How to Measure a Cup of Mayonnaise Accurately

December 11, 2025 •

4 min read

According to extensive test kitchen research, for the most consistent results, a specialized adjustable measuring cup is the best tool to accurately measure a cup of mayonnaise. Its unique plunger design eliminates the common problem of sticky residue and ensures you get the full amount of your ingredient into your recipe.

Quick Summary

This guide details the three most effective methods for measuring mayonnaise, including adjustable measuring cups, dry measuring cups with a release agent, and using a kitchen scale for ultimate precision. It explains the pros and cons of each approach to help home cooks achieve better results.

Key Points

Use an Adjustable Measuring Cup: These cups feature an internal plunger that scrapes sticky ingredients like mayonnaise out cleanly and precisely with a simple push.
Apply Oil to Dry Measuring Cups: Lightly coat a standard dry measuring cup with oil or cooking spray to create a non-stick surface, allowing the mayonnaise to slide out easily.
Measure by Weight for Maximum Accuracy: For the most precise results, use a digital kitchen scale, remembering that 1 cup of mayonnaise is approximately 220-230 grams.
Level Off Your Measurements: Regardless of the method, use a straight edge like a knife or spatula to scrape across the top of the cup and ensure the mayonnaise is level.
Consider the Mayonnaise Temperature: Colder mayonnaise is denser and thicker than room-temperature mayonnaise, which can affect volume measurements slightly.
Avoid Liquid Measuring Cups for Thick Ingredients: The shape of a liquid measuring cup makes it difficult to level and scrape out thick, semi-solid ingredients accurately.

Why Measuring Mayonnaise is Tricky

Mayonnaise's thick, semi-solid texture makes it notoriously difficult to measure accurately using standard kitchen tools. It clings to the sides and bottom of a regular measuring cup, making it almost impossible to fully scrape out, leading to inaccurate measurements and wasted product. While this might not matter for a casual tuna salad, precise measurements are critical for baking, sauces, and other recipes where ratios are key. Fortunately, several techniques and tools can turn this messy task into a simple, precise process.

The Best Method: Adjustable Measuring Cups

The adjustable measuring cup, often called an "Adjust-A-Cup," is the undisputed champion for measuring sticky ingredients like mayonnaise, peanut butter, and honey. These cups feature a plunger that pushes the ingredient out cleanly, leaving virtually no mess behind.

How to use an adjustable measuring cup:

Adjust the plunger: Twist the base of the cup to move the interior plunger to the desired measurement line.
Scoop and level: Submerge the cup into the mayonnaise container and fill it, making sure to scrape the top for a level, accurate measurement.
Dispense cleanly: Place the cup over your mixing bowl and push the base to easily expel the measured mayonnaise into your recipe.

The Dry Measuring Cup Method (With a Hack)

If you don't own an adjustable measuring cup, a dry measuring cup is the next best option. This method requires a clever hack to prevent the mayonnaise from sticking, a technique that is also effective for other viscous substances like molasses and honey.

How to use a dry measuring cup with oil or cooking spray:

Lightly grease the cup: Before scooping, apply a light, even coat of a neutral-flavored cooking oil or cooking spray to the inside of the measuring cup. If your recipe already calls for a liquid oil, you can measure that first to coat the cup automatically.
Scoop and level: Use a spoon or spatula to scoop the mayonnaise into the greased measuring cup until it overflows slightly. Then, use a straight-edged utensil, like a butter knife or the straight edge of a spatula, to sweep across the top and level it off.
Release the mayonnaise: The oil barrier will allow the mayonnaise to slide out of the cup with minimal effort, resulting in a cleaner and more accurate transfer.

The Most Accurate Method: Measuring by Weight

For professional chefs and avid bakers who demand the utmost precision, measuring ingredients by weight using a digital kitchen scale is the gold standard. This method eliminates any inconsistencies from volume measurements, which can be affected by factors like air pockets or differing consistencies between mayonnaise brands.

How to measure mayonnaise by weight:

Place and tare: Place your mixing bowl on the digital scale and press the "tare" or "zero" button to reset the weight to zero.
Add the mayonnaise: Add the mayonnaise directly to the bowl. A typical conversion is 1 cup of mayonnaise equals approximately 220-230 grams, but it's best to consult a conversion chart or look at the specific product's nutritional label, as some brands may vary slightly based on oil content.
Check conversion tables: Refer to online conversion tables for precise gram-to-cup ratios for different types of mayonnaise, like regular versus light, which have slightly different densities.

Comparison of Mayonnaise Measuring Methods


Feature	Adjustable Measuring Cup	Dry Measuring Cup (with oil)	Digital Kitchen Scale
Accuracy	Very High	High	Excellent (Most Precise)
Ease of Use	Very High	Moderate	Moderate
Cleanup	Very Easy	Easy	Very Easy
Cost	One-time investment	Already common	Moderate investment
Tool Requirement	Specialized cup	Dry measuring cup, oil/spray, spatula	Digital scale, mixing bowl
Best For	Everyday cooking and baking	General use, quick prep	Precision baking and high-volume cooking

Frequently Overlooked Factors for Measuring Mayonnaise

Beyond the choice of tool, several other factors can influence the accuracy of your measurement. The mayonnaise's temperature, brand, and consistency can all affect how it behaves. For instance, cold mayonnaise is thicker and stiffer than mayonnaise at room temperature, which will alter its volume slightly. Additionally, be aware of trapped air pockets. When scooping, you can press down lightly with your utensil to help release any air that might skew your measurement. For the most critical recipes, weighing your ingredients remains the most reliable strategy.

Conclusion

Measuring mayonnaise doesn't have to be a frustrating, messy ordeal. For everyday cooking, the adjustable measuring cup is a perfect tool that combines convenience with accuracy, thanks to its clever plunger design. If you don't have one, the simple hack of greasing a dry measuring cup with a little oil will save you from scraping and mess. For those who need absolute precision, especially in baking, a digital kitchen scale is the ultimate choice. No matter your cooking style, choosing the right tool and technique will ensure your recipes turn out perfectly every time, with less hassle and cleanup.

For more information on the most accurate measuring tools, check out this detailed guide from a respected source: America's Test Kitchen's guide to measuring ingredients.

Frequently Asked Questions

For semi-solid ingredients like mayonnaise, a dry measuring cup is preferred over a liquid measuring cup because its shape allows for easy leveling with a straight edge. However, a specialized adjustable measuring cup is the best for this task.

To prevent mayonnaise from sticking, lightly coat the inside of your measuring cup with a neutral-flavored cooking oil or cooking spray before adding the mayonnaise. The oil creates a barrier that allows the ingredient to slide out cleanly.

A digital kitchen scale offers the highest level of accuracy by measuring mayonnaise by weight instead of volume. This eliminates inconsistencies caused by air pockets or leftover residue in the measuring cup. Simply place your bowl on the scale, tare it to zero, and add the mayonnaise to the desired weight.

Yes, for smaller amounts, using a spoon is a viable option. For example, to measure a tablespoon of mayonnaise, simply scoop it and level it off with a knife. For larger quantities, however, a cup measurement is more practical and accurate.

The weight of one cup of mayonnaise is approximately 220-230 grams, though this can vary slightly depending on the brand and whether it is a regular or light variety.

An adjustable measuring cup is a specialty kitchen tool with a cylindrical body and an internal plunger. It is useful for mayonnaise because you can set the volume, scoop the mayonnaise, and then push the plunger to cleanly and completely expel the sticky ingredient.

Yes, the temperature can affect the measurement. Colder mayonnaise is thicker and denser, which may result in a slightly different volume than warmer, softer mayonnaise when measured by volume.