Convert Shortening from Tablespoon

How much is 1 tablespoon of shortening?

1 tablespoon of shortening (vegetable shortening) is 12.3 grams, about 0.43 ounces. 0.5 tablespoons of shortening is 6.15 grams and 2 tablespoons is 24.6 grams. Use the converter below for any amount.

  • A tablespoon here is the 15 ml metric standard, about 16.67 to a metric cup, the same size as a UK tablespoon. A US tablespoon is smaller at 14.79 ml, so US cooks measuring with US spoons need slightly more. An Australian tablespoon is larger at 20 ml, so it holds about a third more. When tablespoon size matters →
  • One metric tablespoon of shortening weighs about 12.3 grams. A US tablespoon (14.79 ml) holds about 12.1 grams and an Australian tablespoon (20 ml) about 16.4 grams.
  • A little over or under won't ruin the bake, though it can nudge the final taste or colour.

Shortening is 100% solid vegetable fat with no water, sold under brand names such as Crisco and Trex. One metric cup (250 ml) of shortening weighs around 205 grams or 7.23 ounces. When a recipe calls for shortening in cups or tablespoons, converting to grams first removes the uncertainty of scooping from a sticky tub for flaky pie crusts and tender biscuits.

Shortening tubs are sold by weight in the US and by volume elsewhere, while recipes call for cups, tablespoons, or grams. Converting between the three lets you measure once without scraping a sticky cup.

Also known as

  • vegetable shortening
  • Crisco
  • white fat

Butter carries around 15% water and adds dairy flavour, while shortening is pure fat with none. Shortening is lighter per cup (205 g vs 227 g), so weigh when swapping; for the closest result, add 2 to 3 tablespoons of water per cup of shortening when replacing butter, and accept a flakier, less flavourful crumb. See butter in tablespoons.

Margarine carries around 15 to 20% water and bakes closer to butter, while shortening is pure fat. They are close in weight (235 g vs 205 g per cup); swap by weight in pastry for a flakier result with shortening, or in cakes for a more tender crumb with margarine. See margarine in tablespoons.

Out of shortening? See shortening substitutes →

No measuring spoons? The tool below gets you close, and a measuring spoon set keeps small amounts accurate.

Nail small amounts, get spoons

Shortening Measurement Converter

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Common Shortening Conversions

Here are the most common shortening conversions from tablespoons to grams.

TablespoonsGrams
1 tbsp12.3 g
2 tbsp24.6 g
3 tbsp36.9 g
4 tbsp49.2 g
6 tbsp73.8 g
8 tbsp98.4 g
10 tbsp123 g
12 tbsp147.6 g
16 tbsp196.8 g

Shortening Conversion Chart

The conversion chart below gives a quick reference for converting shortening from Tablespoon to other measurements.

tbspcupgramsouncescup(US)tsp
1 tbsp0.06 cup12.3 g0.43 oz0.06 cup (US)3 tsp
2 tbsp0.12 cup24.6 g0.87 oz0.13 cup (US)6 tsp
3 tbsp0.18 cup36.9 g1.3 oz0.19 cup (US)9 tsp
4 tbsp0.24 cup49.2 g1.74 oz0.25 cup (US)12 tsp

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is 1 tablespoon of shortening?
1 tablespoon of shortening is 12.3 grams, or 0.43 ounces. The ratio is fixed, so 0.5 tablespoons of shortening is 6.15 grams and 2 tablespoons is 24.6 grams. Whatever unit your recipe uses, enter the amount in the converter above or read the conversion chart on this page for the most common quantities. Open the shortening converter
How many grams is 1 tablespoon of shortening?
1 tablespoon of shortening is 12.3 grams. The conversion scales in a straight line, so 0.5 tablespoons is 6.15 grams and 2 tablespoons is 24.6 grams. Multiply or divide that figure to match whatever your recipe needs, or use the converter above for an exact grams reading at any amount. 1 tablespoon shortening in grams
How many tablespoons of shortening is 12.3 grams?
12.3 grams of shortening is 1 tablespoon. The conversion works the same in reverse, so you can switch between tablespoons and grams without changing the result. This helps when a recipe lists one unit but you would rather measure in the other. The converter above and the chart below cover both directions for any amount.
What is 1 tablespoon of shortening in ounces?
1 tablespoon of shortening is 0.43 ounces. The ratio is fixed, so 0.5 tablespoons is 0.22 ounces and 2 tablespoons is 0.87 ounces. Use the converter above for any other amount, or see the chart on this page for the common quantities at a glance. 1 tablespoon shortening in ounces
How do tablespoons and cups compare as units?
Tablespoons and cups are both volume units, so the conversion between them does not vary by ingredient. One metric cup holds about 16.67 tablespoons or 50 teaspoons, and the ratio stays fixed regardless of what you are measuring. The volume converter handles any amount between cups, tablespoons, teaspoons, and millilitres. Tablespoons to cups

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