> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.trysouschef.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Importing your first recipe into Souschef — a quick guide

> Learn how to import a recipe into Souschef from a website, social media post, or photo in just a few taps — it only takes seconds.

One of the best things about Souschef is how quick it is to save a recipe the moment you find it. Whether you've just stumbled across a gorgeous pasta dish on Instagram, spotted a Facebook video you want to try, or you have a screenshot sitting in your camera roll — Souschef can pull that recipe in for you in seconds. Prefer to write your own or paste from a text message? That works too. Here's how to do it for the very first time.

<div className="flex justify-center my-8">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/nekonote-llc/XuA-guXAxwzbRNF5/images/mascots/empty-recipe-inbox.webp?fit=max&auto=format&n=XuA-guXAxwzbRNF5&q=85&s=6de329060e692537c8a174ce32f9f461" alt="Sous the cat swamped in recipes" className="w-64 sm:w-96 h-auto" width="1220" height="1320" data-path="images/mascots/empty-recipe-inbox.webp" />
</div>

## Import your first recipe

<Steps>
  <Step title="Download and open Souschef">
    If you haven't already, grab the free app from the [App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/souschef-recipe-organizer/id6468939420) (iPhone/iPad) or [Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.souschef.app) (Android). Once installed, open it up — you'll land on your recipe collection, which is empty and ready to fill!

    <Info>
      📸 Screenshot needed: the empty recipe collection screen on first launch
    </Info>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Tap the plus button">
    Look for the **+** button, usually found at the bottom of the screen. Give it a tap to start the import flow.

    <Info>
      📸 Screenshot needed: the main collection screen with the + button highlighted
    </Info>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose how you want to import">
    You've got a few options here — pick whichever suits the recipe you want to save:

    * **Paste a URL** — copy the link from a recipe website, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, or Pinterest and paste it here.
    * **Share from another app** — if you're already browsing in Instagram, Facebook, Safari, Chrome, or another app, use that app's Share button and select Souschef from the list.
    * **Scan a photo or screenshot** — tap the camera/image option to import a recipe from a photo in your camera roll or a screenshot you've taken.
    * **Paste text** — got the recipe as plain text? Paste it in and Souschef's AI will structure it.
    * **Create manually** — start with a blank recipe and type in your own.
    * **Discover with AI** — tap [AI Discovery](/using/ai-discovery) and describe what you're craving to search across recipe websites, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

    <Info>
      📸 Screenshot needed: the import options screen showing URL paste, share, photo scan, paste text, create manually, and AI Discovery choices.
    </Info>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review and save the recipe">
    Souschef will process the recipe and show you a preview \u2014 with the title, ingredients, numbered steps, and a set of AI-suggested [tags](/using/ai-tagging) (cuisine, meal type, diet, main ingredient, cooking method). Nutrition information comes through automatically when the source provides it. Give it a quick look, edit anything that needs tweaking, then tap **Save**. That's it! Your recipe is now in your collection, ready to cook whenever you are. 🎉

    <Info>
      📸 Screenshot needed: the recipe preview screen before saving, with AI-suggested tags pre-selected and the Save button visible.
    </Info>
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Tips for your first import

<Tip>
  **Every recipe you import is yours to keep.** Free users can import up to **3 recipes per week**. Reaching that limit only affects new imports — you can still view, organize, edit, search, and cook from everything already in your library. See [Recipe import limits](/billing/import-limits) for details.
</Tip>

<Tip>
  **Start with a website recipe.** Recipe blogs and food websites tend to give the cleanest results. If you're testing Souschef for the first time, try pasting a link from your favourite food blog.
</Tip>

<Tip>
  **The Share button is your best friend.** Once you've [added Souschef to your share menu](/getting-started/add-to-share-menu), you can import any recipe without even opening the app first. Just tap Share in any app and select Souschef.
</Tip>

<Tip>
  **For video recipes, the link is all you need.** When importing from YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram, just copy and paste the URL for the video or post — Souschef will do the work of extracting the recipe for you.
</Tip>

## What to do if it doesn't work

Sometimes an import might not go quite as expected — a website might use an unusual layout, or a video might not have a full recipe in its description. Don't worry! Check out our guide on [why imports sometimes fail](/importing/why-import-fails) for common fixes and workarounds. You can also always type or paste a recipe in manually.

***

## Still need help?

Our team is always happy to lend a hand — visit [Contact Support](/troubleshooting/contact-support) to get in touch.

**Related articles:**

* [Supported import sources](/importing/supported-sources)
* [Add Souschef to your share menu](/getting-started/add-to-share-menu)
* [Import from Facebook](/importing/import-from-facebook)
* [Import from plain text](/importing/import-from-plain-text)
* [AI Discovery](/using/ai-discovery)
* [AI Tagging](/using/ai-tagging)