Food has a unique power to connect us across generations and cultures. A recipe shared becomes a bridge between kitchens, carrying forward flavors, time-tested methods, creativity, and most of all, memories. Creating a recipe for others to savor and celebrate is more than an ingredient list and cooking techniques. They’re stories, traditions, and snapshots of who we are as people, families, and communities. As we build The Grow Community Cookbook: Sharing Homegrown Goodness, our first-ever cookbook, we’re calling on home chefs, backyard growers, and culinary creatives to help us tell the story of this place through food. Check out these top tips for sharing recipes from among your favorites!
What Makes a Recipe Truly Shareable?
So what makes a truly craveable, shareable recipe? Whether you’re submitting a treasured family recipe or something totally new, here are a few tips to make your entry stand out:
1. Start with ingredients that tell a story.
Local, fresh produce, seasonal staples, or even your personal go-to pantry picks can create a strong sense of place. Think about local farmers and what grows nearby or what’s always in your refrigerator. Focus on high-quality ingredients that reflect your style and your region.
The flavors of a community are deeply rooted in its soil and seasons. Choosing local ingredients means that you’re not just making a meal, you’re preserving a tradition, supporting your neighbors, and contributing to a shared culinary identity.
2. Keep it clear and cookable.
Use simple, direct steps, include exact measurements, and don’t forget key cooking times or temperature cues.
Also, keep in mind that your recipe should be specific. If an ingredient needs prep, say so (e.g., 3 apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced). If something’s used in multiple steps, note that upfront (e.g., 2 cups walnuts, chopped and divided). If ingredients need to be combined in a certain order, point that out.
Clarity matters when it comes to ingredient names (like whipped cream vs. whipped topping). Preparation methods and cooking techniques should also be specified among your tips for sharing recipes (e.g., slicing vs. mincing, or simmer vs. rolling boil).
Keep the tools simple. Not everyone has a pasta maker or mandolin handy. The goal? A recipe that feels doable, not daunting.
3. Add a personal note.
Why do you love this dish? Sharing a short backstory, the occasions when you serve it, who first taught you to make it, or who looks forward to it the most, adds heart to your recipe. These personal touches will bring your recipe to life and make it more likely that people will try it, share it, and enjoy serving it again and again.
4. Find your recipe’s sweet spot.
Think about what kind of recipe you’re sharing. Be sure to mention if it’s a showstopper for special occasions, a timesaver on busy weeknights, your go-to plant-based dish for Meatless Monday, or a refreshing cocktail on a steamy Florida summer day. These helpful details make it easier for others to picture when and how they might enjoy your dish, too.
Recipes that fill a specific need or solve a common kitchen challenge are more likely to get made and shared. Maybe it’s great for meal prep, batch cooking, or freezing ahead. Helping people know when and why to make your dish makes it even more valuable and memorable.
5. Consider dietary needs and variations.
Home cooks often need to accommodate dietary preferences. If your recipe can be gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian (like this scrumptious Watermelon, Berry, and Beet Summer Salad when omitting the chicken!), or vegan with simple substitutions, mention those options. It’s not necessary to reinvent your recipe, but including any notes about its flexibility is helpful.
6. Test it one more time.
Check your recipe with fresh eyes. Are the prep times and cook times accurate? Are the quantities and measurements correct? Are the steps in the right order? Ask yourself if someone unfamiliar with the recipe will be able to recreate it successfully. A test run, especially for things that you make by heart, will help you catch any missing details or give you the chance to make note of anything that might trip up less experienced cooks.
Ready to Share Your Recipe?
The Grow Community Cookbook: Sharing Homegrown Goodness highlights the journey from garden to table. It celebrates recipes that showcase fresh, local ingredients and the passionate cooks who transform nature’s bounty into something even more special.
By sharing your dish and its story, you’re contributing to a collection of traditions, innovations, and flavors that define our community. Whether you’re a seasoned chef, learning your way around the kitchen, or anywhere in between, we want to hear from you, and we hope these tips for sharing recipes have been helpful.
Get started with the simple submission process and enter your recipe for a chance to be featured in this first volume of The Grow Community Cookbook. We can’t wait to see what flavors and stories you’ll bring to our shared table!
