It's one of those tools you don't think about until it's missing. Try scooping mashed potatoes onto eight plates with a regular spoon and you'll see why the serving spoon exists.
Here's what a serving spoon is, the jobs it's made for and how to choose one that fits your kitchen.
The short answer
A serving spoon is a large spoon with a deep bowl and a long handle used to move food from a pot, pan or dish onto plates. It's bigger than a tablespoon and made for scooping and portioning casseroles, sides, salads and anything served family-style or buffet-style.
What is a serving spoon?
A serving spoon is an oversized spoon built for dishing up food. The bigger bowl scoops generous portions, and the longer handle reaches into deep dishes and keeps your hand away from hot food. You'll find them in stainless steel, wood, bamboo, plastic and nylon.
They're usually paired with tongs and serving forks, and together they cover almost everything that goes from the stove to the table.
Solid, slotted or perforated?
| Type | What it does | Great for |
|---|---|---|
| Solid | Holds food and sauce together | Casseroles, mashed potatoes, stews, rice |
| Slotted | Drains liquid through long slots | Vegetables, beans, pasta in sauce |
| Perforated | Drains through small holes, holds small pieces | Corn, peas and other small vegetables |
What is a serving spoon used for?
Serving meals
It's right there in the name. A serving spoon's bigger bowl makes it easy to portion everything from lasagna to green beans, so every plate gets a fair share without a dozen trips back to the pan.
Tossing and serving salads
Paired with a serving fork or tongs, a serving spoon mixes dressing and toppings through a salad and serves it without crushing the greens. It works just as well for pasta salad, grain bowls and taco salad.
Potlucks, buffets and self-serve lines
A spoon for every dish keeps things moving and keeps things clean. Guests serve themselves without using their own silverware or fingers, which cuts down on germs and double-dipping.
Cooking
In the kitchen, a serving spoon doubles as a stirring spoon, a basting spoon and a way to scoop food out of a deep pot.
Shop the 12″ bamboo serving spoon →
Shop the 12″ bamboo slotted spoon →
One spoon per dish keeps the buffet moving and the germs out.
Serving spoon vs. tablespoon
A tablespoon is both a measuring unit and an everyday eating spoon. A serving spoon is noticeably bigger and isn't a precise measure, so don't swap one in for a measuring spoon when a recipe needs accuracy.
How to choose a serving spoon
- Material: wood and bamboo are gentle on cookware, stainless lasts forever, and plastic is lightweight and budget friendly for catering
- Length: go longer for deep pans, stockpots and chafing dishes
- Bowl: solid for saucy food, slotted or perforated when you want liquid left behind
- Cleaning: stainless and many plastics are dishwasher safe, while wood and bamboo should be hand washed
Quick answers
What is a serving spoon?
A large spoon with a deep bowl and long handle, used to move food from a pot or dish onto plates.
Is a serving spoon the same as a tablespoon?
No. A serving spoon is larger and isn't a standard measurement.
What's the difference between a slotted and a solid serving spoon?
A slotted spoon lets liquid drain away. A solid spoon keeps food and sauce together.
Serving for a crowd?
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Tell us your menu and volume. We'll recommend serving spoons, tongs and servers, then put your logo on them.
