Tostadas de Tinga con Crema (Chicken Tinga Tostadas)
Crisp tostadas topped with chicken tinga, crema and lettuce
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
Tahini Sauce
Smooth tahini sauce with lemon, garlic and water
Gajar ka Halwa (Carrot Halwa with Milk and Ghee)
Carrot halwa cooked in milk with ghee, cardamom and nuts
Arroz Doce (Portuguese Rice Pudding)
Portuguese rice pudding with cinnamon, egg yolks and lemon zest
Crema di Semolino con Frutta (Semolina Porridge with Fresh Fruit)
Creamy semolina porridge with butter and mixed berries
Air Fryer Panko Chicken Tenders
Crispy panko chicken tenders cooked quickly in the air fryer.
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
Almejas a la Marinera (Clams in White Wine Sauce)
Clams steamed in white wine sauce with garlic and parsley
Tarte Flambée (French Flatbread with Onion and Lardons)
Crisp tarte flambée with onion, lardons and crème fraîche
Turkish Coffee (Türk Kahvesi)
Unfiltered Turkish coffee gently heated with water and optional sugar
Acili Ezme (Turkish Spicy Tomato Dip)
Spicy Turkish tomato and pepper dip with pomegranate molasses
Moroccan Spiced Salmon Traybake with Courgettes and Tomatoes
Salmon traybake with courgettes, cherry tomatoes and Moroccan spices
Moroccan Chicken Traybake with Preserved Lemon and Olives
Chicken traybake with preserved lemon, olives, potatoes and red onion
Coconut Water Cooler (Chilled Coconut Drink)
Coconut water with lime, salt and ice
Pandan Iced Milk
Sweet pandan milk made with syrup and served over ice
Hong Kong Milk Tea
Strong black tea with evaporated milk, served hot or iced
Masala Soda (Indian Spiced Soda)
Indian spiced soda with lemon, chaat masala and black salt
Fårikål (Norwegian Lamb and Cabbage Stew)
Norwegian lamb and cabbage stew with whole peppercorns
Bolo Rei (King’s Cake)
Portuguese sweet ring bread with candied peel and raisins
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.
Sauté
Espinacas con Garbanzos (Spanish Spinach and Chickpea Stew)
Spinach and chickpeas simmered in tomato, paprika and cumin
Boil
Labskaus (Corned Beef and Potato Hash with Beetroot and Fried Egg)
Corned beef, potato and beetroot hash topped with a fried egg
Sauté
Verdure in Pinzimonio with Bagna Cauda (Raw Vegetables and Warm Anchovy Dip)
Raw vegetables served with warm anchovy and garlic bagna cauda
Advanced
Chicken and Mushroom Pie
Chicken and leek pie with mushrooms and puff pastry
Easy
Baked Sea Bream with Tomatoes and Olives
Baked sea bream with tomatoes, olives and lemon
Easy
Mantecados (Spanish Lard Biscuits)
Crumbly Spanish lard biscuits with cinnamon, lemon and icing sugar
Medium
Gelato al Cioccolato Fondente (Dark Chocolate Gelato)
Dense dark chocolate gelato made with milk and double cream
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.
