How do I update a recipe in MyFitnessPal? A complete guide

January 9, 2026 •

4 min read

According to MyFitnessPal's own support, users have been able to edit recipes since at least 2019, but the process has evolved with recent updates. This guide will explain exactly how to update a recipe in MyFitnessPal, ensuring your nutritional information is always accurate.

Quick Summary

Guidance on modifying saved recipes within the MyFitnessPal application for iOS, Android, and the web. Details include adjusting ingredients, servings, and fine-tuning nutritional calculations to accurately reflect your dietary intake.

Key Points

Access the Recipes Section: Find your saved recipes in the 'More' menu on the mobile app or under the 'Food' tab on the website.
Enter Edit Mode: Select the specific recipe and click 'Edit Recipe' to access the modification screen.
Adjust Ingredients: You can add, remove, or replace ingredients directly within the recipe's edit screen.
Update Serving Information: Change the total number of servings a recipe yields to ensure per-serving nutritional data is accurate.
Save Your Changes: Remember to save your edits to apply the updates to your recipe.
Verify Accuracy: Always double-check imported recipes and use precise measurements for the most accurate tracking results.
Stay Consistent: Make it a habit to update recipes as soon as you change an ingredient to maintain reliable nutrition data.

Why you might need to update a MyFitnessPal recipe

Tracking your nutrition accurately is a cornerstone of any successful health and fitness journey. As your eating habits evolve, so should the recipes you've saved in MyFitnessPal. There are several reasons you might need to make an adjustment:

Changing ingredients: You substituted a healthier option, like swapping out olive oil for coconut oil, or used a different brand with varying nutritional values.
Adjusting serving sizes: The recipe yielded more or fewer servings than you originally estimated, requiring a change to the total recipe yield.
Tweaking a recipe: You added a new ingredient for flavor, like a sprinkle of cheese or an extra vegetable, which alters the overall nutritional content.
Correcting import errors: Sometimes, the recipe importer tool might misidentify an ingredient, necessitating a manual fix.

How do I update a recipe in MyFitnessPal: A step-by-step guide

The process for editing a recipe is slightly different depending on whether you are using the mobile app or the website. Here are the detailed instructions for both platforms.

For the iOS and Android mobile apps

Updating a recipe on your phone is a straightforward process accessible from the main menu.

Open the MyFitnessPal app and navigate to the 'More' menu (three dots or icon).
Select 'My Meals, Recipes & Foods' from the menu options.
Tap on the 'Recipes' tab at the top of the screen.
Locate and tap on the specific recipe you wish to modify.
Tap the 'Edit Recipe' button, or in some app versions, the three dots (ellipsis) at the top right of the recipe screen, then select 'Edit Recipe'.
To add an ingredient: Tap the plus icon and search for the new food item.
To edit an ingredient: Tap on the ingredient you want to change. You can adjust the quantity, serving size, or replace it entirely.
To delete an ingredient: Tap the pencil icon and then select the item(s) you wish to remove by checking the box next to them. Tap the trash can icon at the top to delete.
Make other changes, like renaming the recipe or updating the total number of servings.
Tap the checkmark icon to save your changes.

For the MyFitnessPal website

If you prefer using a desktop, the web version offers a similar editing experience.

Log in to your MyFitnessPal account on the website.
Click on the 'Food' tab at the top of the page.
Select 'Recipes' from the sub-navigation menu.
Find the recipe you want to edit in your list and click its name.
On the next page, click the 'Edit Recipe' button.
To add ingredients: Use the 'Add Ingredient' button to search for new items.
To edit ingredients: Hover your mouse over an existing ingredient to reveal options to 'Edit Quantity,' 'Replace,' or 'Remove'.
Click 'Save' or 'Save & Log It' when finished.

Best practices for managing your MyFitnessPal recipes

Verify imported recipes: The recipe importer is a great tool, but always double-check the ingredients and nutritional data it pulls. Minor corrections can significantly improve accuracy.
Use precise measurements: For the most accurate calorie counts, weigh ingredients rather than using volume measurements (e.g., grams instead of cups).
Adjust servings after cooking: For dishes like casseroles or meatloaf, it is best to weigh the final product and set the total yield by its cooked weight. You can then log your portion by weight for perfect accuracy.
Update recipes immediately: If you change an ingredient, make the update in MyFitnessPal right away. This prevents you from logging the wrong nutritional information in the future.

Recipe update comparison: App vs. Website


Feature	Mobile App (iOS/Android)	Website
Primary Navigation	'More' Menu > 'My Meals, Recipes & Foods'	'Food' Tab > 'Recipes'
Finding Recipes	Under 'Recipes' tab	Under 'Recipes' sub-tab
Entering Edit Mode	Tap recipe, then 'Edit Recipe' or three dots	Click recipe, then 'Edit Recipe'
Editing Ingredients	Tap ingredient to modify	Hover mouse over ingredient to show options
Deleting Ingredients	Tap edit (pencil) icon, select, then trash can	Hover over ingredient, click 'Remove'
Adding Ingredients	Tap plus (+) icon	Click 'Add Ingredient'
Saving Changes	Tap checkmark icon	Click 'Save'
Batch Deletion	Yes, via edit mode	Yes, via recipes list

Conclusion

Updating a recipe in MyFitnessPal is an essential skill for maintaining accurate and effective food tracking. By following the clear, step-by-step instructions for either the mobile app or the website, you can easily modify ingredients, adjust serving sizes, and ensure your nutritional log remains up-to-date. This practice helps you stay accountable to your dietary goals, whether you are trying to lose weight, build muscle, or simply eat healthier. Regular recipe maintenance is a simple way to maximize the utility of your tracking app and keep your nutrition plan on track. For more information and official support resources, check the MyFitnessPal help center.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, after importing a recipe from a URL, you can edit it just like any manually created recipe. Review the matched ingredients and adjust quantities, replacements, or remove items as needed before saving.

When in the recipe's edit screen, you can change the total number of servings it yields. This will automatically adjust the nutritional information per serving. For best results, use the final cooked weight of a dish to set the servings.

The user interface can vary slightly between app versions. On mobile, look for a three-dot menu (ellipsis) at the top right of the recipe screen. On the website, click on the recipe name to find the 'Edit' button on the next page.

Yes, you can edit a recipe at any time, but any changes will only apply to future logs. To update a past meal, you will need to manually delete and re-log the updated recipe for that day.

No, updating a recipe only changes the saved version for future use. It will not retroactively change the nutritional data for meals you have already logged using the previous version of the recipe.

In the mobile app's edit mode, tap the pencil icon to enable deletion, select the ingredient(s), and tap the trash can icon. On the website, hover over the ingredient and click the 'Remove' button that appears.

Meals and recipes are handled differently. Recipes are built from ingredients, while meals are a collection of logged foods. To edit a logged meal, you would typically edit the individual food items or delete and re-log them.