Gajar ka Halwa (Carrot Halwa with Milk and Ghee)
Carrot halwa cooked in milk with ghee, cardamom and nuts
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
Arabic Cardamom Coffee (Gahwa)
Arabic coffee gently brewed with green cardamom
Tigania (Pan-Fried Pork with Lemon and Mustard)
Pan-fried pork with lemon and mustard sauce
Stegt Flæsk (Crispy Pork Belly with Parsley Sauce)
Crispy pork belly with warm parsley sauce
Thai Basil Aubergine Stir-Fry
Aubergine stir-fry with Thai basil, garlic and chilli
Air Fryer Salmon and Vegetables
Air-fried salmon with green beans, tomatoes and soy glaze.
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 Korean Spicy Pork
Spicy gochujang-marinated pork is air-fried until browned and sticky.
Air Fryer Black Pepper Chicken
Air-fried chicken is tossed with black pepper sauce, onion and green pepper.
Salmon Teriyaki Poke Bowl
Teriyaki-glazed salmon is served over sushi rice with cucumber and spring onions.
Black Sesame Matcha Smoothie
Black sesame, matcha, banana, milk and honey are blended with ice.
Air Fryer Greek Chicken and Potatoes
Air fryer Greek chicken and potatoes cooked with lemon, garlic and oregano.
Greek Yogurt Honey Smoothie
Blend Greek yoghurt with honey, banana, milk, and cinnamon until smooth.
Air Fryer Salmon
Flaky air fryer salmon with lemon, dill, mustard and rapeseed oil.
Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
Air fryer mozzarella sticks chilled, then cooked until crisp and melty.
Gelatina de Leche con Frutas (Milk Gelatine with Fruit)
Chilled milk gelatine sweetened with condensed milk and topped with fruit
Prawn Masala with Steamed Rice
Prawns simmered in a spiced tomato and onion gravy, served with rice
Caldereta de Cordero Extremeña (Extremaduran Lamb Stew)
Slow-simmered lamb stew with onion, smoked paprika, wine and parsley
Dutch Chicken with Mustard Cream Sauce
Golden chicken breasts finished in a creamy Dijon mustard sauce with shallots
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.
Marinated
Vietnamese-French Lemongrass Chicken Baguette
Lemongrass chicken baguette with pickled carrot, daikon and cucumber
Bake
Tarte à l’Oignon Alsacienne (Alsatian Onion Tart with Bacon)
Alsatian onion tart with bacon and crème fraîche custard
Chill
Gelato al Cioccolato Fondente (Dark Chocolate Gelato)
Dense dark chocolate gelato made with milk and double cream
Bake
Norwegian Baked Salmon with Dill and Mustard Sauce
Baked salmon with mustard, dill and lemon
Easy
Chicken Tikka with Green Chutney
Grilled chicken tikka with coriander and mint chutney
Easy
Italian Rice Salad with Tuna and Vegetables
Italian rice salad with tuna, vegetables, lemon and olive oil
Medium
Financiers (Brown Butter Almond Cakes)
Small French almond cakes made with brown butter
Medium
Pestiños (Honey-Glazed Pastry Fritters)
Crisp pestiños pastry fritters dipped in warm honey
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.
