How to Extract Recipes from Photos Using AI

You've got a stack of recipe cards, magazine clippings, and handwritten notes. The thought of typing them all out is overwhelming. But what if you could just snap a photo and have the recipe automatically extracted?

How AI Recipe Extraction Works

Modern AI doesn't just read text—it understands context. When you photograph a recipe card, the AI recognizes that "2 cups flour" is an ingredient, not just random words. It identifies measurements, cooking times, and instructions, then structures them into a clean, editable format.

Getting the Best Results

Good lighting is key. Natural light works best, but avoid harsh shadows. Make sure the recipe is flat and in focus. If the handwriting is faded, try enhancing the photo's contrast first. The AI in KeepTheDish handles most variations automatically, but a clear photo always gives better results.

What Gets Extracted

Beyond just ingredients and steps, modern extraction pulls out prep times, cook times, serving sizes, and even notes in the margins. It standardizes measurements (converting "1 cup" to "1 cup" consistently) and can even detect recipe metadata like cuisine type or difficulty level.

Editing After Extraction

AI isn't perfect. Always review the extracted text, especially for handwritten recipes. But what used to take 10 minutes of typing now takes 30 seconds of photo-taking plus 2 minutes of quick edits. That's a massive time savings when you're digitizing hundreds of recipes.