How to Import Recipe Cards from Meal Kit Services
Want to keep your favorite HelloFresh, Gousto, and Blue Apron recipes forever? This guide shows you how to quickly digitize meal kit recipe cards so you never lose another favorite. Stop the clutter and start cooking those recipes you actually loved!
Why Import Recipe Cards?
Recipe cards from meal kit services are valuable:
- They're professionally tested recipes
- Instructions are clear and detailed
- Ingredient measurements are precise
- You already know you like them!
But physical cards get lost, damaged, or cluttered. Let's digitize them!
Step-by-Step: Import Recipe Cards
1. Prepare Your Recipe Card
- Find good lighting - Natural daylight works best
- Lay the card flat on a solid surface
- Make sure both sides are clean and readable
- Have your phone ready with the Flamyay app open
2. Open the Recipe Card Importer
- Tap the "+ Import recipe" button in Flamyay
- Select "Import from HelloFresh, Gousto, etc."
- You'll see instructions for taking photos of both sides
3. Photograph the Front
- Tap "Take Front Photo"
- Position your camera directly above the card
- Make sure the entire card fits in the frame
- Tap the capture button
- Review the photo - retake if it's blurry or dark
The front usually contains:
- Recipe title
- Cooking time
- Difficulty level
- Main dish photo
- Allergen information
4. Photograph the Back
- Flip the card over
- Tap "Take Back Photo"
- Position and capture the same way as the front
- Review the photo
The back typically has:
- Complete ingredients list
- Step-by-step cooking instructions
- Nutritional information
- Serving suggestions
5. Import and Review
- Tap "Import Recipe" once both photos are taken
- Wait a few seconds while Flamyay processes both sides
- Review the imported recipe for accuracy
- Make any edits if needed
- Save to your collection!
Tips for Perfect Scans
✅ Lighting Setup
Best:
- Near a window with natural daylight
- Bright but indirect light
- No shadows across the text
Avoid:
- Direct overhead lighting (creates glare)
- Dim evening light
- Flash (can cause reflections)
✅ Camera Position
Do:
- Hold phone parallel to the card
- Keep card flat on the surface
- Fill the frame with the card
Don't:
- Shoot at an extreme angle
- Hold card in your hand (it might curve)
- Cut off any edges
✅ Card Condition
Before scanning:
- Wipe off any stains or spills
- Smooth out any wrinkles or folds
- If the card is damaged, try to flatten it gently
Supported Meal Kit Services
Flamyay works with recipe cards from all major meal kit services:
🥘 HelloFresh - Most common format, works perfectly
🥗 Gousto - Both old and new card designs supported
🍱 Blue Apron - US recipe cards
🌮 EveryPlate - Budget-friendly meal kits
🍝 Marley Spoon - Premium recipe cards
🥙 Green Chef - Organic meal kits
And many more! If it's a recipe card with two sides, Flamyay can import it.
After Import: What to Do Next
Rate Your Favorites
Mark the recipes you loved so you can easily find them again when you want to make them!
Add Personal Notes
Keep track of any modifications you made - extra spices, cooking time adjustments, or serving size changes for next time.
Organize Your Collection
Build your collection of meal kit favorites - from quick weeknight dinners to special occasion meals.
Troubleshooting
"Can't read the ingredients"
- Check the lighting - may be too dark or too bright
- Make sure the photo isn't blurry
- Try taking the photo from slightly closer
- Manually edit the recipe after import if needed
"Instructions are cut off"
- Ensure the entire card is in the frame
- Check that you didn't accidentally crop the edges
- Retake the photo with a bit more space around the card
"Photos won't upload"
- Check your internet connection
- Make sure Flamyay has camera permissions
- Try closing and reopening the app
- Restart your phone if the issue persists
"Recipe imported but missing info"
Some cards have non-standard layouts. Simply:
- Tap "Edit Recipe"
- Add the missing ingredients or steps
- Save your changes
Organizing Your Physical Cards After Import
Once digitized, here's what to do with physical cards:
✅ Keep Favorites: Store beloved recipes in a small box
✅ Recycle Others: Most recipe cards are recyclable paper
✅ Gift Them: Share with friends who use the same service
✅ Create a Backup: Take a photo with your phone camera too (just in case)
Benefits of Digital Recipe Cards
📱 Always Accessible: Cook from anywhere, no card needed
🛒 Auto Shopping Lists: Generate ingredient lists instantly
📊 Nutrition Tracking: See nutritional info at a glance
🔍 Searchable: Find recipes by ingredient, diet, or cuisine
⭐ Rateable: Mark favorites and add reviews
👨👩👧 Shareable: Send recipes to family and friends
Related Guides
Discover more ways to import recipes:
- Scan Recipes from Photos - Digitize cookbooks and more
- Import from Websites - Save online recipes
- Import from Instagram - Save social media recipes
- Import from TikTok - Save viral recipe videos
Frequently Asked Questions
Which meal kit services does this work with?
Flamyay works with recipe cards from all major meal kit services including HelloFresh, Gousto, Blue Apron, EveryPlate, Marley Spoon, Green Chef, Dinnerly, and many more. If it's a two-sided recipe card, we can digitize it!
Do I need to scan both sides of the card?
Yes, for complete recipes. The front usually has the dish photo, cook time, and allergens, while the back has the ingredients and instructions. Scanning both ensures you get all the information.
How long does it take to import one card?
About 30-60 seconds per card! Take a photo of the front, flip it over, take a photo of the back, tap import, and you're done. It's quick and easy!
What if the card is stained or damaged?
Flamyay can still read most stained or worn cards as long as the text is visible. Wipe off any fresh stains, smooth out wrinkles, and ensure good lighting. The AI is quite good at handling less-than-perfect conditions.
What if something is wrong with the imported recipe?
If any details are incorrect or missing after import, please contact our support team at [email protected]. We're happy to help fix any issues with imported recipes to ensure they're perfect for cooking!
Should I keep the physical cards after digitizing?
That's up to you! Many people keep their absolute favorites and recycle the rest. Once digitized in Flamyay, you have a permanent digital backup, so the physical cards are optional.
Can I search for ingredients to buy these recipes again?
Yes! Once imported, you can generate shopping lists from any recipe in Flamyay. This makes it easy to remake your favorite meal kit dishes using your own grocery shopping or delivery service.
Now you can enjoy all those amazing meal kit recipes without the clutter! Keep what you love, in a format that actually works. 🎉
Ready to get started? Grab those recipe cards and let's digitize your collection! 📸✨