4 Conversion Factors for Changing Recipe Yields

Instructions for Changing Recipe Yields

While proportions can be very helpful for adjusting a recipe, there is a shortcut that makes the process go faster, and that is using a conversion factor. A conversion factor is a ratio that is converted to a decimal number and then used to change the amount of each ingredient in proportion. Here is how you find the conversion factor:

Equation says new yield divided by old yield equals conversion factor  

If you have a recipe that yields four dozen, or 48, cookies, and you want to make five dozen, or 60, cookies, you would find the conversion factor like this: LaTeX: \frac{60}{48}\:=\:60\:\div\:48\:=\:1.25           Your conversion factor is 1.25, so you would simply take every ingredient amount and multiply it by 1.25  for your new recipe.

If you have fractions in your recipe, you can convert the decimal number to a fraction so you can use a calculator to adjust the recipe. Here is a link that will convert a decimal to a fraction: Decimal to Fraction You may use it for assignments and quizzes in this course. In the above case, the conversion factor of 1.25 converts to LaTeX: 1\frac{1}{4}  .

It’s also helpful to memorize how some common fractions are expressed as decimals:

1/8 0.125
1/4 0.25
1/3 033*
3/8 0.375
1/2 0.5
5/8 0.625
2/3 0.67*
3/4 0.75
7/8 0.875

*Not exact. Rounded to nearest hundredth.

Let’s try this with a recipe for salad dressing:

3 tablespoons olive oil

LaTeX: \frac{1}{2} teaspoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

LaTeX: \frac{1}{2} teaspoon salt

LaTeX: \frac{1}{4}  teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon honey

1 teaspoon dried basil

This recipe yields LaTeX: \frac{1}{3} cup. But let’s say you want to make more for a much bigger salad. Instead of LaTeX: \frac{1}{3} cup, you would like to make LaTeX: 1\frac{1}{2} cups. To find the conversion factor, you would divide the new yield by the old yield: LaTeX: \frac{new\:yield}{old\:yield}\:=\:\frac{1\frac{1}{2}}{\frac{1}{3}}\:=\:1\frac{1}{2}\:\div\:\frac{1}{3}\:=\:4\frac{1}{2}\:,\:or\:4.5         

Your conversion factor is 4.5, although if you want to use a fraction calculator to make the adjustments, you will find it easier to use LaTeX: 4\frac{1}{2} .

Now we will multiply each ingredient amount by 4.5, or LaTeX: 4\frac{1}{2} :

3 tablespoons olive oil LaTeX: \times\:4\frac{1}{2}\:=\:13\frac{1}{2}      tablespoons olive oil

LaTeX: \frac{1}{2} teaspoon garlic powder LaTeX: \times\:4\frac{1}{2}=\:2\frac{1}{4}      teaspoons garlic powder

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar LaTeX: \times\:4\frac{1}{2}\:=\:4\frac{1}{2}      tablespoons red wine vinegar

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard LaTeX: \times\:4\frac{1}{2}\:=\:4\frac{1}{2}      teaspoons Dijon mustard

LaTeX: \frac{1}{2} teaspoon salt LaTeX: \times\:4\frac{1}{2}\:=\:2\frac{1}{4}      teaspoons salt

LaTeX: \frac{1}{4} teaspoon black pepper LaTeX: \times\:4\frac{1}{2}\:=1\frac{1}{8}      teaspoons black pepper

1 teaspoon honey LaTeX: \times\:4\frac{1}{2}\:=\:4\frac{1}{2}      teaspoons honey

1 teaspoon dried basil LaTeX: \times\:4\frac{1}{2}=\:4\frac{1}{2}      teaspoons dried basil

Purpose

To practice changing recipe yields using the conversion factor.

Outcomes

By completing this assignment, you will be able to…

  1. Calculate the conversion factor to adjust a recipe yield.
  2. Use the conversion factor to adjust the ingredients in a recipe.

Instructions

To complete this assignment…

  1. Look at the recipes you are given.
  2. Calculate the conversion factors based on the changes in yield you are given.
  3. Change the amounts to use for each ingredient in the recipe.

 

Tips for Success

To help in the completion of this assignment, make sure to:

  • Look carefully at the change in yield so you can calculate the correct conversion factor.
  • Understand that if an ingredient amount is given as a fraction, the new ingredient amount should also be given as a fraction.

Changing Recipe Yields Assignment

This recipe for cookies yields 24. Adjust the recipe so that that it will yield 12.

1 cup butter, softened

LaTeX: \frac{3}{4}  cup white sugar

1LaTeX: \frac{1}{2}  cups packed brown sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 LaTeX: \frac{1}{2}  teaspoons ground cinnamon

3 cups quick cooking oats

 

This recipe for chicken wing sauce yields enough for 50 chicken wings. Adjust the recipe so it will yield enough for 125 chicken wings.

LaTeX: \frac{1}{2}  cup honey

4 tablespoons soy sauce

4 large garlic cloves crushed

1 tablespoon fresh ginger finely diced

LaTeX: \frac{1}{2}  teaspoon chili powder

LaTeX: \frac{1}{2}  teaspoon cinnamon

LaTeX: \frac{1}{4}  teaspoon cloves

LaTeX: \frac{1}{4}  cup water

1 teaspoon corn starch

 

This recipe for sauted green beans yields 5 cups. Adjust the recipe so it will yield LaTeX: 7\frac{1}{2}  cups.

2 tablespoons olive oil

LaTeX: \frac{1}{2}  teaspoon red pepper flakes

LaTeX: \frac{1}{2} teaspoon dried cilantro

1LaTeX: \frac{1}{2}  pounds green beans, trimmed

2 cloves garlic, minced

LaTeX: \frac{1}{2} teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons water

 

License

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Culinary Math Copyright © by Eunice Graham is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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