10 Amazingly helpful food and recipe apps you need to download right now

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South Africans are always pressured for time and are always on the search for ways to do things better, more quickly, and more efficiently – not least when it comes to food shopping and preparation. 

The digital landscape across all industries continues to evolve to meet consumer demands, and food is no exception. Food is today’s hottest social currency and mobile apps are helping to make eating, cooking and enjoying food easier than ever before. 

Whether you are an avid cook or just looking for some helpful advice, Stephen Billingham, President of the South African Chefs Association recommends these top 10 apps to help you save time and money.

“No matter your level of culinary skill, there’s always room to improve your systems and processes, whether you’re out and about shopping, or in the kitchen cooking up your favourite dish,” he says. “These are some of my favourite apps because they help save time, they offer great ideas, and they keep cooks up to date with seasonal ingredients and how to store them.”

1. The South African Food Recipe App
Gone are the days of writing a list of ingredients before hitting the grocery store. Thanks to the South African Food Recipe App, you can do away with cookbooks and access the ingredients and recipes while doing your shop, basing your menu on what is in season or on special. The app boasts hundreds of recipes and provides users with easy ways to cook. 

2. The Kitchen Calculator Converter
No matter how experienced you are in the kitchen, everybody needs this app. The recipe converter helps you to convert between the most common measuring units used in cooking and baking. It allows you to scale recipes up (or down) to change the number of servings the recipe yields. 

3. The BraaiNation app
This is a must-have for every South African! The innovative app effectively transforms your Apple or Android into the much anticipated BraaiPhone. You can now master the art of braaiing anything from delicious lamb chops to crispy braai bread simply by following the tips and recipes on your phone. Even better, you no longer need to keep a constant eye on your meat – the nifty Braaiphone timer allows you to fetch a beer and socialise without compromising on the taste of your meal. 

4. RShopping List
This grocery list app notifies you every time you are near a store registered on the shopping list that you’ve noted contains items you need. The location search is powered by Google Maps, so you don’t even need to manually key in the address. The labels on the app allow you to categorise your products while specifying the quantity and assigns priority level for hassle-free shopping. 

5. MealBoard
Planning has never been easier. MealBoard helps you streamline planning and shopping by helping you to plan meals, create your shopping list and track items in your pantry. You can simply import recipes and add them to your weekly calendar, making your life that much easier. 

6. Clean and Green 
Eating clean is easy when you have a plan. This app provides you with clean recipes that emphasise green food. For added convenience, each recipe comes with nutritional information. 

7. Allthecooks
With over 230 000 recipes and a vibrant community of cooking enthusiasts, Allthecooks is perfect for those who love cooking and sharing ideas. Categories include children’s recipes, healthy eating, mains, desserts, baking, drinks, sides, soups, stews, pasta dishes and so much more. Simply scan through recipes according to the ingredients you have on hand and get cooking. 

8. Thyme
This app is perfect for the cook that has lots on the go. What sets it apart from your phone timer is that it lets you keep and manage time separately for every burner on your stove and oven. No need to worry about overcooking, undercooking or burning your food. 

9. SideChef
Need to brush up your culinary skills? SideChef makes learning to cook fun and simple for any skill level by giving you step-by-step instructions, photos and voice commands. This app gives any beginner the confidence to step into the kitchen while allowing the intermediate and advanced cook to hone in on their existing cooking skills.

10. FoodKeeper
An easy way to keep your food safe. The app provides users with valuable advice on storing foods and beverages to maximise freshness and minimise food waste. It empowers consumers to select methods to extend shelf life and keep items fresher for longer. 

Whether you’re a master chef in the making, mom on the go, or a bachelor who loves to braai, clever foodie apps assist in planning, shopping, preparation, and food storage, making meal times all the more enjoyable! 

What food apps do you use and would recommend we add to this list? Let us know in the comments below or email us! 

The South African Chefs Association (SA Chefs) is a non-profit industry organisation that represents chefs, cooks and caterers of all levels. Its core purpose is to maintain the highest level of culinary excellence, food standards and professionalism throughout South Africa, and to facilitate the transfer of skills.