frequently asked questions

What is the minimum amount of categories I should select?

Well - to get a recipe posted, you need to select one category. That's it - just one. But usually, one category isn't going to be helpful enough to get your recipe noticed by all the folks who may be searching for your recipe.

We recommend asking yourself these two questions as a bare minimum:

1)What meal or course would I most often serve this recipe at? (like Breakfast?Lunch?Main Meal?)

2)What are the 2-3 main ingredients of this recipe?
Only select the Main Ingredient categories that represent the actual main ingredients of your recipe, not every ingredient.

You are not required to select a category from each column - so if your recipe doesn't fit in, don't check off a category.

How does the Category List work?

Move your mouse over
    To expand categories and see their subcategories.

Move your mouse over

    To close the subcategory list.

Click the category name
    To show only recipes in that category in your results.

Click the

    To exclude recipes in that category from your results.

Click the "Remove all filters"
    To completely start over.

Click a category in use or one excluded
    To remove it from the current filter.

Only categories currently available are displayed.

What does <blank> Category mean?

See our category explanations for what each category means.

How do I pick a Regional Cuisine Category for a recipe?

Does the recipe you are submitting reflect the traditional type of cooking or style of cooking in a particular region? If so, then select that category. If not, then skip the regional cuisines - you do not have to select any if none are appropriate.

You do not have to check off every region under a main region. Example: If a recipe fits under UNITED STATES but doesn't really reflect any one particular region of the US, don't select any of the specific US regions. Only select UNITED STATES. This way, someone looking for only Southern US recipes will be better able to choose that category and find recipes that really represent the Southern US (or whichever region) and not have to also wade through thousands of US recipes that could be found anywhere in the US.

You should not check off a regional cuisine category solely based on where you live
Again - many folks have done this. Please don't feel bad. If the recipe is made in a special way that is unique to the area you live in, well then of course you can select the appropriate cuisine category. But don't check off a cuisine just because you live in that region - the cuisine should be based on the recipe origins only.

You should not check off a regional cuisine based solely on your ancestry.
If the recipe has been passed down in your family and your family is from a particular region, and your recipe reflects that region's style of cooking - well, then yes, please do select the appropriate cuisine category. However - if you happen to be Irish and Czech, don't automatically select Irish and Czech cuisines for all of your recipes - only select regions appropriate to the particular recipe at hand.

Please do not select a regional cuisine merely because the recipe contains an ingredient you think of as being from a particular region.

Certain ingredients may bring to mind certain locations & cultures but just because they are included in a recipe, does not make the recipe appropriate for a regional cuisine. For example, if a recipe calls for kiwifruit it is not automatically a recipe from New Zealand. Many other countries/cultures use kiwifruit in their cooking - not just New Zealand. And of course, the recipe may contain kiwifruit and also may indeed reflect New Zealand style cooking - in which case, yes, check off the NZ category.
A note about the NATIVE AMERICAN category:
Native American refers to recipes that were created by indigenous peoples & tribes native to North America, such as Iroquois,Seminole, Cherokee, Cree, etc. Another commonly used term in the past would be American Indians. There is also a First Nations category for recipes from such tribes indigenous to Canada.

Many folks seems to interpret Native American as recipes traditionally from America - this is not necessarily true. For example, pizza is considered by some to be a traditional American food, but it has Italian origins, not Native American. Please do not place a recipe into Native American or First Nations unless it is truly from these origins.

Recipes that are just generally American or Canadian can be place under the heading of America, Canada, or if they apply to both, simply North America. If they are historical recipes, there is also a separate category you can check off for that when appropriate.

How do I correct a recipe in the wrong category?

Sometimes people select the wrong categories for their recipes when they post them. We are all human. If you find a recipe in an incorrect category, please click the link to "Edit this Recipe" under the recipe instructions and you will find a link from the bottom of that page to submit updated category information. We really appreciate everyone's help in making Recipezaar a better place.

You don't have to be the chef that posted the recipe in order to suggest a change or add information. Your change won't take place immediately, but we will review and update the recipe as soon as possible.

Who decides if a recipe is Low Carb, Low Fat, Vegetarian, etc.?

Some Dietary categories are set by the person who posts the recipe (Diabetic, Dairy-free, Gluten-free, Egg-free, Kid Pleaser, Kosher, Vegetarian, Vegan) and most are set by Recipezaar after we have done the Nutritional analysis on the recipe. See our standards for each category.

Keep in mind that certain ingredients might be optional or there are other things with the recipe which affect the nutritional analysis.