Salade de Lentilles du Puy (French Lentil Salad with Mustard Dressing)
Warm French lentil salad with mustard dressing, shallot and parsley
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
Rollmops (Pickled Herring Rolls with Gherkins and Onion)
Pickled herring rolls filled with gherkins and onion
Air Fryer Baked Apples
Air fryer baked apples filled with cinnamon, brown sugar and butter.
Air Fryer Oatmeal Cookies
Air fryer oatmeal cookies with a chewy centre and crisp edges.
Air Fryer Spicy Chicken Drumsticks
Spiced chicken drumsticks air-fried until crisp and juicy.
Nimbu Pani (Indian Lemonade)
Indian lemonade with lemon juice, black salt and roasted cumin
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
Rajasthani Dal Baati (Vegan Lentil Dal with Baked Wholewheat Dumplings)
Spiced red lentil dal with baked wholewheat baati
Atole de Guayaba (Guava Masa Pudding Drink)
Warm guava atole thickened with masa harina and milk
Insalata di Riso con Tonno e Olive (Italian Rice Salad with Tuna and Olives)
Chilled rice salad with tuna, olives, lemon and parsley
Texas-Style Beef Chilli (No Beans)
Texas-style beef chilli without beans, thick and rich
Crab Cakes with Old Bay and Lemon Aioli
Pan-fried crab cakes with Old Bay and lemon aioli
Manakish Board (Za’atar Flatbreads with Feta, Cucumber and Olives)
Warm manakish with za’atar, feta, cucumber, tomato and olives
Moroccan Lamb Kofta Traybake with Peppers and Tomatoes
Traybaked lamb kofta with peppers, tomatoes, lemon and coriander
Watermelon Agua Fresca (Fresh Watermelon Drink)
Watermelon agua fresca blended with lime and chilled over ice
Arroz Con Leche (Latin American Rice Pudding)
Creamy rice pudding with cinnamon, citrus and vanilla
Milanesa (Breaded Beef Cutlet)
Crisp fried breaded beef cutlets served with lemon
Thai Green Curry Bowl with Chicken and Jasmine Rice
Thai green curry chicken bowl with jasmine rice
Pork and Chive Dumpling Platter (Jiaozi)
Boiled pork and chive jiaozi with soy and black vinegar
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
Bake
Pão de Queijo Sandwich with Avocado and Ham
Warm pão de queijo sandwich with avocado, tomato and ham
Sauté
Verdure in Pinzimonio with Bagna Cauda (Raw Vegetables and Warm Anchovy Dip)
Raw vegetables served with warm anchovy and garlic bagna cauda
Medium
Moo Ping (Thai Grilled Pork Skewers)
Thai grilled pork skewers with coconut milk and fish sauce
Easy
Tiradito de Salmon (Peruvian Sliced Salmon in Leche de Tigre)
Sliced raw salmon served with lime and ají amarillo sauce
Easy
Endive, Walnut and Roquefort Salad
Crisp endive salad with walnuts, Roquefort and vinaigrette
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.
