--- title: "Sieve: what it means in cooking — Tiny Plates" description: "A sieve is a bowl of wire mesh with a handle for straining liquids, sifting flour and pressing food smooth. Here is how to use one and pick the right mesh." url: "https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/sieve" --- # Sieve A sieve is a bowl of wire mesh with a handle for straining liquids, sifting flour and pressing food smooth. Here is how to use one and pick the right mesh. Also called Strainer, Fine-mesh strainer. A sieve is a round bowl of wire mesh with a handle, often with a hook on the other side so it sits across a bowl. It separates solids from liquids, or fine particles from coarse ones. You use it to drain, strain, [sift](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/sift)and press. A colander does a similar job with larger holes, mostly for draining pasta and washing vegetables. ## How to use it * **Strain.** Set the sieve over a bowl and pour in stock, custard or sauce. The solids stay behind. * **Sift.** Tap the side of the sieve or stir with a spoon to shake flour, cocoa or powdered sugar through. It breaks up lumps and mixes dry ingredients evenly. * **Press.** Push cooked fruit or vegetables through with the back of a ladle or spoon to make a smooth puree, which removes seeds and skins. This is what recipes mean by [pass through a sieve](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/pass-through-a-sieve). * **Dust.** Hold a small sieve over a dessert and tap it to dust powdered sugar or cocoa. * **Rinse.** Wash rice, quinoa and lentils under running water until it runs clear. * **Drain.** Lift small pasta, peas or blanched greens out of water. Mesh sizes: * **Fine mesh** for custards, sauces, sifting and dusting. * **Medium mesh** for draining grains and washing berries. * **Coarse mesh or a colander** for pasta and potatoes. ## Substitutes A [chinois](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/chinois) for very smooth sauces. A sieve lined with damp [cheesecloth](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/cheesecloth) or a coffee filter for clear stock. A whisk for mixing dry ingredients when you do not need to remove lumps. ## How to store it Rinse right after use, before food dries in the mesh, and scrub from the outside with a brush. Hang it up or store it where it will not be crushed. A dented sieve still works, but a torn one lets bits through. ## Common mistakes * Using a mesh that is too coarse for the job. Rice slips through a colander. * Pressing with a hard metal spoon. It can tear fine mesh. * Setting a sieve over a bowl that is too shallow. The strained liquid rises and touches the mesh. * Pouring hot pasta water into a sieve over the sink without a firm hold. ## In recipes "Strain" means pour through a sieve. "Sift together" means shake dry ingredients through it into one bowl. ## Recipes made with it 14 recipes from the sites we collect. * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Flourless-Gravy-9.jpg)Make-Ahead Flourless Turkey Gravy (Low-Carb)www.skinnytaste.com · 195 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/low-carb-gravy/) * [![](https://www.onceuponachef.com/images/2021/06/French-fruit-tart-1-scaled.jpg)Classic French Fruit Tartwww.onceuponachef.com · 40 min](https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/classic-french-fruit-tart.html) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/hot-cocoa-with-homemade-marshmallows.jpg)Homemade Vanilla Bean Marshmallowswww.skinnytaste.com · 40 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/homemade-vanilla-bean-agave/) * [![](https://www.onceuponachef.com/images/2024/07/baba-ganoush-with-pita-and-cucumber-1.jpg)Baba Ganoushwww.onceuponachef.com · 60 min](https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/baba-ganoush.html) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Caesar-Dip-4.jpg)Caesar Dipwww.skinnytaste.com · 25 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/greek-yogurt-caesar-dip/) * [![](https://www.onceuponachef.com/images/2014/06/Black-Bean-and-Corn-Salad.jpg)Black Bean & Corn Salad with Chipotle-Honey Vinaigrettewww.onceuponachef.com · 30 min](https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/black-bean-corn-salad-chipotle-honey-vinaigrette.html) * [![](https://www.onceuponachef.com/images/2019/05/strawberry-frozen-yogurt-hero-02.jpg)Strawberry Frozen Yogurtwww.onceuponachef.com · 30 min](https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/strawberry-frozen-yogurt.html) * [![](https://www.onceuponachef.com/images/2011/12/Jam-Thumbprint-Cookies.jpg)Nutty Jam Thumbprintswww.onceuponachef.com · 50 min](https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/nutty-jam-thumbprints.html) * [![](https://www.onceuponachef.com/images/2024/03/Chocolate-Pavlova-Hero-1.jpg)Chocolate Pavlova with Mascarpone Cream & Raspberrieswww.onceuponachef.com · 95 min](https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/double-chocolate-pavlova-with-marscapone-cream-raspberries.html) * [![](https://www.onceuponachef.com/images/2017/07/Lamb-Kofta-12.jpg)Middle Eastern Koftawww.onceuponachef.com · 40 min](https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/lamb-kofta.html) * [![](https://minimalistbaker.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Champagne-Cocktails-SQUARE.jpg)Pear & Cranberry Champagne Cocktailsminimalistbaker.com · 110 min](https://minimalistbaker.com/pear-cranberry-champagne-cocktails/) * [![](https://www.onceuponachef.com/images/2017/04/sriracha-eggs5-1-of-1-1-1200x875.jpg)Sriracha Deviled Eggswww.onceuponachef.com · 30 min](https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/sriracha-deviled-eggs.html) ## Related terms * [SiftTo sift is to pass flour, cocoa or sugar through a fine sieve to break up lumps and add air. Here is when sifting matters and when you can skip it.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/sift) * [Pass through a sieveTo pass through a sieve is to push a sauce, purée or custard through fine mesh to remove lumps, seeds and skins. Here is how to do it fast and cleanly.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/pass-through-a-sieve) * [ChinoisA chinois is a cone-shaped sieve with very fine mesh that strains sauces, soups and custards until silky. Here is how to use one.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/chinois) * [CheeseclothCheesecloth is a loose cotton gauze for straining stock, draining yogurt and cheese, and tying herb bundles. Here is how to use it and what to use instead.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/cheesecloth) * [Salad spinnerA salad spinner is a bowl with a spinning basket that washes and dries lettuce, herbs and greens fast. Here is how to use one so dressing actually sticks.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/salad-spinner) [More in equipment](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/category/equipment)[Every term from A to Z](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary)