Prep Tools

Ladle

Deep-bowled spoon for serving soups, stocks, and sauces

A deep-bowled, long-handled spoon for portioning soups, stews, stocks, and sauces without dribbles. A pouring lip and the right bowl size make serving neat. One that holds about a cup doubles as a rough measure.

A ladle is a deep-bowled, long-handled spoon for portioning soups, stews, stocks, and sauces neatly into bowls without dribbles down the side. The depth of the bowl and a pouring lip make all the difference between a clean serve and a mess. A ladle holding about a cup also doubles as a rough measure.

Types & varieties

Standard soup ladle

Deep round bowl, ~120 ml, for soups and stews. The everyday choice.

Spouted ladle

Pouring lips on one or both sides for drip-free transfer and neat plating.

Silicone ladle

Heatproof and nonstick-safe for serving from coated pots.

Small saucier / gravy ladle

Shallow ~60 ml bowl for measured sauce, gravy, and dressing portions.

Choosing the right size

Match the bowl to the job — a big 8 oz ladle empties a stockpot fast but overshoots a delicate sauce. A spout (especially a left-and-right pair) lets right- and left-handers pour cleanly. Knowing your ladle's volume turns it into a quick measuring tool for portioning.

Big bowl for soups and stews
Small bowl for sauces and gravy
Spouts for drip-free pouring
A 1-cup ladle doubles as a measure for pancake batter

Common uses

Serving soups, stews, and chiliPortioning stock and broth into containersSpooning sauces over plated foodMeasuring and pouring pancake or waffle batterSkimming fat and foam off the surface of liquidsTransferring liquid from pot to blender or jar

Tips & pitfalls

Stir the pot before serving so each ladleful gets an even share of solids and broth.
Use a ladle to portion pancake batter onto the griddle for evenly sized rounds.
Skim fat or foam off the top of stock by dragging the ladle just under the surface.
A spouted ladle plates soup without the telltale drip running down the bowl.
Know your ladle's capacity and it becomes a quick measuring cup mid-cook.