When a craving for a certain food hits, or you’re planning a party and you need a specific recipe, what’s the first thing you do? If your answer is “Google it,” you’re not alone. Literally millions of people turn to Google every day, looking for that perfect recipe. It’s fast, there’s a lot of options, and you get to pick the prettiest one that fits your needs.

But that doesn’t mean the recipe is going to work.

The Biggest Mistake Modern Cooks Make

Blindly trusting the Internet is the biggest mistake.

It’s not Google’s fault—it’s a powerful, helpful tool that connects us with the information we need to do and learn the things we want. But when you pluck a pretty recipe off the internet, there’s no guarantee it’s going to be fit to eat.

Not All Blogs Are Created Equal

There are a lot of amazing Southern bloggers and “content creators” out there who share delicious, authentically Southern recipes that work like a charm. But there’s also a ton of imitators and imposters who are simply trying to make money—at the expense of normal folks who end up wasting their time money making recipes that don’t work.

How Do You Know Who To Trust?

Before you assume that I hate bloggers, you should know that I started my career in food media as a blogger, and there are bloggers I go to all the time for inspiration. There are two things you can do to build trust in a blogger. First, go to their “About Me” page and confirm that they’re a real person with Southern roots. Second, read the recipe reviews before you begin. This isn’t a guarantee that the recipes will be good, but it’s a place to start.

What’s The Most Reliable Way To Find Good Recipes On The Internet?

The best chance you have for finding a trustworthy recipe online is to go to a reliable source. If that’s a blogger who you’ve gotten to know, great. If it’s a publication or company with a Test Kitchen, even better.

Sorry to toot our own horn, but here at Southern Living, based in Birmingham, Alabama, we have 40,000 square-foot Test Kitchen with 28 cooking stations, a giant pantry and walk-in freezer, and appliances and tools used by most home cooks. It’s staffed by a team of Test Kitchen Professionals with deep expertise in recipe development, from pastry chefs and grilling experts to nutritionists and dietitians. 

Every recipe is prepared at least twice—sometimes many more—and then tested again by a different person to check for any errors or omissions. That extra set of eyes and hands makes a big difference when it comes to cooking.

How To Search For Recipes That Win

When you open up Google to search for the recipe you’re craving, don’t just type “peach pie.” Type “Southern Living Peach Pie” (or “Food & Wine Peach Pie” etc.) Including a brand or site you trust will deliver you search results you will be happy with.

We’re Not Trying To Be Rude—We’re Just Looking Out For You

The last thing we want is to hurt anyone’s feelings. But with groceries being more expensive and time being more precious than ever, it’s crucial that you don’t waste either making recipes that don’t work.

We can’t claim perfect. We’re human—we make mistakes. But we try hard every day to dream up, create, and share authentic, reliable Southern recipes for our readers and fans.

At the end of the day, we want you to get compliments on the food you’ve made for your family and friends. It’s why we do what we do.