The easiest way to measure out a tablespoon of food is to use a measuring spoon. However, if you don't have one, you can get the same measure using the equivalent of another unit of measurement. If you don't have a measuring device, use a reference object as a reference to measure out about a tablespoon.
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Method 1 of 2: Finding Equivalent Measurements
Step 1. Use three teaspoons of squeeze (flat with the lip of the spoon) to measure out one tablespoon
Remembering matching sizes is a good way to shorten cooking time in the kitchen. The simplest conversion for tablespoon is teaspoon. If your food ingredients are less than a tablespoon, just measure out as much as three teaspoons squeeze.
Step 2. Measure out 1/16 cup
One tablespoon equals 1/16 of a cup, which will make it easier to measure this amount without a measuring spoon. It's easier to measure 1/16 of a cup with a large measuring cup that is clearly marked because 1/16 of a cup is quite small. Otherwise, the best way to measure a tablespoon is to measure out half of a 1/8 cup, which is the smallest measuring cup in a set.
Step 3. Pour 15 ml of any liquid to measure out a tablespoon of liquid
For the shortest way, remember that 15 ml of liquid equals one tablespoon. This means there are about 16-17 tablespoons in 250 ml of liquid, which is the equivalent of one cup. Make sure all squeeze sizes to guarantee proper conversion.
Step 4. Use the bottle cap to measure out a tablespoon of the liquid
Some bottle caps are purposely made to hold a tablespoon of liquid, making it easier to measure out this amount when cooking or baking. This rule applies to oils, flavoring extracts, and other similar ingredients. Measure how many bottle caps you had when you first bought a new ingredient to make it easier to remember when cooking later.
Method 2 of 2: Using Comparison Objects
Step 1. Remember that two tablespoons are about the size of a ping pong ball
If you want to keep an eye on portion sizes at a restaurant, understanding how to visually identify a tablespoon is a valuable skill. For reference, remember that a ping pong ball is generally equivalent to two tablespoons. Comparing sizes like this is easy enough for solids, but difficult to apply to liquids.
Step 2. Use the tip of your thumb as a guide to measure out a tablespoon
As a general rule, the tip of the finger should be about a teaspoon in size, while the tip of the thumb should be about a tablespoon. Take out your thumb next to whatever you're measuring to measure out the same size. Adjust the amount slightly if your thumb is larger or smaller than the average size.
Step 3. Use one cupped hand to measure out two tablespoons of liquid
As a general rule, one cupped hand can hold about two tablespoons of liquid. If you don't have a measuring spoon or cup, you can estimate a tablespoon of liquid by filling one cupped hand half full. If your hands are very small or large, you can increase or decrease the liquid to get the right size.
Step 4. Remember the portion of food that is always equal to one tablespoon
Some foodstuffs have consistent portion sizes and can be easily divided into one tablespoon. Keep these benchmarks in mind to quickly gauge when you're cooking, baking, or counting calories. One tablespoon of sugar, for example, equals 3 packs of packaged sugar or three boxes of sugar.
