How do I add recipe schema to my food blog?

For WordPress, install a recipe plugin like WP Recipe Maker or Tasty Recipes. For other platforms, generate recipe schema using a tool like SchemaBooster, then add the JSON-LD code to your recipe page's head section. Always include required properties like name, image, and author.

Why are my recipes not showing in rich results?

Common reasons include: missing required properties, low-quality images (under 1200px), incorrect time format, schema not matching page content, or insufficient content quality. Validate your schema with Google Rich Results Test and fix all errors.

Recipe Schema Markup: Complete Guide for Food Bloggers (2025)

Q: What is recipe schema markup?

Recipe schema markup is structured data specifically designed for cooking recipes that tells search engines about your recipe's ingredients, instructions, cook time, ratings, and nutrition information, enabling beautiful recipe cards in Google search results.

Want your recipes to stand out in Google search with beautiful recipe cards showing cook time, ratings, and ingredients? Recipe schema markup is the key to unlocking these eye-catching rich results that drive massive traffic to food blogs.

This complete guide shows food bloggers exactly how to implement recipe schema to get featured in Google's recipe carousel, increase click-through rates by 30-50%, and dominate recipe search results.

What is Recipe Schema Markup?

Recipe schema is structured data specifically designed for cooking recipes. It tells search engines exactly what your recipe contains, how long it takes, nutritional info, and ratings.

It enables Google to display:

Recipe Cards: Beautiful visual cards with images in search results
Recipe Carousel: Horizontal scrolling gallery of recipes
Rich Results: Cook time, ratings, calories directly in search
Recipe Filters: Users can filter by diet, cook time, calories
Google Discover: Increased chances of appearing in personalized feeds
Voice Search: Better discoverability through voice assistants

Why Recipe Schema Matters for Food Blogs

The impact of recipe schema on food blog traffic is dramatic:

30-50% Higher Click-Through Rates

Recipe cards with images, ratings, and cook time attract significantly more clicks than plain blue links.

Featured in Recipe Carousel

Only recipes with proper schema appear in Google's prominent recipe carousel at the top of search results.

Better Mobile Experience

75% of recipe searches happen on mobile. Recipe cards are optimized for mobile browsing.

Competitive Advantage

While major recipe sites use schema, many smaller food bloggers don't - giving you an edge.

Voice Search Optimization

Recipe schema powers voice assistant responses to cooking queries.

Required vs. Recommended Recipe Properties

Required Properties (Must Have)

name: Recipe title
image: High-quality recipe photo (minimum 1200px wide)
author: Recipe creator (Person or Organization)

You must also include at least ONE of these:

aggregateRating: Overall rating and review count
video: Recipe video (if you have one)

Highly Recommended Properties

recipeIngredient: List of ingredients (critical for recipe cards)
recipeInstructions: Step-by-step cooking instructions
prepTime: Preparation time (ISO 8601 duration format)
cookTime: Cooking time
totalTime: Total time from start to finish
recipeYield: Number of servings
recipeCategory: Meal type (Dinner, Dessert, Breakfast, etc.)
recipeCuisine: Cuisine type (Italian, Mexican, Asian, etc.)
keywords: Relevant keywords and tags
nutrition: Nutritional information (calories, fat, protein, etc.)
video: Recipe video with thumbnail, upload date, description

Complete Recipe Schema Example

Here's a comprehensive recipe schema example for chocolate chip cookies:

{
  "@context": "https://schema.org/",
  "@type": "Recipe",
  "name": "Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies",
  "image": [
    "https://foodblog.com/cookies-1x1.jpg",
    "https://foodblog.com/cookies-4x3.jpg",
    "https://foodblog.com/cookies-16x9.jpg"
  ],
  "author": {
    "@type": "Person",
    "name": "Sarah Baker"
  },
  "datePublished": "2025-01-20",
  "description": "Classic chocolate chip cookies with crispy edges and chewy centers. Made with brown butter for extra flavor.",
  "prepTime": "PT15M",
  "cookTime": "PT12M",
  "totalTime": "PT27M",
  "keywords": "chocolate chip cookies, classic cookies, dessert, baking",
  "recipeYield": "24 cookies",
  "recipeCategory": "Dessert",
  "recipeCuisine": "American",
  "aggregateRating": {
    "@type": "AggregateRating",
    "ratingValue": "4.9",
    "ratingCount": "347"
  },
  "nutrition": {
    "@type": "NutritionInformation",
    "calories": "180 calories",
    "carbohydrateContent": "23g",
    "proteinContent": "2g",
    "fatContent": "9g",
    "saturatedFatContent": "5g",
    "cholesterolContent": "30mg",
    "sodiumContent": "150mg",
    "sugarContent": "15g",
    "servingSize": "1 cookie"
  },
  "recipeIngredient": [
    "1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter",
    "1 cup granulated sugar",
    "1 cup packed brown sugar",
    "2 large eggs",
    "2 teaspoons vanilla extract",
    "3 cups all-purpose flour",
    "1 teaspoon baking soda",
    "1/2 teaspoon salt",
    "2 cups chocolate chips"
  ],
  "recipeInstructions": [
    {
      "@type": "HowToStep",
      "name": "Brown the butter",
      "text": "In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and continue cooking until it turns golden brown and smells nutty, about 5 minutes. Let cool.",
      "url": "https://foodblog.com/perfect-chocolate-chip-cookies#step1",
      "image": "https://foodblog.com/brown-butter.jpg"
    },
    {
      "@type": "HowToStep",
      "name": "Mix wet ingredients",
      "text": "In a large bowl, beat together browned butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla, mixing well.",
      "url": "https://foodblog.com/perfect-chocolate-chip-cookies#step2"
    },
    {
      "@type": "HowToStep",
      "name": "Combine dry ingredients",
      "text": "In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.",
      "url": "https://foodblog.com/perfect-chocolate-chip-cookies#step3"
    },
    {
      "@type": "HowToStep",
      "name": "Mix dough",
      "text": "Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients until just combined. Fold in chocolate chips.",
      "url": "https://foodblog.com/perfect-chocolate-chip-cookies#step4"
    },
    {
      "@type": "HowToStep",
      "name": "Bake",
      "text": "Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes until edges are golden. Let cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.",
      "url": "https://foodblog.com/perfect-chocolate-chip-cookies#step5",
      "image": "https://foodblog.com/baking-cookies.jpg"
    }
  ],
  "video": {
    "@type": "VideoObject",
    "name": "How to Make Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies",
    "description": "Watch me make these perfect chocolate chip cookies from start to finish.",
    "thumbnailUrl": [
      "https://foodblog.com/video-thumb-1x1.jpg",
      "https://foodblog.com/video-thumb-4x3.jpg",
      "https://foodblog.com/video-thumb-16x9.jpg"
    ],
    "contentUrl": "https://foodblog.com/cookie-video.mp4",
    "embedUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/embed/abc123",
    "uploadDate": "2025-01-20T08:00:00+08:00",
    "duration": "PT2M30S"
  },
  "review": [
    {
      "@type": "Review",
      "author": {
        "@type": "Person",
        "name": "Emily Chen"
      },
      "datePublished": "2025-01-22",
      "reviewBody": "Best chocolate chip cookies I've ever made! The brown butter makes such a difference. My family loved them!",
      "reviewRating": {
        "@type": "Rating",
        "ratingValue": "5",
        "bestRating": "5"
      }
    }
  ]
}
// Complete recipe schema with all recommended properties

Time Format for Recipe Schema

Recipe times use ISO 8601 duration format:

Format: `PT` + Hours + `H` + Minutes + `M`

Examples:

15 minutes = `PT15M`
1 hour = `PT1H`
1 hour 30 minutes = `PT1H30M`
45 minutes = `PT45M`
2 hours 15 minutes = `PT2H15M`

// Correct time format examples
"prepTime": "PT15M",      // 15 minutes prep
"cookTime": "PT1H",       // 1 hour cook time
"totalTime": "PT1H15M"   // 1 hour 15 minutes total

// ❌ INCORRECT formats
"prepTime": "15 minutes"  // Will cause error
"cookTime": "1 hour"      // Will cause error

Recipe Instructions: Two Formats

You can format recipe instructions two ways:

Format 1: Simple Text Array (Basic)

"recipeInstructions": [
  "Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).",
  "Mix flour, sugar, and eggs in a bowl.",
  "Pour batter into prepared pan.",
  "Bake for 30 minutes until golden.",
  "Let cool before serving."
]
// Simple array of instruction text

Format 2: HowToStep Objects (Recommended)

"recipeInstructions": [
  {
    "@type": "HowToStep",
    "name": "Preheat oven",
    "text": "Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking pan with parchment paper.",
    "url": "https://example.com/recipe#step1",
    "image": "https://example.com/step1.jpg"
  },
  {
    "@type": "HowToStep",
    "name": "Mix ingredients",
    "text": "In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, and eggs. Mix until smooth.",
    "url": "https://example.com/recipe#step2",
    "image": "https://example.com/step2.jpg"
  }
]
// HowToStep format allows images and URLs per step

HowToStep format is recommended because it allows adding images and URLs to each step, creating richer search results.

How to Implement Recipe Schema

Method 1: Using a Recipe Plugin (WordPress)

Best WordPress Recipe Plugins:

WP Recipe Maker (Free & Pro) - Most popular, comprehensive
Tasty Recipes ($99/year) - Beautiful design, schema included
Yoast SEO (Free) - Basic recipe blocks
Rank Math (Free) - Recipe schema in SEO plugin

Setup with WP Recipe Maker:

Install and activate WP Recipe Maker plugin
In your post editor, add a Recipe block
Fill in recipe name, image, servings, times
Add ingredients (one per line)
Add instructions (numbered steps)
Add nutrition info (optional but recommended)
Add rating/reviews if you have them
Publish - schema is automatically generated

See our WordPress schema guide for more details.

Method 2: Manual Implementation

For non-WordPress sites or custom control:

Generate recipe schema using SchemaBooster
Select 'Recipe' schema type
Fill in all recipe details
Copy the generated JSON-LD code
Add to your recipe page in `<head>` or before `</body>`
Wrap in `<script type="application/ld+json">` tags

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
  <title>Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe</title>
  <script type="application/ld+json">
  {
    "@context": "https://schema.org/",
    "@type": "Recipe",
    "name": "Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies",
    ...
  }
  </script>
</head>
<body>
  <!-- Your recipe content -->
</body>
</html>
// Add JSON-LD schema to your recipe page

Method 3: Programmatic Generation

For developers building recipe sites:

Store recipe data in database/CMS
Create template that generates JSON-LD from recipe data
Dynamically output schema on each recipe page
Ensure data stays synchronized with visible content

Recipe Schema Best Practices

High-Quality Images: Use minimum 1200px wide images in 16:9, 4:3, and 1:1 ratios
Complete Ingredients: List every ingredient with measurements
Detailed Instructions: Write clear, numbered steps
Accurate Times: Be realistic with prep, cook, and total times
Include Nutrition: Calories and macros improve user experience
Add Reviews: Real user reviews boost credibility
Video When Possible: Recipe videos get priority in search
Use HowToStep Format: Richer than simple text instructions
Match Visible Content: Schema must reflect what's actually on the page
Update Ratings: Keep aggregate ratings current as new reviews come in

Common Recipe Schema Mistakes

Mistake 1: Missing Required Properties

Forgetting name, image, or author causes validation errors.

Fix: Use a generator or checklist to ensure all required fields are included.

Mistake 2: Wrong Time Format

Using "30 minutes" instead of "PT30M".

Fix: Always use ISO 8601 duration format (PT + time).

Mistake 3: Low-Quality Images

Images under 1200px wide won't display in rich results.

Fix: Use high-resolution images (minimum 1200px wide, ideally 1920px).

Mistake 4: Incomplete Ingredient Lists

Missing ingredients or vague measurements ("some sugar").

Fix: List every ingredient with precise measurements.

Mistake 5: Schema Doesn't Match Content

Schema says "4 servings" but page shows "6 servings".

Fix: Ensure schema perfectly matches visible recipe content.

Testing Your Recipe Schema

Always validate recipe schema before publishing:

Open Google Rich Results Test
Enter your recipe page URL
Click 'Test URL'
Look for "Recipe" in detected items
Check for errors (fix immediately) and warnings (fix if possible)
Verify recipe card preview looks correct
Test on mobile and desktop

Learn more in our schema testing guide.

Measuring Recipe Schema Success

Track these metrics to measure impact:

Rich Results in Search Console: Check Enhancements → Recipes
CTR Improvement: Compare before/after schema implementation
Carousel Appearances: Monitor if recipes appear in recipe carousel
Recipe Views: Track if recipe traffic increases
Search Visibility: Check rankings for recipe keywords
Voice Search: Monitor referrals from voice assistants

Advanced Recipe Schema Features

1. Recipe Video Schema

Adding video significantly improves visibility:

"video": {
  "@type": "VideoObject",
  "name": "Recipe Video Title",
  "description": "Video description",
  "thumbnailUrl": "https://example.com/thumb.jpg",
  "contentUrl": "https://example.com/video.mp4",
  "embedUrl": "https://youtube.com/embed/abc123",
  "uploadDate": "2025-01-20T08:00:00+08:00",
  "duration": "PT3M45S"
}
// Video schema increases recipe visibility

2. Nutrition Information

Detailed nutrition helps users make informed choices:

"nutrition": {
  "@type": "NutritionInformation",
  "calories": "270 calories",
  "carbohydrateContent": "35g",
  "proteinContent": "8g",
  "fatContent": "12g",
  "saturatedFatContent": "7g",
  "cholesterolContent": "45mg",
  "sodiumContent": "380mg",
  "fiberContent": "2g",
  "sugarContent": "18g",
  "servingSize": "1 serving"
}
// Comprehensive nutrition information

3. Dietary and Allergen Information

"suitableForDiet": "https://schema.org/VeganDiet",
"recipeIngredient": [
  "Note: Contains nuts",
  "Gluten-free flour can be substituted"
]
// Help users find recipes matching their dietary needs

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need recipe schema for every recipe post?

Yes, every recipe page should have recipe schema to be eligible for rich results and recipe carousel placement. Without schema, your recipes won't appear in Google's enhanced recipe features, significantly limiting visibility and traffic potential.

Can I add multiple recipes to one page?

While technically possible, it's not recommended. Google prefers one recipe per page for clear rich result display. If you have multiple recipe variations, create separate pages or use one primary recipe with variations mentioned in the instructions.

How long before my recipe appears in rich results?

After implementing valid recipe schema, Google typically takes 1-4 weeks to recrawl your pages and process the markup. Recipe carousel and rich result appearances may show within 2-6 weeks, depending on content quality, competition, and search demand for your recipe.

Is recipe video required for recipe schema?

No, video is not required but highly recommended. Recipes with video get preferential treatment in search results and are more likely to appear in the recipe carousel. If you don't have video yet, focus on images, ratings, and complete instructions first.

Conclusion: Dominate Recipe Search with Schema

Recipe schema markup is non-negotiable for food bloggers wanting to compete in 2025. It's the difference between getting lost in search results and appearing in the prominent recipe carousel with beautiful recipe cards.

Your Recipe Schema Checklist:

✅ Include all required properties (name, image, author)
✅ Use high-quality images (1200px+ wide)
✅ Add complete ingredient lists with measurements
✅ Write detailed step-by-step instructions
✅ Include prep, cook, and total times in ISO 8601 format
✅ Add nutrition information when possible
✅ Include ratings and reviews
✅ Add recipe video if available
✅ Validate with Rich Results Test
✅ Monitor performance in Search Console

Ready to boost your food blog traffic? Generate validated recipe schema in minutes with SchemaBooster's recipe generator. Get those recipe cards in search results.