Legal Aspects of Sharing Recipes Online

chef notebook with handwritten recipes on a wooden table

Recipes form the foundation of both home and professional kitchens, but the lines around ownership and sharing can be surprisingly complex. Understanding the legal aspects of copying and distributing recipes online can help food bloggers, bartenders, and restaurateurs protect their work while respecting others’ rights.

Are Recipes Copyrighted?

The central legal issue is whether a recipe qualifies for copyright protection. In most countries, including the US and EU, a copyright protects original works of authorship that contain a degree of creativity. However, the functional elements of a recipe—such as the list of ingredients and basic instructions—are generally considered facts, procedures, or methods, which are not protected by copyright.

Lists of ingredients alone are not copyrightable.
Basic instructions or methods (e.g., “shake 60 ml vodka with ice and strain”) are considered processes.
Original commentary, description, or storytelling added to a recipe—such as a colorful introduction, unique tips, or photographs—can be protected by copyright as literary or artistic expression.

Is Copying Restaurant or Bartender Recipes Illegal?

It is not illegal to copy the bare methods or ingredient lists of a restaurant’s signature dish or cocktail, as these are viewed as facts or formulas. What cannot be legally copied without permission is the creative expression surrounding a recipe, such as:

The exact text of the step-by-step instructions if written in a unique way
Photographic styling and original images
Personal stories, anecdotes, or editorial notes

While it’s generally accepted to recreate and share recipes based on your own experiences, even those inspired by professional kitchens, copying large portions of text, creative descriptions, or images from others’ websites is likely to infringe their copyright. Always write in your own voice and capture your own photos whenever possible.

Best Practices for Sharing Recipes and Protecting Your Content

Always write instructions and notes in your own words, even if inspired by classic recipes or bar manuals.
Add your unique perspective: describe taste profiles, ingredient substitutions, or personal stories.
Use your own photographs and styling for cocktails or dishes to avoid claims on images.
If adapting another person’s recipe (even for a classic cocktail), give credit and link to the source if possible, showing respect for their creative contribution.
Consider a copyright notice or Creative Commons license for your work to signal your expectations.
For work created as part of a business (such as a bar menu), clarify in contracts who owns the intellectual property.

freshly mixed cocktail on a bar counter with note pad beside

Trademark, Trade Secret, and Plagiarism Considerations

Some legal protections go beyond copyright. Trademark laws may protect a drink or dish name that is uniquely associated with a particular business (if registered). Trade secret laws can theoretically apply to proprietary recipes in a commercial environment, but they require strong measures to keep the recipes confidential. On the internet, once a recipe is published openly, it loses trade secret status.

Avoid using trademarked drink names directly for unrelated products.
Respect confidential formulas shared in employment or under non-disclosure agreements.
Even if not strictly illegal, verbatim copying of recipes without attribution is plagiarism and will harm your reputation and search visibility.

bartender writing cocktail recipe in notebook at bar

Summary: Sharing Recipes Responsibly

Copying ingredients and basic steps is not illegal, but creative expression (photographs, stories, unique instructions) is protected.
Adopt best practices: use your original voice, credit inspirations, and create your own images.
Stay informed about copyright, trademark, and trade secret considerations as you develop or share content online.