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
Nimbu Pani (Indian Lemonade)
Indian lemonade with lemon juice, black salt and roasted cumin
Air Fryer Herb Chicken Breast
Air fried chicken breasts with herbs, garlic and lemon.
Arabic Cardamom Coffee (Gahwa)
Arabic coffee gently brewed with green cardamom
Chinese Chicken Stir Fry
Quick chicken stir fry with vegetables and savoury soy sauce.
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
Gochujang Roasted Chicken Traybake
Gochujang chicken traybake with sweet potato, broccoli and sesame
Japanese Chicken Rice Bowl with Soy, Mirin and Ginger
Chicken rice bowl with soy, mirin, ginger and spinach
Mango Lassi
Chilled mango lassi made with yoghurt, milk and cardamom
Modern Lemon Orzo Salad
Lemon orzo salad with feta, cucumber, tomatoes and parsley
Revithada (Slow-Baked Greek Chickpeas)
Slow-baked Greek chickpeas with bay and oregano
Agurkesalat (Danish Cucumber Salad in Sweet Vinegar Dressing)
Danish cucumber salad in a sweet and tangy vinegar dressing
Poke Bowl with Edamame
Salmon poke bowl with sushi rice, edamame and soy.
Air Fryer Yogurt Marinated Chicken
Yoghurt-marinated chicken cooked in the air fryer until charred.
Banana Oat Breakfast Smoothie
Banana and oat smoothie blended with milk and honey.
Tostadas de Ceviche de Atún (Tuna Ceviche Tostadas)
Crisp tostadas topped with tuna ceviche and avocado
Pork Saltimbocca alla Romana (Pork with Prosciutto and Sage)
Pan-fried pork with prosciutto, sage and white wine butter sauce
Iced Turkish Coffee
Strong iced Turkish coffee poured over ice after cooling
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
Easy
Mousse de Maracujá (Brazilian Passion Fruit Mousse)
Chilled passion fruit mousse made with condensed milk and cream
Medium
Basundi (Thickened Sweetened Milk with Cardamom and Saffron)
Thickened sweetened milk dessert with cardamom, saffron and pistachios
Advanced
Mushroom and Chestnut Wellington (Vegetarian)
Mushroom and chestnut Wellington baked in crisp puff pastry
Advanced
Lobster Bisque
Smooth lobster bisque finished with brandy, tomato purée and 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.
