Quick start
- Add ingredients to your pantry list
- Click "What can I make?" or use the search box
- Browse results ranked by match percentage
- Click any recipe to view the full instructions on its original site
Step-by-step guide
1. Add your pantry items
Type each ingredient into the pantry input and press Enter or click Add. Your pantry is saved in your browser's local storage, so you don't need to re-enter items on each visit.
Be specific where it matters:
- "Greek yogurt" matches better than "yogurt"
- "Chicken thighs" matches better than "chicken"
Oil, salt, pepper, and water are included automatically and don't need to be added.
2. Search or discover
Two ways to find recipes:
- What can I make? Returns recipes ranked by your pantry contents alone. Use this when you don't have a specific dish in mind.
- Search box: Type a dish or ingredient (e.g., "pasta", "chicken curry"). Results are still ranked by your pantry, so high-match recipes appear first.
3. Read match percentages
Each recipe shows a match percentage:
| Match | What it means |
|---|---|
| 90-100% | You likely have everything. Check for minor missing items you can skip or substitute. |
| 70-89% | A solid match. You may need one or two items from the shops. |
| 50-69% | Partial match. Consider whether missing ingredients are essential. |
| Below 50% | You'll probably need to shop, but still useful for meal planning. |
Recipes with a "?" don't have complete ingredient data available, so a percentage can't be calculated.
4. Apply filters
Use the filter sidebar to narrow by cuisine (28 options) or dietary requirements (Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-Free, and others). Filters rank results rather than hiding them, so matching recipes appear first while non-matching recipes remain accessible.
5. View the full recipe
Click any recipe card to visit the original recipe source. Full instructions, cooking times, and nutritional information are hosted on the recipe creator's site.
How matching works
Pantry Recipe Finder uses ranking rather than filtering. Here's why and how.
The matching logic
- For each recipe in the database, the tool reads the ingredient list
- It compares that list to your saved pantry items
- It calculates a match percentage based on overlap
- Results are sorted with highest matches at the top
Why ranking, not filtering
- Variety is useful. A high-match recipe isn't always the best option. Sometimes you want a recipe with one missing ingredient because the rest of the dish appeals.
- Ingredient data is imperfect. Different sources describe the same ingredient differently. Strict filtering would hide recipes that are actually a match.
- Substitution is common. If you're missing one item, you can often substitute or skip it. Filtering removes that option from view.
What gets matched
The tool matches your pantry items against recipe ingredient lists using exact and partial matching. Common synonyms are handled (e.g., "spring onion" and "scallion"). Pantry staples (oil, salt, pepper, water) are assumed present in every kitchen and don't need to be added.
Features
Surprise me
Returns a random high-match recipe. Useful when nothing in the results list appeals and you want to be nudged toward a decision.
Save favourites
Click the heart icon on any recipe to save it. Favourites are stored in your browser. Access them by clicking the Favourites tab.
Shopping lists
Each recipe card shows ingredients you don't have ("You'll need"). Use this to plan a shop around the recipes you want to make.
Cuisine and dietary filters
28 cuisine options (Italian, Mexican, Chinese, Thai, Indian, and more) and 7 dietary options (Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Low-Carb, Keto, and Pescatarian). Filters rank results rather than hiding them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pantry Recipe Finder free?
Yes. The tool is free and supported by advertising.
Do I need to create an account?
No. Your pantry and favourites are stored in your browser's local storage. Data stays on your device.
Where do the recipes come from?
Recipe data is aggregated from TheMealDB and Spoonacular. Each recipe links to the original source.
Why is my match percentage showing "?"
Some recipes don't have complete ingredient data. When this happens, the tool shows "?" instead of an inaccurate percentage. The recipe is still viewable.
Why don't you hide recipes I can't fully make?
Because pantry cooking often involves substitutions, and ingredient data is incomplete. Hiding would remove options you could realistically cook.
Do you store my pantry items on your servers?
No. Pantry items and favourites are stored in your browser's local storage. They don't leave your device unless you choose to share them.
Does the tool work offline?
The pantry list is stored locally, so it's available offline. But recipe search requires an internet connection to query the recipe database.
Can I export my pantry or favourites?
Not currently. Pantry items and favourites are saved in browser local storage but there's no export feature yet.