NYT Cooking has some of the best-tested recipes on the internet. The only problem? They're stuck behind a paywall, and even if you subscribe, those recipes live in yet another app. Here's how to bring your favorites into MealCraft.
Method 1: Paste the URL
The simplest way to save a recipe is to paste its URL directly into MealCraft. This works great for publicly accessible recipes.
How it works:
- Copy the recipe URL from NYT Cooking (e.g., cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/...)
- In MealCraft, go to Add Recipe
- Select the From URL tab
- Paste the URL and tap Import
MealCraft will fetch the page and use AI to extract the recipe title, ingredients, steps, and timing information. In seconds, the recipe is in your collection, ready to cook.
When to use this method:
- The recipe is publicly accessible (no paywall)
- You're on your phone and want to quickly save something
- You don't have an NYT Cooking subscription
Method 2: Recipe Grabber (For Paywalled Content)
If you have an NYT Cooking subscription, you have access to thousands of amazing recipes. But when you try to import them via URL, MealCraft can't get past the paywall. That's where Recipe Grabber comes in.
Recipe Grabber is a bookmarklet that runs in your browser. Because you're already logged in to NYT Cooking, it can see the full recipe content and send it to MealCraft.
Setting up Recipe Grabber:
- In MealCraft, go to Settings
- Find the Recipe Grabber section
- Drag the "Save to MealCraft" button to your browser's bookmarks bar
- That's it! You're ready to grab recipes
Using Recipe Grabber:
- Browse to any recipe on NYT Cooking (while logged in to your subscription)
- Click the "Save to MealCraft" bookmark in your browser
- A small popup confirms the recipe was saved
- The recipe appears in your MealCraft collection
Why this works:
When you view a recipe on NYT Cooking with your subscription, the full content is loaded in your browser. Recipe Grabber simply reads what's already on your screen and sends it to MealCraft. It doesn't bypass any paywalls or do anything unauthorized. It's just copying content you already have access to.
What Gets Imported
Whether you use URL import or Recipe Grabber, MealCraft extracts:
- Recipe title and description
- Complete ingredient list with quantities and units
- Step-by-step instructions
- Timing information (prep time, cook time, total time)
- Serving size
- Recipe image (when available)
Once imported, your recipe is fully editable. Adjust ingredient quantities, add personal notes, or modify steps to match how you actually make the dish.
Tips for Best Results
- Check the import: AI extraction is good but not perfect. Give ingredients and steps a quick review after importing.
- Add to your meal plan: Once imported, you can immediately add the recipe to your weekly meal plan.
- Works with other sites too: Recipe Grabber and URL import work with most recipe websites, not just NYT Cooking. Try it with Serious Eats, Bon Appetit, or your favorite food blogs.
Build Your Collection
No more bookmarking recipes across different apps and websites. With MealCraft, all your favorite recipes live in one place. They're searchable, plannable, and ready to cook whenever you are.
Ready to start building your recipe collection? Join the MealCraft beta and start saving recipes today.