When it comes to cooking and baking, measuring ingredients precisely is crucial for achieving the desired results. Two common units of measurement used in recipes are cans and cups. This often leads to the question – is one can equal to one cup?
Quick Answer
The quick answer is no, one can is generally not equal to one cup. Cans come in a variety of sizes, so there is no universal conversion from cans to cups. However, there are some general guidelines for converting between cans and cups depending on the ingredient.
Factors That Determine Can to Cup Conversions
There are several factors that determine how cans convert to cups:
Can Size
Cans come in a range of sizes from 5 oz to 28 oz. The most common sizes are 8 oz, 14 oz, and 15 oz. Larger cans will equal more cups than smaller cans. For example, an 8 oz can may equal roughly 1 cup while a 15 oz can may equal 1 1/2 to 2 cups.
Ingredient Density
Dense, heavy ingredients like pumpkin will equate to fewer cups per can than lighter ingredients like tuna. For example, a 15 oz can of pumpkin puree equals about 1 2/3 cups whereas a 5 oz can of tuna equals about 1 cup.
Ingredient Type
Some ingredients are water-packed like tuna or condensed like evaporated milk. The water content or level of condensing will impact cup equivalents. Condensed/evaporated milk equals less cups than regular milk per can.
Whole vs Chopped Ingredients
Canned whole ingredients like mushrooms or tomatoes will not pack as densely as chopped/crushed so whole versions may equal less cups per can.
Common Can to Cup Conversions
Here are some common can to cup conversions:
Fruits and Vegetables
| Ingredient | Can Size | Cup Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Tuna | 5 oz | 1 cup |
| Baby Corn | 8.5 oz | 1 cup |
| Mushrooms | 4 oz | 1/2 cup |
| Pumpkin Puree | 15 oz | 1 2/3 cups |
| Sweet Potatoes | 15 oz | 1 1/2 cups |
Beans and Legumes
| Ingredient | Can Size | Cup Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Kidney Beans | 15 oz | 1 1/2 cups |
| Chickpeas | 15 oz | 1 1/2 cups |
| Black Beans | 15 oz | 1 1/2 cups |
| Refried Beans | 16 oz | 2 cups |
| Baked Beans | 28 oz | 3 1/2 cups |
Prepared Foods
| Ingredient | Can Size | Cup Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Evaporated Milk | 12 oz | 1 1/4 cups |
| Condensed Milk | 14 oz | 1 2/3 cups |
| Coconut Milk | 13.5 oz | 1 1/2 cups |
| Tomato Sauce | 8 oz | 1 cup |
| Chicken Broth | 14.5 oz | 1 3/4 cups |
As you can see, there is quite a bit of variance in can to cup conversions depending on multiple factors. While these general conversions provide a starting point, for accuracy it is best to check the recipe instructions or can labels for the exact conversion needed.
Tips for Converting Cans to Cups
When a recipe calls for a canned ingredient but only provides cup measurements, use these tips to determine the right amount:
Check the Can Label
Many canned goods will list both the can weight/volume and the cup equivalent right on the label. This takes the guess work out of conversions.
Use Measuring Cups
If the label doesn’t have a conversion, empty the contents of the can into a measuring cup to get the cup amount. Be sure to lightly shake or stir first for an accurate measure.
Use General Guidelines
Use the common conversions listed above for that ingredient type as a starting point. Adjust up or down slightly as needed.
Measure After Draining
For canned goods packed in liquid like beans, tuna or vegetables, be sure to drain thoroughly before measuring cup equivalents. The liquid will skew results if included.
Pack Densely
When measuring dense ingredients like pumpkin, pack into cups firmly to replicate how canned goods are packed.
Tips for Converting Cups to Cans
If a recipe provides cup amounts but you only have canned ingredients on hand, these tips help convert to the right size/number of cans:
Reference Common Conversions
Use the handy can-to-cup conversions listed above in reverse to estimate how many cans you need.
Round Up Slightly
Since cans only come in fixed sizes, round up slightly to ensure having enough of the ingredient versus too little.
Plan to Adjust Liquid
If using canned goods packed in liquid, you may need to reduce other liquids in the recipe slightly to account for extra from the cans.
Aim For Standard Can Sizes
Try to buy can sizes of 8, 14 or 15 oz which are the most standard. Avoid odd sizes like 10 oz which are harder to convert.
Prioritize Whole Cans
Buy whole cans rather than partial when possible for easier measuring and storage of leftovers.
Factors That Impact Accuracy
While these tips help estimate cup-to-can conversions, there are some factors that can impact accuracy:
Ingredient Settling
Contents may compact and settle over time, skewing the volume-to-weight ratio. Gently stir before measuring.
Different Brands Vary
One brand’s 15 oz can may not equal the same cups as another brand based on ingredient properties and canning process.
Moisture Content Changes
As cans sit after opening, moisture content can change affecting the volume to weight relationship.
Canning Methods Differ
Hand packed vs machine packed cans may have slight differences in ingredient compression.
Recipes Aren’t Always Precise
Some recipes may round or estimate on cup-to-can conversions, providing only approximate guidance.
Weight vs Volume Measuring
The reasons cans and cups do not have a standard conversion is because cans are a weight measurement and cups are a volume measurement.
What a Can Weight Represents
A 6 oz can contains 6 fluid ounces of the ingredient by weight. The weight is a fixed amount regardless of packing or other variations.
What a Cup of Volume Represents
A cup is 8 fluid ounces by volume. But the weight of 8 ounces can vary based on the density and packing of the ingredient.
Variability Between Weight and Volume
Because density varies between ingredients, weight and volume do not perfectly correlate. More dense items weigh more per volume and vice versa.
Example Conversion Calculation
If 1 cup of beans weighs 5.6 oz by volume but 6 oz by weight, this 0.4 oz difference demonstrates why conversions vary between cans and cups depending on the specific ingredient.
Weight Measurements Are More Precise
Due to the reasons above, weight is actually a more precise measurement than volume when cooking and baking. This is why many recipes now provide ingredient amounts by weight in grams or ounces.
Benefits of Weight Measurements
– Not affected by settling or compression like volume measures
– Consistent regardless of ingredient density
– Precise for ingredients that are hard to measure by cups like meat
– Uniform across recipes and cookbooks from different sources
High Quality Kitchen Scales
The best way to achieve maximum accuracy and precision in your recipes is to invest in a good digital kitchen scale. This allows measuring any ingredient by weight in grams, ounces, or pounds.
Some top-rated digital kitchen scale models include:
– OXO 11-Pound Stainless Steel Food Scale with Pull Out Display
– Escali Primo Digital Multifunctional Food Scale
– Greater Goods Digital Food Kitchen Scale
Conclusion
While there is no universal conversion that equates one can to one cup, the information provided above can help estimate conversions between cans and cups for common ingredients. The most accurate method is to reference the label or measure directly. And for ultimate precision, measuring by weight instead of volume provides the most consistent results. Investing in a high quality digital kitchen scale and using recipes with weight measurements can help take the guesswork out of can-to-cup conversions.
