diff --git a/Taskfile.yml b/Taskfile.yml
index 22ce80da1..a9ca44ac0 100644
--- a/Taskfile.yml
+++ b/Taskfile.yml
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ vars:
   GREETING: Hello, World!
 env:
   DEFAULT_GROUP: Home
+  DEFAULT_HOUSEHOLD: Family
   PRODUCTION: false
   API_PORT: 9000
   API_DOCS: True
diff --git a/docs/docs/documentation/getting-started/installation/backend-config.md b/docs/docs/documentation/getting-started/installation/backend-config.md
index 844b2649c..fdad87700 100644
--- a/docs/docs/documentation/getting-started/installation/backend-config.md
+++ b/docs/docs/documentation/getting-started/installation/backend-config.md
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
 | PUID                          |          911          | UserID permissions between host OS and container                                                          |
 | PGID                          |          911          | GroupID permissions between host OS and container                                                         |
 | DEFAULT_GROUP                 |         Home          | The default group for users                                                                               |
+| DEFAULT_HOUSEHOLD             |        Family         | The default household for users in each group                                                             |
 | BASE_URL                      | http://localhost:8080 | Used for Notifications                                                                                    |
 | TOKEN_TIME                    |          48           | The time in hours that a login/auth token is valid                                                        |
 | API_PORT                      |         9000          | The port exposed by backend API. **Do not change this if you're running in Docker**                       |
diff --git a/docs/docs/documentation/getting-started/installation/installation-checklist.md b/docs/docs/documentation/getting-started/installation/installation-checklist.md
index b653c9b24..da2e7ffde 100644
--- a/docs/docs/documentation/getting-started/installation/installation-checklist.md
+++ b/docs/docs/documentation/getting-started/installation/installation-checklist.md
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ After you've decided setup the files it's important to set a few ENV variables t
 - [x] You've configured the relevant ENV variables for your database selection in the `docker-compose.yaml` files.
 - [x] You've configured the [SMTP server settings](./backend-config.md#email) (used for invitations, password resets, etc). You can setup a [google app password](https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/185833?hl=en) if you want to send email via gmail.
 - [x] You've set the [`BASE_URL`](./backend-config.md#general) variable.
-- [x] You've set the `DEFAULT_EMAIL` and `DEFAULT_GROUP` variable.
+- [x] You've set the `DEFAULT_EMAIL`, `DEFAULT_GROUP`, and `DEFAULT_HOUSEHOLD` variables.
 
 ## Step 4: Startup
 
diff --git a/tests/unit_tests/test_config.py b/tests/unit_tests/test_config.py
index 85bbe1021..cede06335 100644
--- a/tests/unit_tests/test_config.py
+++ b/tests/unit_tests/test_config.py
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ from mealie.core.settings.settings import AppSettings
 
 def test_non_default_settings(monkeypatch):
     monkeypatch.setenv("DEFAULT_GROUP", "Test Group")
+    monkeypatch.setenv("DEFAULT_HOUSEHOLD", "Test Household")
     monkeypatch.setenv("API_PORT", "8000")
     monkeypatch.setenv("API_DOCS", "False")
 
@@ -16,6 +17,7 @@ def test_non_default_settings(monkeypatch):
     app_settings = get_app_settings()
 
     assert app_settings.DEFAULT_GROUP == "Test Group"
+    assert app_settings.DEFAULT_HOUSEHOLD == "Test Household"
     assert app_settings.API_PORT == 8000
     assert app_settings.API_DOCS is False