Looking for a new way to organize your recipes?
Not sure where to start?
Then you have come to the right place! Today I’m sharing with you how I reorganized my recipes with a new Recipe Binder system. It is going to be so easy for you, because I’ve already done a lot of the work for you!
I was looking for a new way to store my recipes and had a really hard time finding what I liked and needed. The recipe books I found in stores didn’t have enough space for my recipes and I really didn’t like the idea of having recipe cards stored in a box. So after a trip to Walmart where I spotted a mini 3-ring binder in the office supply section, I had the solution to my recipe storage dilemma. I decided to create a Recipe Binder to store and organize my recipes, and I’m sharing it with you today.
When I got a good look at my recipe book recently, I realized just how badly I needed to make a change. I’d had this book for years and the cover was starting to peel, not to mention there had been a few accidents that stained my pages. I must warn you….never buy yellow measuring cups! I had quite the kitchen disaster once when I slung my yellow measuring cup across the counter only to find out that I still had melted margarine in it. Yes, the melted margarine blended right into that yellow measuring cup so it appeared empty. Yikes! Let’s just say this recipe book took a beating that day, and those margarine stains have been driving me crazy ever since!
The time had come to give my recipe stash a complete overhaul, and I am so glad I finally made it a priority. I feel so much more organized in the kitchen now. It took some time, and I’m still working on transferring some of my recipes over to my new system, but the time spent is so worth it to me!
Here is what you’ll need for this project:
- Mini 3 Ring Binder
- Hole Puncher
- Printer/paper
- Recipe Binder Printable Set (see details below to get yours for FREE)
Even though you can find dividers for these mini binders at the store, they weren’t classy enough for me. I wanted my recipe binder to have some style! I decided to create my own tabbed dividers with a matching cover and recipe cards using Adobe Photoshop.
Once my dividers and cover were designed, all I had to do was print them out and trim them along the edges. I printed the dividers on cardstock so the tabs would be stronger and stand up to repeated use. I like the way the dividers have tabs attached already. There’s no mess trying to find out where to place those sticky tabs you buy at the store!
I slipped the cover into the front of my binder and then punched holes in the dividers so they would fit easily into the binder. There are 8 dividers for recipes in the following categories:
- Appetizers
- Beverages
- Breads
- Breakfast
- Desserts
- Main Dishes
- Sides & Veggies
- Soups & Salads
There are two versions of recipe cards. One is lined, and the other is unlined. Print them out, write your recipes on them, add holes with the hole-puncher, then add to your binder in the right category.
I was on a roll, so I couldn’t resist typing up a few of my favorite recipes on the cards. I am including these 9 recipes in my Recipe Binder Printables pack!
Doesn’t this Recipe Binder look so much better? No wrinkles or margarine stains on this one!
You know I don’t like to keep things to myself, so today I’m sharing these 20 FREE Recipe Binder Printables with you! Take a look at what you’ll receive!
It’s really simple to get these free printables. All you have to do is subscribe to Sparkles of Sunshine below and you’ll receive access to all 20 FREE Recipe Binder Printables. If you’re already subscriber you can use your password to access them in the free printable library. Print them out and use them to organize your recipes today!
Sharon Erickson (@sharonme86) says
Love these printables Christie! I need to get on the ball and organize my recipes. It is not organized at all. Pinning and sharing!
Christie Selken says
I’m still getting some of mine transferred, and I love the new look of my recipe binder! 🙂
Michelle James says
Nice printablles. I am so bad about printing a recipe and throwing the page in the pantry on a stack of other recipes. LOL! This is something I should be downloading. I will pin it just in case I get ready to organize them. LOL!
Christie Selken says
Thanks, Michelle. I’m glad you like them. Maybe one day you’ll get around to organizing your recipes! 🙂
jess says
I need to do this so bad! I have cards upon cards and a million cookbooks that I only use 1 or 2 recipes from. This would be a great way to declutter my kitchen and be more organized! shared 🙂
Christie Selken says
Thanks! Just print these out and get organized! 🙂 I’m still working on getting all of mine transferred over. I had no clue how many recipes I’d collected!
jess says
trust me I know the feeling. I have like 3 recipe boxes full..you never know when you need that one recipe..then I have to dig and dig to find it lol
Christie Selken says
Not to mention the ones saved to my computer!!!!
Mary La Fornara (@itsaboutpretty) says
What a great idea! I love how everything matches. I will be printing these out and sharing!
Christie Selken says
Thanks so much!
mysocalledchaos says
I love this! I need to organize my recipes!
Christie Selken says
Don’t we all? I have way too many recipes! My old system was not working for me. This is so much better!
twitchetts.blogspot.com says
I love your design on these! I am so bad and will need this in the future for sure!
Christie Selken says
I’m so glad you like the design! 🙂
Emily | Rainbow Delicious says
These are such a great idea! Much better than what I currently have going on, which is basically a bunch of folded recipes written on random papers stuffed in my drawer! Love it!
Christie Selken says
Thanks! Hey, I’ve been there and done that! 🙂
Mindy says
This is on my Spring “to do list.” Love this, thanks for sharing!
Christie Selken says
Thanks! I’m glad you like them! 🙂
Chelsie Carr says
What a great idea! I need to combine all my recipes in one binder!
Christie Selken says
I’m so glad you like it, too!
Lora Cotton says
I would LOVE to have these printables as I’ve already gotten the mini binder. Problem is, apparently I’m already an e-mail newsletter recipient, so I’m not finding how I can access.
Christie Selken says
Lora, I will send you an email. Thanks so much!
Lora Cotton says
That would be SO WONDERFUL!!! Thanks!!!
Tara says
I am excited to use this, but I too cannot find out how to access it?
Christie Selken says
Hi, Tara. Once you sign up for the Sparkles of Sunshine newsletter you will receive a confirmation email with the link and password to access it in the Free Printable Library.
Suzanne says
I signed up tried to access the free pintable’s and the system won’t allow me to access them.
Christie Selken says
After you confirm your subscription, you will receive a confirmation with the link and password to the free printable site. Check your junk mail to make sure it didn’t go there. If you don’t find it, let me know and I’ll get you the information. Thanks for subscribing!
Nicole says
Hey Christie,
What an awesome design for a recipe book. I can’t seem to download the template no matter how hard I try! I am subscribed and have entered my password but can’t seem to find a link to click to download this product. Hope to hear back soon 🙂 🙂
Nicole 🙂
Christie Selken says
Hi, Nicole, I sent you an email with the info you need. Enjoy!
2017 says
Is the Recipe Binder still available? I have tried several times to download it and I cannot have access to it.
I am a subscriber to your page. thank you
Christie Selken says
Yes, the recipe binder is still available for download in the Subscriber Library.