WordPress recipe plugins, compared with sources
7 recipe plugins checked against the same 30 features. Every value links to the page it came from and carries the date we checked it. Where we could not confirm something, the cell says so.
Data last checked Oct 16, 2026.
Which plugin for which job
There is no single best recipe plugin. These are the picks we can defend from the data below.
- Best free option for a recipe directory
Plugixa Recipe
A recipe database plugin. Recipes live in their own tables and get their own pages, listings and archives, and can also be embedded in a blog post. Recipe JSON-LD, frontend submission, reviews, reader tools and four listing layouts are all in the free version.
Active installs: Fewer than 10 · No ratings yet · From €39 / year
Plugixa Recipe review → - Best overall for food blogs
WP Recipe Maker
The most widely used recipe card plugin, with a free template editor, the longest importer list and three paid tiers that unlock nutrition, unit conversion and reader accounts.
Active installs: 50,000+ · 4.96 / 5 (355 ratings) · From $49 / year
WP Recipe Maker review → - Best value for several sites
Recipe Card Blocks
A block-editor recipe card from WPZOOM with free cook mode, ratings and an AI generator, and the lowest multi-site price in this comparison.
Active installs: 10,000+ · 4.8 / 5 (20 ratings) · From $59 / year
Recipe Card Blocks review → - Best free nutrition calculation
Create
Formerly Create by Mediavine, now independent. The free version includes automatic nutrition calculation and reviews, plus How-To and List cards.
Active installs: 6,000+ · 4.32 / 5 (25 ratings) · From $150 / year
Create review → - Best for a recipe site with a one-time payment
WP Delicious
A recipe site plugin built on a recipe post type, with a free recipe index, search, user dashboard and favourites, and the only lifetime licence in this comparison.
Active installs: 4,000+ · 4.9 / 5 (71 ratings) · From $59 / year
WP Delicious review → - Most complete free reader tools
Cooked
One of the oldest recipe plugins, revived under a new owner. The free version includes timers, a servings switcher, a nutrition label and recipe search.
Active installs: 3,000+ · 3.89 / 5 (90 ratings) · From $49 / year
Cooked review → - Simplest paid plans
Tasty Recipes
A recipe card plugin from WP Tasty with a free Lite edition since 2025. Paid plans all include the same features and differ mainly in the number of sites.
Active installs: 2,000+ · 5.0 / 5 (2 ratings) · From $49 / year
Tasty Recipes review →
Full feature table
Scroll sideways to see more plugins, or untick some above.
| Feature | Plugixa Recipe | WP Recipe Maker | Recipe Card Blocks | Create | WP Delicious | Cooked | Tasty Recipes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structured data | |||||||
| Recipe schema (JSON-LD)Outputs Recipe structured data as JSON-LD, the format Google recommends for recipe rich results. | YesFreeRecipe JSON-LD with breadcrumbs on recipe pages and an ItemList on listings. It can be switched off site-wide or per recipe. | YesFree | YesFree | YesFree | YesFree | PartialFreeThe plugin outputs schema.org recipe data, described as microdata on wordpress.org. JSON-LD was not confirmed. | YesFree |
| Guided Recipes markupMarks each step so the recipe is eligible for step-by-step guidance on smart displays and Google Assistant. | YesFreeSteps are marked as HowToStep, and named step groups as HowToSection. | YesFree | Not checked | Not checked | Not checked | Not checked | YesFree |
| Editors and placement | |||||||
| Block editor (Gutenberg)Has its own block for adding a recipe in the WordPress block editor. | YesFreeA Recipe block that embeds one existing recipe, and a block for recipe listings. Recipes are written in the plugin's own editor. | YesFree | YesFree | YesFree | YesFreeNine blocks. | Not checked | YesFree |
| Classic EditorRecipes can be added to posts from the Classic Editor. | PartialFreeThrough the shortcode. There is no editor button. | YesFree | NoThe vendor FAQ says the blocks work only with the block editor. | YesFree | Not checked | Not checked | YesFree |
| ElementorHas its own Elementor widget. | YesFreeA widget that embeds one recipe and a widget for recipe listings. | YesFree | YesFree | Not checked | PartialFreeThrough the free Delisho companion plugin. | Not checked | YesFree |
| ShortcodeA shortcode displays a recipe or a recipe listing anywhere shortcodes run. | YesFree | YesFree | YesFree | YesFree | PartialFreeA shortcode exists for the "Surprise Me" random recipe feature only. | YesFree | Not checked |
| Recipe card inside a postA full recipe card can be placed inside a normal blog post, under your own writing. | YesFreeEmbeds an existing recipe in a post; the recipe's own page then names the post as canonical. | YesFree | YesFree | YesFree | YesFreeThe Dynamic Recipe Card block. | Not checked | YesFree |
| Standalone recipe pagesEach recipe gets its own page and URL, separate from blog posts. | YesFree | Not checked | Not checked | Not checked | YesFree | Not checked | Not checked |
| Design | |||||||
| Templates and layoutsHow many recipe designs come with the plugin. | 4 listing layouts, all free; 1 recipe page template, plus print and round-up views | Template Editor with unlimited custom templates (free); extra templates in Premium | 3 card styles free; 5 to 6 in Pro | 5 card styles free; 2 more in Pro | 3 layouts free; 8 in Pro | 3 layouts, in Pro | 3 templates free; 11 on paid plans |
| Template editorA visual tool for changing the structure of a recipe template, beyond colours. | PartialFreeA visual editor for listing designs (columns, colours, type, spacing). The single recipe page has one template, changed only by a theme template override. | YesFree | Not checked | PartialPaid: Create ProCustom CSS only, in the paid plan. | Not checked | PartialFreeA shortcode-based template system, not a visual editor. | PartialFreeA template styler for colours and options, not a structural editor. |
| Ingredients | |||||||
| Ingredient groupsIngredients can be split under headings such as "For the sauce". | YesFree | YesFree | Not checked | Not checked | Not checked | YesFree | Not checked |
| Adjustable servingsReaders change the number of servings and the quantities recalculate. | YesFree | YesPaid: Premium | YesPaid: Pro | YesPaid: Create Pro | Not checked | YesFree | YesPaid: Basic |
| Unit conversionReaders switch between US and metric units on the recipe. | YesFreeConverts the volume and weight units in the site's units table, which ships with the common ones. Other lines stay as written. | YesPaid: Pro | YesPaid: Pro | YesPaid: Create Pro | Not checked | Not checked | YesPaid: Basic |
| Ingredient linksIngredients can link out, for example to an affiliate product. | YesFreeA link per ingredient, entered by hand and marked nofollow. There is no global link manager. | YesPaid: Premium | Not checked | Not checked | Not checked | Not checked | YesFreeLinks are added by hand. Automatic linking needs the separate Tasty Links plugin. |
| Equipment listA section listing the tools a recipe needs, shown to readers. | YesFree | YesPaid: PremiumEquipment links are confirmed in Premium. Whether a plain equipment list is free was not checked. | YesPaid: Pro | Not checked | YesPaid: Pro | Not checked | PartialPaid: All AccessNeeds Tasty Links, included in the All Access plan. |
| Instructions | |||||||
| Step photosA photo or video can be attached to an individual step. | YesFreeA photo and a video per step in the editor; the public form takes a photo per step. | YesFree | YesPaid: ProAn image gallery in the directions is a Pro feature. | Not checked | Not checked | Not checked | Not checked |
| TimersTimes in the instructions become timers the reader can start. | YesFree | YesPaid: Premium | Not checked | YesPaid: Create ProPart of Interactive Mode. | YesPaid: Pro | YesFree | Not checked |
| Nutrition | |||||||
| Nutrition labelNutrition values are entered by hand and shown as a nutrition facts label. | YesFree | YesPaid: Premium | YesFree | YesFree | YesFree | YesFree | YesPaid: Basic |
| Automatic nutrition calculationNutrition values are calculated from the ingredient list using a food database. | YesFreeCalculated from USDA FoodData Central with your own free API key. It is off by default, and you confirm each ingredient match and weight. | YesPaid: ProUses the Spoonacular API. | YesPaid: ProfessionalThe vendor says it is based on the USDA database. | YesFreeUses API Ninjas, relayed through the vendor's service. | Not checked | YesPaid: ProUses the Edamam API. | PartialPaid: NutrifoxThrough Nutrifox, a separate paid service from the same company. |
| Reader tools | |||||||
| Star ratingsReaders can rate a recipe out of five stars. | YesFreeIts own review system with moderation, optional photos and helpful votes. It does not use WordPress comments. | YesFreeRatings through comments are free. Rating inside the card needs Premium. | YesFreeStar and comment ratings are free. Written reviews in a rating popup need Pro. | YesFree | YesFree | YesPaid: Pro | YesFreeStar ratings are taken from comments. |
| Print viewA print button opens a clean, printable version of the recipe. | YesFree | YesFree | Not checked | Not checked | YesFree | YesFree | YesFree |
| Jump to recipeA button at the top of a post scrolls straight to the recipe card. | YesFreeOn posts that embed a recipe, with a print button next to it. Recipe pages do not need it. | YesFree | Not checked | Not checked | YesFree | Not checked | YesFree |
| Cook modeA switch keeps the reader's screen awake while cooking. | YesFree | YesPaid: Premium | YesFree | YesPaid: Create ProInteractive Mode, a hands-free view with checklists. | PartialPaid: ProA focused reading mode. A keep-screen-awake switch was not confirmed. | PartialFreeA full-screen cooking view. A keep-screen-awake switch was not confirmed. | YesPaid: Basic |
| Saved recipesReaders can save recipes and find them again later. | YesFreeLogged-in users save recipes and see them on a "saved recipes" account page. | YesPaid: Premium | Not checked | Not checked | YesFree | YesPaid: Pro | PartialPaid: BasicReaders can email a recipe to themselves or save through Grow or Slickstream. There is no built-in saved list. |
| Meal planner and shopping listReaders build a meal plan or shopping list from recipes on the site. | PartialFreeVisitors have a shopping list, kept in the browser or in their account. Meal plans are made by site editors in the admin. | YesPaid: Elite | Not checked | Not checked | PartialPaid add-onThe meal planner is a paid add-on. A shopping list was not confirmed. | Not checked | Not checked |
| Building a recipe site | |||||||
| Recipe index and searchListing pages where visitors browse, filter and search all recipes. | YesFree | PartialFreeRecipe search is free. A browsable index needs the separate WP Ultimate Post Grid plugin. | YesPaid: Pro | PartialFreeA List card type for round-ups. A searchable recipe index was not confirmed. | YesFree | YesFree | Not checked |
| Visitor-submitted recipesVisitors send in recipes through a form on the site, for you to moderate. | YesFree | YesPaid: Elite | YesPaid: Pro | Not checked | YesPaid: Pro | YesPaid: Pro | Not checked |
| WPML or Polylang supportDeclares compatibility with a multilingual plugin so recipes can be translated. | YesFreeWPML and Polylang support, with translatable categories and cuisines and a language per recipe. | Not checked | YesFreeWPML support is listed in the free version. | Not checked | Not checked | Not checked | Not checked |
| Migration and extras | |||||||
| ImportersWhich other recipe plugins it can import recipes from. | WP Recipe Maker, Tasty Recipes, Create, WP Delicious, Cooked, Zip Recipes and Recipe Card Blocks, plus CSV and JSON (Pro) | 20+ plugins, including Tasty Recipes, Create, WP Delicious, Recipe Card Blocks, Cooked and Zip Recipes | WP Recipe Maker | 11 plugins, including WP Recipe Maker, Tasty Recipes and Zip Recipes | Not checked | CSV import | 11 sources, including WP Recipe Maker, Create and Zip Recipes |
| AI recipe draftingGenerates a recipe draft with an AI model. | YesPaid: ProDrafts from a topic, a URL or an uploaded document, with your own OpenAI or Gemini key. | Not checked | YesFreePaid plans list 3 AI credits included. | Not checked | YesPaid add-on | Not checked | NoNo AI drafting. The plugin offers a setting to block AI scrapers. |
- Yes: The plugin does this.
- Partial: It does part of this; the note says what is missing.
- No: The plugin does not do this.
- Not checked: We could not confirm it from the vendor's own pages, so we do not claim either way.
Side-by-side comparisons
Best-of guides
- Best recipe plugins overall
- Best free recipe plugins
- Best for a recipe directory
- Best with nutrition calculation
- Best for Elementor
Alternatives
Plugins we do not recommend for new sites
These plugins are closed on wordpress.org or show signs of being unmaintained. If you still run one, plan a migration.
- Zip Recipes: Vendor site has an expired certificate and a broken pricing page(checked Oct 9, 2026).Zip Recipes alternatives
- Blossom Recipe Maker: Closed on wordpress.org at the author's request(since Jul 6, 2024).
- Recipes by Simmer: Closed on wordpress.org for a guideline violation(since Jul 26, 2023).
- EasyRecipe: Closed on wordpress.org for a security issue(since Oct 21, 2023).
- WP Ultimate Recipe: Closed on wordpress.org at the author's request(since May 31, 2021).
- Meal Planner Pro Recipes: Closed on wordpress.org for a security issue(since Jul 16, 2020).
Frequently asked questions
What is the best WordPress recipe plugin?
For most food blogs, WP Recipe Maker. It has the largest user base, the highest rating on wordpress.org, and a free version with JSON-LD schema and a template editor. Other plugins fit better in specific cases, such as Create for free nutrition calculation, Recipe Card Blocks for several sites, and WP Delicious or Plugixa Recipe for a recipe directory.
Which recipe plugin is best if I do not want to pay?
It depends on the feature you need most. Create gives automatic nutrition calculation free. WP Recipe Maker gives a template editor and Guided Recipes markup free. Recipe Card Blocks gives cook mode free. Plugixa Recipe gives visitor submissions, reviews, cook mode and nutrition calculation free.
Do I need a recipe plugin for Google to show my recipes?
Google reads Recipe structured data to show ratings, cooking time and images in search results. A recipe plugin writes that data for you. Google recommends the JSON-LD format, which we confirmed as free in six of the seven plugins here.
What is the difference between a recipe card plugin and a recipe site plugin?
A card plugin adds a recipe card inside a blog post, under your own writing. A recipe site plugin gives each recipe its own page and builds listings, categories and search around them. WP Recipe Maker, Tasty Recipes, Create and Recipe Card Blocks are card plugins. WP Delicious, Cooked and Plugixa Recipe lean towards recipe sites.
Can I switch recipe plugins without losing my recipes?
Usually, if the new plugin has an importer for the old one. WP Recipe Maker imports from more than 20 plugins; Tasty Recipes and Create import from 11 each. Run the import on a staging copy first and check that ratings and images came across.
Which recipe plugins calculate nutrition facts automatically?
Create and Plugixa Recipe do it free; Plugixa Recipe needs your own free USDA API key. WP Recipe Maker, Recipe Card Blocks and Cooked do it in a paid tier. Tasty Recipes connects to Nutrifox, a separate subscription.
Who runs this comparison?
Plugixa, the company that makes Plugixa Recipe. That is a conflict of interest. To limit it, every value links to its source, each plugin page lists weaknesses as well as strengths, and our own plugin is ranked first only where the data supports it.
How often is the data updated?
Install counts, ratings and version numbers are read from the wordpress.org API every week. Features and prices are checked by hand, and each plugin page shows the date of the last check.