diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index eb2872d..419f3d4 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -2,6 +2,11 @@
 
 All notable changes to Epicure are documented here. This file is mirrored in-app at `/changelog` (and in the admin dashboard) via `apps/web/lib/changelog.ts` — update both together.
 
+## 0.51.2 — 2026-07-19 12:20
+
+### Fixed
+- Recipe cover placeholder icons now use a solid color instead of a transparent one — the transparency darkened wherever an icon's own strokes overlapped, showing up as an uneven blotch on icons like the chef's hat or croissant.
+
 ## 0.51.1 — 2026-07-19 12:05
 
 ### Added
diff --git a/apps/web/components/recipe/recipe-cover-placeholder.tsx b/apps/web/components/recipe/recipe-cover-placeholder.tsx
index b80621a..8a9bd02 100644
--- a/apps/web/components/recipe/recipe-cover-placeholder.tsx
+++ b/apps/web/components/recipe/recipe-cover-placeholder.tsx
@@ -14,7 +14,10 @@ export function RecipeCoverPlaceholder({
   const { gradient, Icon } = getRecipePlaceholder(recipe);
   return (
     <div className={cn("w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center bg-muted bg-gradient-to-br", gradient, className)}>
-      <Icon className={cn("h-10 w-10 text-foreground/25", iconClassName)} strokeWidth={1.5} />
+      {/* Solid color, not opacity — an alpha stroke darkens wherever an
+          icon's own paths overlap (visible on icons like ChefHat/Croissant),
+          reading as an uneven blotch instead of a flat, even tint. */}
+      <Icon className={cn("h-10 w-10 text-muted-foreground", iconClassName)} strokeWidth={1.5} />
     </div>
   );
 }
diff --git a/apps/web/lib/changelog.ts b/apps/web/lib/changelog.ts
index 2690585..ccf93ae 100644
--- a/apps/web/lib/changelog.ts
+++ b/apps/web/lib/changelog.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 // Mirrors CHANGELOG.md at the repo root — update both together.
-export const APP_VERSION = "0.51.1";
+export const APP_VERSION = "0.51.2";
 
 export type ChangelogEntry = {
   version: string;
@@ -11,6 +11,13 @@ export type ChangelogEntry = {
 };
 
 export const CHANGELOG: ChangelogEntry[] = [
+  {
+    version: "0.51.2",
+    date: "2026-07-19 12:20",
+    fixed: [
+      "Recipe cover placeholder icons now use a solid color instead of a transparent one — the transparency darkened wherever an icon's own strokes overlapped, showing up as an uneven blotch on icons like the chef's hat or croissant.",
+    ],
+  },
   {
     version: "0.51.1",
     date: "2026-07-19 12:05",
diff --git a/apps/web/package.json b/apps/web/package.json
index 9fdbe03..aada176 100644
--- a/apps/web/package.json
+++ b/apps/web/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@epicure/web",
-  "version": "0.51.1",
+  "version": "0.51.2",
   "private": true,
   "scripts": {
     "dev": "next dev",
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 2172690..f1e5fe3 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "epicure",
-  "version": "0.51.1",
+  "version": "0.51.2",
   "private": true,
   "scripts": {
     "dev": "pnpm --filter web dev",