What can I cook? Find recipes by ingredient

How the finder works

Every recipe on this site is matched by its main ingredients: the meat, vegetables, dairy, grains and pulses that make the dish. When you tick what you have, the finder shows the recipes you can make right now, then the ones that need just one or two more things, so you can decide whether a quick shop is worth it.

Everyday staples such as oil, salt, spices, garlic, ginger, green chillies, sugar, lemon and fresh herbs are assumed, so they never count as missing. Always check the full ingredient list on the recipe before you start.

Tips for cooking from what you have

• Eggs, potatoes and onions are the most flexible trio in the kitchen: think aloo anda, a Spanish-style omelette or a quick egg curry.
• Leftover rice makes the best fried rice, because day-old grains are drier and don’t clump.
• Yogurt can stand in for cream in most curries; stir it in off the heat so it doesn’t split.
• Tinned chickpeas and lentils turn a handful of vegetables into a filling meal in under 30 minutes.
• Wilting spinach or herbs? Blend them into a chutney, or stir them into daal at the end.

Short on time as well as ingredients? See recipes under 30 minutes.