Pecan nuts are a delicious and nutritious snack that can be enjoyed on their own or used in recipes like pies, cookies, salads, and more. When baking or cooking with pecan nuts, it’s important to know how much a certain measurement like 1 cup weighs so you can adjust recipes and portion sizes accordingly.
Quick Answer
1 cup of whole pecan nuts weighs about 4.5 ounces or 128 grams.
Measuring Pecans by Volume vs Weight
There are two main ways to measure pecan nuts – by volume using cups, tablespoons, etc. or by weight in grams and ounces. Volume measurements like cups are convenient for everyday cooking and baking, but weight measurements are much more precise, especially for recipes where pecan amounts impact the outcome.
That’s because a cup of pecan halves or pieces can vary in weight depending on how the pecans are broken down. Pecans also come in different sizes, so the number of nuts in a cup will vary. Measuring by weight eliminates any natural inconsistencies and guarantees accurate, consistent results.
Weight of 1 Cup of Pecan Halves
When measuring whole pecan halves, 1 cup tightly packed equals about 4.5 ounces or 128 grams. The volume to weight conversion stays fairly consistent since the pecan halves fit together uniformly with little empty space. If the cup is loosely filled instead of tightly packed, it may weigh slightly less.
1 Cup of Pecan Halves in Grams
128 grams
1 Cup of Pecan Halves in Ounces
4.5 ounces
Weight of 1 Cup of Pecan Pieces
Since broken pecan pieces fit together less efficiently than whole halves, a cup of pecan pieces weighs a bit less. 1 cup of rough chopped or broken pecan pieces weighs approximately 4 ounces or 113 grams.
1 Cup of Pecan Pieces in Grams
113 grams
1 Cup of Pecan Pieces in Ounces
4 ounces
Other Common Pecan Volume to Weight Conversions
Here are the approximate weights for some other common pecan nut measurements:
| Volume | Weight (Grams) | Weight (Ounces) |
|---|---|---|
| 1/2 cup pecan halves | 64 grams | 2.25 ounces |
| 1/3 cup pecan pieces | 38 grams | 1.25 ounces |
| 1/4 cup pecan halves | 32 grams | 1.13 ounces |
| 2 tablespoons pecan pieces | 14 grams | 0.5 ounce |
| 1 tablespoon pecan halves | 8 grams | 0.28 ounce |
Factors That Impact Weight of Pecan Cup Measurements
There are a few key factors that can cause small variations in the weight of 1 cup of pecans:
- Pecan halves vs. pieces: As mentioned, broken pecan pieces weigh less per cup than whole halves.
- How the nuts are packed: Tightly packed nuts fit together more densely and weigh more than loosely packed.
- Pecan size/quality: Larger, higher quality pecan varieties may be heavier than smaller, lower quality options.
- Moisture content: Fresh pecans right out of the shell retain more moisture and can weigh more than older, dried out nuts.
Any moisture, oil, or small debris clinging to the pecans can also add a bit of weight compared to cleaned, dried nuts. However, these differences are usually very minor, no more than 0.5 ounce per cup.
Tips for Measuring Pecans Accurately
Follow these tips for the most accurate, consistent pecan measurements in recipes:
- Use a dry measuring cup and level it off, don’t scoop directly from the bag.
- Pack the cup tightly so there are no gaps between the nuts.
- Weigh the cup on a kitchen scale instead of relying on volume.
- Stick to the same form (halves or pieces) for uniformity.
- Measure any small broken bits separately instead of mixing with halves.
- Grind pecans into a meal for the most precise measurement by weight.
How Many Pecan Halves in a Cup
On average, 1 cup contains:
- 38 to 45 whole pecan halves
- About 55 smaller broken pecan halves
However, this can vary based on the size of the nuts. Large pecan varieties may have as few as 30 halves per cup, while small nuts may contain up to 50 or more.
Substituting Pecan Volume with Weight
The easiest way to substitute pecan volume measurements with weight is to use the following general conversions:
- 1 cup pecan halves = 4.5 ounces or 128 grams
- 1 cup pecan pieces = 4 ounces or 113 grams
- 1/2 cup pecan halves = 2.25 ounces or 64 grams
- 1/3 cup pecan pieces = 1.25 ounces or 38 grams
- 1/4 cup pecan halves = 1.13 ounces or 32 grams
You can use these conversions to adjust any pecan recipe to weight measurements for better precision.
Pecan Nutrition Facts
Here are the nutrition facts for 1 cup of raw pecan nut halves according to the USDA:
- Calories: 684
- Fat: 72g
- Saturated fat: 6g
- Carbs: 13g
- Fiber: 9g
- Protein: 9g
- Sugars: 3g
Pecans are rich in healthy fats and fiber. They provide vitamin E, thiamin, zinc, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and some iron. The high fat content makes pecans very calorie dense – nearly 700 calories per cup.
Cost of Pecans by Weight
Pecan prices fluctuate depending on the quality, grade, and where you purchase them. On average, pecans cost:
- $7 to $14 per pound (16 ounces)
- 70 cents to $1.50 per ounce
Based on typical bulk prices, 1 cup of pecans can cost $2.80 to $6.75 depending on the quality. Pecans are sold whole in the shell or shelled as halves and pieces. In-shell pecans are cheaper by weight since the shells account for about 50% of the total weight.
Where to Buy Pecans
You can find whole pecans and pecan products like oil, butter, and flour in most grocery stores, usually in the baking aisle or nut section. Some places to buy pecans include:
- Bulk bins or nut sections at grocery stores
- Bagged or packaged pecans near other nuts
- Online through nut retailers like Nuts.com
- Big box stores like Costco and Sam’s Club
- Farmer’s markets and produce stands if in pecan-growing regions
For the best freshness and prices, buy pecans during peak harvest between October and January. Look for plump, uncracked shells free of dark spots or blemishes.
Popular Pecan Varieties
There are over 1000 varieties of pecans. Some of the most common types include:
- Stuart: Buttery rich flavor perfect for snacking
- Desirable: One of the largest pecan varieties with great nutty taste
- Schley: Thin shelled with sweet nuts used for baking
- Cape Fear: Medium-sized with reddish brown shells
- Pawnee: Early season pecans good for quick harvesting
- Elliott: Thin shelled, mildly flavored pecans
- Wichita: High yielding pecans ideal for commercial production
Storing Pecans
Follow these tips for proper pecan storage:
- Shelled pecans stay fresh for 6 months at room temperature.
- Refrigerating in an airtight container extends shelf life to 1 year.
- Freeze shelled pecans up to 2 years to prevent rancidity.
- Leave in-shell pecans at room temp up to 1 year.
- Freeze in-shell pecans up to 2 years for max freshness.
- Pecan oil turns rancid quickly. Store in fridge up to 6 months.
Look for signs of freshness like uniform color and crunchy texture. Discard any pecans with mold, dark spots, unpleasant aroma, or soft, shriveled texture.
Uses for Pecans
Pecans are extremely versatile in sweet and savory recipes. Some popular ways to use pecans include:
- Pecan pie – classic use as a dessert filling
- Cookies – add crunch to chocolate chip, oatmeal, etc.
- Cakes and pastries – mix into cake batter or use as a topping
- Breakfast foods – sprinkle on oatmeal, yogurt, toast
- Salads – candied or spiced pecans add flavor and crunch
- Snacks – roasted and salted pecans for healthy snacks
- Ice cream – mix into ice cream bases or blend into milkshakes
Crushed or chopped pecans can coat fish, chicken, or pork dishes. Blend pecans into dips, pesto sauces, granola bars, and more. The roasted nutty flavor pairs well with both sweet and savory foods.
Pecan Butter
Grinding down pecans into a smooth, creamy butter is delicious spread on toast, stirred into oatmeal or yogurt, or used in recipes. To make 1 cup of pecan butter, you’ll need:
- 4 cups raw pecan halves (18 oz)
- 1-2 tbsp neutral oil like grapeseed or avocado oil
- Pinch of salt (optional)
Pulse pecans in a food processor 10 minutes, scraping down sides. Drizzle in oil gradually until smooth and creamy. Add salt to taste. Refrigerate up to 1 month.
Pecan Oil
Extracting the oil from pecans produces a fragrant oil perfect for salad dressings, sautéing, and nutty-flavored desserts. Cold pressed pecan oil has a high smoke point of 470°F.
It takes about 8 cups of chopped pecans to yield 1 cup of pecan oil. The nuts must be shelled, washed, dried, and chopped finely before pressing.
Pecan Milk
Blend pecans with water to make a creamy non-dairy milk. It takes 1 cup pecans + 3 cups water to make 4 cups of pecan milk. Soak the pecans overnight, drain, then blend with fresh water until smooth. Strain out any solids. Use pecan milk for beverages, smoothies, overnight oats, etc.
Conclusion
Whether you’re baking the perfect pecan pie or just need a healthy snack, knowing the weight of 1 cup of pecan halves or pieces helps ensure your recipes turn out right. In general, 1 cup of pecan halves weighs about 4.5 ounces while pecan pieces weigh around 4 ounces. Measuring pecans by weight instead of volume provides the most accuracy and consistency. Store pecans properly in a sealed container in the fridge or freezer. Incorporate delicious pecans into both sweet and savory dishes!
