> ## 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.

# How to import a YouTube cooking video into Souschef

> Souschef's YouTube recipe extractor uses AI to turn any cooking video or Short into a structured recipe with ingredients and timestamped steps.

<a href="/billing/free-plan" className="help-availability-badge">
  <Badge icon="circle-check" color="green" shape="pill">Included in Free plan</Badge>
</a>

Importing from YouTube is included in the free version of Souschef.

Ever wished you could cook along with a YouTube recipe without constantly pausing, rewinding, and squinting at the screen? Souschef uses AI to turn any YouTube cooking video — including YouTube Shorts — into a fully structured recipe complete with an ingredient list, step-by-step instructions with timestamps, and smart timers. Share a video to Souschef, or browse YouTube inside the app — then let it do the heavy lifting.

<Note>
  Souschef extracts recipe information from the video's description and, when available, the spoken audio. If the recipe isn't described in either source, the imported recipe may be incomplete.
</Note>

## What you get from a YouTube import

When you import a YouTube cooking video, Souschef extracts recipe information from the video's title, description, and spoken audio when available:

* **Ingredient list** — scalable to any serving size, with easy measurement conversions
* **Step-by-step instructions with video timestamps** — jump straight to any moment in the video without scrubbing around
* **Smart timers** — Souschef automatically detects timing steps so you can set a timer with a single tap
* **Shopping list ready in one tap** — add all ingredients to your shopping list, automatically organized by aisle

## How to import a recipe from YouTube

There are three ways to import a YouTube cooking video. Pick whichever works best for you.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Method 1: Share from YouTube">
    Already watching a cooking video in the YouTube app? Share it straight to Souschef.

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Open YouTube and find a cooking video">
        Browse YouTube and find the cooking video or Short you'd like to import into Souschef.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Tap the Share button">
        Tap **Share** below the video.

        <img src="https://mintcdn.com/nekonote-llc/8Bn_kolWAIZ4W9OM/images/screenshots/youtube/share-button.webp?fit=max&auto=format&n=8Bn_kolWAIZ4W9OM&q=85&s=a6a1c5b79b9e36743b4358724fbfefcf" alt="YouTube video with the Share button highlighted" className="help-screenshot" width="375" height="395" data-path="images/screenshots/youtube/share-button.webp" />
      </Step>

      <Step title="Select Souschef from the share sheet">
        Tap the **Souschef** icon in the share sheet. Souschef will open and start extracting the recipe automatically.

        Don't see Souschef in the share sheet? Follow [Add Souschef to your share menu](/getting-started/add-to-share-menu).
      </Step>

      <Step title="Wait while Souschef analyzes the video">
        Souschef will extract the recipe from the video's description and spoken audio when available. This may take a moment depending on the length of the video — just keep the app open.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Review and save the extracted recipe">
        Check the ingredients and steps, make any edits you want, then save the recipe to your collection.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Method 2: YouTube Browser">
    Prefer to stay in Souschef? Use the built-in YouTube Recipe Browser to find and import videos without leaving the app.

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Tap the '+' button in Souschef">
        Open Souschef and tap the **+** button at the bottom of your collection.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Tap Browse">
        On the import screen, tap **Browse**.

        <img src="https://mintcdn.com/nekonote-llc/8Bn_kolWAIZ4W9OM/images/screenshots/youtube/browse.webp?fit=max&auto=format&n=8Bn_kolWAIZ4W9OM&q=85&s=73425c01e2fdf978c579a2f13297a6e4" alt="Import Recipe screen with the Browse button highlighted" className="help-screenshot" width="375" height="667" data-path="images/screenshots/youtube/browse.webp" />
      </Step>

      <Step title="Select YouTube">
        In the **Search on:** menu, tap **YouTube** to open the Recipe Browser.

        <img src="https://mintcdn.com/nekonote-llc/8Bn_kolWAIZ4W9OM/images/screenshots/youtube/select-youtube.webp?fit=max&auto=format&n=8Bn_kolWAIZ4W9OM&q=85&s=160663fe6c9b0d21842778c98ab26468" alt="Search on menu with YouTube highlighted" className="help-screenshot" width="375" height="667" data-path="images/screenshots/youtube/select-youtube.webp" />
      </Step>

      <Step title="Find a cooking video">
        Search or browse YouTube inside the Recipe Browser until you open the cooking video you want.

        <img src="https://mintcdn.com/nekonote-llc/8Bn_kolWAIZ4W9OM/images/screenshots/youtube/recipe-browser.webp?fit=max&auto=format&n=8Bn_kolWAIZ4W9OM&q=85&s=f309342bd7c5712511da4e3b6804af6a" alt="Recipe Browser showing the YouTube search screen" className="help-screenshot" width="375" height="667" data-path="images/screenshots/youtube/recipe-browser.webp" />
      </Step>

      <Step title="Tap Import Recipe">
        When you're on a recipe video, the button at the bottom right becomes **Import Recipe**. Tap it to start the import.

        <img src="https://mintcdn.com/nekonote-llc/8Bn_kolWAIZ4W9OM/images/screenshots/youtube/import-recipe.webp?fit=max&auto=format&n=8Bn_kolWAIZ4W9OM&q=85&s=15a48c5b1319492a39356d03f031b337" alt="Recipe Browser on a YouTube recipe video with Import Recipe highlighted" className="help-screenshot" width="375" height="667" data-path="images/screenshots/youtube/import-recipe.webp" />
      </Step>

      <Step title="Wait while Souschef analyzes the video">
        Souschef will extract the recipe from the video's description and spoken audio when available. Keep the app open until it's done.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Method 3: Paste a URL">
    Already have a YouTube link you want to save? You can paste the URL directly into Souschef.

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Copy the video URL">
        In the YouTube app or in your browser, open the cooking video and copy its URL.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Open Souschef and tap '+'">
        Open Souschef and tap the **+** button at the bottom of your collection.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Tap Import from URL">
        Select **Import from URL** from the options.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Paste the URL and tap Import">
        Paste the YouTube URL and tap **Import**. Souschef will extract the recipe and add it to your collection.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Info>
  Souschef plays the original YouTube video in the background whenever you're cooking from that recipe, so the creator gets credit for every view. It's a great way to support the people whose recipes you love!
</Info>

## Troubleshooting

If the recipe extraction came out incomplete or something doesn't look right, head over to [Why a recipe import might fail](/importing/why-import-fails) for common causes and how to fix them.

***

## Still need help?

Our team is always happy to assist — [contact support](/troubleshooting/contact-support).

## Related articles

* [Import from Facebook](/importing/import-from-facebook)
* [Import from Instagram](/importing/import-from-instagram)
* [AI Discovery](/using/ai-discovery)
* [Why a recipe import might fail](/importing/why-import-fails)
* [Cooking mode](/using/cooking-mode)
* [Using smart timers](/using/timers)
* [All supported recipe sources](/importing/supported-sources)