English vocabulary by topic

English vocabulary for the kitchen

Names for ingredients, food and prepared dishes that you can use in recipes, shopping and conversation at home.

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Food and ingredients in the kitchen

This collection includes ingredients such as garlic, oil, salt and sugar, staples such as rice and pasta, drinks such as juice and tea, and a prepared dish, salad. You will meet these words in recipes, menus and shopping lists.

Pay attention to countability: rice, salt, sugar and tea are not normally used with a or an. To describe a serving or amount, say a bowl of rice, a spoonful of sugar or a cup of tea.

Vocabulary

Words in this topic

Use the speaker icon to hear each word in British English.

garlic

IPA: /ˈɡɑːlɪk/

a plant with a strong taste used to flavour food
honey

IPA: /ˈhʌnɪ/

a sweet sticky food made by bees
juice

IPA: /dʒuːs/

a drink made from fruit or vegetables
meal

IPA: /miːl/

food eaten at a regular time such as breakfast or dinner
mushroom

IPA: /ˈmʌʃruːm/

a fungus with a round top, often used in cooking
oil

IPA: /ɔɪl/

a liquid fat used for cooking or dressing food
pasta

IPA: /ˈpæstə/

an Italian food made from flour and water
rice

IPA: /raɪs/

small grains cooked and eaten as food
salad

IPA: /ˈsæləd/

a cold dish made from vegetables or other ingredients
salt

IPA: /sɔːlt/

a white substance used to add flavour to food
sugar

IPA: /ˈʃʊɡə/

a sweet substance used in food and drinks
tea

IPA: /tiː/

a hot drink made by adding water to dried leaves

01

How to remember these words

Sort the words into drinks, ingredients and prepared dishes.
Describe a simple breakfast or dinner using five of the words.
Write a shopping list with quantities: a bag of rice, a bottle of oil.

02

Useful phrases

Add a little salt and oil to the salad.
Use a little before an uncountable ingredient.

Would you like tea or juice?
Offer someone a choice between two drinks.

We are having pasta and mushrooms for dinner.
Use have for food planned or served as a meal.

Quick answers

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between food and a meal?

Food is the general substance that people eat. A meal is one occasion when food is eaten, such as breakfast or dinner.

What is the difference between oil and butter?

Oil is a liquid fat, often made from plants. Butter is a solid dairy product made from cream.

Can I say a rice or a sugar?

Normally no, because rice and sugar are uncountable. Use a bowl of rice, a bag of sugar or simply some rice.

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