How To Scale Up A Recipe: 4 Easy Steps | Cook's Delight (2024)

Step1:Determine the Conversion Factor for the Recipe

First you must determine the conversion factor for the recipe. You do this by dividing the desired yield of the recipe by the current recipe yield.

Let’s use this White Chili Recipe as an example. The current recipe yield is 6 servings. We would like to scale the recipe up to serve 20.

The Desired Yield (20 servings) is divided by the Current Recipe Yield (6 servings) to get the Conversion Factor, which in this example is 20/6 = 3.33

Step 2:Convert all Weights in the Recipe to Ounces and all Volumes to Fluid Ounces

Secondly, for convenience, convert all the weights in the recipe to ounces and volumes to fluid ounces if you are using standard US Measurements.

16ounces (oz) = 1 pound (lb)
8 fluid ounces (oz) = 1 cup

In our sample White Chili Recipe, the recipe calls for3 lbs of ground turkey and 2 cups of Cook’s Delight® Chicken Stock.
To convert these, do the following:

Ground Turkey 3 lbs to ounces
Multiply 3 lbs x 16oz per lb = 48oz Ground Turkey Converted Weight

Cook’s Delight® Chicken Stock2 cups to fluid ounces
Multiply 2 cups x 8 oz per fluid cup = 16 fluid oz Cook’s Delight® Chicken Stock Converted Weight

Step 3:Multiply Each Ingredient in the Recipe by the Conversion Factor

The next step is to take the Converted Weight of each ingredient in the recipe and multiply it by the Conversion Factor. For instance:

Ground Turkey48 oz (Converted Weight) x 3.33 (Conversion Factor) = 159.84 ozGround Turkey
Cook’s Delight® Chicken Stock 16 fluid ounces (Converted Weight) x 3.33 (Conversion Factor) = 53.28 fluid oz Cook’s Delight® Chicken Stock

Step 4:Simplify and Round the Numbers for Easier Recipe Use

The final step is to simplify the numbers and round them so they are more user-friendly. To do this, you divide the ounces per pound or ounces per fluid cup then round up or down depending upon the ingredient and your desired taste for the recipe. In our example, this is the suggested rounding:

Ground Turkey
159.84 oz/16 oz per lb = 9.99 lbs Ground Turkey
Round up to 10 lbs in the converted recipe.

Cook’s Delight® Chicken Stock
53.28 fluid oz/8 fluid oz per cup = 6.65 cupsCook’s Delight® Chicken Stock
Round up to 6 3/4 cups in the converted recipe.

Scaling up is not an exact science

An experienced chef will have a feel for potential issues to consider when scaling recipes, such as:

  • Equipment changes: You may need larger pans and more cook space for instance.
  • Evaporation and thickening agents should be considered
  • Tempering ingredients: With a larger portion size, you may need to thaw longer during the preparation.
  • Cooking times may need to be adjusted
  • Documentation: Take notes while working on scaling recipes for reference and future use by your foodservice operation.

Explore selection of stock soup base items with low minimum orders and short lead times.

Visit our Foodservice Recipes for recipe suggestions.

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How To Scale Up A Recipe: 4 Easy Steps | Cook's Delight (2024)

FAQs

What is the 4 step process to adjusting the size of a recipe? ›

The factor method to adjust a recipe has four steps: Step 1: Determine the “multiplying factor.” Step 2: Convert different units to one unit. Step 3: Multiply each ingredient times the “multiplying factor.” Step 4: Change the new quantities to the largest unit of common weights and measures.

What is the formula to scale a recipe? ›

The way to scale a recipe by a multiplier is to multiply each ingredient by that multiplier. Sometimes you may be looking for how to quarter or halve a recipe. To do that you will just need to divide every ingredient by the divider. So if you're looking to quarter a recipe, then divide every ingredient amount by 4.

How to scale up a recipe for production? ›

How To Scale Up A Recipe: 4 Easy Steps
  1. Step 1: Determine the Conversion Factor for the Recipe. ...
  2. Step 2: Convert all Weights in the Recipe to Ounces and all Volumes to Fluid Ounces. ...
  3. Step 3: Multiply Each Ingredient in the Recipe by the Conversion Factor. ...
  4. Step 4: Simplify and Round the Numbers for Easier Recipe Use.

Can you scale up baking recipes? ›

You can scale a recipe by doubling or halving the ingredients to adjust for the number of servings you will need. In Baking, if the recipe calls for a 9 inch round pan and all you have is a 10 inch round pan what do you do? You can convert the recipe to fit the size pan you want to use.

What are the steps in standardizing a recipe? ›

The recipe standardization process can be summarized in three phases: recipe verification, product evaluation, and quantity adjustment. Recipe verification consists of reviewing the recipe in detail, preparing it, verifying its yield, and recording changes.

What are scale formulas? ›

Major Scale: R, W, W, H, W, W, W, H. Natural Minor Scale: R, W, H, W, W, H, W, W. Harmonic Minor Scale: R, W, H, W, W, H, 1 1/2, H (notice the step and a half) Melodic Minor Scale: going up is: R, W, H, W, W, W, W, H.

What does scaling a recipe mean? ›

Adjusting the number of servings of a recipe is called scaling, and broadly speaking, it involves multiplying (to increase) or dividing (to decrease) the quantities of the individual ingredients in the recipe.

How to scale a food product? ›

  1. 1 Market research. Before you invest time and money into scaling your new food product, you need to validate that there is enough demand and potential customers for it. ...
  2. 2 Product development. ...
  3. 3 Regulatory compliance. ...
  4. 4 Process optimization. ...
  5. 5 Supply chain management. ...
  6. 6 Marketing strategy. ...
  7. 7 Here's what else to consider.
Oct 10, 2023

How do you scale up cooking time? ›

Begin scaling your recipe by modifying and recording ingredient quantities from the original recipe. Then, make sure you have mixing bowls, pots, pans or baking sheets prepared to handle twice the ingredients. Lastly, adjust your baking or cooking times to ensure an even and thorough bake.

What is the formula for scaling recipes up or down? ›

You simply multiply or divide the ingredients to get the new yield; for example, doubling everything to get twice as many servings or halving everything to get half as many.

What is the two fold process for scaling a recipe for non multiple servings? ›

Explain the two-fold process for scaling a recipe for non-multiple servings. Divide each ingredient amount by the number of people the original standardised recipe serves and write down what the 'per person' measure is • Multiply the 'per person' measure for each ingredient by the number of people you need to serve.

What is the formula used to adjust the serving size of a recipe? ›

Divide the desired yield by the original yield of the recipe. This gives you the conversion factor, which tells you how much to increase or decrease each ingredient. You can calculate it by dividing the number of servings you want by the number the recipe currently makes.

What steps should be followed to decrease the size of a recipe? ›

What steps should be followed to decrease the size of a recipe. Divide the desired yield, multiples, each ingredient, amount by the result, convert temperature, and make adjustments in equivalent, time.

What is the fourth step in the flow of food? ›

4th Step: COOKING

Foods should be cooked or reheated to proper internal temperatures, which destroys bacteria to safe levels before eating.

What is step 3 of standardizing a recipe? ›

3. Determine serving size. The serving size is 1 cup. Using an 8 fl oz ladle, 1 gal = 16 servings.

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