diff --git a/abra b/abra
index 015b58a2..5e487599 100755
--- a/abra
+++ b/abra
@@ -1858,6 +1858,7 @@ List all available recipes."
 }
 
 sub_recipe_list() {
+  require_apps_json
   get_recipes
 
   printf "%s delicious recipes:\n" "${#RECIPES[@]}"
@@ -1872,6 +1873,7 @@ Show all available versions of <recipe>."
 }
 
 sub_recipe_versions() {
+  require_apps_json
   get_recipe_versions "$abra__recipe_"
 
   printf "%s thrilling versions of $abra__recipe_:\n" "${#RECIPE_VERSIONS[@]}"
@@ -1912,6 +1914,7 @@ POWERED BY
 }
 
 sub_recipe_release() {
+  require_apps_json
   require_binary skopeo
   require_yq