diff --git a/backend/db_utils.py b/backend/db_utils.py
index 37acf49..f2c1881 100644
--- a/backend/db_utils.py
+++ b/backend/db_utils.py
@@ -93,9 +93,9 @@ def update_recipe_db(recipe_id: int, recipe_data: Dict[str, Any]) -> Optional[Di
                     recipe_data["name"],
                     recipe_data["meal_type"],
                     recipe_data["time_minutes"],
-                    recipe_data.get("tags", []),
-                    recipe_data.get("ingredients", []),
-                    recipe_data.get("steps", []),
+                    json.dumps(recipe_data.get("tags", [])),
+                    json.dumps(recipe_data.get("ingredients", [])),
+                    json.dumps(recipe_data.get("steps", [])),
                     recipe_data.get("image"),
                     recipe_data.get("made_by"),
                     recipe_id,
@@ -143,9 +143,9 @@ def create_recipe_db(recipe_data: Dict[str, Any]) -> Dict[str, Any]:
                     recipe_data["name"],
                     recipe_data["meal_type"],
                     recipe_data["time_minutes"],
-                    recipe_data.get("tags", []),
-                    recipe_data.get("ingredients", []),
-                    recipe_data.get("steps", []),
+                    json.dumps(recipe_data.get("tags", [])),
+                    json.dumps(recipe_data.get("ingredients", [])),
+                    json.dumps(recipe_data.get("steps", [])),
                     recipe_data.get("image"),
                     recipe_data.get("made_by"),
                     recipe_data.get("user_id"),