Our Recipe Standards — A Complete Guide
If you follow a clean diet or are cooking for someone who does, understanding what makes a recipe approved for your table is essential. The rules cover much more than just the type of meat — ingredients, preparation methods, and hidden additives all matter. Here is everything you need to know.
✅ Quick answer: An approved recipe contains no pork, no alcohol, and uses only permissible meats prepared according to the correct method.
The Core Principles of Clean Food
These dietary rules come from the Quran and Hadith (the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him). The key principles are:
- The food must not contain pork or any pork-derived ingredients
- Alcohol and intoxicants are strictly forbidden
- Meat must come from animals that are permissible to eat (cattle, sheep, chicken, fish, etc.)
- Permissible animals must be slaughtered following the approved method by a Muslim
- The name of Allah must be invoked at the time of slaughter
- Blood must be fully drained from the carcass
Ingredients to Always Avoid
When checking whether a recipe is, always look for these ingredients — they make a dish haram (forbidden):
Pork and Pork Derivatives
- Pork, bacon, ham, lard
- Prosciutto, pancetta, salami, pepperoni, chorizo
- Gelatin (unless clearly labelled or plant-based)
- Lard used in pastry or baked goods
⚠️ Watch out for hidden pork: Gelatin derived from pork is found in some yoghurts, marshmallows, jellies, and certain baked goods. Always check labels.
Alcohol
- Wine, beer, cider, spirits
- Cooking wine (red wine, white wine, marsala)
- Rum, brandy, cognac used in desserts
- Vanilla extract (contains alcohol — use alcohol-free vanilla flavouring instead)
- Liqueur-based sauces and marinades
Even small amounts of alcohol used in cooking render a dish haram. Substitutes exist for almost every alcoholic ingredient — non-alcoholic wine, apple juice in place of cider, and alcohol-free vanilla flavouring in place of vanilla extract.
What About Fish and Seafood?
Fish and seafood are generally considered without requiring special slaughter. Most scholars agree that all fish are permissible. Views on shellfish vary among different schools of Islamic thought, so check with your own guidance if this is relevant for you.
What About Eggs and Dairy?
Eggs and dairy products are as long as they do not contain any haram additives. Be mindful of:
- Cheese made with animal rennet (check if it is certified)
- Yoghurts containing pork-derived gelatin
- Ice cream or desserts containing alcohol
How to Check if a Recipe is
- Read every ingredient — look for pork, alcohol, and hidden derivatives
- Check that any meat is certified by a recognised authority
- Look for food certification logos on packaged ingredients where possible
- When eating out, ask specifically about cooking methods and shared fryers
We filter recipes automatically
Every recipe on Daily Recipe Finder has been checked against a comprehensive ingredient list. No pork, no alcohol — guaranteed.
Find Recipes Now →Certification
In the UK, food certification is provided by organisations such as the Clean Food Authority (HFA) and the Monitoring Committee (HMC). Look for their logos on meat, ready meals, and restaurant menus. When buying internationally, look for local equivalents.
Cooking at Home
If you cook both and non-clean food in your home, some Muslims choose to use separate cookware and utensils to avoid cross-contamination. Thorough washing with hot water and soap between uses is generally considered sufficient for most households.
Understanding dietary principles makes home cooking much simpler. Once you know what to avoid, you will find that the vast majority of recipes — from salads and soups to curries and cakes — are naturally clean or easily adapted. Use our recipe finder to discover thousands of recipe ideas at the touch of a button.