Kulfi (Indian Ice Cream with Saffron, Cardamom and Pistachios)
Dense kulfi made from reduced milk with saffron and pistachios
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
Citron Pressé (Fresh Lemonade with Sugar Syrup)
Fresh lemon juice drink mixed with sugar syrup and cold water
Air Fryer Panko Chicken Tenders
Crispy panko chicken tenders cooked quickly in the air fryer.
Tigania (Pan-Fried Pork with Lemon and Mustard)
Pan-fried pork with lemon and mustard sauce
Gajar ka Halwa (Carrot Halwa with Milk and Ghee)
Carrot halwa cooked in milk with ghee, cardamom and nuts
Air Fryer Herb Chicken Breast
Air fried chicken breasts with herbs, garlic and lemon.
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
Pan de Muerto (Orange-Scented Sweet Bread)
Pan de Muerto sweet bread with orange zest, brushed with butter and coated in sugar
Royal Tteokgalbi (Korean Grilled Beef Rib Patties)
Minced beef patties with spring onion and garlic, pan-grilled until caramelised
Jjajangbap (Rice with Black Bean Sauce)
Steamed rice topped with pork, vegetables and thickened black bean sauce
Egg Drop Soup (Dan Hua Tang)
Silky egg drop soup seasoned with soy sauce, sesame oil and spring onion
Barbacoa (Slow-Cooked Beef in Chilli and Vinegar Sauce)
Slow-cooked barbacoa beef in a spiced chilli sauce, served in warm tortillas
Miso Butter Sweetcorn Bowl with Short-Grain Rice
Miso butter sweetcorn on rice, topped with spring onion and toasted nori
Motsunabe (Offal Hot Pot with Garlic and Cabbage)
Savoury motsunabe hot pot of beef tripe with cabbage, garlic and chives
Nordic Molasses Cookies
Nordic molasses cookies with cinnamon, ginger and cloves, baked until crisp-edged
Broas Castelar (Sweet Pumpkin Biscuits)
Tender Portuguese pumpkin biscuits flavoured with cinnamon and orange zest
Marmitako (Basque Tuna and Potato Stew)
Tuna and potato stew with peppers, tomato and paprika in a savoury broth
Pear Cinnamon Smoothie Bowl
Pear and cinnamon smoothie bowl with banana, Greek yoghurt, oats and nuts.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie Bowl
A thick chocolate banana yoghurt smoothie bowl topped with peanut butter.
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.
Boil
Pad Kra Pao (Thai Basil Minced Pork)
Thai basil minced pork stir-fry with rice and fried egg
Boil
Rasgulla (Chenna Balls in Sugar Syrup)
Soft rasgulla chenna balls simmered until spongy in sugar syrup
Bake
Sbrisolona (Crumbly Almond Cake)
Crumbly almond cake baked until golden and served in pieces
Stir fry
Dry-Fried Green Beans with Minced Pork
Blistered green beans stir-fried with minced pork and soy sauce
Medium
Makaronia me Kima (Greek Spaghetti with Minced Beef and Tomato Sauce)
Greek spaghetti with minced beef, tomato and cinnamon
Easy
Linsensuppe mit Würstchen (German Lentil Soup with Frankfurters)
German lentil soup with frankfurters and vegetables
Easy
Broad Bean, Pecorino and Mint Salad (Insalata di Fave e Pecorino)
Broad bean salad with pecorino, mint, lemon and olive oil
Easy
Salade de Lentilles du Puy (French Lentil Salad with Mustard Dressing)
Warm French lentil salad with mustard dressing, shallot and parsley
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.
