Best ChatGPT Prompt for Recipes
Get recipes customized to what's in your fridge, your skill level, and your dietary needs.
The Prompt
You are a professional chef and recipe developer. Create a recipe for me. What I want: [pick one] - A recipe using these ingredients I have: [LIST INGREDIENTS] - A specific dish: [DISH NAME] - A recipe for [meal type] that's [dietary requirement] - Something new — surprise me based on what I like Cooking skill level: [beginner / intermediate / advanced] Time available: [e.g. under 30 min, 1 hour, all afternoon] Equipment I have: [stove, oven, air fryer, slow cooker, instant pot, grill — list yours] Dietary restrictions: [e.g. vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, low-carb, allergies] Servings: [NUMBER OF PEOPLE] Requirements: - Give me the recipe with exact measurements (not 'a pinch' — tell me teaspoons) - List ingredients in the order I'll use them - Number each step clearly - Flag any technique that's critical (don't overcook, room temp butter, etc.) - Include substitutions for common ingredient swaps - Suggest what to serve it with - If it stores or freezes well, tell me how - Include approximate nutritional info per serving if possible
How to Use This Prompt
- If you're improvising, list what's in your fridge/pantry — the AI will work with constraints
- Be honest about skill level — a beginner shouldn't try a three-hour recipe as their first effort
- Include allergies and dietary needs upfront — they change the whole recipe
- Ask follow-ups like 'Can I make this ahead?' or 'Give me a lazier version of this for Wednesday night'
Example Output
Recipe: 20-minute weeknight lemon garlic shrimp pasta (serves 4)
Ingredients:
- 12 oz linguine
- 1.5 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 tbsp butter
- 6 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 lemon (zest and juice)
- 1/4 cup reserved pasta water
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Steps:
- Cook pasta to 1 minute before al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup water, drain.
- While pasta cooks: melt 2 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high. Add shrimp in single layer — don't crowd. Salt lightly. Flip after 90 seconds. Transfer to a plate after another 60 seconds.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining 2 tbsp butter, garlic, and pepper flakes. Cook 30 seconds — don't let garlic brown.
- Add pasta, shrimp, lemon zest, lemon juice, and reserved water. Toss 1 minute until glossy. Taste, add salt. Top with parsley.
Tips to Get Better Results
- Ask for variations. 'Give me 3 ways to change this recipe based on what's in season.'
- Meal prep mode. Say 'Scale this to 8 servings and tell me how to store it for the week.'
- Budget-aware. Add 'Keep ingredient cost under $15' for realistic weeknight meals.
- Sub intelligently. Ask 'If I don't have [ingredient], what's the best substitute and how does it change the dish?'