A ladle looks like the simplest tool in the drawer, and most kitchens have one that came free in a utensil set. Then you try to serve a pot of pozole: the handle is too short and your knuckles hang in the steam, the bowl is too small for a proper serving, and every pour leaves a trail of broth down the side of the pot and across the counter.
This guide names nine ladles worth buying from Rösle, Cuisinart, Vollrath, Winco, All-Clad, GIR, Le Creuset and OXO, with the capacity each maker or listing states, whether it has a pouring rim or spout, and whether it hooks onto the pot. It covers soup ladles, a big 8-ounce serving ladle, a small sauce ladle and ladles that are safe on nonstick.
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Quick verdict: which ladle to buy
The best ladle for most kitchens is the Rösle 4.1-Ounce Hook Ladle with Pouring Rim: 18/10 stainless steel, a rim that pours cleanly from any side, and a hooked handle that rests on the edge of the pot. America’s Test Kitchen calls the 5.4-ounce size of this ladle the best it has tested over the decades; this is the slightly smaller size of the same design. For less money, the Cuisinart Stainless Steel Ladle is ATK’s Best Buy.
Five ladles compared at a glance
Our five standout ladles, one for each kind of cook. All nine are reviewed in full below.
| Ladle | Best for | Capacity | Pour rim or spout | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Rösle 4.1-Ounce Hook Ladle with Pouring RimBest overall
|
Soups and stews, clean pours | 4.1 oz | All-round pouring rim | View on Amazon |
Cuisinart Stainless Steel LadleBudget pick
|
Everyday soup for less | 4 oz, per ATK | None | View on Amazon |
Vollrath 8-Ounce Stainless Steel LadleBest for big bowls
|
Pozole and menudo servings | 8 oz | Not stated | View on Amazon |
GIR Ultimate Silicone LadleBest for nonstick
|
Coated pots, measured pours | Over 3/4 cup (150 ml) | Pouring edge | View on Amazon |
Winco 2-Ounce One-Piece Stainless Steel LadleBest sauce ladle
|
Salsa, sauce and portions | 2 oz | Not stated | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Capacities are as each maker, listing or America’s Test Kitchen states them.
Our picks for the best ladle
The nine ladles below include five all-stainless soup and serving ladles in sizes from 2 to 8 ounces, three nylon or silicone ladles for nonstick pots, and one ladle with pour spouts. Each review gives the stated capacity, the pouring design and the hook, who the ladle suits and one honest reason to skip it.
1. Rösle 4.1-Ounce Hook Ladle with Pouring Rim – Clean Pours from Any Side
Rösle’s hook ladle with pouring rim is the design America’s Test Kitchen rates highest: it calls it “the best we’ve tested over the decades.” ATK tested the 5.4-ounce size; this listing is the 4.1-ounce size of the same ladle. It is 18/10 stainless steel with a matte finish that resists slipping and hides fingerprints, and a groove down the handle for your finger, according to the listing.
Two details make the difference. A gently curved pouring rim runs all the way around the bowl, so broth leaves the ladle cleanly from whichever side you tip it, and ATK found that rims like this poured most neatly. The handle is set at about 45 degrees to the bowl, which ATK says keeps your hand out of the steam. The hook at the end catches on the rim of the pot so the ladle does not slide in.
Rösle’s own page gives this size as 0.12 liter and 300 millimeters long, with a bowl about 8 centimeters across; the listing’s title says 4.1 ounces and 11.8 inches, though one line of its description repeats the larger size’s 5.4 ounces. ATK found about 5 ounces the ideal size for soups and stews, so this one is a little smaller, a good fit for sauces, beans and smaller bowls. Rösle lists it as dishwasher safe, and the Amazon listing gives a lifetime warranty.
Why we like it
- Same design as ATK’s top-rated ladle
- All-round pouring rim
- 18/10 stainless steel
- Hooked handle rests on the pot
Key specifications
| Model | 10008 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 4.1 oz (Rösle: 0.12 l) |
| Material | 18/10 stainless steel |
| Length | 11.8 in (Rösle: 300 mm) |
| Pour spout | All-round pouring rim |
| Hook/notch | Hooked handle |
| Dishwasher-safe | Yes |
Why we recommend it
It suits anyone who serves soup, stew or beans often and wants one ladle that pours cleanly and lasts.
Skip it if you cook mainly in nonstick pots; a steel ladle can scratch the coating.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Neat pours, per ATK
- Comfortable 45-degree angle
- Nothing to break or loosen
Cons
- Expensive for a ladle, per ATK
- Not for nonstick
- A little under ATK’s ideal of about 5 ounces
2. Cuisinart Stainless Steel Ladle – ATK’s Best Buy
Cuisinart’s stainless steel ladle is America’s Test Kitchen’s Best Buy. ATK gives it a 4-ounce capacity and a 10-inch handle, and its testers liked the smooth one-piece handle set at a 45-degree angle, which was easy to grip and kept hands clear of the steam.
There is no pouring rim, but ATK found it still poured relatively neatly. Its one complaint was capacity: testers wished it “held a little more liquid,” so serving a big bowl of soup takes two scoops. Cuisinart lists it as dishwasher safe and covers it with a limited lifetime warranty.
The listing itself says little beyond the material and care, so the capacity and handle length here come from ATK’s review.
Why we like it
- America’s Test Kitchen’s Best Buy ladle
- Smooth one-piece stainless handle
- Dishwasher safe
- Limited lifetime warranty
Key specifications
| Model | CTG-08-SLD |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 4 oz, per ATK |
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Length | 10 in handle, per ATK |
| Pour spout | None |
| Hook/notch | Not stated |
| Dishwasher-safe | Yes |
Why we recommend it
It suits cooks who want a well-balanced steel ladle without paying for the Rösle.
Skip it if you serve big bowls of pozole or caldo; the small bowl means extra scoops.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Comfortable angle, per ATK
- Pours fairly neatly
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Small 4-ounce bowl
- No pouring rim
- Sparse listing details
3. Vollrath 8-Ounce Stainless Steel Ladle – A Full Bowl in One Scoop
Restaurant kitchens buy ladles by the ounce, because the ladle is the portion. Vollrath is a long-standing American foodservice maker, and its 8-ounce ladle is a one-cup scoop made of 18-8 stainless steel, with a 4-inch bowl and a 12-5/8-inch handle, according to the listing.
The handle is grooved for strength and hooked at the end so it does not slide into the pot and can hang on a rail. Eight ounces is more than the 5 ounces America’s Test Kitchen found ideal for a home pot, and ATK found bowls of 6 ounces or more could feel unwieldy. That is the trade-off: two scoops of this fill a large bowl of pozole or menudo with broth, hominy and meat, which suits a big pot better than a small saucepan.
The listing does not state whether it has a pouring rim or whether it is dishwasher safe. ATK did not test it.
Why we like it
- 8-ounce bowl for generous servings
- Long 12-5/8-inch handle reaches into a deep pot
- 18-8 stainless steel
- Hooked, grooved handle
Key specifications
| Model | 58480 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 8 oz |
| Material | 18-8 stainless steel |
| Length | 12-5/8 in handle; 4 in bowl |
| Pour spout | Not stated |
| Hook/notch | Hooked handle |
| Dishwasher-safe | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits cooks who make soup in a big stockpot or Dutch oven and serve large bowls to a family or a crowd.
Skip it if you cook in small saucepans; an 8-ounce bowl is clumsy in a narrow pot.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Fewer scoops per bowl
- Long reach
- Restaurant-grade build
Cons
- Larger than ATK’s ideal
- Pour rim not stated
- Dishwasher use not stated
4. GIR Ultimate Silicone Ladle – Measured Pours, Safe on Nonstick
GIR’s ladle is a seamless platinum silicone ladle, which America’s Test Kitchen describes as silicone and nylon over a fiberglass core, with no holes or seams for food to collect in. The listing says it holds over three-quarters of a cup (150 milliliters), with imperial and metric measurements embossed inside the bowl, so it doubles as a measuring cup. It is 12.3 inches long overall, with a 9-inch handle and a 4.3-inch bowl.
America’s Test Kitchen recommends it. Testers liked the “well-cushioned, grippy silicone handle,” the pouring rim and the volume markings. They also found the handle short, the angle steep, the bowl oversized and the front edge floppy; the listing describes that flexible front as a way to scoop into the corners of a pot.
GIR says the silicone will not scratch nonstick cookware, and it lists the ladle as dishwasher safe and BPA free, with a lifetime guarantee. The listing gives heat resistance to 550°F.
Why we like it
- Recommended by America’s Test Kitchen
- Measurements embossed in the bowl
- Seamless silicone, safe on nonstick
- Lifetime guarantee, per GIR
Key specifications
| Model | GIRLAU311BLK |
|---|---|
| Capacity | Over 3/4 cup (150 ml) |
| Material | Platinum silicone |
| Length | 12.3 in (9 in handle) |
| Pour spout | Precision pouring edge |
| Hook/notch | Not stated |
| Dishwasher-safe | Yes |
Why we recommend it
It suits cooks with nonstick or enameled pots who also like to measure as they ladle.
Skip it if you want a rigid bowl for pressing soup through a strainer; ATK found the front edge floppy.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Comfortable, grippy handle
- Volume markings
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Short handle, steep angle, per ATK
- Floppy front edge
- No hook
5. Winco 2-Ounce One-Piece Stainless Steel Ladle – A Small Scoop for Sauce and Salsa
A soup ladle is the wrong size for sauce. Winco, a foodservice supplier, makes its one-piece stainless ladles in sizes down to an ounce, and the 2-ounce model is the useful small one at home: about a quarter cup, enough to spoon enchilada sauce over a tray, top a plate of chilaquiles or add a measure of salsa to a bowl of beans.
Winco describes the bowl as precisely measured for portion control and the ladle as heavy duty, made for daily use at buffets and catered events. The curved handle gives a grip and lets you hang the ladle when not in use, and Winco lists it as safe in commercial and home dishwashers.
The listing does not give its length or say whether it has a pouring rim. Pair it with a larger soup ladle rather than buying it alone.
Why we like it
- 2-ounce bowl for sauces and portions
- One-piece stainless steel
- Curved handle for hanging
- Dishwasher safe
Key specifications
| Model | LDI-2 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 2 oz |
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Length | Not stated |
| Pour spout | Not stated |
| Hook/notch | Curved handle for hanging |
| Dishwasher-safe | Yes |
Why we recommend it
It suits cooks who sauce enchiladas, portion salsas or want an even measure of dressing without dirtying a measuring cup.
Skip it if you want one ladle for everything; it is too small for soup.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Right size for sauce
- Sturdy one-piece build
- Small enough for any drawer
Cons
- Too small for soup
- Length not stated
- Plain finish
6. All-Clad 11-Inch Stainless Steel Soup Ladle – Polished Steel for the Table
All-Clad’s soup ladle is made of highly polished 18/10 stainless steel with a laser-etched logo on the handle, so it looks at home on the table next to a tureen or a Dutch oven of beans. All-Clad says the ladle is designed for balance, weight and feel, and the listing gives it as heat safe to 600°F.
It is 11 inches long, slightly shorter than the Rösle, which makes it easy to handle at the table and in medium pots. All-Clad lists it as dishwasher safe and covers it with a limited lifetime warranty under normal use and care.
The listing does not state the capacity, whether it has a pouring rim, or whether the handle hooks onto the pot, and America’s Test Kitchen did not include it in its ladle review. We recommend it for its build and finish rather than any tested pour.
Why we like it
- Polished 18/10 stainless steel
- Heat safe to 600°F, per the listing
- Dishwasher safe
- Limited lifetime warranty
Key specifications
| Model | 11644000707 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | Not stated |
| Material | Polished 18/10 stainless steel |
| Length | 11 in |
| Pour spout | Not stated |
| Hook/notch | Not stated |
| Dishwasher-safe | Yes |
Why we recommend it
It suits cooks who serve soup at the table and want a ladle that matches good cookware.
Skip it if you need to know the capacity before you buy; All-Clad’s listing does not give it.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Handsome polished finish
- Durable steel
- Long warranty
Cons
- Capacity not stated
- Polish shows fingerprints
- Not independently tested
7. Cuisinart Curve Handle Nylon Ladle – Comfortable Grip, Safe on Nonstick
If you want a nonstick-safe ladle with a rigid bowl, Cuisinart’s Curve Handle nylon ladle is the one America’s Test Kitchen recommends. ATK gives it a 4.8-ounce capacity and a 10-inch handle, and called the grippy handle “exceptionally comfortable to hold in different positions.”
It has no pouring rim but poured reasonably neatly in ATK’s review, and the 45-degree angle kept testers’ hands out of the steam. Cuisinart says the nylon head is heat resistant to 400°F and safe for nonstick, the handle has a soft grip, the tool is designed to lie flat without rolling, and it is dishwasher safe.
Keep it out of a hot, empty pan; Cuisinart’s 400°F rating is lower than the figures GIR and Le Creuset give for their silicone ladles.
Why we like it
- Recommended by America’s Test Kitchen
- Soft, grippy curved handle
- Safe on nonstick, per Cuisinart
- Dishwasher safe
Key specifications
| Model | CTG-01-LD |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 4.8 oz, per ATK |
| Material | Nylon head, soft-grip handle |
| Length | 15 in per listing; 10 in handle, per ATK |
| Pour spout | None |
| Hook/notch | Not stated |
| Dishwasher-safe | Yes |
Why we recommend it
It suits cooks who use nonstick pots and want a comfortable ladle with a firm bowl.
Skip it if you want the neatest possible pour; a rimmed steel ladle does better.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very comfortable, per ATK
- Kind to coatings
- Lies flat on the counter
Cons
- No pouring rim
- 400°F heat limit
- Hook not stated
8. Le Creuset Revolution Bi-Material Ladle – A Flexible Edge That Empties the Pot
Le Creuset designed its Revolution ladle for its own enameled cast iron. The body is glass-filled nylon with a silicone edge, and the listing describes the wide, flexible edge as conforming to the side of a pot or bowl so you can scoop out the last of the soup without tilting a heavy Dutch oven.
The handle has an added arch to help scoop over the walls of a pot, and the listing gives the size as 12 by 3.5 inches. Le Creuset lists it as dishwasher safe and heat resistant to 482°F. It comes in Le Creuset’s colors, which some cooks like to match to their pots.
The listing does not state the capacity or mention a hook, and America’s Test Kitchen did not include it in its ladle review. If you cook beans or caldo in a big enameled pot, our guide to the best Dutch oven covers the pot itself.
Why we like it
- Silicone edge scrapes the pot clean
- Glass-filled nylon and silicone, per the listing
- Arched handle clears pot walls
- Dishwasher safe
Key specifications
| Model | VE300-67 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | Not stated |
| Material | Glass-filled nylon, silicone edge |
| Length | 12 in |
| Pour spout | No; flexible edge |
| Hook/notch | Not stated |
| Dishwasher-safe | Yes |
Why we recommend it
It suits cooks with enameled cast iron who want to get every last bit of soup or beans out of the pot.
Skip it if you want to know exactly how much each scoop holds; capacity is not stated.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Scrapes the pot
- Gentle on enamel
- Several colors
Cons
- Capacity not stated
- Not independently tested
- Lower heat limit than steel
9. OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Soup Ladle with Pour Spout – Spouts for Either Hand
OXO’s steel soup ladle has a pour spout on each side of the bowl, so right- and left-handed cooks can pour into a narrow container, and a soft, non-slip grip that OXO says stays comfortable even when wet. OXO says the angled design keeps liquid in the ladle as you scoop, and lists it as dishwasher safe.
America’s Test Kitchen gives it a 6-ounce capacity and a 9.75-inch handle, and rated it Recommended with Reservations. Its testers found that dedicated spouts made pouring messier and limited where they could pour from, compared with an all-round rim, that the grip was “a little too thick,” and that the steep angle left the ladle feeling unbalanced.
Spouts do have a use: filling jars, a thermos or a narrow container, where you want the stream in one place. For serving bowls at the table, a rimmed ladle is the better buy.
Why we like it
- Pour spouts on both sides
- Soft, non-slip grip
- 6-ounce bowl, per ATK
- Dishwasher safe
Key specifications
| Model | 11283400 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 6 oz, per ATK |
| Material | Stainless steel; non-slip grip |
| Length | 9.75 in handle, per ATK |
| Pour spout | Dual side spouts |
| Hook/notch | Not stated |
| Dishwasher-safe | Yes |
Why we recommend it
It suits cooks who often ladle soup or stock into jars and containers and want a comfortable grip.
Skip it if you mainly serve into bowls; ATK found the spouts messier than an all-round rim.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Spouts for either hand
- Grippy handle
- Generous bowl
Cons
- Messier pours, per ATK
- Thick grip
- Steep, unbalanced angle
Steel, nylon or silicone: the best type of ladle
Stainless steel
Rigid, durable and safe at any cooking temperature. A one-piece steel ladle has no joints to loosen, and a rigid bowl presses soup through a strainer, which America’s Test Kitchen found floppy bowls could not do. Steel can scratch nonstick.
Nylon
Firm enough for heavy stews and safe on nonstick and enamel, with a lower heat limit; Cuisinart rates its nylon to 400°F. Do not leave a nylon ladle resting on a hot pan edge.
Silicone
Soft on every surface, often with a flexible edge that scrapes the pot. The trade-off is a softer bowl that can flex under a heavy scoop of beans or hominy.
Silver
Sterling and silver-plated ladles are table pieces for a punch bowl or tureen. We do not review any here; for cooking and everyday serving, stainless steel does the same job.
How to choose a ladle
Capacity. America’s Test Kitchen found about 5 ounces ideal for soups and stews; smaller bowls need extra passes and bowls of 6 ounces or more can feel unwieldy. Restaurants pick by portion: 2 ounces for sauce, 4 to 6 for soup, 8 for a big bowl.
Handle length and angle. ATK liked handles of 9.5 to 10 inches set at about 45 degrees to the bowl, which keeps your hand out of the steam without making the ladle awkward. Longer handles help in a deep stockpot but can feel clumsy in a saucepan.
Pouring rim. A gently curved rim all the way round pours cleanly from any side. ATK found ladles with dedicated spouts or no rim messier or more restrictive.
Hook. A hooked or curved handle end catches on the pot rim so the ladle does not slide in, and lets you hang it on a rail.
Your pots. Steel for stainless, cast iron and clay; nylon or silicone for nonstick and enamel you want to protect.
Pozole, menudo and frijoles: ladling in a Mexican kitchen
Mexican cooking leans on the soup pot. Pozole and menudo are served in wide bowls with plenty of broth, hominy and meat, and a ladle with a deep bowl gets a fair share of each into every serving; our pozole vs menudo guide explains the two. The same ladle serves frijoles de olla, caldo de res, sopa de fideo and the consomé that comes with birria, which our what is birria guide covers.
A small ladle earns its place too. Spooning sauce over a pan of enchiladas is easier with a 2-ounce scoop than a soup ladle, and our enchilada sauces explained guide covers the sauces themselves. A ladle is also the easiest way to serve aguas frescas from a big jar; see what are aguas frescas. For stirring the pot, a long wooden spoon is the partner tool; our wooden spoons guide has picks.
How we picked these nine ladles
We looked at stainless, nylon and silicone ladles from Rösle, Cuisinart, Vollrath, Winco, All-Clad, GIR, Le Creuset, OXO, KitchenAid, Tovolo, Küchenprofi and others, and kept only those showing as in stock on Amazon when we checked. Specifications come from the Amazon listings and makers’ information; Rösle’s own page supplied the metric capacity and length of its ladle.
We read America’s Test Kitchen’s ladle review and cite it where it covers a model or a general finding; capacities marked “per ATK” come from that review because the listing does not give them. KitchenAid’s nylon ladle was not recommended by ATK, and the Küchenprofi Parma ladle it recommends was showing limited stock, so neither is included. We did not read Serious Eats or Wirecutter for this guide. We have not used these ladles for this guide.
Ladle questions, answered
What is the best type of ladle?
For most cooking, a one-piece stainless steel ladle of about 5 ounces with an all-round pouring rim and a hooked handle, such as the Rösle. For nonstick pots, a nylon or silicone ladle such as the Cuisinart Curve or the GIR.
Which ladle does America’s Test Kitchen recommend?
Its top pick is the Rösle Hook Ladle with Pouring Rim, its Best Buy is the Cuisinart Stainless Steel Ladle, and it recommends the Cuisinart Curve Handle nylon ladle for nonstick. It also recommends the GIR Ultimate Ladle, a Winco one-piece ladle and a Küchenprofi ladle.
What size ladle do I need for soup?
About 4 to 6 ounces for everyday soup, with 5 ounces the size ATK found ideal. Choose 8 ounces if you serve big bowls from a large pot, and add a 2-ounce ladle for sauces.
Is a pour spout better than a pouring rim?
For serving, usually not. ATK found ladles with dedicated spouts poured more messily and only from certain angles, while a curved rim all the way round poured neatly from anywhere. Spouts help when filling narrow jars.
Can I use a metal ladle in a nonstick pot?
It can scratch the coating. Use a nylon or silicone ladle in nonstick, and keep the steel ladles for stainless, cast iron and clay.
The ladle to start with
Buy the Rösle hook ladle if you want one ladle that pours cleanly and lasts, or the Cuisinart steel ladle if you want a good one for less. Add the Vollrath 8-ounce if you serve big bowls of pozole, and the Winco 2-ounce for sauce.
Prefer wood? See our guide to the best wooden ladles.
A good ladle belongs next to a heavy pot; our guides to the best Dutch oven and the best large Dutch oven cover the pot for a family-size batch, and how to reheat Mexican leftovers covers the next day’s soup. If you would rather leave the pozole to our kitchen, see the menu or call to order.