Recipes are the heart of the food coming from all food trucks. Some are personally created, other are family recipes that have been paced on through the generations. These recipes are full of culinary codes like abbreviations and weird measurements (how big is a pinch?). Although some recipes spell out measurements, a lot of cookbooks use common recipe abbreviations and we frequently share food truck recipes in our recipe section as well.

We recently were asked by a reader to provide some definitions to the abbreviations we have used, so we thought we would put this quick chart together along with a chart which help convert these measurements into other measurement standards for those not familiar with them. You can find common abbreviations for measurements here, as well as conversions of various ingredient measurements.

Common Recipe Abbreviations & Measurement Conversions

This table lists common recipe abbreviations and what they stand for.

Common Abbreviations for Measurements

Abbreviation(s) What It Stands For
C, c cup
g gram
kg kilogram
L, l liter
lb pound
mL, ml milliliter
oz ounce
pt pint
t, tsp teaspoon
T, TB, Tbl, Tbsp tablespoon

 

This table lists common conversion measurements.

Converting Measurements

This Measurement . . . . . . Equals This Measurement
Pinch or dash less than 1/8 teaspoon
3 teaspoons 1 tablespoon
2 tablespoons 1 fluid ounce
1 jigger 1 1/2 fluid ounces
4 tablespoons 1/4 cup
5 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon 1/3 cup
12 tablespoons 3/4 cup
16 tablespoons 1 cup
1 cup 8 fluid ounces
2 cups 1 pint or 16 fluid ounces
2 pints 1 quart or 32 fluid ounces
4 quarts 1 gallon

 

Did we miss any common recipe abbreviations or measurement conversions? Let us know in the comment section below or on social media. Facebook | Twitter