Sudderlappen met Jus (Dutch Slow-Cooked Beef with Gravy)
Dutch slow-cooked beef served with glossy gravy
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
Chinese Chicken Stir Fry
Quick chicken stir fry with vegetables and savoury soy sauce.
Tres Leches Cake (Milk-Soaked Sponge Cake)
Milk-soaked sponge cake with whipped cream and cinnamon
Air Fryer Spicy Chicken Drumsticks
Spiced chicken drumsticks air-fried until crisp and juicy.
Tofu Sweet Chili Poke Bowl
Sweet chilli tofu poke bowl with sushi rice and edamame.
Chilli con Carne (Minced Beef and Kidney Bean Stew)
Spiced minced beef and kidney bean chilli served with rice
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
Baked Sea Bream with Tomatoes and Olives
Baked sea bream with tomatoes, olives and lemon
Kimchi Beurre Blanc Salmon with Steamed Rice
Pan-seared salmon with kimchi beurre blanc
Dry-Fried Green Beans with Minced Pork
Blistered green beans stir-fried with minced pork and soy sauce
Forelle Müllerin (Pan-Fried Trout with Brown Butter and Lemon)
Crisp pan-fried trout finished with brown butter and lemon
New Orleans Jambalaya (One-Pot Chicken, Sausage and Rice)
One-pot jambalaya with chicken, andouille sausage and rice
Orange Blossom Iced Tea
Chilled black tea with orange blossom water and lemon
Zaatar Chicken Traybake with Lemon, Onion and Tomatoes
Traybaked zaatar chicken with lemon, onion and cherry tomatoes
Chicken Kabsa (Saudi-Style Spiced Rice with Almonds and Raisins)
Saudi-style chicken kabsa with spiced basmati rice, almonds and raisins
Cacik (Turkish Yoghurt and Cucumber Dip)
Chilled Turkish yoghurt and cucumber dip with dill and garlic
Loubia (Moroccan White Bean Stew)
Moroccan white bean stew in a tomato sauce with cumin
Atole (Warm Corn-Based Drink)
Warm atole thickened with masa harina, milk and cinnamon
Passion Fruit Juice (Fresh Tropical Juice)
Strained passion fruit juice with lime, caster sugar and ice
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
Boil
Labskaus (Corned Beef and Potato Hash with Beetroot and Fried Egg)
Corned beef, potato and beetroot hash topped with a fried egg
Sauté
Zucchine Trifolate con Uova e Pecorino (Courgettes with Eggs and Pecorino)
Sautéed courgettes with softly scrambled eggs and pecorino
Medium
Yemas de Santa Teresa (Egg Yolk Sweets)
Egg yolk sweets shaped into balls and rolled in sugar
Medium
Ghormeh Sabzi (Persian Herb and Lamb Stew)
Persian herb and lamb stew with kidney beans and dried lime
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.
