Multekrem (Norwegian Cloudberry Cream)
Cloudberries folded into lightly sweetened whipped cream
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
Tofu Sweet Chili Poke Bowl
Sweet chilli tofu poke bowl with sushi rice and edamame.
Tostadas de Tinga con Crema (Chicken Tinga Tostadas)
Crisp tostadas topped with chicken tinga, crema and lettuce
Nimbu Pani (Indian Lemonade)
Indian lemonade with lemon juice, black salt and roasted cumin
Gajar ka Halwa (Carrot Halwa with Milk and Ghee)
Carrot halwa cooked in milk with ghee, cardamom and nuts
Citron Pressé (Fresh Lemonade with Sugar Syrup)
Fresh lemon juice drink mixed with sugar syrup and cold water
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
Air Fryer Greek Chicken
Air fryer Greek chicken with lemon, garlic and oregano.
Arabic Cardamom Coffee (Gahwa)
Arabic coffee gently brewed with green cardamom
Cantonese Black Pepper Beef Stir-Fry (Peppery Beef with Peppers and Onion)
Peppery beef stir-fry with green pepper, onion and glossy sauce
Chilli con Carne (Minced Beef and Kidney Bean Stew)
Spiced minced beef and kidney bean chilli served with rice
Air Fryer Herb Chicken Breast
Air fried chicken breasts with herbs, garlic and lemon.
Jordanian Zarb (Slow-Cooked Lamb and Spiced Rice)
Slow-cooked lamb with spiced rice and toasted almonds
Sumac Onion Salad
Sharp sumac onion salad with lemon, olive oil and parsley
Vietnamese Avocado Smoothie
Vietnamese avocado smoothie with condensed milk and ice
Oi Muchim (Korean Spicy Cucumber Salad)
Spicy cucumber salad with gochugaru, vinegar and sesame oil
Spicy Sriracha Mayo Poke Bowl
Salmon poke bowl with sushi rice and sriracha mayo.
Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon
Air-fried salmon glazed with soy, mirin and brown sugar.
Slow Cooker Pot Roast with Root Vegetables
Slow cooker beef pot roast with potatoes, carrots and parsnips
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
Bake
Air Fryer Lava Cake
Individual chocolate cakes with a molten centre.
Easy
Mousse de Maracujá (Brazilian Passion Fruit Mousse)
Chilled passion fruit mousse made with condensed milk and cream
Medium
Tagliatelle al Ragù di Cinghiale (Tagliatelle with Wild Boar Ragù)
Tagliatelle with slow-simmered wild boar ragù
Easy
Carne con Tomate Andaluza (Andalusian Pork in Tomato Sauce)
Pork simmered in a thick tomato and paprika sauce
Easy
Céleri Rémoulade with Cured Ham
Celeriac rémoulade with mustard and lemon mayonnaise
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.
