NYT Cooking adds AI recipe tool

The New York Times is rolling out an artificial intelligence tool in its Cooking app that automatically alters recipes to match user preferences. The feature generates substitutions for ingredients and equipment while scaling portions to any number of servings. Senior editor Genevieve Ko announced the tool last Friday, describing it as a way to make recipes work for what a cook needs at that moment. The rollout is currently limited to iOS subscribers and is being released gradually while the newsroom monitors performance.

The system processes specific user requests to modify standard instructions. For example, if a cook asks to replace kale with baby spinach, the AI advises adding the spinach later in the cooking process because it wilts faster. Ko stated the tool can also restructure recipes based on different pans or tools. These customized versions remain private to the user and cannot be published or shared through the platform. The feature is set to become more broadly available soon.

Reaction from the user base has been mixed, with many expressing concern over the integration of AI into a service previously known for its human-curated content. In the comment section of the announcement, readers raised questions about the environmental impact of widespread AI adoption and the general effect on the user experience. One user described the change as unbelievably disappointing, noting that the AI mandate had reached what was once a simple collection of notes from various people.

Ko addressed a specific query about disabling the tool by stating that there is no way to turn it off at this time. She emphasized that the feature is completely optional to use. The comments on the original announcement post have since been closed. NYT spokesperson Jordan Cohen explained that keeping comments open for four days allows editors to answer questions and address concerns directly. Cohen noted that closing comments on older articles is standard practice to help moderators focus on new discussions.

Cohen added that the team is pleased to see many members of the Cooking community exploring the tool on the iOS app. She reported that early users are finding good results. This is not the first time the app has utilized AI. Ko revealed that the technology was used two years ago to convert imperial volume measurements to metric weight. A similar feature was added last year to allow users to halve or double the original serving size.

The new tool represents a shift toward automated customization in digital recipe platforms. By offering dynamic adjustments to ingredient lists and cooking steps, the app aims to reduce the manual effort required to adapt recipes for different households. The gradual rollout allows the development team to refine the AI's recommendations based on real-world usage data from current subscribers.