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Home » Cooking for One Articles

By Joanie Zisk Published: Dec 1, 2022 · Updated: Dec 6, 2022 · This post may contain affiliate links · Please read my disclosure

How To Reduce A Recipe

a blue bowl filled with spinach, tomatoes, and ground beef

When you're cooking for one, there are times when a full-sized recipe isn't ideal. Reduce any recipe with these easy tips showing you how to scale down a recipe so it is just right for you.

a woman in the kitchen reducing a recipe so she can feed herself

Most recipes are written to serve four to six people. This isn't always a bad thing if you enjoy leftovers. However, if you're cooking for one or two, you may want to enjoy a meal and not have to eat the same thing for days.

Not every meal needs to feed a small army. At One Dish Kitchen, creating single serving recipes and cooking for one is all we do and we're going to show you a simple method to cut a recipe in half or scale it down even more in the comfort of your own kitchen.

How To Reduce A Recipe

Here is a simple measurement reduction guide to help you cut a 4-serving recipe in half or reduce a 6-serving recipe to two servings (click on the image to download it):

Measurement table with reduced measurment examples

Cooking Conversions

It's easy to halve 2 cups into 1 cup, or 4 tablespoons into 2 tablespoons, but when you get into quantities that are more difficult to cut in half it can be a bit more complicated.

The key here is to change the measurement into one that can be easier to divide evenly. It's easiest to do this by converting measurements into tablespoons and teaspoons.

Remember:

  • 1 cup = 16 tablespoons (tbsp) = 48 teaspoons (tsp)
  • Half of 1 cup = 8 tablespoons = 24 teaspoons
  • ¾ cup = 12 tablespoons
  • Half of ¾ cup = 6 tablespoons
  • ½ cup = 8 tablespoons
  • Half of ½ cup = 4 tablespoons
  • ⅓ cup = 5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon
  • Half of ⅓ cup = 2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons
  • ¼ cup = 4 tablespoons
  • Half of ¼ cup = 2 tablespoons
  • ⅛ cup = 2 tablespoons
  • Half of ⅛ cup = 1 tablespoon
  • 1 tablespoon = 3 teaspoons
  • ½ tablespoon = 1 ½ teaspoons
  • 8 fluid ounces (fl oz) = 1 cup
  • 1 pint (pt) = 2 cups
  • 1 quart (qt) = 2 pints
  • 4 cups = 1 quart
  • 1 gallon (gal) = 4 quarts

Weight conversions

  • 16 ounces (oz) = 1 pound (lb)
  • 1 ounce = 28 grams
  • 1 pound = 454 grams

Pro Tip: To cut down recipes easily, just remember how many tablespoons are in a cup, and how many teaspoons are in a tablespoon.

one chocolate chip cookie on a silver tray next to a plate of four chocolate chip cookies
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Helpful Measuring Tools

  • Dry Measuring Cups: Dry measuring cups are designed to measure dry ingredients like flour, sugar, nuts, etc. These come in a standard set of 1 cup, ¾ cup, ½ cup, ⅓ cup, and ¼ cup.
  • Liquid Measuring Cup: A liquid measuring cup is used to measure wet ingredients like water, milk, broth, etc.
  • Measuring spoons: Measuring spoons are used to measure smaller amounts of ingredients.
  • Kitchen Scale: A kitchen scale is the most accurate way to measure any ingredient and it makes it easier to cut recipes in half. To cut down any recipe, just divide the weight called for in the original recipe. If you want to make a half batch, divide the measurements by two. When you want to make a quarter batch, divide the measurements by four.
a ramekin filled with a baked egg casserole next to a bowl of strawberries and a cup of tea.

The Right Equipment

The success of a recipe depends heavily on using the proper pots, pans, and baking dishes. It is worth investing in a couple of small baking dishes and pans because when you cut a recipe in half or more and try to bake it or cook it in a dish that is too large, it can overcook, it can undercook, or it can dry out.

Here's what we recommend:

  • Pan: An 8-inch and/or a 10-inch skillet
  • Baking dish: 5x5 inch baking dish with a base area of 25 square inches or a 4x6-inch baking dish with a base area of 24 square inches. For recipes calling for a dish this size, a 6x6 inch baking dish can be used but will likely cook faster so you'll need to keep a close eye on it.
  • Ramekin: 10-ounce ramekin which measures 4 inches in diameter and is approximately 1 ¾ inches tall.

Pro Tip: The three dishes we use most often with One Dish Kitchen recipes are either a 5x5 inch baking dish or a 4x6 inch baking dish, a 10-ounce ramekin, and a 5x7 inch baking dish. To see the dishes we use, please visit our Store page.

a small baking dish with a cake

How To Halve An Egg

It can be difficult to reduce a recipe when the original recipe calls for using 1 egg. Most of our recipes call for either using the entire egg, the egg yolk, or the egg white.

Eggs are essential in traditional baking and each element of the egg plays a different role and has a different function. The egg white is made up mostly of water and proteins and can be whipped to create a fairly stable foam that helps to lighten baked goods. When folded into ingredients, egg whites work as a leavening agent which results in lighter baked goods. We use an egg white only in many of our recipes including our Mini Texas Sheet Cake and Small Batch Vanilla Cupcakes.

The egg yolk contains all of the fat as well as protein, vitamins, and minerals. Baked goods made with yolks only are richer and more tender than those made with whole eggs. We use only the egg yolk in our scones recipes and many of our cookie recipes.

We've found through our years of reducing recipes that using the entire egg in many of our single serving and small batch baked goods will alter the texture and taste of the item you are baking significantly.

  • If you scale down a recipe on your own and you're dealing with 1 egg in the recipe, you can either use our single serving and small batch recipes as a guide or crack the egg into a small bowl and whisk together the egg yolk and the egg white. Then measure out half of the whisked egg and add it to your recipe.
  • If a recipe calls for using several eggs, cut that number in half (or thirds, etc.) and follow the above step, if necessary to get the right amount.
cranberry orange scones on a clear plate next to a bowl of fresh cranberries.

Tips For Scaling Recipes

Reducing a recipe gets easier with practice. Keep these tips in mind as you work through the recipe:

  1. Make your conversions before you start cooking. Take some time and do the math to convert the numbers before you begin. Write the measurements down so you don't forget them.
  2. Taste the dish as you go. You are in charge of your recipe. Taste the dish as it cooks and season accordingly. I recommend using roughly half of the seasoning called for in the original recipe and adjusting to taste as you go.
  3. Use smaller pans and baking dishes. This was mentioned above but it's so important. The success of your meal depends on using the correct size dish.
chicken topped with tomatoes and mozzarella cheese on a white plate

How To Adjust Crock Pot Servings

If you want to reduce the number of servings in a slow cooker recipe:

  • Use a smaller slow cooker. If the original recipe calls for using a 6-quart slow cooker and you cut the recipe in half, use a 3-quart or smaller slow cooker. We recommend using a 1.5-quart or a 2-quart slow cooker for our single serving slow cooker recipes.
  • If you don't have a smaller slow cooker, you can easily adapt your large slow cooker into a small slow cooker by placing an oven-safe bowl inside of the bowl of your slow cooker. Be sure to read through our article on cooking small meals in a large slow cooker before doing this.
crockpot white chicken chili cooked in a crockpot with the chicken shredded

How Scaling Down A Recipe Affects Cooking Time

When you scale down the ingredients in a recipe, you do not need to reduce the oven temperature but you may need to reduce the cooking time since smaller volumes tend to cook faster.

For cookies, the baking time should remain the same. Cakes will generally take less time, so subtract 10-15 minutes off the time and check the dish during the cooking process. If it isn't done, check it about every 5 minutes until it has finished cooking. When a cake has browned on the top, double check with a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean, the cake is done.

Although we have hundreds of single serving and small batch recipes on our website. Here are a few of our most popular ones to inspire you!

  • Pancakes
  • Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • Banana Bread
  • Brownies
  • Chicken and Rice Casserole
  • Mashed Potatoes
  • Dutch Apple Pie
  • Granola
  • French Bread
  • Meatloaf
  • Baked Ziti
  • Shrimp Scampi
  • Chicken Caprese
« Mushroom Casserole For One
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About Joanie Zisk

Joanie Zisk is the creator of OneDishKitchen.com, the number one go-to site for single serving recipes. The aim of One Dish Kitchen is to inspire individuals with access to single serving recipes that will enable them to enjoy the preparation of a meal that will nourish both body and soul. Her website is filled with hundreds of easy, flavorful recipes that are tailored for those cooking for one. Joanie is the author of "The Ultimate Cooking For One Cookbook" and her recipes and food photography have been featured in various publications including, TODAY.com, Huffington Post, Real Simple, Self.com,Women’s Day, Buzzfeed, and others. Come say hello and follow Joanie on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and LinkedIn.

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  1. Faith Ludvigsen says

    January 06, 2023 at 1:40 pm

    I recently finished every single recipe in your cookbook. Besides being delicious and sized-for-one, I had so much fun using your book! I made weekly meal plans, sometimes based on ingredients like 2 recipes each calling for a half can of something. I look forward to each Friday's email from One Dish Kitchen and have printed many. If you come out with a second cookbook, I will be first in line!

    Reply
    • Joanie Zisk says

      January 07, 2023 at 12:48 pm

      Thank you so much, Faith. I'm so happy you are enjoying our recipes!

      Reply
  2. sharon T says

    December 16, 2022 at 1:07 am

    just recently found your website, I really enjoy having recipes for one. I know I can cut down recipes but this is so much easier. I love having the correct measurements, I have made several recipes already and plan to make morel I missed cooking because I get tired of eating the same thing for days. I can now have desserts again (not that I need them) I know if I make a full recipe I would eat it all. Thanks for all the ideas

    Reply
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Welcome to One Dish Kitchen, I’m Joanie and I’m incredibly happy you’re here! Our aim is to inspire individuals with access to single serving recipes, education, and a supportive community that will enable them to enjoy the preparation of a meal that will nourish both body and soul.

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