Arroz Doce (Portuguese Rice Pudding)
Portuguese rice pudding with cinnamon, egg yolks and lemon zest
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
Air Fryer Spicy Chicken Drumsticks
Spiced chicken drumsticks air-fried until crisp and juicy.
Citron Pressé (Fresh Lemonade with Sugar Syrup)
Fresh lemon juice drink mixed with sugar syrup and cold water
Tigania (Pan-Fried Pork with Lemon and Mustard)
Pan-fried pork with lemon and mustard sauce
Salade de Lentilles du Puy (French Lentil Salad with Mustard Dressing)
Warm French lentil salad with mustard dressing, shallot and parsley
Air Fryer Oatmeal Cookies
Air fryer oatmeal cookies with a chewy centre and crisp edges.
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
Soy-Glazed Salmon Bowl with Jasmine Rice and Pak Choi
Pan-seared salmon in soy glaze served over jasmine rice with pak choi
Salted Lassi
Refreshing salted lassi made from yoghurt, cold water, sea salt and roasted cumin
Eiskaffee (German Iced Coffee with Vanilla Ice Cream)
German iced coffee made with chilled coffee, vanilla ice cream and a whipped cream topping
Sesame Soy Poke Bowl
Tuna poke bowl with sushi rice, avocado, cucumber, sesame and soy.
Tuna and Salmon Poke Bowl
Tuna and salmon poke bowl with sushi rice, soy dressing and cucumber.
Air Fryer Indian Spiced Chicken
Air fryer chicken marinated with yoghurt, lemon, garam masala and cumin.
Banana Buttermilk Smoothie
Blend banana and chilled buttermilk with honey and cinnamon until smooth.
Air Fryer Spicy Chicken Tenders
Air fryer chicken tenders coated in spiced flour with cayenne and smoked paprika.
Adobo Braised Chicken with Chorizo
Tender chicken thighs braised with soy, vinegar and bay, simmered with Spanish chorizo
Kerala Fish Curry with Coconut Milk
White fish simmered in coconut milk with tomatoes, curry leaves and lime
Chuletas de Cerdo a la Riojana (Pork Chops with Rioja Peppers)
Seared pork chops cooked with red peppers, tomato and Rioja wine sauce
Dal Makhani (Slow-Cooked Black Lentils)
Slow-cooked black lentils and kidney beans finished with butter, tomatoes and double cream
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.
Grill
Argentinian Choripán (Grilled Chorizo Sandwich with Chimichurri)
Grilled chorizo sandwich in crusty bread with chimichurri
Poach
Smoked Haddock Chowder
Creamy smoked haddock chowder with leeks and potatoes
Sauté
Seco de Pollo (Ecuadorian Coriander Chicken Stew)
Ecuadorian chicken stew simmered with coriander, lime, tomato and beer
Boil
Lentil Salad with Dijon Vinaigrette
Green lentils dressed warm with Dijon vinaigrette
Medium
Gujarati Dal Dhokli (Wheat Dumplings in Lentil Broth)
Toor dal broth with tender wheat dumplings and spiced tempering
Easy
Saltimbocca alla Romana (Veal with Prosciutto and Sage)
Pan-fried veal with prosciutto, sage and white wine sauce
Easy
Natilla Colombiana (Colombian Set Custard)
Colombian set milk custard thickened with cornflour and cinnamon
Easy
Gluten-Free Torta di Mandorle (Italian Almond Cake)
Gluten-free almond cake with lemon zest and icing sugar
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.
