How to Measure Ingredients Precisely Without a Kitchen Scale

What Can Replace a Kitchen Scale?

A kitchen scale is essential for precise baking and cooking, but it's not irreplaceable. As a seasoned home cook with years of experience, I've mastered using everyday items to measure ingredients accurately without one. Try these common utensils:

• A mustard glass or jar
• A mug
• One teaspoon
• One tablespoon
• A yogurt pot
• A bowl

Measuring Flour and Starch Without a Scale

Flour and starch demand accuracy in cakes, sauces, and more. Here are reliable equivalents:

• 1 teaspoon = 3g
• 1 level tablespoon = 10g
• 1 yogurt pot = 85g
• 1 mustard glass = 100g

Cocoa Powder Equivalents

For cocoa powder:

• 1 teaspoon = 5g
• 1 tablespoon = 10g
• 1 mustard glass = 90g
• 1 mug = 110g

Weighing Sugar and Salt Without a Scale

Getting sugar or salt wrong can ruin your dish. Use these trusted references:

• 1 teaspoon = 6g
• 1 tablespoon = 15g
• 1 yogurt pot = 125g
• 1 mustard glass = 150g
• 1 mug = 225g

For icing sugar: 1 tablespoon = 10g, 1 mustard glass = 110g, 1 mug = 150g.

Measuring Butter and Oil

Too much fat makes dishes greasy; too little leaves them dry. Balance is key.

For butter:

• 1 teaspoon = 5g
• 1 tablespoon = 15g

Many butter packages include 25g or 50g markings for easy portioning. For oil: 1 tablespoon = 15g, 1 mug = 225g.