Essential food-related words with meanings

Basic Food Vocabulary

A small dish served before the main meal to stimulate appetite, like soup or salad.

Any drink other than water, such as tea, juice, or soda.

A specific style of cooking, usually related to a country or culture, like Italian or Japanese cuisine.

Food products made from milk, such as cheese, butter, and yogurt.

A sweet dish eaten at the end of a meal, like cake, ice cream, or pudding.

An item of food used to prepare a dish, such as flour for baking bread.

Food that remains after a meal and can be eaten later.

The most important and biggest part of a meal, usually after appetizers and before dessert.

A set of instructions that explains how to prepare a dish.

A small amount of food eaten between meals, like biscuits or nuts.

To cook food in an oven using dry heat, such as baking bread or cookies.

To cook food by putting it in hot, bubbling water, like boiling pasta.

To cut food into small pieces using a knife.

To cook food in hot oil, such as frying potatoes to make French fries.

To cook food over an open flame or on a metal grate, like grilling meat.

To press and break food until it becomes soft and smooth, like mashed potatoes.

To remove the outer skin of fruits or vegetables, like peeling a banana.

To cook food in an oven or over a fire until it turns brown and crispy, like roasting vegetables.

To cut food into thin pieces, like slicing bread or onions.

To cook food using the hot vapor from boiling water, often used for vegetables.

A sharp, sometimes unpleasant taste, like dark chocolate or black coffee.

Food that makes a loud sound when bitten, like potato chips or crackers.

Food that is recently made or picked and has not been preserved, like fresh vegetables.

Food that has a lot of natural liquid inside, like a ripe watermelon.

A taste that comes from adding salt, like salted popcorn.

A delicious, non-sweet taste, often used for cooked foods like roasted chicken.

A sharp, tangy taste, like lemons or vinegar.

A strong, hot taste that creates a burning feeling in the mouth, like chili peppers.

Food that is soft and easy to chew, like a well-cooked steak.

A type of meal where different dishes are placed on a long table, and people serve themselves.

A professional cook who prepares food in a restaurant.

A pair of thin sticks used in many Asian cultures to pick up and eat food.

Food that is quickly prepared and served, usually found in places like McDonald's.

A utensil with prongs used to eat solid food, like pasta or salad.

A list of foods and drinks available at a restaurant.

A piece of cloth or paper used to wipe hands and mouth while eating.

A place where people go to eat meals that are cooked and served to them.

A person who serves food in a restaurant.

A small amount of extra food placed on top of a dish to add flavor, like cheese on a pizza.

To mix ingredients together in a circular motion using a spoon.

A portion of food given to one person, like a serving of rice or soup.

To transfer a liquid from one container to another, like pouring juice into a glass.

A utensil used for eating liquid or soft foods, like soup or yogurt.

Food that has little or no flavor, like plain rice without seasoning.

Food that is dry, firm, and makes a soft cracking sound when bitten, like toast.

To turn a solid into a liquid by heating, like melting butter.

Food that has been cooked for too long and is too dry or burnt.

Food that has not been cooked enough and may still be raw.