Cooking & Kitchen Vocabulary in English

20 key cooking & kitchen vocabulary words with meanings, example sentences, and free interactive exercises — ideal for A2–B1 learners.

Cooking vocabulary is one of the most practical areas of English to learn because food is a universal part of daily life. Whether you are reading a recipe online, watching a cooking show, ordering at a restaurant, or chatting with a flatmate about what is for dinner, you will encounter these words constantly. For intermediate learners at A2–B1 level, mastering kitchen and cooking terms opens up real conversations about culture, preferences, and everyday routines that native speakers navigate without a second thought.

Many cooking words in English are action verbs — words like chop, simmer, marinate, and blend — and that makes them especially useful because they transfer directly into speech and writing. When you describe how a dish is prepared, you are practising the imperative and present simple tenses at the same time. Recipe language is also wonderfully consistent: the same verbs appear in cookbooks, food blogs, and restaurant menus worldwide, so each word you learn pays dividends across multiple real-world contexts rather than being locked to a single situation.

A strong tip for retaining cooking vocabulary is to connect each word to a physical action or a specific dish you already know. The next time you boil pasta or chop vegetables, say the word aloud as you do it. You can also read simple recipes in English and highlight any unknown terms before looking them up. This kind of embodied learning — linking language to sensory experience — is far more effective than memorising a list in isolation, and the kitchen is one of the best classrooms available to any English learner.

What You'll Learn

Word List

WordMeaningExample Sentence
recipea set of instructions for preparing a mealI found a great recipe for chocolate cake online.
ingredientany one of the foods needed for a recipeCheck you have all the ingredients before you start.
chopto cut food into small pieces with a knifeChop the onions and fry them in butter.
boilto heat a liquid until it bubbles and turns to steamBoil the pasta for ten minutes.
fryto cook food in hot oil in a panFry the chicken until it is golden brown.
baketo cook food in an oven using dry heatBake the bread for 30 minutes at 200°C.
roastto cook meat or vegetables in an ovenRoast the potatoes with olive oil and rosemary.
grillto cook food under or over direct heatGrill the fish for four minutes each side.
steamto cook by placing food above boiling waterSteam the broccoli to preserve its nutrients.
simmerto cook a liquid just below boiling pointLet the sauce simmer for 20 minutes.
marinateto soak food in a flavoured liquid before cookingMarinate the chicken overnight in yogurt and spices.
seasoningherbs, spices, or salt added to improve the flavour of foodAdd seasoning to taste.
portionan amount of food served to one personThe restaurant serves generous portions.
cuisinea style of cooking associated with a particular countryItalian cuisine is known for pasta and pizza.
saucepana deep pan with a handle used for cooking on a hobMelt the butter in a saucepan over low heat.
spatulaa flat tool used for lifting and turning food while cookingUse a spatula to flip the pancakes.
colandera bowl with holes used for draining water from foodDrain the pasta using a colander.
blendto mix foods together until smooth using a blenderBlend the soup until it is completely smooth.
garnishsomething added to food as decoration or to enhance flavourGarnish the dish with fresh herbs.
leftoversfood remaining after a mealWe had chicken leftovers for lunch the next day.

Practice with These Exercises

Flash Cards

Review words with spaced repetition

Quiz

Test your vocabulary knowledge

Match Up

Match words to their meanings

Wordsearch

Find hidden vocabulary words

Practice What You've Learned

LexFizz has 30 free interactive exercises — no sign-up needed.

Browse All Exercises →

Related Vocabulary Topics

All Topics Food & Drink Home All Topics

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between boiling and simmering in English?
Boiling means heating a liquid until it reaches 100°C and produces large, rapid bubbles, while simmering means keeping the liquid just below boiling point with small, gentle bubbles. In recipe language you will often see instructions like “bring to the boil, then reduce to a simmer” — understanding this distinction is essential for following English recipes correctly.
How do I use cooking verbs correctly in English sentences?
Cooking verbs like chop, fry, roast, and blend are most commonly used in the imperative form in recipes (“Chop the onions”, “Roast for 30 minutes”) and in the present simple when describing a method (“First you fry the garlic, then you add the tomatoes”). Practising them in both structures will help you read recipes and explain dishes to other people with confidence.
What is the difference between baking, roasting, and grilling?
All three use dry heat, but the context differs: baking typically refers to bread, cakes, and pastries cooked in an enclosed oven; roasting is used for meat and vegetables cooked uncovered in an oven; and grilling means cooking food directly under or over a heat source such as a grill or barbecue. In American English, “broiling” is used instead of “grilling under heat”, which can be a source of confusion for learners.
What does “marinate” mean and how long should you marinate food?
To marinate means to soak raw food — usually meat, fish, or vegetables — in a flavoured liquid called a marinade before cooking. The liquid typically contains acid (like lemon juice or vinegar), oil, and spices to add flavour and tenderise the food. Marinating time varies by recipe: chicken may need a few hours or overnight, while fish often needs only 20–30 minutes.
What kitchen tools should I know the names of in English?
Key kitchen equipment words for A2–B1 learners include saucepan, frying pan, spatula, colander, chopping board, and blender. These appear frequently in recipes, cooking videos, and everyday conversation. Knowing them lets you follow instructions precisely and discuss cooking methods without having to describe an object rather than name it.
What is the difference between a “recipe” and an “ingredient”?
A recipe is the complete set of instructions for making a dish, including a list of ingredients and step-by-step directions. An ingredient is one individual food item or substance used within that recipe, such as flour, eggs, or olive oil. Think of the recipe as the map and the ingredients as the materials you need to follow it.
How is the word “cuisine” used in everyday English?
Cuisine refers to the cooking style or food traditions of a specific country or region. Native speakers use it in both formal and informal contexts: “I love Thai cuisine” or “The restaurant serves Mediterranean cuisine”. It is also used in compound phrases like “home cuisine” (home cooking) or “fusion cuisine” (a blend of two cooking styles).
What does “garnish” mean and can it be used as both a noun and a verb?
Yes, garnish works as both a noun and a verb. As a verb: “Garnish the plate with a sprig of parsley.” As a noun: “The garnish was a slice of lemon.” A garnish is typically something added at the end of cooking to make a dish look more attractive or to add a small extra flavour, such as fresh herbs, a wedge of citrus, or a drizzle of cream.
What is the best way to remember cooking vocabulary in English?
The most effective method is to practise cooking vocabulary in context rather than memorising lists. Try reading a simple English recipe and highlighting new words, or describe what you are doing aloud in English while you cook. Watching English cooking shows with subtitles is another excellent strategy, as you see and hear the vocabulary paired with real actions at the same time.
What is the meaning of “leftovers” and is it always plural?
Leftovers refers to the food that remains uneaten after a meal and is kept to eat later. In English it is almost always used in the plural form: “We had leftovers for dinner” or “I put the leftovers in the fridge.” The singular “leftover” can appear as an adjective (“leftover chicken”), but as a standalone noun the plural is standard.