Can You Fill in the Missing Ingredient From These Common Recipes?

By: Talin Vartanian
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
Can You Fill in the Missing Ingredient From These Common Recipes?
Image: Adam Gault / OJO Images / Getty Images

About This Quiz

Recipes consist of various types of ingredients that are stirred, fried and put together to create a flavorful dish. Some recipes call for a long list of ingredients, while others only need fewer than five ingredients. Today, we're taking a look at 40 everyday recipes that you're probably familiar with. We'll give you the photo and a brief description of the ingredients, and all you have to do is tell us which ingredient is missing.

Various cultures use different types of vegetables, proteins, and seasonings to create hearty meals. For example, you're probably familiar with fajitas, spaghetti and meatballs, and a classic hamburger recipe. While these types of meals vary in origin, they can be simply prepared with a minimal amount of ingredients. Other recipes, like a gumbo, lasagna or jambalaya require an extensive amount of ingredients. Some ingredients are also exotic and hard to find, such as saffron and rose petals. Not to worry though; most of the ingredients in these common recipes are easy to find, while some are probably already in your kitchen.

But not all of the common recipes in this quiz are savory. Some are actually sweet, like cornbread, while others are classic desserts. These include key lime pie, s'mores and a cobbler, which can be enhanced with fruit like blueberries and peaches.

Whether you're a chef or a beginner in the kitchen, test your food knowledge now by taking this recipe quiz!








chocolate chip cookie
Pixabay / Felix_Hu
What's the main thing that is missing from this chocolate chip cookie recipe: flour, eggs, butter, sugar and....?
Chocolate chips
Peanut butter
Potato chips
Yeast
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Chocolate chip cookies wouldn't be the same without chocolate chips. Other variations include adding in nuts and M&Ms.

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key lime pie
Pixabay / rj_snider
A key lime pie would be nothing without sweetened condensed milk, a graham cracker crust and...?
Cream of tartar
Limes
Tea leaves
Lemons
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Limes are essential to a key lime pie. It's what gives the pie a tangy burst of flavor.

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bread
Pixabay / Couleur
If you want to bake bread, you'll need water, sugar, flour and....?
Baking soda
Cumin
Yeast
Cream of tartar
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It would be quite difficult to bake bread without yeast. Other variations of homemade bread includes chocolate chip bread and banana nut bread.

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pot roast
raclro / E+ / Getty Images
A pot roast can be made with beef, potatoes, onions and...?
Béchamel sauce
Celery
Carrots
Orange slices
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A quintessential pot roast recipe calls for beef, potatoes, onions and carrots. This recipe can also easily be prepared in a slow cooker.

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fajitas
grandriver / E+ / Getty Images
A fajitas dinner calls for meat of your choice, as well as tortillas, onions and...?
Cinnamon
Parsley
Tomatoes
Peppers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Peppers give fajitas a crunchy bite, as well as a southwest flavor. You can use green, yellow or red bell peppers for fajitas.

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biscuits & gravy
PickStock / E+ / Getty Images
If you're making biscuits and gravy, you'll need biscuits, milk, flour and...?
Ground sausage
Yeast
Ground chicken
Demi-glace
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ground sausage is used to add heartiness to biscuits and gravy. Milk and flour are used to make the gravy, which can be seasoned with salt and pepper.

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grits
Manny Rodriguez / Blend Images / Getty Images
Grits are made with water, cheese, butter and...?
Couscous
Flour
Hominy grits
Baking soda
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Grits would be nothing without hominy grits, the main star of this recipe. Variations of this recipe includes seasonings and even savory proteins like shrimp.

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mac and cheese
LauriPatterson / E+ / Getty Images
You can't make mac and cheese without noodles, butter, milk and...?
Refried beans
Cream of tartar
Cheese
Buttermilk
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Cheese is essential for any mac and cheese recipe. Some variations call for cheddar, while others include parmesan, brie and gouda.

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crab cakes
sf_foodphoto / E+ / Getty Images
Crab cakes are prepared with mayo, bread crumbs, eggs and...?
Ground turkey
Flour
Ketchup
Crab meat
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Lump crab meat is best for traditional crab cakes, which are held together with bread crumbs, mayo and eggs. These can also be seasoned with salt, pepper and Old Bay for flavor.

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clam chowder
LauriPatterson / E+ / Getty Images
Half and half, potatoes, butter, flour and ______ are used to make clam chowder.
Clams
Shrimp
Mussels
Sausages
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You can use either a can of minced clams or clams in their shells for a clam chowder soup. Other variations include milk and/or heavy cream.

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chicken noodle soup
Jena Ardell / Moment / Getty Images
A chicken noodle soup can be made with noodles, carrots, celery, chicken broth and...?
Fish stock
Cilantro
Red onions
Chicken
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Chicken gives heartiness to a classic chicken noodle soup recipe. You can also add in herbs like parsley and bay leaves for depth.

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enchiladas
LauriPatterson / E+ / Getty Images
Enchilada sauce, a protein of your choice, cheese and _______ are used to make enchiladas.
Tortillas
Bread crumbs
Parsley
Flour
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Tortillas are not just used for tacos, but for enchiladas as well. You wrap a protein of your choice in a tortilla, then top it with enchilada sauce and cheese and bake it for a hearty meal.

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s'mores
Jena Ardell / Moment / Getty Images
Everyone loves s'mores, which require graham crackers, marshmallows and _________.
M&M's
Marshmallow fluff
Chocolate
Bread crumbs
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Chocolate is one of the layers in a classic s'mores recipe. These are great for roasting over a campfire as well.

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Buffalo wings
mphillips007 / E+ / Getty Images
Buffalo wings are a great snack that can be prepared with chicken wings, flour, butter and...?
Ketchup
Hot sauce
Sugar
Breadcrumbs
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You can't have buffalo wings without enjoying the hot sauce that is smothered over them. These can either be fried or baked to perfection.

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BLT
LauriPatterson / E+ / Getty Images
A BLT consists of bacon, lettuce, bread and...?
Tomatoes
Celery
Ketchup
Panko bread crumbs
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A BLT actually stands for "bacon, lettuce, tomato." This is a classic sandwich for a quick snack or a dinner meal.

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apple pie
LauriPatterson / E+ / Getty Images
Pie crust, sugar, butter and ______ are used to make a classic apple pie.
Blueberries
Apple juice
Apples
Apple sauce
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Apples are great for baking a homemade apple pie. Granny smith apples are best used for baking.

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chili
Floortje / E+ / Getty Images
Chili is prepared with beef, diced tomatoes, chili powder and ________.
Tarragon
Tilapia
Fresh tortillas
Beans
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A classic chili recipe calls for beans, a can or two of diced tomatoes, beef and a plethora of hearty seasonings. Some regions also serve chili on top of spaghetti noodles as well.

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pizza
Yevgen Romanenko / Moment / Getty Images
Cheese, tomato sauce, vegetable toppings and a _____ ______ is used to make a pizza.
Lentils
Puff pastry
Pie crust
Pizza crust
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You can't make a pizza without a pizza crust, which you can either make yourself or buy pre-made from a store. You can also top a pizza with ingredients like bacon, pineapple, and anchovies.

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burger
C Squared Studios / DigitalVision / Getty Images
A classic burger recipe calls for hamburger buns, lettuce, tomatoes and...?
Ground beef
Crab meat
Hot sauce
Baked beans
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Burgers are an iconic American staple and can be made with ground beef, burger buns and vegetable toppings of your choice. Some people even put fried eggs and ghost peppers on their burgers!

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nachos
AdShooter / E+ / Getty Images
A hearty nachos recipe calls for ______ ______, ground beef, diced tomatoes and cheese.
Chopped parsley
Fried fish
Tortilla chips
Caramelized onions
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Nachos are made with a base of tortilla chips, which are piled with ingredients like ground beef, onions, diced tomatoes, sour cream, and cheese. These are usually baked, so the cheese melts over the nachos.

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Philly cheesesteak
LauriPatterson / E+ / Getty Images
Beef, bread rolls, peppers, cheese and ______ are used for a classic philly cheesesteak sandwich.
Garlic
Steak sauce
Cilantro
Onions
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Onions are used to add a soft crunch to a philly cheesesteak sandwich, as well as spicy bite of onion flavor. These are usually grilled as well.

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hot dog
zoe hodson photography / Moment / Getty Images
Hot dogs are made with hot dogs, ketchup, mustard and...?
Bread loaf
Burger buns
Hot dog buns
Bread crumbs
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A classic American staple, hot dogs are very simple to make and budget-friendly as well. These can be topped with ketchup, mustard, relish and a variety of other toppings.

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banana bread
Strevell / E+ / Getty Images
Banana bread requires butter, eggs, flour, sugar and...?
Cream of tartar
Allspice
Bananas
Cinnamon sticks
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Great for a quick snack, bananas are a staple for a classic banana bread recipe. Variations also include adding in nuts and chocolate chips.

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reuben sandwich
LauriPatterson / E+ / Getty Images
A reuben sandwich often requires cheese, corned beef, bread, dressing and...?
Cilantro
Sauerkraut
Coleslaw
Lettuce
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Sauerkraut adds a soft crunch to any type of sandwich, most notably the reuben sandwich. This is considered to be of American origin.

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gumbo
Jeff R Clow / Moment / Getty Images
Gumbo is a Southern favorite that consists of ingredients like sausage, celery, onions, peppers and...?
Cajun seasoning
Cinnamon sticks
Tarragon
Allspice
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Though the ingredients list of a gumbo recipe is long, no bowl of gumbo would be the same without Cajun seasoning. This type of seasoning is essential in Southern cuisine and adds a bit of spice as well.

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jambalaya
LauriPatterson / E+ / Getty Images
Jambalaya is made with rice, onions, peppers, a protein of your choice, tomatoes and __________.
Baking soda
Peppercorns
Caramelized onions
Celery
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Celery is used to add a soft bite to a classic jambalaya recipe. This is usually added in first to soften it, and to remove the bitter flavor.

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pancakes
Astrakan Images / Cultura / Getty Images
Pancakes can be prepared with butter, milk, eggs, sugar and ________.
Flour
Lemon juice
Anise
Cream cheese
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Without flour, the pancake batter would be too wet and messy to cook evenly. Other variations include adding in pumpkin spice and chocolate chips.

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Caeser salad
Batista Moon Studio / Photodisc / Getty Images
A caesar salad recipe calls for parmesan cheese, lettuce, croutons and...?
Parsley
Caesar dressing
Mustard
Radishes
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Caesar dressing can be used for a variety of salads, but is best used for a classic caesar salad. The dressing can also be made from scratch, or bought pre-made from a store.

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fried chicken
Samuli Vainionpää / Moment / Getty Images
Flour, chicken and _______ are the basic ingredients for fried chicken.
Couscous
Butter
Oil
Cream of tartar
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You'll want to use a type of oil with a high smoking point for fried chicken, such as peanut oil. You can also enhance the taste and texture of fried chicken by brining it first.

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cobbler
rudisill / E+ / Getty Images
A cobbler is made with sugar, flour, butter and _______.
Tarragon
Fruit
Breadcrumbs
Allspice
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You can use a wide variety of fruits for a cobbler recipe, such as blueberries or peaches. These are also baked to a golden perfection.

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country fried steak
TheCrimsonMonkey / E+ / Getty Images
You can make a country fried steak with eggs, milk, seasoning, flour and...?
Steak
Chicken
Ground beef
Crab meat
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A country fried steak is a steak that is fried to a golden brown color. Cube steaks are traditionally used for this.

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mashed potatoes
JGI/Jamie Grill / Blend Images / Getty Images
Butter, cream, salt, pepper and ________ are used to make mashed potatoes.
Buttermilk
Bacon
Potatoes
Parsnip
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You can't make mashed potatoes with the potatoes themselves. Russet potatoes and Yukon gold are best used for this classic side dish.

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pumpkin pie
Steve@Colorado / E+ / Getty Images
The basic ingredients for a pumpkin pie are: pie crust, sugar, flour, eggs, salt and...?
Black pepper
Pumpkin juice
Pumpkin puree
Pizza crust
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A pumpkin pie calls for pumpkin puree, which adds that sweet pumpkin flavor. Pumpkin pies are also prepared in many grocery stores during the fall months.

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meatloaf
wsmahar / E+ / Getty Images
Ground beef, onions, eggs and ____________ are used to make a classic meatloaf.
Breadcrumbs
Mustard powder
Croutons
Sweet peppers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Breadcrumbs are used to bind the wet ingredients together, which would be the eggs and the ground beef (as well as a sauce like ketchup, if you're using it). The meatloaf is then baked in an oven and should be soft and moist in texture.

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grilled cheese
LauriPatterson / E+ / Getty Images
Bread, cheese and _____ are used to make a comforting grilled cheese sandwich.
Buttermilk
Heavy cream
Mustard
Butter
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Butter gives a grilled cheese sandwich a nice golden crust. It's also used to add a buttery flavor to the bread.

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cornbread
DebbiSmirnoff / E+ / Getty Images
To make cornbread, you'll need flour, salt, milk, butter, a raising agent and __________.
Rice flour
Grits
Cornmeal
Allspice
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Maize is used to manufacture cornmeal, which is then used to make a classic cornbread recipe. This can also be sweetened with sugar.

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French toast
masahiro Makino / Moment / Getty Images
French toast is made with bread, milk, flour, sugar and __________.
Potato starch
Grits
Eggs
Buttermilk
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

French toast needs several "wet" ingredients for the bread to soak in, such as eggs and milk. In some cases, bourbon is also used to add flavor.

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spaghetti & meatballs
LauriPatterson / E+ / Getty Images
Spaghetti noodles, sauce and _________ are all it takes to make spaghetti and meatballs.
Almond meal
Meatballs
Tomato juice
Bay leaves
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Spaghetti and meatballs are a hearty, comforting dish that requires three simple ingredients: meatballs, sauce and spaghetti noodles. You can also add parsley and parmesan cheese on top for extra flavor.

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lasagna
boblin / E+ / Getty Images
You'll need beef, tomatoes, cheese and ________ _______ to make classic lasagna.
Elbow noodles
Lasagna noodles
Spaghetti noodles
Angel hair noodles
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Lasagna noodles are used to hold all of the layers together in a lasagna meal. Other variations use various kinds of cheese and seasoning.

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tuna sandwich
EasyBuy4u / E+ / Getty Images
A flavorful tuna sandwich consists of lemon juice, mayo, bread and _______.
Crab meat
Salmon
Tuna
Tilapia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Canned tuna is best for tuna sandwiches, which is enhanced by lemon juice and mayo. You can also add in salt, pepper and even curry powder for extra flavor.

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You Got:
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Adam Gault / OJO Images / Getty Images