Write For Us

Share your recipes with a community of passionate home cooks.

Contribute to Delicious Meal Ideas

Delicious Meal Ideas accepts original recipe contributions from experienced home cooks and food professionals. If you have a recipe that fits our style — approachable, flavorful, and genuinely tested — we'd love to hear from you.

We publish in four categories: Dinner, Lunch, Dessert, and Appetizer & Sides. Contributions that fit naturally into one of these categories are most likely to be considered. We don't accept listicles, roundups, or generic food content — only original recipes with your own tested instructions.

What We're Looking For

Original Recipes Only

Every recipe must be your own. We don't accept adapted versions of other people's recipes, and submissions are checked for originality. The instructions should reflect how you actually make the dish — not a theoretical version of it.

Kitchen-Tested Results

Only submit recipes you've made successfully, multiple times. We want recipes that work for real people in real kitchens — not recipe drafts or ideas you haven't cooked yet. If something in the recipe is tricky, tell us so we can include a helpful note.

Clear, Specific Instructions

Instructions should be specific enough that a beginner could follow them, but written naturally — not like a lab manual. Use real measurements (not "a handful"), note visual cues ("cook until golden"), and include any common mistakes to avoid.

Quality Photos

We require at least one clear, well-lit photo of the finished dish. Natural light is preferred. Photos don't need to be professional, but they do need to accurately represent what the recipe produces. Blurry or dark photos will not be accepted.

Submission Guidelines

  • Recipe must be entirely original — not published elsewhere or adapted from another published source
  • Minimum 300 words of written content, including a brief intro, the recipe story, and any useful context
  • Ingredient list with precise measurements in standard US measurements
  • Step-by-step instructions written in active voice with specific visual or timing cues
  • At least one high-quality photo of the finished dish (minimum 1200px wide, JPEG or PNG)
  • Estimated prep time, cook time, and serving size
  • Brief author bio (2–3 sentences) and a headshot photo if you'd like a byline
  • Any notes on dietary variations, storage, or ingredient substitutions

What We Don't Cover

To maintain site focus and quality, we decline submissions in the following areas:

  • Highly exotic or specialty ingredients that most readers can't easily source
  • Molecular gastronomy or advanced restaurant techniques requiring professional equipment
  • Beverage-only recipes (cocktails, smoothies, teas) without a food pairing context
  • Diet-brand marketing content or sponsored recipe placements disguised as contributions
  • Recipes that have already been published on your own site or another outlet

The Submission Process

1

Review Guidelines

Read this page carefully before submitting. Submissions that don't meet the guidelines above will not receive a response.

2

Send Your Submission

Use the contact form below with the subject "Recipe Submission." Include the recipe text, photos, and your brief bio in the message.

3

Editorial Review

Irene reviews all submissions personally. If accepted, she may make light edits for clarity and style. You'll hear back within 2 weeks.

Ready to Submit?

Use the contact form and select "Collaboration Inquiry" as your subject. Include your recipe, photos, and a brief note about yourself.

Submit Your Recipe →