Crema di Semolino con Frutta (Semolina Porridge with Fresh Fruit)
Creamy semolina porridge with butter and mixed berries
What measuring spoons are for (and what they can’t do)
A standard set is designed for small volumes that are awkward to measure in cups: spices, salt, baking powder and soda, dried yeast, extracts and concentrated liquids. In baking, these small measures can have an outsized effect on rise and flavour, so accuracy is practical rather than fussy. Measuring spoons are less helpful for ingredients that do not level cleanly, such as honey, syrups and nut butters, unless the recipe is tolerant. They also do not replace tasting and adjusting when you are seasoning a soup or dressing, where ingredients and personal preference vary.
Top picks in Measuring spoons
Air Fryer Herb Chicken Breast
Air fried chicken breasts with herbs, garlic and lemon.
Tahini Sauce
Smooth tahini sauce with lemon, garlic and water
Tres Leches Cake (Milk-Soaked Sponge Cake)
Milk-soaked sponge cake with whipped cream and cinnamon
Citron Pressé (Fresh Lemonade with Sugar Syrup)
Fresh lemon juice drink mixed with sugar syrup and cold water
Sudderlappen met Jus (Dutch Slow-Cooked Beef with Gravy)
Dutch slow-cooked beef served with glossy gravy
Using them efficiently, with less mess
For dry ingredients, fill the spoon and level it with a straight edge for consistency. For sticky ingredients, a small spoon can be lightly oiled or dipped in neutral oil first, which helps the ingredient slide out more cleanly. If you are measuring several spices, it is often quicker to measure into your hand or a small bowl and tip them in together, rather than stopping to wash and dry each spoon. When you do not have measuring spoons, a small set of kitchen teaspoons can work in a pinch, but the volume is not standardised, so treat it as approximate and adjust carefully.
All recipes in Measuring spoons
Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
Creamy peanut butter banana smoothie with milk, yoghurt and honey
Shrimp Creole (Prawns in Spiced Tomato Sauce with Rice)
Prawns simmered in spiced tomato sauce, served with rice
London Fog (Earl Grey Latte)
Earl Grey latte with steamed milk, honey and vanilla
Poke Bowl with Zucchini Noodles
Tuna poke over courgette noodles with edamame and radishes.
Poke Bowl with Pineapple
Prawn poke bowl with sushi rice and sweet pineapple.
Tuna Avocado Cucumber Poke Bowl
Tuna, avocado and cucumber poke bowl with sushi rice.
Shrimp Poke Bowl
Shrimp poke bowl with sushi rice, avocado and edamame.
Apricot Yogurt Smoothie
Apricots and strained yoghurt blended into a thick smoothie.
Air Fryer Chicken Breast
Juicy air fryer chicken breast with smoky paprika seasoning.
Pork Tenderloin with Apple and Calvados Sauce
Seared pork tenderloin with apples in a creamy Calvados sauce
Bigos (Polish Hunter’s Stew with Sauerkraut and Sausage)
Polish stew with sauerkraut, cabbage, pork and smoked sausage
Quick Dal Tadka with Jeera Rice
Red lentil dal with cumin, garlic and chilli tadka
When to measure exactly and when to cook by feel
Measure precisely when the ingredient is powerful or functional: chilli powder and cayenne, salt in a small-volume sauce, and especially baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and yeast. Those are hard to correct once mixed in. Measure more loosely when the recipe invites adjustment, such as spice blends, dressings and marinades, where you can taste and rebalance. If you are scaling a recipe up or down, measuring spoons help keep ratios sensible, because “a pinch” does not scale reliably. For very small amounts, a set that includes smaller spoons can be useful, but careful pinches can also be effective when the recipe is forgiving.
Where to look next
Cooking method can help you judge how much precision matters: baking and quick breads often rely on exact small measures, while many stovetop dishes allow tasting and adjustment. Difficulty is another useful lens, because recipes with more steps or tighter timing often benefit from having measurements nailed down early.
Blended
Apple Kefir Smoothie
Blend kefir with apple, banana and cinnamon until smooth.
Boil
Pork Souvlaki Bowl with Tzatziki and Rice
Grilled pork souvlaki served over rice with tzatziki
Bake
Saucisson Brioché (Sausage Baked in Brioche Dough)
Pork sausage baked inside soft brioche
Sauté
Zucchine Trifolate con Uova e Pecorino (Courgettes with Eggs and Pecorino)
Sautéed courgettes with softly scrambled eggs and pecorino
Easy
Mousse de Maracujá (Brazilian Passion Fruit Mousse)
Chilled passion fruit mousse made with condensed milk and cream
Easy
Egg Curry with Tomato and Onion Masala
Egg curry in tomato and onion masala with basmati rice
Easy
Prawn Masala Curry
Prawns in a spiced onion and tomato masala sauce
Easy
Swedish Hasselback Potatoes with Herb Butter
Crisp hasselback potatoes with garlic and parsley butter
Frequently asked questions
Do I need measuring spoons if I don’t bake?
They are still useful for spices, salt, and concentrated flavourings, but many savoury dishes can be adjusted to taste, so exact measuring is less critical.
Should I use level or heaped spoons?
Unless a recipe says “heaped”, assume level. Heaped spoonfuls vary a lot and can easily double the intended amount.
How do I measure sticky ingredients like honey?
A light coating of neutral oil on the spoon helps, or you can measure by weight if the recipe provides it. Scraping with a small spatula also reduces waste.
Are teaspoons and tablespoons the same everywhere?
Not always. Spoon sizes can vary by region and by the cutlery in your drawer, which is why standard measuring spoons are more consistent.
What’s the difference between a pinch and a measured amount?
A pinch is inherently variable and depends on your fingers and the ingredient. It works best in recipes where you can taste and adjust.
Keep them for the moments that matter
Measuring spoons earn their keep when small amounts have a big impact. Use them for raising agents and potent seasonings, and feel free to cook more intuitively when the recipe gives you room to adjust.
