HowToCook-MCP Server for Cursor: Setup & Config

What you can do with HowToCook-MCP in Cursor

Useful when an assistant needs recipe details and restriction-aware weekly meal planning together.

• Plan weekly meals around allergies and disliked ingredients.
• Choose a meal combination for a group of one to ten people.

Before you start: HowToCook-MCP in Cursor

• Node.js 16.0.0 or later
• npm or yarn
• An MCP-compatible client

For the Cursor npm configuration, the README instructs users to run npm i -g howtocook-mcp first to avoid client creation failures. Source builds and HTTP/SSE alternatives are also described. No required environment variables are stated.

HowToCook-MCP Cursor configuration

1. Choose Cursor configuration scope

   For HowToCook-MCP Server, open Project: .cursor/mcp.json User: ~/.cursor/mcp.json. Merge into mcpServers at project or user scope.

2. Add HowToCook-MCP Server to Cursor

   Use the HowToCook-mcp entry below in mcpServers. Keep HowToCook-MCP Server's documented stdio connection fields and your other Cursor entries.

3. Check HowToCook-MCP Server in Cursor

   HowToCook-MCP Server: Enable in Cursor’s MCP settings; inspect tools.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "HowToCook-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "howtocook-mcp"
      ],
      "env": {}
    }
  }
}

HowToCook-MCP tools available to Cursor

HowToCook-MCP's stored tool list documents 5 tools; compare it with Cursor's connected tool list, because the stored list is not a live check.

mcp_howtocook_getAllRecipes

Find mcp_howtocook_getAllRecipes under HowToCook-MCP in Cursor's MCP settings; inspect its arguments when the agent requests a call.

Return the full recipe collection; the README warns of large context usage.

mcp_howtocook_getRecipesByCategory

Find mcp_howtocook_getRecipesByCategory under HowToCook-MCP in Cursor's MCP settings; inspect its arguments when the agent requests a call.

mcp_howtocook_recommendMeals

Find mcp_howtocook_recommendMeals under HowToCook-MCP in Cursor's MCP settings; inspect its arguments when the agent requests a call.

mcp_howtocook_whatToEat

Find mcp_howtocook_whatToEat under HowToCook-MCP in Cursor's MCP settings; inspect its arguments when the agent requests a call.

Recommend a dish combination for the specified group size.

mcp_howtocook_getRecipeById

Find mcp_howtocook_getRecipeById under HowToCook-MCP in Cursor's MCP settings; inspect its arguments when the agent requests a call.

Look up a recipe by name or identifier, including ingredients and cooking steps.

HowToCook-MCP: full stored tool descriptions

Troubleshooting HowToCook-MCP in Cursor

• Cursor must find npx howtocook-mcp (Node.js/npm) for HowToCook-MCP Server. Enable the project/user entry in MCP settings and inspect its tools.
• HowToCook-MCP Server uses stdio here: Cursor must keep the configured process running; protocol output belongs on stdout and diagnostics on stderr.
• Known limitation: Retrieving every recipe can use excessive assistant context.
• Known limitation: The documented recommendation range is limited to ten diners.
• General Cursor troubleshooting lives in the /clients/cursor guide.

Frequently asked questions