Yes—use the larger spoon in your drawer, but measure it carefully because everyday spoons are not standardized. A level tablespoon is about 15 mL , which equals 3 level teaspoons.

Quick Scoop

  • Fill the spoon, then level off the top with a knife or the back of another utensil.
  • If your spoon is a normal tablespoon-sized cutlery spoon, it may be close enough for casual cooking, but it can vary a lot.
  • For liquids, pour until it looks level and full to the rim, not heaped.
  • For dry ingredients, leveling matters even more than for liquids.

Easy substitutes

  • 3 level teaspoons = 1 tablespoon.
  • About 15 mL = 1 tablespoon.
  • 1/16 cup = 1 tablespoon.

Practical tip

If you only have regular spoons, the safest shortcut is to compare them with a measuring spoon once, then remember which one is closest to a tablespoon. Ordinary cutlery spoons can vary quite a bit, so the exact amount is only approximate.

TL;DR: Use the biggest spoon you have, fill it level, and remember that 1 tablespoon is roughly 15 mL or 3 teaspoons.