Alt text examples for food and recipe photos
Recipe posts are image-heavy, and step photos carry real instructions: the colour of a roux, the thickness of batter. Good alt text turns those into words.
Rules for this kind of image
- Finished dish: name it and the cue that makes it appetising or recognisable.
- Step photos: describe the state the reader should reach, not just the action.
- Menus as images are images of text; publish the menu as HTML too.
- If several step photos show nearly the same thing, describe the difference.
5 examples, weak vs better
Bowl of ramen · Recipe hero image
Weak
ramen ramen recipe easy ramenBetter Bowl of miso ramen topped with a halved soft-boiled egg, corn and spring onions79 charspasses checks
Names the dish and its toppings instead of repeating the keyword.
Roux in a pan · Step 3 of a gumbo recipe
Weak
step 3Better Roux stirred to a dark chocolate-brown colour in a cast-iron pot64 charspasses checks
The colour is the instruction.
Ingredients laid out on a board · Ingredients section
Weak
ingredientsBetter Flour, butter, eggs, sugar and lemons laid out for the tart59 charspasses checks
Lists what is shown; the exact quantities live in the recipe card.
Restaurant menu photo · Restaurant website
Weak
menuBetter Lunch menu; full menu in text below35 charspasses checks
Image of text: point to the HTML version.
Slice cut from a cake · Recipe post
Weak
cake sliceBetter Slice of carrot cake showing three moist layers and cream-cheese frosting73 charspasses checks
Shows texture, which is what the photo proves.
Have your own images? Draft alt text with the AI alt text generator, then edit it using these patterns.
Questions people ask
Should recipe step photos have alt text?
Yes, when they show something the text does not. If the step text already says exactly what the photo shows, a short alt or alt="" avoids repetition.
What about Pinterest images?
Pinterest reads the alt attribute or data-pin-description depending on setup. Write the alt for people first; a separate Pinterest description can be more promotional.