You can still cook when your measuring cup is nowhere to be found. Here's how to measure without measuring cups using items you have on hand.
How to Measure Without Measuring Cups
Updated on Jan. 06, 2022
Have you ever gone to cook something only to realize you misplaced one—or all—of your measuring devices? I have. Sooner or later, you find yourself trying to take an educated guess when you’ve already started whipping up something in the kitchen. While you could eyeball it and hope for the best, there are better ways to measure without relying on measuring cups.
What Can I Use Instead of Measuring Cups?
Here are the best references we could find (and a few we’ve been using for years) to make your next recipe a cinch when you’re figuring out how to measure without measuring cups.
- 1/8 teaspoon is about one good pinch between your thumb and both your forefinger and middle finger.
- 1/4 teaspoon is about two good pinches between your thumb and both your forefinger and middle finger.
- A teaspoon is about the size of the tip of your finger (joint to tip).
- A tablespoon is about the size of half a ping-pong ball or the size of an ice cube.
- 1/4 cup is about the size of a large egg.
- 1/2 cup is about the size of a tennis ball.
- 1 cup is about the size of an apple or a baseball.
For liquids, because there is a difference between measuring dry and liquid ingredients, use a mason jar. Just calculate the amount of cups based on how many fluid ounces the jar holds. (For example: a 16-ounce mason jar equals about 2 cups.)
Bonus: Remember that a stick of butter is 1/2 cup and has tablespoons (and sometimes 1/4 and 1/3 cup) marked on the label. It’s a great visual reference and is likely hanging out in your refrigerator already. Be sure to check out our other hacks for how to measure ingredients, too! Make sure you’re comfortable with how to cut a recipe in half too with our handy guide.
Now, go bust open the pantry doors and get cooking.
Get Started with These Easy Recipes.
Skillet Mac and CheeseThis skillet mac and cheese takes a few more minutes than the boxed stuff, but we promise the final result is worth it. A thick and creamy cheese sauce is stirred together with perfectly cooked pasta, then topped with whatever you like.
Slow-Cooker Green Chile Chicken Enchilada PieMy husband likes some heat in our meals, but our children—not so much. This is the best of both worlds. Serve with additional chopped cilantro and a dollop of sour cream if desired. —Dana Beery, Ione, Washington
Teriyaki Beef RoastMy father and I created this pot roast with a hint of Japanese flair. It will make your taste buds dance! try this for family or company. —Mary Flurkey, Golden, Colorado
Ancient Grain Beef StewMy version of beef stew is comfort food with a healthy twist. I use lentils and red quinoa rather than potatoes. If leftover stew seems too thick, add more beef stock when reheating. —Margaret Roscoe, Keystone Heights, Florida
Smoked Sausage and Veggie Sheet-Pan SupperThis recipe is tasty and quick, and it can easily be doubled for last-minute dinner guests. Cook it in the oven or on the grill, and add the veggies of your choice. —Judy Batson, Tampa Florida
Chicken Parmesan SpaghettiI like to make this yummy chicken Parmesan with spaghetti when I have extra sauce on hand. The herbed coating on the tender chicken gets nice and golden. —Margie Eddy, Ann Arbor, Michigan. If you're looking for more variations, then learn how to make million-dollar spaghetti.
Jamaican Jerk Pork ChopsThese Jamaican jerk pork chops with savory jerk seasoning and sweet peach preserves hit all the right notes. Crisp pepper slices on the side and hot rice turn these chops into a delicious and fast meal.
Smoky Spanish ChickenAfter enjoying a similar dish at a Spanish tapas restaurant, my husband and I were eager to make our own version of this saucy chicken at home. If I want to make it extra healthy, I remove the skin from the chicken after browning. —Ryan Haley, San Diego, California
Turkey and Broccoli Pastry BraidThis meal in one is an easy way to get kids—and adults—to eat broccoli. The puff pastry that wraps up turkey, cheese and veggies is pure, flaky goodness. —Jenelle Fender, Steinbach, Manitoba
Tenderloin with Herb SauceTender pork is treated to a rich and creamy sauce with a slight red pepper kick. This hearty dish is very simple to prepare and is always a dinnertime winner at my home. —Monica Shipley, Tulare, California
Spaghetti & Meatball Skillet SupperI developed this one-skillet spaghetti and meatball dish to cut down on cooking time on busy nights. The beans, artichokes and tomatoes bump up the nutrition factor, while the lemon and parsley make it pop with brightness. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California
Pressure Cooker Herbed Chicken and ShrimpTender chicken and shrimp make a flavorful combination that's easy to prepare, yet elegant enough to serve at a dinner party. While I clean the house, it practically cooks itself. I serve it over hot cooked rice with crusty bread and a green salad. —Diana Knight
Reno, Nevada
Spicy Sausage and Rice SkilletThe spicy sausage in this quick skillet dish gives it a kick, and the sliced apples are a pleasant, tart surprise. —Jamie Jones, Madison, Georgia
Easy Stuffed ShellsI threw this recipe together one day when we had unexpected guests. It was an immediate hit and is now a family favorite. Get the kids involved when putting together this simple, savory dish. —Dolores Betchner, Cudahy, Wisconsin
Barbecue Chicken TostadasLots of my recipes (just like this one) start out as fun ways to use leftovers. My kids love tostadas, so this day-after-cookout dinner was a big hit. —Lauren Wyler, Dripping Springs, Texas
You can also make some In-N-Out's animal style fries to have on the side.
Brown Sugar-Glazed SalmonPop these protein-packed brown sugar salmon fillets in the oven before whipping up a sweet basting sauce. This tangy entree cooks up in minutes, making it a perfect meal for busy families and unexpected weekend guests. —Debra Martin, Belleville, Michigan
Fajita in a BowlPull out the skewers and take a stab at grilling peppers, onions and corn for an awesome steak salad that’s all summer and smoke. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Salmon ChowderEvery hearty bite of this salmon chowder will deliver a spoonful of delicious flakey salmon, fresh vegetables, and a rich, creamy broth. It’s a contest winner for a reason.
Ground Beef StroganoffThis easy ground beef stroganoff is even quicker than the original. In just 30 minutes, you'll have a comforting meal on the table.
Asian Chicken Crunch WrapsMy kids love all kinds of wraps and Asian foods. This is an easy go-to in our house that works for everyone. —Mary Lou Timpson, Colorado City, Arizona
Ramona’s ChilaquilesA dear neighbor shared this recipe. She used to make it from scratch, but my version takes a few shortcuts. —Marina Castle Kelley, Canyon Country, California
Hungarian Chicken PaprikashYou can’t go wrong with a sweet and spicy chicken drizzled with a velvety cream sauce for dinner.
Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot BakeHuge on flavor and not too big in terms of hand-on effort, this bacon cheeseburger tater tot casserole is a meal the chef and the diners alike will always agree on.
ChimichangasThough still debated, Tucson is generally credited as the original home of chimichangas (fried "burros", as we call them, stuffed with meat, onions and chiles). I've combined several recipes into this one, and it's fairly authentic. —Laura Towns, Glendale, Arizona
Lasagna CupsThese lasagna cups are the easiest way to turn cheese and red sauce into dinner. They're mini, crispy, cheesy and fun.
Shrimp QuesadillaQuick and simple enough for any weekday, these shrimp quesadillas boast a refreshing flavor special enough for guests. Serve with salsa on the side and a frosty smoothie, if you like. —Tiffany Bryson-San Antonio, Texas
Parmesan Fish SticksI wanted a healthier approach to fish sticks and developed a baked tilapia with a slightly peppery bite. My husband and sons love the crispy coating. —Candy Summerhill, Alexander, Arkansas
Chili Beef Noodle SkilletA friend gave me this recipe. My husband likes the hearty blend of beef, onion and tomatoes. I like it because I can get it to the table so quickly. —Deborah Elliott, Ridge Spring, South Carolina
Chicken-Stuffed Cubanelle PeppersHere's a different take on traditional stuffed peppers. I substituted chicken for the beef and used Cubanelle peppers in place of the green peppers that are usually featured in such a dish. —Ron Burlingame, Canton, Ohio
Chipotle Chili Sloppy JoesMy husband didn't like sloppy joes until he tried my rendition with its smoky heat. If you need to dial down the fiery zip, cut down on or eliminate the peppers. —Brittany Allyn, Mesa, Arizona
Fried ChickenThis crispy fried chicken recipe uses a batter instead of a flour coating. That helps the flour adhere to the chicken so it won’t fall off after cooking!
Grilled Cheese and Mushroom SandwichGive your favorite grilled cheese sandwich a boost with the addition of earthy portobello mushrooms. This savory recipe takes this portobello mushroom sandwich into gourmet territory. —Josh Rink, Taste of Home Food Stylist
Zippy Chicken and Corn ChowderGently spiced corn chowder is always a good option for kids, but feel free to rev up yours with hot pepper sauce. This chowder’s a lifesaver on busy weeknights. —Andrea Early, Harrisonburg, Virginia
Meatballs and GravyI can still see Grandmother making dozens of these little meatballs, and gravy to go with them! The hint of spices gives them a savory taste that makes them authentically Norwegian. —Karen Hoylo, Duluth, Minnesota
Cheeseburger PizzaWhen you cannot decide between a cheeseburger or a pizza, this cheeseburger recipe lets you have both. A true win-win.
Bean & Bacon Griddle BurritosThese griddle burritos with bacon and veggies make an awesome hand-held meal. I use fresh pico de gallo when I can, but a jar of salsa works if that’s what you’ve got. —Stacy Mullens, Gresham, Oregon
Florentine Spaghetti BakeThis hearty sausage entree will appeal to just about everyone. My daughter serves it often to her hardworking family on their wheat ranch in Montana. —Lorraine Martin, Lincoln, California
Quick Chicken ParmesanMy mother inspired me to develop my first pasta sauce. It's tangy, simple and really satisfying. The longer it simmers, the better it gets, so keep that in mind if you have time to spare. —Danielle Grochowski, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Mexican-Style PizzaMy husband is a picky eater, but this healthy Mexican-style pizza has lots of flavor, and he actually looks forward to it. Leftovers are no problem, because this meal tastes better the next day. —Mary Barker, Knoxville, Tennessee
Chicken and GravyHere's a lightened-up take on the classic southern comfort-food dish: chicken and gravy. This recipe has been a hit at our house since the first time we tried it! —Ruth Helmuth, Abbeville, South Carolina
Slow-Cooker Pork LoinI live in Arizona, and this slow-cooker pork loin is an easy dish with many southwestern seasonings. It's fantastic with rice and beans or in a taco with hot sauce. —Johnna Johnson, Scottsdale, Arizona
Turkey Biscuit StewThis chunky stew makes a hearty supper, especially in the fall and winter. It'salso a great way to use extra turkey during the holidays. —Lori Schlecht, Wimbledon, North Dakota
Steak and Shrimp KabobsWith a flavorful marinade, tender steak, juicy shrimp and vibrant veggies, these steak and shrimp kabobs on the grill are perfect for summer eating at its absolute finest!
Chicken Noodle SoupYou don’t need a whole chicken to make homemade chicken noodle soup. Here's how to make it with bone-in chicken, chewy egg noodles and an aromatics-infused broth.
Summer Garden Fish TacosI like to serve fish tacos with quinoa and black beans for a complete and satisfying meal. If you’ve got them, add colorful summer toppings like bright peppers, green onions or purple carrots. —Camille Parker, Chicago, Illinois
Tuna Nicoise SaladTuna Nicoise salad is a perfect lunch for a weekend or even to make ahead for the work week. Our recipe is traditional with tuna, tomatoes and beans, but is easily adaptable to suit your tastes.
Yellow Split Pea SoupThis yellow split pea soup is a great new twist on traditional pea soup. It tastes wonderful and has a sunny yellow color. — Lynn Jurss of Thousand Oaks, California
Crockpot SpareribsEven my three little ones love these easy-to-make and delicious-to-eat slow-cooker spareribs. The succulent meat falls right off the bone! —Julie Czmer, West Bloomfield, Michigan
Three-Cheese Meatball MostaccioliWhen my husband travels for work, I make a special dinner for my kids to keep their minds off missing Daddy. This tasty mostaccioli is magic. —Jennifer Gilbert, Brighton, Michigan
Bacon & Swiss Chicken SandwichesI created this chicken sandwich recipe based on a meal my daughter ordered at a restaurant. She likes to dip her sandwich in the extra honey-mustard sauce. —Marilyn Moberg, Papillion, Nebraska
Asian SlawHere's an Asian slaw recipe without all the greasy mayonnaise. It's well-liked by the people who've tried it. A bit of sugar mellows the tangy Asian coleslaw dressing. —Alta Goodman, Canton, South Dakota
Shortcut Sausage MinestroneI call this surprisingly good soup my magic soup because of its soothing powers. My daughter-in-law always asks for it when she needs a healing touch. —Marta Smith, Claremont, Pennsylvania
Egg Roll Noodle BowlA delicious egg roll noodle bowl makes a quick, hearty weeknight dinner. You can add more veggies, top it with a poached egg or even make it vegetarian.
Swedish Meatball RecipeMom fixed this Swedish meatball recipe for all sorts of family dinners, potluck suppers and PTA meetings. The scent of browning meat is intoxicating. Add to that the sweet smell of onions caramelizing, and everyone’s mouth starts watering. —Marybeth Mank, Mesquite, Texas
Instant Pot Whole ChickenWe love rotisserie chicken, and now with a pressure cooker, I can have it ready to eat in an hour or so. I combined several recipes to come up with this favorite. If you are new to the kitchen tool, this is a perfect recipe to begin with since it is so easy. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Burrito BakeThis burrito casserole recipe is bound to make everyone happy. Satisfy your weeknight dinner cravings with our delectable Burrito Casserole, a dish that's not only quick and easy to prepare but also packed with mouthwatering flavors.
