# Any good recipe organization software out there? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 3, 2007, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-good-recipe-organization-software-out-there/410343 "2007-07-03T13:36:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![carlb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carlb/32/5930_2.png) [@carlb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carlb)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2007, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-good-recipe-organization-software-out-there/410343/1 "2007-07-03T13:36:17Z")
I couldn’t figure out if this was Cafe Society material, or better suited for here. I like to cook, and I like to try new recipes and ingredients. However, I’m starting to realize that there are some basics and favorites that I come back to time and again. I need a good way to organize these, and the paper versions are getting to be unwieldy. Partly it’s because I don’t have a really good system, partly it’s because they’re in too many different formats and places. I’ve got an old laptop that isn’t serving much of a purpose right now, so I thought I could make it my kitchen helper. Which leads me to the question in the OP. Does anyone have any recipe organization software they can recommend? I’m not really looking for something that comes pre-loaded with recipes so much as a database for organizing what I’ve already got. I realize it would be some effort on my part to put the recipe in there in the first place, but I can handle that. I’m imagining something that would then be searchable by ingredient (I’ve got half a papaya - what to do with it?), maybe even by cuisine. Or should I just hire someone to build an Access database for me? ---
**Author:** ![susan\_foster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@susan\_foster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan_foster)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2007, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-good-recipe-organization-software-out-there/410343/2 "2007-07-03T13:57:35Z")
I use [MasterCook](http://www.amazon.com/Valusoft-10470-MasterCook-Deluxe-9-0/dp/B000B7TBNE/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-6480191-5564850?ie=UTF8&s=software&qid=1183470927&sr=8-1) . I have a ton of recipes typed in there. You can set up cookbooks, build shopping lists, get nutritional information…some cool stuff. I’ve also heard good things about [LivingCookbook](http://www.livingcookbook.com/) Susan ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2007, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-good-recipe-organization-software-out-there/410343/3 "2007-07-03T18:31:49Z")
Here’s a list of [recipe database and organizing freeware](http://www.download.com/3120-20_4-0-1-0.html?qt=recipe&author=&titlename=&desc=&dlcount=&daysback=&swlink=&gfiletype=&os=&li=49&dlsize=&ca=). And here are some of the free programs that stood out- [Recipes Ship 1.2](http://www.maaboo.com/soft/home_education/food_beverage/1811Recipes-Ship.htm), [Recipe Manager 1.2.0](http://tucows.com/preview/294801), and [Recipe Database .9b.](http://www.download.com/Recipe-Database/3000-2126_4-10576134.html?tag=lst-0-4). How well suited to your particular use they will be, I am not sure. Two of them are tied into online recipe sites and databases so they already offer recipes ready to go, but I believe you can add your own as well, but I believe they will also be shared within the site, as well. You can also create, share, and print out your own cookbook courtesy of the National Pork Board, [at this site](http://www.togetherfordinner.com/Cookbook/). Hope this helps… ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2007, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-good-recipe-organization-software-out-there/410343/4 "2007-07-03T18:44:09Z")
Here’s also a very simple free [Access Recipe Template](http://office.microsoft.com/en-ca/templates/TC010477471033.aspx) from microsoft that you could use. It could probably be easily modified with your own functions if you know how to use access. And by access database design, it should be easily searchable by ingredient or any other variable. ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2007, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-good-recipe-organization-software-out-there/410343/5 "2007-07-03T19:30:53Z")
Here’s a fairly powerful, simple, and nifty little recipe organizer that I came across… it is also freeware. [Soft Cuisine 2](http://www.mediaweb.connectfree.co.uk/shots.html) you can download it [here](http://www.mediaweb.connectfree.co.uk/scdnload.html). It appears to be classicware and a bit older, but I like it. Simple and clean and utilitarian, and you can’t beat the price. I’m downloading this one. ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2007, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-good-recipe-organization-software-out-there/410343/6 "2007-07-03T20:57:06Z")
Sorry for the multiposts, but I have also just downloaded [Recipe Center 5.2](http://www.recipecentersoftware.com/) to test out myself (also freeware). It is a very well laid out, powerful, user friendly application that would work well for your purposes, as well. Very sexy. Makes shopping lists, too. (One thing, it has an adbar, and it adverstises their software, it’s not too bad, but just to let you know.) This might be just what you’re looking for. ---
**Author:** ![carlb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carlb/32/5930_2.png) [@carlb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carlb)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2007, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-good-recipe-organization-software-out-there/410343/7 "2007-07-03T21:07:55Z")
[QUOTE=devilsknew] Sorry for the multiposts, but I have also just downloaded [Recipe Center 5.2](http://www.recipecentersoftware.com/) to test out myself (also freeware). It is a very well laid out, powerful, user friendly application that would work well for your purposes, as well. Very sexy. Makes shopping lists, too. (One thing, it has an adbar, and it adverstises their software, it’s not too bad, but just to let you know.) This might be just what you’re looking for. [/QUOTE] Thanks, that does look good. I just downloaded it myself; I’ll let you know how it turns out. ---
**Author:** ![xanthous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/53a042/32.png) [@xanthous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xanthous)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2007, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-good-recipe-organization-software-out-there/410343/8 "2007-07-03T21:10:04Z")
I use The Recipe Manager for Mac. Just got it recently and am still learning what it has to offer. Right now I’m having a problem printing to 4 x 6 card (for those favorites I use so much that I want them within reach), and haven’t heard back after e-mailing their customer service, but I guess I can’t call it an official gripe until A) they never write back, or B) I can’t figure it out on my own. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2007, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-good-recipe-organization-software-out-there/410343/9 "2007-07-03T21:21:51Z")
[QUOTE=xanthous] I use The Recipe Manager for Mac. Just got it recently and am still learning what it has to offer. Right now I’m having a problem printing to 4 x 6 card (for those favorites I use so much that I want them within reach), and haven’t heard back after e-mailing their customer service, but I guess I can’t call it an official gripe until A) they never write back, or B) I can’t figure it out on my own. [/QUOTE] That looks interesting for me, but I’d like it to also print out cards. An update when you hear from them would definately be appreciated! ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2007, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-good-recipe-organization-software-out-there/410343/10 "2007-07-04T00:42:37Z")
Would it be rude to suggest a non-computer solution? I print out recipes to try on 8 1/2 X 11 paper and put it in a plastic sheet protector. If I like it then it goes into a 3 ring binder. This provides a cookbook that will open flat and the pages are protected from spills by the sleeve. You can buy sheet protectors in different amounts but I usually get 200 at a time at an office supply store. This system also serves as a repository for the odd size recipe that you get in magazines. It’s very low-tech and requires no set-up.