Cut a recipe in half

Need to downsize a favorite recipe? Learn how to decrease servings using these easy tips.

Recipes are great. They encourage us to try new spices and play with different techniques. The only problem is that sometimes they make way too much food. Sure, there are occasions when we need to make chicken dinner to feed eight people, but those times are rare. Sometimes a couple dozen cupcakes are necessary, but we only want to bake a half dozen more often than not.

And you can, by halving or quartering a recipe. Unfortunately that usually involves more math than we care to partake in — how in the world are you supposed to halve a tablespoon, anyway? — and that’s why we were so thrilled to stumble upon this handy dandy chart by He And She Eat Clean. It does all the hard work for you. Print this out and stick it to your fridge. You’ll never regret it.





Measurement Amounts

Here's a listing of how many tablespoons and teaspoons are in larger measuring cup amounts. This may make it easier for you to downsize your recipes by one-half or one-third.


1 cup = 16 tablespoons

Half of 1 cup = 8 tablespoons

3/4 cup = 12 tablespoons

Half of 3/4 cup = 6 tablespoons

1/2 cup = 8 tablespoons

Half of 1/2 cup = 4 tablespoons

1/3 cup = 5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon

Half of 1/3 cup = 2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons

1/4 cup = 4 tablespoons

Half of 1/4 cup = 2 tablespoons

1/8 cup = 2 tablespoons

Half of 1/8 cup = 1 tablespoon

1/2 tablespoon = 1-1/2 teaspoons