categories will serve as the foundation for organizing your recipes.

• Subdivide into subcategories. Within each broad category, further divide your recipes into specific subcategories. For example, within the “Main Courses” category, you can have subcategories like “Chicken,” “Beef,” "Vegetarian,” or “Pasta.” This subdivision allows for even more precise organization and makes it easier to locate recipes.

• Label recipe cards or folders. If you prefer a physical recipe collection, use labels or dividers to categorize your recipes. Write clear category names on index cards or use sticky tabs to mark different sections within a recipe binder or folder. If you scanned your recipes and you need to organize them digitally, you can use a similar category model to create online folders and labels.

• Keep a master index or table of contents. To create a quick reference guide, maintain a master index or table of contents. This index can list all the recipes in your collection along with their corresponding categories, making it easier to locate specific dishes.

5 reasons to organize your recipes

Organizing recipes offers a multitude of benefits for cooking enthusiasts and avid collectors alike. From preserving family traditions to simplifying meal planning, a well-structured recipe collection brings order and convenience to the kitchen. Here are some compelling reasons to invest time in organizing your recipes:

1. Preserve family traditions. Organizing and archiving family recipes ensures the longevity of culinary heritage, allowing you to pass down treasured dishes to future generations.
2. Create easy accessibility and time-saving. A well-organized recipe collection allows for quick and efficient retrieval of specific dishes or ingredients, saving you time and effort in the kitchen.
3. Facilitate meal planning and grocery shopping. Categorized recipes make meal planning and compiling shopping lists a breeze, streamlining your cooking routine and reducing the chance of missing key ingredients.
4. Build collaboration and family involvement. An organized collection encourages family members to explore and contribute their favorite recipes, fostering togetherness and shared culinary experiences.
5. Personalize and experiment easily. With an organized system, you can customize recipes to suit your taste preferences or dietary needs, encouraging creativity and exploration in the kitchen.

Pro tips on how to organize recipes

From choosing the right storage location to utilizing digital tools, effective organization streamlines the process of finding and utilizing recipes. Here are a few additional tips to help you organize your recipes efficiently:

• Designate a dedicated storage location. Choose a specific area in your home, such as a kitchen shelf or a recipe binder, to store your recipes. Having a designated spot keeps them easily accessible and prevents misplacement.

• Add notes and tags. Enhance your recipe organization by adding personal notes and tags to your recipes. Include ingredient substitutions, cooking tips, or dietary tags to quickly identify recipes that meet specific criteria.

• Include an untried recipe category. Allocate a section or category for untried recipes that you come across but have yet to try. This serves as a reminder to experiment with new dishes and prevents them from getting lost among the already tried and tested recipes.