Thai Basil Aubergine Stir-Fry
Aubergine stir-fry with Thai basil, garlic and chilli
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
Stegt Flæsk (Crispy Pork Belly with Parsley Sauce)
Crispy pork belly with warm parsley sauce
Air Fryer Baked Apples
Air fryer baked apples filled with cinnamon, brown sugar and butter.
Arroz Doce (Portuguese Rice Pudding)
Portuguese rice pudding with cinnamon, egg yolks and lemon zest
Tigania (Pan-Fried Pork with Lemon and Mustard)
Pan-fried pork with lemon and mustard sauce
Air Fryer Herb Chicken Breast
Air fried chicken breasts with herbs, garlic and lemon.
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
Tom Kha Gai (Thai Coconut Galangal Chicken Soup)
Thai coconut soup with chicken, galangal and mushrooms
Swedish Meatballs with Cream Sauce and Lingonberry
Swedish meatballs in creamy gravy with lingonberry
Chopped Greek-American Salad with Pepperoncini
Chopped romaine salad with feta, olives and pepperoncini
Lamb Rogan Josh with Saffron Rice
Tender lamb rogan josh served with saffron basmati rice
Arroz con Pollo (Spanish Chicken and Rice)
One-pan Spanish chicken and rice with saffron and paprika
Sloppy Joe (Minced Beef in Tangy Tomato Sauce)
Sloppy Joe buns filled with tangy minced beef
Panna Cotta al Caffè (Italian Coffee Panna Cotta)
Silky espresso panna cotta finished with a dusting of cocoa
Prawn Balchão (Goan Spiced Prawns)
Goan-style prawns cooked in a tangy chilli masala
Slow-Cooked Baby Back Ribs with BBQ Sauce
Tender baby back ribs caramelised with barbecue sauce
Sheet-Pan Sausage with Peppers and Onions
Roasted Italian sausage with peppers and onions on one tray
Chicken Marsala (Chicken in Marsala and Mushroom Sauce)
Pan-fried chicken in a Marsala wine and mushroom sauce
Scaloppine al Prosciutto (Veal with White Wine Pan Sauce)
Veal scaloppine with prosciutto and white wine sauce
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.
Medium
Moo Ping (Thai Grilled Pork Skewers)
Thai grilled pork skewers with coconut milk and fish sauce
Medium
Vegetarian Black Bean Quesadilla
Crisp quesadilla with black beans, cheddar and peppers
Easy
Cime di Rapa con Orecchiette (Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe, Garlic and Chilli)
Orecchiette with broccoli rabe, garlic, chilli and pecorino
Easy
Pimientos del Piquillo Rellenos de Atún (Tuna-Stuffed Piquillo Peppers)
Piquillo peppers stuffed with tuna, onion and tomato
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.
