TPS isn’t a real cooking term. In most cases, it’s just a typo that’s supposed to say either “TSP” for teaspoon or “TBSP” for tablespoon. These two are common kitchen measurements, and mixing them up can seriously change how your food tastes.
TSP means teaspoon. It’s the small measuring spoon, often used for things like salt, baking powder, or vanilla extract. TBSP means tablespoon, which is three times bigger. If a recipe says “1 TPS of salt,” you’ll need to figure out if they meant teaspoon or tablespoon based on the other ingredients.
Here’s a simple tip. Look at the rest of the recipe. If most of the ingredients are small amounts, it probably means teaspoon. If it’s using bigger amounts like 1/4 cup or 2 tablespoons, then it likely meant tablespoon.
I once added a tablespoon of garlic powder instead of a teaspoon. Let’s just say it ruined the dish. So now, whenever I see “TPS,” I double-check before I scoop.
If something seems off, don’t guess. Compare the recipe with others or ask someone. A little caution can save dinner.
Creative Cooking @ TPS for Lockdown Time Talent Hunt
When I first saw “TPS” in a recipe, I thought I had missed a cooking class or something. I even Googled it. Turns out, “TPS” isn’t a real cooking term. It’s actually not listed in any official cooking guides or chef handbooks. Most of the time, it’s just a simple mistake—someone meant to write “TSP” for teaspoon or “TBSP” for tablespoon and messed up the letters. Trust me, it happens more often than you’d think.
I once got a cookie recipe from a friend that said “2 TPS of vanilla.” I was confused. Did she mean teaspoon or tablespoon? Vanilla is strong, so it really makes a difference. I had to call her to check. She laughed and said, “Oops, that’s a typo—it’s teaspoons!” That’s when I learned to be extra careful when I see weird abbreviations in a recipe.
Sometimes, the only way to figure it out is to look at the other ingredients. If the rest of the recipe is using small amounts like ½ tsp of salt or 1 tsp of cinnamon, then “TPS” is probably supposed to be a teaspoon. But if everything else is in tablespoons, it might mean that instead. Context matters.
So no, TPS isn’t an official term in cooking. It’s just a mix-up. But once you know that, it’s easier to spot and fix it before your dish gets too salty or too sweet.
TPS vs. TSP vs. TBSP – What’s the Difference?
This is where things can get a little tricky if you’re new to cooking. TPS is usually just a mistake, like we talked about before. But TSP and TBSP? Those are real, and they matter a lot. TSP stands for teaspoon. It’s a small measuring spoon, about the size of the tip of your thumb. TBSP stands for tablespoon, which is bigger—about three times the size of a teaspoon. If you mix them up, your recipe can taste totally off.
I once added a tablespoon of salt instead of a teaspoon to mashed potatoes. Big mistake. My whole family tried to be polite, but their faces said it all. It tasted like the ocean. That’s when I really learned the difference the hard way.
Here’s a quick way I remember: TBSP has a “B” for “Big.” So it’s the bigger spoon. TSP is smaller. Most measuring spoon sets will show you both, so it helps to read the labels carefully before scooping anything. And if a recipe says “1 TSP,” don’t guess. Use an actual measuring spoon—not a cereal spoon from your drawer. Those can be way off.
Little things like this make a big difference in cooking. Especially when it comes to strong stuff like salt, baking powder, or spices. One wrong scoop, and the whole dish changes.
When TPS Could Mean Something Else
Sometimes, TPS might actually mean something, just not in your kitchen. In the business side of food, TPS could stand for things like “Transaction Processing System,” which is used at restaurant cash registers. Or in food factories, it might mean “Toyota Production System,” a method for managing how things get made. But none of that really helps when you’re trying to figure out how much cinnamon to add to your apple pie.
I remember seeing “TPS” on a food label once and thinking, “Here we go again.” But this time it had nothing to do with measuring. It was part of a company name printed on the box. It made me realize that TPS could also be a brand name or even a packaging code. It had nothing to do with teaspoons or tablespoons at all.
That’s why it’s so important to look at where you’re seeing the word. If it’s on a recipe card or a blog, it’s probably just a typo. But if it’s printed on a machine or in a store receipt, it might be some tech term. Either way, when you’re in the kitchen, TPS usually doesn’t belong in your measuring set.
How to Handle Confusing Abbreviations in Recipes
It can be super frustrating when a recipe throws in a weird abbreviation like TPS. I’ve definitely stood in the kitchen holding a jar of oil, staring at the page, thinking, “What do they even mean?” If you’re ever in that situation, the best thing to do is pause and double-check before guessing. Guessing might seem faster, but it can ruin the whole dish.
One thing that helps me is comparing the recipe with others online. If I’m making banana bread and it says “1 TPS of baking soda,” I’ll look up two or three other banana bread recipes. If they all use 1 teaspoon, then I know that’s what the writer probably meant. That saved me once from adding way too much baking soda and ending up with a weird bitter aftertaste.
Sometimes I’ll even message the person if it’s a recipe from a blog or a friend. Most people are happy to clear things up. And if it’s from a cookbook and there’s no clear answer, it’s safer to go with the smaller amount first. You can always add more—but you can’t take it out.
Honestly, the more you cook, the better you get at spotting these mistakes. Just don’t be afraid to slow down and ask questions when something looks off. Better to ask twice than throw out dinner.
Common Cooking Abbreviations You Should Know
Learning a few basic cooking abbreviations makes a huge difference, especially when you’re trying out new recipes. I used to skip over them or guess, but that got me into trouble more than once. Once I thought “oz” meant “ounce of weight” when the recipe actually meant “fluid ounce.” I ended up pouring way too much milk into pancake batter. It was like trying to cook soup on a griddle.
Some of the most common ones you’ll see are TSP for teaspoon, TBSP for tablespoon, and CUP for cup. Then there’s OZ for ounce, which can be tricky because it can mean weight or liquid depending on the recipe. ML is short for milliliter, which comes up more often in recipes from outside the U.S. PT is pint, and QT is quart. Those are usually for larger amounts like soups or drinks.
It helps to print out or save a simple chart with all the main abbreviations and conversions. I taped one inside my pantry door and still use it all the time. When a recipe uses weird combinations of US and metric terms, it’s a lifesaver. Knowing these shortcuts gives you way more confidence in the kitchen, and fewer “uh-oh” moments while cooking.
Conclusion
So in the end, what does TPS stand for in cooking? Most of the time—it doesn’t stand for anything real. It’s usually just a typo, a mix-up between teaspoon (TSP) and tablespoon (TBSP). But that tiny slip can totally throw off a dish if you’re not careful. I’ve made that mistake myself, more than once, and learned the hard way that double-checking your recipe can save your meal.
If you ever spot “TPS” in a recipe, take a moment to look at the other ingredients and amounts. Chances are, you’ll figure out what it should say. And if you’re really not sure, check a few similar recipes or ask someone who’s cooked it before. No shame in asking questions—every great cook started out confused at some point.
The more you cook, the easier it gets to spot weird abbreviations or typos. Just keep learning and paying attention to the little stuff, like the difference between TSP and TBSP. It might seem small, but it’s what makes your food come out just right. Happy cooking—and keep your measuring spoons close!