Ready to spice up your English? Cooking vocabulary is the secret ingredient for ESL students who want to chat confidently in the kitchen, follow recipes, and even share culinary creations! Whether you’re flipping pancakes or roasting veggies, knowing the right words can make your cooking experience a lot more enjoyable—and less likely to end in culinary disaster. This lesson covers essential cooking terms, funny examples, and phrases that might just help you become the next kitchen hero (or at least avoid setting off the smoke alarm).
Vocabulary List
| Vocabulary Word | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Chop | To cut something into small pieces. | I need to chop the onions for the salad. |
| Boil | To heat a liquid until bubbles form. | Boil the pasta for 10 minutes. |
| Bake | To cook food in an oven, usually dry heat. | I’m going to bake a cake for the party. |
| Fry | To cook in hot oil. | She loves to fry eggs in the morning. |
| Mix | To combine ingredients together. | Mix the flour and sugar in a bowl. |
| Stir | To move a spoon in a circular motion. | Stir the soup so it doesn’t stick to the pot. |
| Peel | To remove the outer layer of a fruit or vegetable. | Don’t forget to peel the potatoes. |
| Grate | To shred food into small pieces, often with a grater. | Grate some cheese on top of the pasta. |
| Simmer | To cook just below boiling. | Let the sauce simmer for 15 minutes. |
| Season | To add spices, salt, or herbs to food. | Season the chicken with salt and pepper. |
Expanded Vocabulary
| Vocabulary Word | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Whisk | To beat or stir with a fast motion, often using a whisk. | Whisk the eggs until they’re fluffy. |
| Marinate | To soak food in a sauce or spices before cooking. | Marinate the meat for at least 2 hours. |
| Slice | To cut food into thin pieces. | Slice the bread before serving. |
| Blend | To mix ingredients until smooth, often with a blender. | Blend the fruit for a smoothie. |
| Garnish | To add a little decoration to food. | Garnish the soup with fresh parsley. |
Key Phrases
- How long do I cook this?
- Example: “How long do I cook this pasta?”
- Example: “Do I bake the cookies for 10 or 12 minutes?”
- What ingredients do I need?
- Example: “What ingredients do I need for the sauce?”
- Example: “Do I need butter and eggs for this cake?”
- Can you pass the… (salt, pepper, etc.)?
- Example: “Can you pass the salt, please?”
- Example: “I need a little extra pepper—can you pass it over?”
- Is it supposed to look like this?
- Example: “Is it supposed to look like this? It’s a little too brown.”
- Example: “Should this sauce be this thick?”
- I need a recipe for… (dish name)
- Example: “I need a recipe for chocolate cake.”
- Example: “Do you have a recipe for spaghetti sauce?”
Example Paragraph
“Yesterday, I decided to make spaghetti, and it was an adventure! I started by boiling the pasta, then chopped and fried some vegetables. Next, I made the sauce by mixing tomatoes, seasoning it with salt, and letting it simmer. I almost forgot to stir it, and let’s just say things got a little smoky. Finally, I garnished it with grated cheese, and it actually tasted pretty good! But I’ll definitely set a timer next time.”
Common Questions
- How long should I let this simmer?
- Example: Let it simmer for about 20 minutes.
- Do I need to peel the vegetables?
- Example: Yes, please peel the carrots.
- Can I bake this in a regular oven?
- Example: Yes, a regular oven works fine.
- What does it mean to marinate?
- Example: It means soaking the meat in sauce for flavor.
- How much seasoning should I add?
- Example: Just add a pinch of salt and pepper to start.
Invitation to Practice:
Share a story about a memorable cooking experience, good or bad! What did you make, and how did it turn out? Use some of the vocabulary words to describe your cooking adventure, and don’t hold back on the funny details. Post in a study group or in the comments to get feedback (or laughs!).