CFCWR Blog
6 Meal Planning & Recipes Apps to Simplify Cooking and Cut Food Waste
Written by: Kylee Marlin, Undergraduate Student Researcher, Purdue University
Tired of staring into your fridge wondering what to make for dinner—only to realize something’s gone bad again? You’re not alone. We have all been there. Buying ingredients with good intentions, only to toss them out a week later. But after trying a bunch of apps over the past several months, I found that the right meal-planning tools can make a real difference. Whether you’re trying to cook more at home, reduce food waste, or just avoid the dreaded “what’s for dinner?” debate, these apps can help. Each offers a unique set of features tailored to different needs, making it easy to find the right fit! From smart pantry trackers to AI-powered meal suggestions, these tools can turn kitchen chaos into a more enjoyable and stress-free experience.
Here’s a closer look at six apps that genuinely made my life in the kitchen easier—each with its own strengths (and quirks).
SuperCook
I love SuperCook for those nights when the fridge is a weird mix of half-used veggies, sauces, and leftover rice. It is an excellent choice for those looking to use existing ingredients efficiently. Its recipe generator suggests dishes based on what’s already in your pantry, helping to reduce food waste and save money. The app also creates smart grocery lists, making shopping easier. Additionally, users appreciate how it supports dietary changes by offering meal ideas tailored to their preferences. However, some find its vast collection of recipes overwhelming, and the food photography could be more appealing. There are also reports of occasional lag in the app’s performance.
- Best for: Reducing food waste using what’s already in your kitchen.
- Cost: Free
- Ratings: 4.8/5 stars (20K ratings on the App Store)
Crumb: Menu Maker & Eating Well
Crumb is one of the newer apps I tested, and it’s got a modern, techy vibe. It uses AI to suggest meals based on what you’ve liked before, and it even takes your pantry items into account. I liked the voice search – it actually worked better than I expected, and it felt kind of futuristic to just say “show me dinner ideas with chicken and broccoli.” Users liked that they can favorite and rate recipes, customizing their experience. While free to download, many of the key features are locked behind a paid subscription, limiting full access for those unwilling to pay. This app is definitely for those who want convenience, tech, and personalization in one place!
- Best for: AI-powered personalization and pantry tracking
- Cost: Weekly: $3.99, Monthly: $6.99, Yearly: $39.99
- Ratings: 4.5/5 stars (50 ratings on the App Store)
Cooklist: Pantry Meal Recipes
Cooklist is all about organization. It connects your grocery store account and auto-loads your purchases, which is honestly pretty cool. For those spreadsheet nerds (like me!), this app would be very pleasing for you to track your pantry in real time. It allows users to import their own recipes, connect grocery loyalty cards, and use an automatic pantry scanner to track inventory. This makes it ideal for meal prep and ensuring no ingredient goes to waste. However, while advertised as free, full functionality requires in-app purchases, which can be a drawback for budget-conscious users.
- Best for: Inventory tracking and meal prepping
- Cost: 7-Day Free Trial, with additional in-app purchases
- Ratings: 4.7/5 stars (10K ratings on the App Store)
Big Oven Recipes & Meal Planner
Big Oven has been around a while, and it offers a robust set of tools for organizing meals. It includes keto-friendly and customizable recipes, allowing users to tweak meals to match their preferences. I enjoyed uploading my family’s recipes and tweaking others to fits my taste – it gave me this “master chef of my domain” vibe. Additionally, the app supports photo uploads and recipe personalization, letting users create their own database. Its smartwatch integration adds convenience, but some users find the recipe scan feature unnecessary. Many advanced features are locked behind a Pro membership, limiting accessibility for free users.
- Best for: Customization and kitchen organization
- Cost: Pro-Monthly: $2.99, Pro-Annual: $24.99
- Ratings: 4.7/5 stars (13K ratings on the App Store)
FoodShiner: Pantry Companion
FoodShiner isn’t really a meal planner, but I included it because it’s such a helpful app for reducing waste. FoodShiner is primarily focused on inventory management, helping users track food expiration dates and waste. Its barcode scanner makes adding items to the pantry quick and easy, while the expiration reminders ensure food is used before it spoils. However, users noted that it lacks sharing functionality, meaning you cannot collaborate with others on pantry or recipe databases. Additionally, customization options for storage and category names are limited.
- Best for: Tracking expiration dates and reducing spoilage
- Cost: Free
- Ratings: 4.6/5 stars (111 ratings on the App Store)
Tasty: Recipes, Cooking Videos
If you’re more of a “watch it, then make it” kind of cook, Tasty is awesome! Tasty is highly rated for its beginner-friendly, step-by-step video tutorials, making it easy to follow recipes. If you’re looking to get comfortable in the kitchen, this is definitely an app that will help you out. The app provides an Editor’s Choice selection, ensuring quality recipes, and a user-friendly layout. However, some users report missing steps in certain recipes, and over time, fewer new recipes have been added to the app.
- Best for: Beginners and visual learners
- Cost: 7-Day Free Trial, Monthly: $3.99, Yearly: $34.99
- Ratings: 4.9/5 stars (430K ratings on the App Store)
Final Thoughts
Honestly, there is not a single “best” app – just the best one for you. Each of these apps offers a unique approach to meal planning and recipe discovery. If you’re trying to save money and put an end to throwing away food, SuperCook and FoodShiner are game changers. If you’re into smart tech and personalization, Crumb and Cooklist are super useful for these features. For people who like to plan, organize, and tweak recipes, Big Oven is a solid bet. And if you’re just starting out or need visual guidance, Tasty is still a favorite.
Personally, I use a combo – SuperCook when I need dinner ideas on the fly, FoodShiner to track my pantry, and Tasty when I’m craving something new and easy. By choosing the right app, or even a combination, you can streamline your kitchen, cut down waste, and make mealtime something you look forward to. Try a few out and see what works for you!
This work is supported by the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative, project award no. 2024-68015-42110, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and should not be construed to represent any official USDA or U.S. Government determination or policy.
Notes: Ratings information was pulled from the App Store on June 9, 2025. Copilot was used to assist with post formatting.