Buzz
The easiest way to measure a tablespoon of ingredients is by using a measuring spoon. If you don’t have one, you can measure an equivalent amount using substitution methods. Without measuring tools, compare the quantity to match approximately one tablespoon.
Steps
Use equivalent substitution methods
Measure 3 level teaspoons to get 1 tablespoon. Memorizing equivalent substitution methods is an efficient way to save time while cooking. The simplest substitution is converting tablespoons to teaspoons. If you don’t have a tablespoon to measure ingredients, just use 3 level teaspoons instead.
Measure 1/16 of a cup. One tablespoon of ingredients equals 1/16 of a cup, making it easy to measure without a tablespoon. For small quantities, the simplest method is to use a detailed measuring cup marked with 1/16 increments. Alternatively, you can measure half of a 1/8 cup, the smallest size in most measuring cup sets.
Measure 15ml of any liquid to get one tablespoon. For quick conversions, remember that 15ml of liquid equals one tablespoon. This means you can measure 16-17 tablespoons from a standard 250ml cup of liquid commonly used in cooking. Ensure the ingredient is leveled for accurate conversions.
Use a bottle cap to measure one tablespoon of liquid. Some bottles come with caps designed to measure one tablespoon, making it convenient to measure ingredients while cooking. This method works well for oils, flavor extracts, and similar ingredients. Test the cap when using new ingredients to understand the conversion.
Use comparison objects
Remember that two tablespoons are about the size of a ping pong ball. If you want to control portion sizes when dining out, knowing how to estimate a tablespoon is helpful. Generally, a ping pong ball is roughly equivalent to two tablespoons. While measuring liquids can be tricky, solid ingredients are easier to compare.
Use the tip of your thumb as a guide for measuring a tablespoon. As a general rule, the tip of your finger equals a teaspoon, while the tip of your thumb equals a tablespoon. Place your thumb next to the ingredient to measure an amount close to one tablespoon. Adjust the quantity if your thumb is larger or smaller than average.
Use a handful to measure two tablespoons of liquid. Typically, a handful can hold about two tablespoons of liquid. Without a spoon or measuring cup, you can estimate one tablespoon of liquid by taking half a handful. Adjust the amount based on the size of your hand.
Note that some food portions always equal one tablespoon. Certain foods have specific portion sizes that can easily be divided into tablespoons. Keep this in mind for quick measurements while cooking or calculating calories. For example, one tablespoon of sugar equals 3 small sugar packets or 3 sugar cubes.
- Another example is a stick of butter, which equals 8 tablespoons, so 1/8 of a stick is always one tablespoon.
