Recipe variations

A variation is your own version of a recipe, saved next to the original: a Gluten Free take, a Slow Cooker method, a Higher Protein tweak, or a simplified weeknight version. The original stays exactly as it was.

Create a variation

Open a recipe, tap the more menu (•••), then Variations → New Variation. Give it a short name like "Gluten Free" and tap Create. Magic Meal Kit copies the recipe, photo included, and opens the editor so you can change the ingredients and steps.

You can also start one from the Recipes list: long-press a recipe card (iPhone/Android) or right-click it (web) and choose Variations.

Prefer to let AI do the swapping? Ask Chef ("make this gluten-free and save it") or any assistant connected through the MCP server. They save the result as a variation of the recipe, leaving the original untouched.

Switch between variations

The Variations menu lists Original first, then each variation, with a checkmark on the one you're viewing. Any recipe with variations also shows a yellow chip near the top of the page, next to the source pill, naming the version you're on (Original or the variation's name). Tap the chip to switch versions or start a new one.

To rename a variation, open it and tap Edit. The Variation name field sits above the title.

Where variations show up

Variations live with their original, so they don't appear as separate rows in your recipe list, collections, or search. Open the original to reach them.

Variations stay one level deep: a variation of a variation is filed under the original.

Archive and delete

Archiving the original archives its variations too, and unarchiving brings them back. Archive a single variation from its own menu to hide just that one; it shows up under Show archived in the filter menu if you want it back. Permanently deleting an archived original also deletes its variations.

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