“What can I make with what I have?” This recipe finder answers that question in a few taps. Choose the ingredients in your fridge and pantry and it searches every recipe on World Chef Recipes, from quick 3-ingredient dishes to Italian, Japanese and Middle Eastern classics. You see the recipes you can cook right now first, then the ones that need only one or two more ingredients.
What can I make?
Pick the ingredients you have. We will show the recipes you can make now, and the ones that need just one or two more.
Your ingredients
None yet. Search above or tap a popular ingredient.
Popular ingredients
Your matches
recipes
Loading recipes…
How the recipe finder works
- Add your ingredients. Type to search, or tap the popular ingredients. Each one you pick appears as a chip you can remove.
- Keep pantry basics on. Salt, pepper, oil, water, butter, sugar and flour are counted as things you have. Turn the switch off if you are out of any of them.
- Filter the results. Narrow by cuisine, maximum total time or maximum number of ingredients.
- Read the match. Recipes marked “You have everything” are ready to cook. “Missing 1” and “Missing 2” cards list exactly what you would need to buy or swap.
What can I make with what I have at home?
Most meals are built from three parts: a main ingredient, something filling and something fresh. Pick one or two from each group and the finder has plenty to work with.
Start with the main ingredient
Chicken, ground beef, eggs, shrimp, beans or tofu set the direction of the meal. If you only add one ingredient, make it this one.
Add something filling
Rice, pasta, potatoes, bread and tortillas turn a main ingredient into dinner. They keep for weeks, so most kitchens have at least one.
Check the fridge and freezer
Cheese, cream cheese, onions, garlic, frozen vegetables and canned tomatoes appear in a huge number of recipes. Adding them often moves a recipe from “Missing 1” to “You have everything”.
Pantry basics we assume
With the pantry switch on, the finder treats these as ingredients you already have:
- Salt and black pepper
- Cooking oil, such as olive, vegetable or canola oil
- Water
- Butter
- Granulated sugar
- All-purpose flour
Specialty versions such as brown sugar, peanut butter or bread flour are not included, so add them yourself if you have them.
When you are missing one ingredient
A “Missing 1” recipe is often one simple swap away from dinner. Buttermilk, self-rising flour, brown sugar, sour cream and fresh herbs can all be replaced with things most cooks have. The substitution table below lists the amounts.
Cook more, waste less
- Search for the ingredient that will spoil first, such as spinach, berries or cooked rice, and cook that tonight.
- Keep a short list of what is in the freezer so you remember to add it here.
- Choose a recipe with 5 or fewer ingredients when the fridge is nearly empty.
- Leftover cooked chicken, rice and pasta work in many recipes. Add them as you would the raw ingredient.
More easy recipes
Want ideas without picking ingredients? Browse easy dinners, easy breakfasts, simple sides and easy desserts, or explore all recipes by cuisine and our cooking guides.
Common ingredient substitutions
| Missing ingredient | Use instead | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cup buttermilk | 1 tbsp lemon juice or white vinegar plus milk to make 1 cup; let stand 5 minutes | Pancakes, biscuits, cakes |
| 1 cup self-rising flour | 1 cup all-purpose flour + 1½ tsp baking powder + ¼ tsp salt | Biscuits, quick breads |
| 1 cup cake flour | 1 cup all-purpose flour minus 2 tbsp, plus 2 tbsp cornstarch | Cakes, cupcakes |
| 1 tsp baking powder | ¼ tsp baking soda + ½ tsp cream of tartar | Baking |
| 1 cup brown sugar | 1 cup granulated sugar + 1 tbsp molasses | Cookies, sauces |
| 1 cup sour cream | 1 cup plain Greek yogurt | Dips, toppings, baking |
| 1 cup heavy cream (for cooking) | ¾ cup milk + ¼ cup melted butter | Soups, sauces (will not whip) |
| 1 large egg (baking) | 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water; rest 5 minutes | Muffins, cookies |
| 1 tbsp fresh herbs | 1 tsp dried herbs | Soups, stews, sauces |
| 1 garlic clove | ⅛ tsp garlic powder | Sauces, rubs, dressings |
| 1 tbsp lemon juice | 1 tbsp white wine vinegar or lime juice | Dressings, marinades |
| ½ cup wine (for deglazing) | ½ cup broth + 1 tsp vinegar | Pan sauces, braises |
Recipe finder FAQ
How does the recipe finder choose recipes?
It compares the ingredients you pick, plus pantry basics if that switch is on, with the ingredient list of every recipe on World Chef Recipes. Recipes you can make right now come first, then recipes missing one ingredient, then recipes missing two.
What counts as pantry basics?
Salt, pepper, oil, water, butter, sugar and flour. Most kitchens have them, so they are counted as ingredients you have. Turn the switch off if you are out of any of them.
Why don't I see any recipes?
The finder only shows recipes missing two ingredients or fewer. Add a few more ingredients you have, or set the cuisine, time and ingredient filters back to "Any".
Can I find recipes from one cuisine?
Yes. Choose a cuisine in the filter, such as Italian, Japanese or Middle Eastern, and only recipes from that cuisine are shown.
How do I find quick recipes?
Set the maximum total time to 30 minutes or less, or set the maximum number of ingredients to 5. You can also browse our Quick & Easy Recipes collection.
What if I am missing one ingredient?
Check the substitution table on this page. Buttermilk, self-rising flour, brown sugar, sour cream and fresh herbs all have simple swaps using things you probably have.
Does the finder remember what I picked?
Yes, on this device. Your ingredients and filters are saved in your browser so they are still there when you come back. Nothing is sent to us.
Are new recipes included?
Yes. Every recipe card on the site is included, and new or updated recipes are added automatically when they are saved.