The New York Times has introduced an AI-powered recipe customization tool for its Cooking app, currently available in beta for all iOS subscribers. The feature aims to act as a digital “sous-chef,” allowing users to modify existing recipes through ingredient swaps, serving size scaling, and equipment alternatives.
The tool utilizes a “Your Version” interface to keep modifications separate from the original content. When a subscriber interacts with the AI, the modified recipe is stored in a dedicated tab where all changes are highlighted in orange. To help users identify where the AI can assist, a star icon (✦) now appears above the ingredient list in supported recipes.
How the AI Learns and Functions
According to reporting from The Verge, the AI was trained in part on the NYT Cooking community’s extensive comment section. This training allows the tool to suggest swaps based on years of reader-submitted feedback and common substitutions. Because it draws from conversational data, the tool often adopts a helpful tone familiar to those who frequent the app’s community discussions.
However, the utility of the tool currently varies significantly depending on the type of dish. Early testing and hands-on reviews indicate that while the AI is proficient at savory adjustments—such as suggesting a different protein or vegetable for a stir-fry—it struggles with the precision required for baking. According to reports from early testers, the tool has failed to correctly scale critical ingredients like eggs and butter for Bundt cakes, which can lead to structural failures in the final product.
Limitations and Control
The New York Times includes a disclaimer with the feature stating that AI-generated modifications have not been reviewed by NYT Cooking editors or the original recipe creators. This distinction is critical for users who rely on the “bulletproof” reputation of the publication’s tested recipes.
While using the tool is optional, the star icon and “Your Version” tab are now standard components of the iOS app experience.
The feature is currently exclusive to the iOS platform, though a gradual rollout to other platforms is expected. For now, subscribers are encouraged to use the tool for creative savory pivots rather than as a replacement for the precise ratios found in the original, editorially-vetted baking instructions.