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The Best Ladles for Soups and Stews

Review Team at the Kitchen Institute
Written By Review Team at the Kitchen Institute
Last updated: Mar 1, 2025, 06:25 PM
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Ladle

A ladle is an essential kitchen utensil used to serve soups, stews, curries, and sauces. In this review guide, you will discover durable, classic, and stain-resistant options to suit your kitchen needs. Among them, the OTOTO Nessy Ladle Spoon steals the spotlight with its whimsical Nessie the Lochness Monster design, adding charm without sacrificing functionality. Perfect for space-conscious kitchens, this ladle combines practicality with a touch of fun. Moreover, you can dive into our buying guide for insights on selecting the ideal ladle for your kitchen. So, read on as we take this journey together to elevate your cooking experience with the right blend of durability and style.

View all Contents
  • Buyer’s Guide: Finding Your Premium Ladle
    • How Did the Ladle Get Its Name?
    • Some Helpful Things To Consider When Choosing a Ladle
    • How Much Should Ladles Cost?
    • The Benefits of Buying a Ladle Online
  • People Also Asked
  • Our Recipe for Trust: Why Choose Kitchen Institute
  • Contributors

Our Top Picks

  • OTOTO Nessy Ladle Spoon: Best Overall (Shop Now) →
    Read more about this ↓
  • OXO Stainless Steel Ladle: Longest-lasting (Shop Now) →
    Read more about this ↓
  • KitchenAid Classic Soup Ladle: Most Classic Design (Shop Now) →
    Read more about this ↓
  • Zulay Comfortable Grip Ladle: Most Comfortable Design (Shop Now) →
    Read more about this ↓
  • Chef Craft Premium Silicone Cooking Ladle: Most Stain Resistant (Shop Now) →
    Read more about this ↓

The Best Ladles

OTOTO Nessy Ladle Spoon

Best Overall
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This super cute ladle is in the shape of your favorite mythical creature; Nessie The Lockness Monster. It is a beautiful turquoise color and will complement anyone with a sense of fun, or a gorgeous kitchen.

The legs are useful and allow you to place your spoon without taking up too much counter space. This ladle is made from food-grade material, and it is also BPA-free. This product provides a fun way to scoop up and serve soups and stews, and you can also place it at the dinner table to accompany casseroles and curries.

If you love this Nessie ladle, you will love OTOTO’s entire kitchen utensil Nessie range.

Product Pros
  • Comfortable long handle
  • Made from BPA-free plastic
  • Looks like Nessie The Lockness Monster
Product Cons
  • It is smaller than a standard-sized ladle

OXO Stainless Steel Ladle

Longest-lasting
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This ladle is made from durable and rust-resistant stainless steel and will not bend or become weaker when it is heated up. The head and neck of this ladle are angled in such a way that it will not let the food spill out when you scoop it up.

It has a pouring spout on two sides; making it easy for left-handed and right-handed people to use them. It has a comfortable rubber non-slip grip that will prevent the heat from traveling to your hands. This ladle is highly polished and will look great at any table.

Product Pros
  • Easy-to-grip non-slip handle
  • Double-sided pouring spouts
  • Easy to use double-sided scoop without spilling
Product Cons
  • Some customers may find it too heavy

KitchenAid Classic Soup Ladle

Most Classic Design
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The KitchenAid Classic Soup Ladle is available in several colors including black, red, or black and red combined. These ladies look stylish and will suit a variety of kitchen decors. This product has a large ladle depth which is great for serving a variety of stews, soups, curries, and sauces.

The ladle is heat resistant up to 232 degrees Celsius and will not become warped in a pan with hot food. This product has a nylon fiberglass-reinforced head; making it extremely durable, and the handle of this ladle has a subtly debossed logo. This product is also dishwasher safe.

Product Pros
  • Available in different colors and styles
  • Possesses a deep ladle depth
  • Convenient cleaning; dishwasher-safe product
Product Cons
  • Will melt if left touching the pan

Zulay Comfortable Grip Ladle

Most Comfortable Design
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This ladle has an unusually shaped spoon head that looks like a soft triangle. This shape allows you to scoop up all the food from around the edges of the pan and additionally, the handle has a hole at the end which allows you to hang the ladle for storage.

The handle is ergonomically designed and comfortable to use. This product can be washed in the dishwasher and it comes with a lifetime warranty and a money-back guarantee.

This product is available in black, blue, or red, and it will bring some color and style to your kitchen. The ladle has a generous and deep spoon with a long handle that is made from durable nylon, and will not scratch your pots and pans.

Product Pros
  • Deep ladle with a long handle
  • The handle has a hanging hole
  • Unique spoon lets you scoop up everything
Product Cons
  • Difficult to use if you are left-handed

Chef Craft Premium Silicone Cooking Ladle

Most Stain Resistant
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This ladle is available in a variety of colors, with our favorites being the pink and pastel blue ladles. This product is made from heat-resistant silicone that will not scratch your pans. There is a steel rod in the center of this product which adds a lot of durability and sturdiness.

Additionally, the silicone used is BPA-free and stain-resistant which helps make this product a great everyday kitchen utensil that will liven up your cooking experience. It is also dishwasher safe, so you can spend less time cleaning and more time doing the things you love.

The handle is long and you will be able to keep your hands comfortably away from the soup or stew. The ladle can hold about a ⅓ cup of liquid.

Product Pros
  • Made from heat-resistant silicone
  • A long handle keeps hands from burning
  • Available in a large variety of colors
Product Cons
  • Some customers didn’t find this product sturdy

Buyer’s Guide: Finding Your Premium Ladle

Now that you’ve seen the finest ladles the online market has to offer, you may want to do some research into ladles yourself. We’ve put together a few handy topics to help you find the perfect ladle for your kitchen. We’ll also be looking at some frequently asked questions and covering why you should purchase ladles online rather than in your local stores.

How Did the Ladle Get Its Name?

The word ladle comes from the old English word “hladan”, which means to load. Ladles can be dated to neolithic times, although the first ladles were patented in the 1800s.

Some Helpful Things To Consider When Choosing a Ladle

Before investing in a ladle, you may want to consider some of the following factors:

Ladle depth

The depth of your ladle should be quite deep. This will reduce the time it takes you to serve a meal and means you will not need to exert as much energy to do so. However, if the spoon head is too deep you may struggle to get the last bits of shallow stew out of the pan. This is why the shape of the spoon head is important.

The shape of the spoon head

Traditionally, the spoon head of a ladle looks like a large bowl. However, there have been many newer designs that have better scooping abilities. Look for a design that claims it can easily scoop up the stew, soup, or sauce from around the edge of a pan.

Ladle length

The length of the ladle is important because you do not want to burn your hands on the food. If you scoop the stew from the top and work your way down, some people will get more chunks of vegetables and meat than the people you serve first.

Does not melt under heat

Ensure the ladle you purchase will not melt when used in a hot stew. Most ladles will melt a little if the handle is touching the side of the pan. A stainless steel handle will not melt but will become hot to the touch.

Handle

Look for a ladle with a comfortable hold handle. It should be non-slip as dropping the ladle when it is holding hot food could cause injury. Look for a heat-resistant handle that will not become warped or soft when exposed to heat. If you choose a silicone ladle, ensure the handle has an inner metal pole to hold its shape.

Depending on how you plan on storing your ladle, you may want to purchase one with a hole at the end of the handle for storage.

Weight

A lightweight ladle is necessary if you have hand mobility issues like arthritis. Some stews and other foods may be heavy on their own, and you do not want to add extra lifting weight.

Feet

Some ladles have feet that allow you to place them upright. This is a great space-saving feature you may want to look for.

Pouring spout

Look for a ladle with a dual-sided pouring spout that is easy for both left-handed and right-handed users.

Angled design

An angled neck and head will help the liquid stay in the ladle while you scoop. We recommend looking for this feature if you often have trouble scooping up soup without spilling it.

Dishwasher-safe

A dishwasher-safe product will save you plenty of time cleaning and allow you to have more time with your family, or engage in some much-needed time to yourself after a dinner party.

Suitable for left-handed and right-handed users

Some designs other than a traditional ladle may only be suited to right-handed users. Ensure the product you choose is suitable for your needs. A ladle may not always be advertised as being suitable for left-handed or right-handed individuals. However, you will often find this sort of information in customer reviews.

Measurement markers

Some ladles have measurement markers in the spoon head, so you can see how much liquid you are holding. This is a great feature for anyone who loves to follow recipes.

Style

Ladles are available in different colors and styles. You may want to match the color of the ladle to other utensils in your kitchen or your drapes or wallpaper. Alternatively, you may prefer purchasing a gimmicky ladle based on a theme that you love. You may also want a ladle that represents a favorite creature (like Nessie), building, or person.

Customer reviews

As mentioned previously, reading customer reviews is a good idea. Customer reviews will give you an idea of the product’s durability, size, and ease of use.

How Much Should Ladles Cost?

A ladle can cost anywhere between $5 and $20. Choose a ladle based on the factors we mentioned previously, as these are a better indication of the ladle’s quality than the price.

The Benefits of Buying a Ladle Online

There are many reasons to purchase a ladle online. Some of these include:

  • Access to more products

When you shop online, you gain access to a wider variety of products than you would in a physical store. You can view hundreds of products online in the same amount of time it would take to view a handful of products in a store.

  • Less effort

It takes less physical effort to purchase a ladle online. You do not need to travel to a store. You can order a ladle from the comfort of your own home in less time than it takes to watch a couple of adverts. You could even order a ladle on your work break. Then simply wait for the ladle to be delivered to your home.

  • Access to more information

When purchasing a ladle online, you will be able to read both customer reviews and professional reviews of the product. When you shop in a store, you will only receive information from the store assistant who wants you to purchase the ladle.

People Also Asked

Can I use a serving spoon instead of a ladle?

While a serving spoon can be used in a pinch, a ladle is specifically designed for serving liquids with its deep, rounded bowl, providing better control and preventing spills. For soups, stews, or sauces, a ladle is preferred for efficient and neat serving.

How long should a ladle last?

The lifespan of a ladle depends on factors like material, frequency of use, and maintenance. With proper care and usage, a high-quality ladle can last for several years, if not longer.

How do I maintain a ladle?

To maintain a ladle, clean it promptly after use either through hand washing or in the dishwasher if it is safe to do so. Avoid abrasive scouring pads to preserve the finish and ensure thorough drying to prevent rust. Store it by hanging it on a utensil rack or placing it in a utensil drawer. Make sure the drawer is not crowded to prevent damage to the ladle's handle or bowl.

Our Recipe for Trust: Why Choose Kitchen Institute

At the Kitchen Institute, we're dedicated to providing reliable and accurate information on cooking trends, tips, and product reviews. Our team of passionate food enthusiasts ensures that every piece of content is thoroughly researched and based on real-world experience. We pride ourselves on our comprehensive and unbiased product reviews, rigorous research processes, and commitment to staying current with the latest culinary innovations. Trust us to enhance your culinary journey with quality insights and practical advice.

Contributors

Review Team at the Kitchen Institute
Review Team at the Kitchen Institute
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