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    Learn More About Ladles

    A ladle is a large, long-handled serving spoon designed to scoop stews, soups, sauces, and the classic fruit punch. The name originates from an old-English word meaning to load or to draw up water. While they’re a kind of spoon, a ladle’s bigger size is made for serving food.


    Ladle spoons can be as rustic or polished as your other serving utensils. Try a wooden one for a hearty stew by the fireplace or a silver ladle when you bring out the fine china for a holiday feast.

    Ladles are often grouped into three categories:


    • Soup ladles: A soup ladle has a large bowl and long handle to scoop up every ounce of chili and broth-based dishes.
    • Sauce ladles: A sauce ladle—or gravy ladle—is similar to its soup cousins but a bit smaller. If you don’t already have a gravy boat, try a sauce ladle with pouring edges on the sides, so you get more hollandaise on the food and less on your placemats.
    • Slotted ladles: Because of its drainage holes, a slotted ladle is an excellent tool for retrieving boiled eggs from a steaming pot of water or collecting canned foods pre-packaged in water or brine. While not intended for soup, they work great for getting fruit out of sangria or cucumber slices out of a jug of refreshing infused water.

    Ladles come in a wide assortment of materials and styles. Try a copper ladle to add some shine to your serving game or a teak ladle to match the outdoorsy vibe of an evening on the patio. Place a glass or stainless steel ladle in a punch bowl for guests to refill their cups. You can match these utensils with your silverware and add your favorite serving tray for a complete dining experience.