Whether you’re a college student with limited space, a minimalist who doesn’t need all the kitchen gadgets, or a shelf fresh cook, learn how to measure food without a scale
We’ve got four tried-and-true genius hacks that will make cooking fun!
So you have a recipe that calls for a pound of green beans but no food scale in sight
How on earth are you supposed to weigh those beans?
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Here’s the good news: you don’t need fancy appliances to cook off the shelf!
In fact, we don’t even think you need a food scale at all
These hacks, tips, and tricks will show you how to measure food without a scale
USE MEASURING CUPS AND MEASUREMENTS TO MEASURE YOUR FOOD
Let’s go back to science (or math, maybe?) class for a few minutes
While you may not have a scale in your kitchen, we bet you do have measuring cups and spoons
So, here’s how to modify those recipe instructions and use what you have:
Ounces to cups – Each cup contains eight ounces, so do the math!
While the ratio isn’t always perfect with cooked foods like meat, you don’t have to aim for perfection!
For example, if your recipe calls for one pound of ground chicken, try using two cups
Ounces to tablespoons – One ounce of water is equal to two tablespoons
If your recipe calls for four ounces, use eight tablespoons
Ounces to Tablespoons – One fluid ounce is equal to six tablespoons
So, if you have a recipe that calls for two ounces of a certain liquid, you can use twelve teaspoons instead
That’s fun, isn’t it?
Okay, maybe we like hacks, but we think so!
Looking for another trick to try when you need to measure food without a scale?
The following won’t cost you a dime!
Profile Tip: If you’re looking for more recipe conversion tips, be sure to get a copy of this free printable kitchen conversion chart!
USE HOMEWORK MATERIALS TO BE SAFE
Okay, let’s pretend you don’t have any measuring cups or spoons nearby
Well, you can reach for what you have and use it as a guide!
If you have others to share, please stop by our Cooking Shelf Facebook group and fill us in on your best secrets!
USE YOUR HANDS TO WEIGH FOOD WITHOUT A SCALE
You do nothing but your hand to guess the weight of your food!
So, the next time your Airbnb doesn’t have a food scale, here are some rules of thumb:
Measuring Meat and Fish – Your hand can fit three grams of protein, including chicken, fish, and beef
Note: Three ounces of meat is a standard serving size for an adult! How to Measure Fresh Produce – Eight ounces of vegetables or fruit is usually about the size of your clenched fist
Measuring Cheese – Sorry to share this news, but one size of cheese is about the size of your thumb
About an ounce!
And remember, when cooking from the shelf, you can use the recipe as a guide
USE YOUR METHOD TO WEIGH FOOD WITHOUT A SCALE
Here’s another fun trick!
Place your food on a standard-sized dinner plate to measure its weight
In this example, we’re using a 105-inch plate to guide our measurements
1/4 of a Plate – If your meal takes up 1/4 of a plate, it’s safe to guess that it’s about 1 to 1 1/2 cups or 8-12 ounces
1/2 the Plate: Does your food fill half the plate?
Then you have 3 cups, which equals 15 pounds
If you don’t want to guess it, you can also buy partially controlled plates on Amazon
DO YOU USE THE SCALE OR MEASURE WITH YOUR HEART?
If none of these options float your boat, you can buy a food scale on Amazon for around $10
How do you measure your food?
Do you prefer to use a scale or measure with your heart?
Looking for a few smart tips and tricks?
Try these strategies
Measure away!