Schema stack

    Recipe + HowTo Stack

    Recipe pages paired with HowTo steps, FAQs, and breadcrumb context for cooking guides.

    Included schema
    Recipe
    How To
    Frequently Asked Questions
    Breadcrumb
    Fit

    When to use this stack

    • Recipe pages that also include step-by-step how-to guidance
    • Cooking guides where FAQs and navigation improve clarity
    • Pages with both ingredients and structured steps
    Composition

    What is included

    • Core recipe entity with ingredients, instructions, times, and yields.

    • Structured how-to steps with supplies/tools where applicable.

    • Answer common cooking questions and substitutions.

    • Navigation context.

    Data contract

    Properties across the bundle

    Nested properties keep their parent path, such as offers.priceCurrency. Only publish values that match visible page content.

    Required properties

    • description
    • itemListElement[].name
    • mainEntity[].@type=Question
    • mainEntity[].acceptedAnswer.text
    • name
    • recipeIngredient[]
    • recipeInstructions
    • step[].text

    Recommended properties

    • aggregateRating.ratingValue
    • aggregateRating.reviewCount
    • author.name
    • cookTime
    • estimatedCost
    • image
    • itemListElement[].item
    • mainEntity[].acceptedAnswer.text
    • mainEntity[].author.name
    • mainEntity[].name
    • prepTime
    • recipeYield
    • supply[].name
    • tool[].name
    • totalTime
    Copy-ready example

    Combined JSON-LD

    Paste this as one script tag, then replace every example value with data from the live page.

    [
      {
        "@context": "https://schema.org",
        "@type": "Recipe",
        "@id": "https://www.example.com/recipes/lemon-pasta#recipe",
        "name": "Creamy Lemon Pasta",
        "description": "Bright, creamy lemon pasta ready in 25 minutes.",
        "image": [
          "https://www.example.com/images/lemon-pasta-hero.webp"
        ],
        "recipeIngredient": [
          "12 oz spaghetti",
          "2 lemons",
          "1/2 cup heavy cream",
          "1/2 cup grated parmesan",
          "2 tbsp butter",
          "Salt",
          "Pepper"
        ],
        "recipeInstructions": [
          "Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente.",
          "Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain.",
          "In a pan, melt butter, add cream, lemon zest, and juice; simmer 2 minutes.",
          "Toss pasta with sauce, parmesan, and pasta water to desired consistency; season with salt and pepper."
        ],
        "totalTime": "PT25M",
        "recipeYield": "4 servings",
        "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Chef Lee" },
        "aggregateRating": {
          "@type": "AggregateRating",
          "ratingValue": 4.8,
          "reviewCount": 220
        }
      },
      {
        "@context": "https://schema.org",
        "@type": "HowTo",
        "@id": "https://www.example.com/recipes/lemon-pasta#howto",
        "name": "How to make creamy lemon pasta",
        "totalTime": "PT25M",
        "supply": [
          { "@type": "HowToSupply", "name": "Spaghetti" },
          { "@type": "HowToSupply", "name": "Lemons" },
          { "@type": "HowToSupply", "name": "Cream" }
        ],
        "tool": [
          { "@type": "HowToTool", "name": "Large pot" },
          { "@type": "HowToTool", "name": "Skillet" }
        ],
        "step": [
          { "@type": "HowToStep", "text": "Boil pasta in salted water until al dente." },
          { "@type": "HowToStep", "text": "Simmer butter, cream, and lemon zest/juice for 2 minutes." },
          { "@type": "HowToStep", "text": "Combine pasta, sauce, parmesan, and pasta water to desired consistency." }
        ]
      },
      {
        "@context": "https://schema.org",
        "@type": "FAQPage",
        "mainEntity": [
          {
            "@type": "Question",
            "name": "Can I swap cream for milk?",
            "acceptedAnswer": {
              "@type": "Answer",
              "text": "Use half-and-half or add 1 tbsp butter to milk for a creamier result."
            }
          },
          {
            "@type": "Question",
            "name": "How do I prevent curdling?",
            "acceptedAnswer": {
              "@type": "Answer",
              "text": "Temper the cream off heat before adding lemon, and avoid rapid boiling once citrus is in the sauce."
            }
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        "@context": "https://schema.org",
        "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
        "itemListElement": [
          { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://www.example.com" },
          { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Recipes", "item": "https://www.example.com/recipes" },
          { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Creamy Lemon Pasta", "item": "https://www.example.com/recipes/lemon-pasta" }
        ]
      }
    ]
    Workflow

    Implement and verify

    1. 01

      Start with the live page

      Confirm titles, prices, availability, policies, and visible FAQ content before generating markup.

    2. 02

      Add one JSON-LD script

      Use the combined example as a template in the document head or before the closing body tag.

    3. 03

      Complete regional details

      Fill shipping destinations and timing for every region the page actually serves.

    4. 04

      Link the return policy

      Use a stable MerchantReturnPolicy URL and keep its terms synchronized with the page.

    5. 05

      Match visible answers

      Add only FAQs that users can read on the same page, with identical answers.

    6. 06

      Validate after changes

      Run Rich Results Test after implementation and whenever price, availability, or policy data changes.

    Quality check

    Common errors and fixes

    • Missing currency or availability

      Use ISO currency codes and complete schema.org availability URLs in Offer data.

    • Incomplete shipping details

      Include shippingDestination.addressCountry and deliveryTime.transitTime with units.

    • Return policy is not connected

      Reference MerchantReturnPolicy from the Offer and provide a stable public policy URL.

    • FAQ answers differ from the page

      Keep structured FAQ answers identical to visible answers.

    Questions

    Stack FAQs

    Do I need both Recipe and HowTo?

    Use both when you want full recipe eligibility plus structured steps/tools/supplies. If you only need recipe eligibility, you can omit HowTo.

    How should I handle times?

    Include totalTime and prep/cook times on the recipe; use totalTime on the HowTo if helpful.

    Primary sources

    References