Inklingo

How to Say "recipe" in Spanish

English → Spanish

receta

/reh-SEH-tah//reˈθeta/

nounA1general
Use 'receta' when you are talking about instructions for preparing food or drinks.
A simple white index card resting on a wooden kitchen counter next to a wooden spoon and a bowl filled with colorful chopped vegetables.

Examples

¿Tienes la receta de este delicioso pastel de chocolate?

Do you have the recipe for this delicious chocolate cake?

Mi abuela guarda todas sus recetas en un libro viejo.

My grandmother keeps all her recipes in an old book.

Parece que la receta para el éxito es mucho trabajo y un poco de suerte.

It seems the formula for success is a lot of hard work and a bit of luck.

Always Feminine

Remember that 'receta' is always treated as a feminine word, so you must use 'la receta' or 'una receta'.

formulación

nounC1technical
Use 'formulación' when referring to a set of instructions or a specific composition for industrial, scientific, or cosmetic products.

Examples

Esta crema tiene una formulación especial para pieles sensibles.

This cream has a special formulation for sensitive skin.

Cooking vs. Technical Instructions

The most common mistake is using 'formulación' for cooking. Remember that 'receta' is the everyday word for a food recipe. 'Formulación' is reserved for more technical contexts like science or industry.

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