Recipe Library
Recipes below are categorised by IDDSI level, sorted lowest to highest. Each includes ingredients, method, and fork pressure test results.
Blueberry Yogurt Smoothie | IDDSI Level 1–2 Recipe
IDDSI Level 1–2 vegetarian smoothie. Blueberry and full-fat yogurt blended smooth — antioxidant-rich, probiotic, high calcium, sippable texture for dysphagia diets.
8minOat Milk Banana Smoothie | IDDSI Level 1 Slightly Thick Dairy-Free Breakfast
A gentle IDDSI Level 1 slightly thick breakfast smoothie: oat milk, banana, and optional fortification. Dairy-free, quick to prepare, naturally sweet and filling.
10minHigh-Protein Fortified Shake (Thickened) | IDDSI Level 1-2 Recipe
A 15-minute IDDSI Level 1-2 recipe. Milk powder, peanut butter and banana fortified shake providing 18–22g protein — for dysphagia patients needing extra nutrition.
15minThickened Watermelon Juice | IDDSI Level 1 Recipe
A 10-minute IDDSI Level 1 recipe. Fresh watermelon juice thickened to mildly thick — sweet, hydrating, and safe for those needing thickened thin liquids.
10minAvocado Banana Smoothie | IDDSI Level 2 Recipe
IDDSI Level 2 vegetarian smoothie. Ripe avocado and banana blended to a naturally thick mildly sweet flowing liquid — healthy fats, potassium-rich, no thickener required.
10minHK Milk Tea (Thickened to IDDSI Level 2)
Hong Kong cha chaan teng milk tea thickened to IDDSI Level 2 with xanthan gum. Retains authentic tea and milk flavour, safe for dysphagia diets.
15minChrysanthemum and Honey Drink (Thickened) | IDDSI Level 2 Recipe
A 15-minute IDDSI Level 2 recipe. Traditional HK chrysanthemum tea with honey thickened to moderately thick — cooling, floral, and safe for dysphagia diets.
15minChrysanthemum Rice Water | IDDSI Level 2 Cooling Traditional HK Drink
IDDSI Level 2 traditional cooling drink. Chrysanthemum rice water thickened to Level 2 — heat-clearing, lightly sweet, all solids strained out.
15minThickened Horlicks Hot Drink | IDDSI Level 2 Recipe
A 15-minute IDDSI Level 2 recipe. HK classic Horlicks malted milk thickened to moderately thick — nostalgic comfort drink safely modified for dysphagia diets.
15minPumpkin Cream Soup | IDDSI Level 2 Recipe
A 30-minute IDDSI Level 2 recipe. Silky smooth pumpkin cream soup — fully blended, sieved and thinned with cream to a mildly thick flowing consistency for severe dysphagia.
30minSesame Rice Water | IDDSI Level 2 Dairy-Free Thickened Drink Recipe
IDDSI Level 2 dairy-free drink. Ground sesame and rice blended into a nourishing sesame rice water, thickened to Level 2 — rich, smooth, and allergy-friendly.
20minSnow Pear and Honey Drink (Mildly Thick) | IDDSI Level 2 Recipe
A 35-minute IDDSI Level 2 recipe. Classic HK 雪梨蜂蜜水 thickened to nectar consistency — traditional dry cough remedy for dysphagia diets.
35minAlmond Milk Steamed Egg Custard | IDDSI Level 3 Dairy-Free
IDDSI Level 3 dairy-free steamed egg custard made with almond milk. Silky, fragrant, and protein-rich, suitable for dysphagia patients avoiding dairy. A soft Cantonese comfort food classic.
25minAstragalus and Wolfberry Chicken Soup (Liquidised) | IDDSI Level 3 Recipe
A 90-minute IDDSI Level 3 recipe. Traditional HK 北芪杞子雞湯 fully strained — immune-boosting 老火湯 safe for dysphagia diets.
90minAutumn Carrot and Beef Congee | IDDSI Level 3–4 Recipe
Warming autumn congee with minced beef and carrot cooked to IDDSI Level 3–4 — iron-rich, stomach-warming, smooth and easy to swallow for dysphagia diets.
15minAutumn Spinach and Tofu Soup | IDDSI Level 3–4 Recipe
Smooth spinach and silken tofu soup blended to IDDSI Level 3–4 — iron-rich and vegetarian, bright green, warming for autumn, suitable for dysphagia diets.
15minCantonese Silky Beef Congee | IDDSI Level 3 Recipe
A 60-minute IDDSI Level 3 recipe. Cantonese fresh-boiled beef congee with a silky, flowing base and tender minced beef — safe for severe dysphagia diets.
60minBlack Glutinous Rice Porridge | IDDSI Level 3 Recipe
A 40-minute IDDSI Level 3 recipe. Black glutinous rice porridge blended to a smooth, flowing consistency — antioxidant-rich and naturally sweet.
40minBlack Sesame and Almond Paste (Strained) | IDDSI Level 3 Recipe
A 30-minute IDDSI Level 3 recipe. Traditional Cantonese 黑芝麻杏仁糊 — calcium-rich black sesame almond dessert soup strained smooth for elderly nutrition.
30minBlack Sesame Paste (Liquidised) | IDDSI Level 3 Recipe
Traditional Cantonese black sesame paste blended and double-sieved to a smooth flowing liquid — IDDSI Level 3 compliant, rich flavour retained for dysphagia diets.
20minCentury Egg and Lean Pork Congee | IDDSI Level 3 Recipe
A 60-minute IDDSI Level 3 recipe. Hong Kong cha chaan teng classic — century egg and lean pork congee adapted for severe dysphagia, flowing smooth base with soft pork and silky egg.
60minChicken Liver Congee | IDDSI Level 3 Recipe
A 50-minute IDDSI Level 3 recipe. Iron-rich Cantonese chicken liver congee — very soft, flowing texture with tender minced liver, traditional remedy for anaemia in the elderly.
50minChicken & Vegetable Congee | IDDSI Level 3 Recipe
A 50-minute IDDSI Level 3 recipe. Silky chicken and vegetable congee cooked in stock, with fully dissolved vegetables — a protein-rich complete meal for dysphagia diets.
50minChilled Mung Bean and Barley Soup | IDDSI Level 3 Summer Cooling Soup
IDDSI Level 3 summer cooling soup. Mung bean and barley blended and strained to Level 3 — heat-clearing, traditional HK sweet soup, all solids removed.
30minFrequently Asked Questions
- Are these recipes safe for all dysphagia patients?
- Recipes are categorised by IDDSI level, but each patient's appropriate level must be determined by a speech-language therapist. Do not use a recipe to self-assign an IDDSI level for a patient.
- How do I find a recipe for IDDSI Level 4?
- Each recipe in the library displays an IDDSI level badge. Look for Level 4 (Puréed) recipes — each includes a fork pressure test result confirming the texture meets IDDSI requirements.
- Can I change the thickener quantity in a recipe?
- It is not recommended to change thickener amounts without clinical guidance. The target IDDSI level for each drink must match the patient's prescription. Different thickener brands may require different amounts — follow product instructions and the SLP's guidance.
- Are softmeal.org recipes suitable for patients with diabetes?
- These recipes focus on texture modification and may not account for blood sugar management. Dysphagia patients who also have diabetes should consult a dietitian to select and adapt recipes accordingly.