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
Air Fryer Panko Chicken Tenders
Crispy panko chicken tenders cooked quickly in the air fryer.
Air Fryer Greek Chicken
Air fryer Greek chicken with lemon, garlic and oregano.
Cantonese Black Pepper Beef Stir-Fry (Peppery Beef with Peppers and Onion)
Peppery beef stir-fry with green pepper, onion and glossy sauce
Air Fryer Salmon and Vegetables
Air-fried salmon with green beans, tomatoes and soy glaze.
Tahini Sauce
Smooth tahini sauce with lemon, garlic and 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
Gaeng Pa (Thai Jungle Curry)
Thai jungle curry simmered with chicken, bamboo shoots, aubergine and fresh herbs
Massaman Curry with Chicken, Potatoes and Peanuts
Mild Thai Massaman curry with chicken, potatoes and onions in coconut milk
Thai Green Chicken Curry
Green chicken curry with aubergine and bamboo shoots in coconut milk, served with jasmine rice
Beef Chow Fun (Cantonese Stir-Fried Rice Noodles with Beef)
Wide rice noodles tossed with tender beef, beansprouts, spring onions and sesame oil
Mint Yoghurt Salad Bowl
Chilled cucumber and mint yoghurt salad topped with toasted cumin seeds
Crispy Bhindi (Okra) Bites
Shallow-fried okra bites coated in gram flour, spices and lemon
Kerala Fish Curry
Coconut-based fish curry with tomatoes, tamarind, curry leaves and mustard seeds
Aloo Gobi (Potato and Cauliflower Curry)
Potatoes and cauliflower sautéed with spices, then steamed until tender and finished with lemon
Bolo Rainha (Queen’s Cake)
Festive Portuguese sweet ring bread filled with nuts and raisins, dusted with icing sugar
Saltimbocca alla Romana (Veal with Prosciutto and Sage)
Quick pan-fried veal with prosciutto, sage and a simple white wine sauce
Calzone Classico (Folded Pizza with Tomato and Cheese)
Classic baked calzone sealed around tomato passata with mozzarella and ricotta inside
German Potato Bowl with Mustard Dressing, Cucumber and Gherkins
Baby potatoes with mustard dressing, cucumber, red onion, dill and gherkins, finished with 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.
Sauté
Mysore Pak (Chickpea Flour Fudge)
South Indian chickpea flour fudge cooked with ghee and sugar syrup
Boil
Cobb Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing
Cobb salad with chicken, bacon, avocado and blue cheese dressing
Blended
Stilton and Broccoli Soup
Smooth broccoli soup finished with Stilton and double cream
Boil
Pork and Leek Sausages with Colcannon
Pork and leek sausages with creamy colcannon
Easy
Chicken Tikka with Green Chutney
Grilled chicken tikka with coriander and mint chutney
Medium
Tagliatelle al Ragù Bianco (Pasta with White Pork and Veal Ragù)
Tagliatelle with silky white pork and veal ragù
Easy
Crostini with Ricotta and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Toasted crostini topped with ricotta and sun-dried tomatoes
Medium
Gigot d’Agneau Rôti aux Herbes (Roast Leg of Lamb with Herbs)
Roast leg of lamb with garlic, herbs and lemon
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.
