How do I install the mealie mcp server?

Use a recorded configuration for your client, replace example credential values and paths, and verify the documented runtime. Restart or reconnect the client, then inspect the available tools.

What credentials does it need?

It reads `MEALIE_BASE_URL`, `MEALIE_API_KEY` from the environment. Store these in your client's env block or a secrets manager — never commit them to a repository — and grant the narrowest scope that still covers your use case.

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Mealie MCP Server

A comprehensive Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that enables AI assistants to interact with your

Local serverstdioPython

What is the Mealie MCP Server?

A comprehensive Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that enables AI assistants to interact with your Mealie recipe

Configuration and credentials

Python 3.12+ - Running Mealie instance with API key - Package manager uv

More MCP options

Compare MCP servers by category, or browse hosted MCP servers if you prefer an endpoint over a local process.

Maintainer setup documentation.

Recorded tools

Check the linked publisher documentation and your connected client's tool list. Names and availability can vary with the server version and account permissions.

Tool	What it does
get_recipes	List/search recipes with advanced filtering
get_recipe	Get complete recipe details, or a summary with concise=true
create_recipe	Create a recipe; only the name is required, with optional
import_recipe_from_url	Import a recipe from a web page
update_recipe	Update content or metadata, including nutrition and display
duplicate_recipe	Clone a recipe
mark_recipe_last_made	Update last made timestamp
set_recipe_image_from_url	Set image from URL
upload_recipe_image_file	Upload image file
upload_recipe_asset_file	Upload document/asset
update_recipe_categories_and_tags	Replace or clear categories, tags, or both using IDs
delete_recipe	Delete recipe
get_shopping_lists	List all shopping lists
create_shopping_list	Create new list
get_shopping_list	Get list by ID
update_shopping_list	Rename a list while preserving other fields
delete_shopping_list	Delete list
add_recipe_to_shopping_list	Add recipe ingredients
remove_recipe_from_shopping_list	Remove recipe ingredients
get_shopping_list_items	List all items
get_shopping_list_item	Get item by ID
create_shopping_list_item	Create single item
create_shopping_list_items_bulk	Create multiple items
update_shopping_list_item	Update item (preserves fields)
update_shopping_list_items_bulk	Update multiple items
delete_shopping_list_item	Delete single item
delete_shopping_list_items_bulk	Delete multiple items
get_categories	List/search categories
get_empty_categories	Find unused categories
create_category	Create new category
get_category	Get by exactly one of category_id or category_slug
update_category	Update category
delete_category	Delete category
get_tags	List/search tags
get_empty_tags	Find unused tags
create_tag	Create new tag
get_tag	Get by exactly one of tag_id or tag_slug
update_tag	Update tag
delete_tag	Delete tag
get_foods	List/search foods (resolve IDs for structured ingredients)
create_food	Create a new food
get_food	Get by ID
update_food	Update food
delete_food	Delete food
get_units	List/search units
create_unit	Create a new unit
get_unit	Get by ID
update_unit	Update unit
delete_unit	Delete unit
get_tools	List/search recipe tools (includes householdsWithTool)
create_tool	Create a new tool
get_tool	Get by exactly one of tool_id or tool_slug
update_tool	Update tool
delete_tool	Delete tool
parse_ingredients	Resolve one or more ingredient lines in one request; always returns a list
get_all_mealplans	List meal plans
create_mealplan	Create meal plan entry
create_mealplan_bulk	Create multiple entries
update_mealplan	Update an entry while preserving omitted fields
delete_mealplan	Delete an entry
get_todays_mealplan	Get today's meals
content	plain text, raw HTML, or JSON; also used for corrections or notes.
url	an HTTP(S) recipe or video URL, fetched by Mealie and saved as the source.
image_paths	ordered image paths accessible to the MCP server's filesystem,
create_recipe_full	create_recipe with the same arguments
get_recipe_detailed	get_recipe (full details by default)
get_recipe_concise	get_recipe with concise=true
patch_recipe	update_recipe with the same arguments
set_recipe_categories	update_recipe_categories_and_tags with category_ids
set_recipe_tags	update_recipe_categories_and_tags with tag_ids
get_category_by_slug	get_category with category_slug
get_tag_by_slug	get_tag with tag_slug
get_tool_by_slug	get_tool with tool_slug
parse_ingredient	parse_ingredients(ingredients=[...]); read the first result
Task	Tool

How to install the Mealie MCP Server

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "mealie-mcp-server": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "--from",
        "git+https://github.com/rldiao/mealie-mcp-server",
        "mealie-mcp-server"
      ],
      "env": {
        "MEALIE_BASE_URL": "https://your-mealie-instance.com",
        "MEALIE_API_KEY": "YOUR_MEALIE_API_KEY"
      }
    }
  }
}

From the project documentation. Replace placeholders and example paths before connecting.

Configuration

Python 3.12+ - Running Mealie instance with API key - Package manager uv

Variable	Description	Required
MEALIE_BASE_URL	Declared in the maintainer’s client configuration.	Yes
MEALIE_API_KEY	Declared in the maintainer’s client configuration.	Yes

Example prompts to try

“Use Mealie to get recipes.”
“Use Mealie to get recipe detailed.”
“Use Mealie to get recipe concise.”

Frequently asked questions

A comprehensive Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that enables AI assistants to interact with your [Mealie](https://github.com/mealie-recipes/mealie) recipe Confirm the tools offered by your installed version in the connected client. Tool availability and permissions depend on the server and account configuration.