TheMealDB

API

Free REST API for meal recipes and global cuisine data

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Overview

TheMealDB is a free RESTful API offering access to a diverse database of meal recipes. Key endpoints include /search.php (search by meal name), /filter.php (filter by ingredient, category, or region), /lookup.php (full meal details by ID), /random.php (random meal), and endpoints to list categories, ingredients, or regions. Responses are JSON-formatted, containing meal names, ingredients with measurements, cooking instructions, video links, and regional info. Ideal for building recipe apps, meal planners, cooking blogs, or educational tools about global cuisines.

Example Integration (JavaScript)

script.js JS

fetch('https://www.themealdb.com/api.php')
  .then(res => res.json())
  .then(data => console.log(data))
  .catch(err => console.error(err));

Key Features

  • RESTful
  • JSON support
  • No Auth required
  • Random meal endpoint
  • Filter by category/ingredient/region
  • Global cuisine data

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is TheMealDB free to use?

Yes, TheMealDB is free for personal and non-commercial use with no hidden costs.

? Does it require an API Key?

No, TheMealDB does not require an API key to access its public endpoints.

? What is the response format?

All responses from TheMealDB are in JSON format, which is easy to parse and integrate into applications.

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Tool Info

Pricing Free
Category Food & Drink
Platform Public API

Pros

  • Easy integration (no API key)
  • Wide global recipe collection
  • Detailed meal info (ingredients, videos)
  • Regular data updates

Cons

  • Rate limits on free usage
  • No official SLA
  • Some meals lack nutritional data
  • Limited advanced filtering

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