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Measuring Vegetables for Recipes: Pounds to Cups

Written By: Catherine Boeckmann Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Measuring vegetables for recipes is not always easy. The following equivalent measurements will help you convert a vegetable’s weight in pounds on the grocery scale to the amount in cups that you need for a recipe. Use this helpful chart as you create your grocery list to ensure you buy the right amount of veggies.

Now, when a recipe calls for a cup of onions, you’ll know how many to buy and slice!

Vegetable Measurements for Recipes

How Many Cups Are in a Pound?

Asparagus1 pound = 3 cups chopped
Beans (string)1 pound = 4 cups chopped
Beets1 pound (5 medium) = 2–1/2 cups chopped
Broccoli1/2 pound = 3 cups chopped
Cabbage1 pound = 4–1/2 cups shredded
Carrots1 pound = 3-1/2 cups sliced or grated
Celery1 pound = 4 cups chopped
Cucumbers1 pound (2 medium) = 4 cups sliced
Eggplant1 pound = 4 cups chopped (6 cups raw, cubed = 3 cups cooked)
Garlic1 clove = 1 teaspoon chopped
Leeks1 pound = 4 cups chopped (2 cups cooked)
Mushrooms1 pound = 5 to 6 cups sliced = 2 cups cooked
Onions1 pound = 4 cups sliced = 2 cups cooked
Parsnips1 pound unpeeled = 1-1/2 cups cooked and pureed
Peas1 pound whole = 1 to 1-1/2 cups shelled
Potatoes1 pound (3 medium) sliced = 2 cups mashed
Pumpkin1 pound = 4 cups chopped = 2 cups cooked and drained
Spinach1 pound = 3/4 to 1 cup cooked
Squash (summer)1 pound = 4 cups grated = 2 cups salted and drained
Squash (winter)2 pounds = 2-1/2 cups cooked and pureed
Sweet potatoes1 pound = 4 cups grated = 1 cup cooked and pureed
Swiss chard1 pound = 5 to 6 cups packed leaves = 1 to 1-1/2 cups cooked
Tomatoes1 pound (3 or 4 medium) = 1-1/2 cups seeded pulp
Turnips1 pound = 4 cups chopped = 2 cups cooked and mashed

This chart is a great printable to put on your refrigerator! 

Please share your questions and tips below!

Kitchen Tips and Tables

About The Author

Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann

Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Catherine Boeckmann loves nature, stargazing, and gardening, so it’s not surprising that she and The Old Farmer’s Almanac found each other. She leads digital content for the Almanac website and is also a certified master gardener in the state of Indiana.

Read more from Catherine Boeckmann

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Comments

<span>James Odell</span> Fri, 04/19/2019 - 14:49
How many cups of diced rutabaga are in 1 pound of rutabaga found in the grocery store.
<span>Loretta Baker</span> Wed, 03/06/2019 - 11:53
Hi I have 2 , 24 ounce bogs of Petite Yukon Gold Potatoes , i need 2.5 pounds for a soup recipe for a crock pot cut in 2 inch chunks , How many potatoes or cups would that be..?
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Wed, 03/06/2019 - 14:52

Twenty-four ounces is 1.5 pounds, so you've got 3 pounds of potatoes total. If you need 2.5 pounds for the recipe, you'll need to use one whole bag plus two-thirds of the other. 

 <span>Robert</span> Tue, 05/15/2018 - 12:58
Any idea about cauliflower?
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Wed, 05/16/2018 - 14:42

Hi, Robert. Use broccoli as a guideline. It will be about the same.

 <span>Pretty Ardor</span> Sat, 04/21/2018 - 07:52
I just want to know how many cups of spirulina powder in one teaspoon? Thank you.
<span>Greg</span> Fri, 11/17/2017 - 09:21
I like to buy the 1 pound organic baby greens for salads, but in trying to get the recommended amount of veggies a day, I do not know how to measure cups of these raw. How many cups of baby greens would be in a 1 pound container. Thank You!
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Mon, 11/20/2017 - 10:12

One pound of leafy greens converts to approximately 10–12 cups, depending on how well you pack the greens into your measuring cup and the size of the leaves.

 <span>Jean Williams</span> Fri, 11/03/2017 - 17:46
So very helpful. Thank you so much for doing this conversion.
<span>Janet</span> Sat, 08/26/2017 - 13:17
Wonderful. Thank you