how much is 'just a dash' (ingredient, ginger, cooking, oven)

[nickerman]

Is the phrase suppose to equal to some measurement or what?

[sayulita]

If it's a liquid, like Tabasco, I'd say ⅛ to ¼ teaspoon. Then taste to see if it needs more (or less). If it's dry, like salt, ginger, curry etc. It's a matter of taste and what the recipe is. Start with a couple of shakes or ⅛ tsp., taste and proceed accordingly. Also lots depends on the size of the batch you're making.

The stronger the flavor or spice, the lighter the "dash". Taste. taste, taste - until it's how you like it.

Can you tell us what you're making and what the recipe calls for a dash of?

[saibot]

I've heard that technically, a dash is 1/8 teaspoon, but who measures a dash?

[DawnMTL]

More than a pinch but less than a smidge. That didn't help.

[Threerun]

Cooking Measurements

Granny's Measurements
Pinch, Dash, and Smidgen are a lot like Bunch, Few, and Some - there is no precise measurement. A pinch is what you can pick up between your finger and thumb. But, for folks that just have to know, here are commonly accepted conversions.


a Hint= tiny amount (1/2 drop)
a Drop= 1/64 teaspoon (1/2 smidgen)
a Smidgen= 1/32 teaspoon (1/2 pinch)
a Pinch= 1/16 teaspoon (1/2 dash)
a Dash= 1/8 teaspoon (1/2 tad)
a Tad= 1/4 teaspoon
1/4 stick butter= 2 tablespoons
1 stick butter= 1/2 cup
juice of a lemon= 3 tablespoons
juice of an orange= 1/2 cup

What's funny is that having parents that grew up in the country and me and wife living in WV for 20+ years- we know exactly what all that means, lol.

[Dirt Grinder]

This much.

[Ohiogirl81]

One or two shakes, drops or pinches, depending on the ingredient.