Organizing Recipes On Your Computer – Create a folder called recipes.  Within that folder create sub-folders that you label by category. I find it’s easier to label them with simple words like meats, vegetarian, appetizers, pastas, breakfast, low cholesterol, low sodium, deserts, gluten free recipes etc.  It all depends on what foods you typically eat and what your preferences are.  Then, save the document in its designated folder and label it something that you can clearly find and identify for example: Moms Toad In The Hole.

Organizing Recipes Online – I have two ways that I organize my recipes online.  The first one is using bookmarks on my web browser. I set this up no different than how I set up a folder on my computer.  I create my recipe folder in my bookmarks and all the sub-folder with the various categories and when I stumble across a recipe online I save it to the appropriate folder. I make sure to label it in a way that is easy to identify.

The second way I store my recipes online is a website and iphone application or iPad application called Big Oven. With big oven you can store your favorite recipes as well as browse new ones.  They have great features like “try soon” as well as a leftover wizard that will tell you what you can make out of your leftovers.  It’s a great way iphone or ipad accessory to keep you organized.

Organizing Recipes Hard Copy – The best way that I have found to keep all my recipes in one location is using a 3 ring binder.  That way you can add to and remove at your convenience.  If you write your recipe in a notebook its permanently there and if you run out of room you have to start another book. Here is how I set mine up

• Organize all your recipes into categories, just like you would if you were doing this on a computer

• Get a new 3 ring binder and some tab dividers that you can label yourself.  Write each of the sections that you have onto a new tab divider

• Buy some clear sleeve inserts for the 3 ring binder. This will help keep the recipe in good condition and should you need to take it out of the binder it adds a layer of protection

• Insert your recipes into the clear sleeves and file them in the correct category they belong in

If you want to find your recipes at a glance you can always create an index.  You can put an 8×11 piece of paper at the front of the binder and write the name of each recipe that is in each section or you can create the list on your computer and as you add some new recipes, update your sheet and print it out.  This way you don’t have to continually skim through the entire section to find what you’re looking for.  This is also great if you have no idea what you want for dinner and need to see a big list for ideas.

You can also create an index for recipes that you like in your cookbooks or ones that are stored on your computer.  Quickly right down the recipe you enjoy, write the name of the cook book it is in as well as the page and now you can quickly pull that book and get to cooking. Same thing with your recipes on your computer. Write down the name of the recipe and the folder it is stored in.

If you come across a lot of recipes that you would like to try soon, create a try soon section within your computer folders or recipe binder. If you get a lot of recommended recipes from friends create a section labeled recommended.  So now, as you come across recipes in a magazine you can rip them out of the magazine and insert them into your binder.  If you come across a recipe online, you can either print a hard copy for your binder or save it on your computer.

Once you have set up your recipe organization it will be so much easier going forward to find all the recipes you enjoy.   Then you can start to brag to all of your friends telling them “this is how I organize my recipes” and you will sound like an organizing guru.