Kitchen Vocabulary in English: 100+ Words for Cooking and Eating

An English teaching yak points to a white board that says Kitchen Vocabulary in English: 100+ Words for Cooking and Eating.

Kitchen Vocabulary in English: 100+ Words for Cooking and Eating

Appliances, tools, food prep verbs, and the stuff you yell at when the toast burns.

Your kitchen is basically a tiny factory that turns groceries into happiness (and dishes into regret).

Below are 100+ kitchen words with clear meanings and simple examples. Tap Hear to practice pronunciation.

Yak Snark: If you learn “spatula” but still call everything a “thingy,” the kitchen gods will judge you. Quietly. With burnt onions.

Kitchen Spotlights

Quick visual-style cards for the most common kitchen items. (Yes, you still have to wash them.)

Fridge

Appliance

Short for refrigerator. Where leftovers go to become mysterious.

For example: I put the milk back in the fridge after breakfast.

Oven

Appliance

Used for baking or roasting. Also used for “I forgot to preheat.”

For example: The pizza is in the oven for twelve minutes.

Stove

Appliance

The cooking surface with burners. (In UK English, people often say cooker.)

For example: I boiled water on the stove.

Sink

Kitchen area

Where dishes wait… and wait… and wait.

For example: Please rinse the plates in the sink.

Cutting board

Tool

A flat board for chopping. Saves your countertop from knife scars.

For example: Chop the onions on a cutting board.

Frying pan

Cookware

A shallow pan for frying and sautéing.

For example: Heat oil in a frying pan.

Spatula

Utensil

Used to flip, lift, or scrape. Basically: the pancake hero.

For example: Use a spatula to flip the omelet.

Dishwasher

Appliance

A machine that washes dishes. If you load it like a raccoon, it will not be impressed.

For example: I ran the dishwasher after dinner.

Kitchen Vocabulary Table (100+ Terms)

Every item has a meaning and an example sentence. Steal the examples. That is literally the point.

Word / phraseMeaningExampleHear
aprona protective cloth you wear while cookingFor example: I wear an apron when I cook curry.
baking sheeta flat metal tray for bakingFor example: Put the cookies on a baking sheet.
blendera machine that blends food into liquid or smooth piecesFor example: I used a blender to make a smoothie.
food processora machine that chops or mixes quicklyFor example: The food processor chopped the nuts fast.
stand mixera countertop mixer for dough and batterFor example: My stand mixer kneads the bread dough.
hand mixera small mixer you holdFor example: I used a hand mixer to whip cream.
microwavean appliance that heats food quicklyFor example: I warmed the soup in the microwave.
toasteran appliance that toasts breadFor example: The toaster made my bread crispy.
kettlea pot or electric device for boiling waterFor example: The kettle is boiling for tea.
coffee makera machine that brews coffeeFor example: I set the coffee maker for 7 a.m.
espresso machinea machine that makes espressoFor example: The espresso machine makes strong coffee.
air fryeran appliance that crisps food with hot airFor example: I cooked fries in the air fryer.
rice cookera machine that cooks rice automaticallyFor example: The rice cooker keeps the rice warm.
slow cookera pot that cooks food slowly over hoursFor example: The slow cooker made the beef very tender.
pressure cookera sealed pot that cooks food faster under pressureFor example: I used a pressure cooker for beans.
fridgeshort for refrigeratorFor example: The leftovers are in the fridge.
freezerthe cold part that keeps food frozenFor example: I store ice cream in the freezer.
ice traya tray for making ice cubesFor example: Fill the ice tray with water.
ovenan appliance for baking or roastingFor example: The cake is baking in the oven.
stovea cooking surface with burnersFor example: Turn off the stove after cooking.
burnerone heating circle or flame on a stoveFor example: Use the front burner for the pan.
range hooda fan above the stove that removes smoke and smellsFor example: Turn on the range hood when you fry fish.
countertopthe work surface in a kitchenFor example: Keep the countertop clean and dry.
sinka bowl with water for washingFor example: The vegetables are in the sink.
drainthe hole where water flows outFor example: The sink drain is clogged.
cupboarda cabinet for storing food or dishesFor example: The plates are in the cupboard.
cabinetstorage furniture in the kitchenFor example: I keep spices in that cabinet.
drawera sliding box for storing itemsFor example: The forks are in the top drawer.
pantrya storage area for dry foodFor example: We keep rice and pasta in the pantry.
spice racka shelf for spicesFor example: The spice rack is next to the stove.
trash cana container for garbageFor example: Throw the peel in the trash can.
recycling bina container for recyclable wasteFor example: Put the bottle in the recycling bin.
pota deep container for boiling or cookingFor example: Put the noodles in a pot of water.
saucepana small pot with a handleFor example: Heat the sauce in a saucepan.
frying pana shallow pan for fryingFor example: I cooked eggs in a frying pan.
saute pana wide pan with higher sides for sauteingFor example: Use a saute pan for vegetables.
woka round pan for stir fryingFor example: I made stir fry in a wok.
casserole disha deep dish for baking in the ovenFor example: The lasagna is in a casserole dish.
baking disha dish used for baking foodsFor example: Pour the mixture into a baking dish.
griddlea flat surface for cooking pancakes or burgersFor example: I cooked pancakes on a griddle.
cutting boarda board for choppingFor example: Slice the lemon on a cutting board.
chopping boardanother common name for a cutting boardFor example: Put the garlic on the chopping board.
knifea sharp tool for cuttingFor example: Use a knife to cut the tomato.
chef knifea large all purpose kitchen knifeFor example: A chef knife is great for chopping.
paring knifea small knife for peeling and detail workFor example: Use a paring knife to peel an apple.
bread knifea serrated knife for slicing breadFor example: I sliced the loaf with a bread knife.
peelera tool for removing skins from vegetablesFor example: The peeler makes thin potato strips.
gratera tool with holes for shredding foodFor example: I used a grater for the cheese.
garlic pressa tool that crushes garlicFor example: Use a garlic press for fast prep.
can openera tool for opening cansFor example: I opened the beans with a can opener.
bottle openera tool for opening bottle capsFor example: Do you have a bottle opener?
corkscrewa tool for removing corksFor example: I used a corkscrew to open the bottle.
whiska tool for beating eggs or mixingFor example: Whisk the eggs until smooth.
spatulaa tool for flipping or scrapingFor example: The spatula lifted the pancakes easily.
wooden spoona spoon made of wood for stirringFor example: Stir the soup with a wooden spoon.
ladlea big spoon for serving soupFor example: Use a ladle to serve the broth.
tongsa tool for gripping hot foodFor example: Use tongs to flip the chicken.
slotted spoona spoon with holes to drain liquidFor example: Lift the dumplings with a slotted spoon.
serving spoona large spoon for serving foodFor example: The serving spoon is in the drawer.
measuring cupa cup for measuring ingredientsFor example: Add one cup of water using a measuring cup.
measuring spoona small spoon for measuringFor example: Use a measuring spoon for the salt.
kitchen scalea device to weigh ingredientsFor example: I weighed the flour on a kitchen scale.
timera device that counts cooking timeFor example: Set a timer for ten minutes.
thermometera tool to check temperatureFor example: Use a thermometer to check the meat.
rolling pina tool for flattening doughFor example: I used a rolling pin for pizza dough.
mortar and pestletools for crushing spices or herbsFor example: I crushed pepper with a mortar and pestle.
juicera tool or machine for extracting juiceFor example: The juicer made fresh orange juice.
colandera bowl with holes for drainingFor example: Drain the pasta in a colander.
strainera tool that separates solids from liquidsFor example: Pour the tea through a strainer.
sievea fine strainer, often for flourFor example: Sift the flour with a sieve.
salad spinnera tool that dries lettuce with spinningFor example: The salad spinner dried the greens.
bowla round container for foodFor example: Put the salad in a bowl.
mixing bowla bowl used for mixing ingredientsFor example: Mix the batter in a mixing bowl.
platea flat dish for serving foodFor example: Put the rice on a plate.
bowl of soupa serving of soup in a bowlFor example: He ate a bowl of soup for lunch.
muga large cup, often for hot drinksFor example: I drank cocoa from a mug.
glassa cup made of glassFor example: Please pour water into a glass.
forka tool for eating with prongsFor example: Use a fork to eat the noodles.
spoona tool for eating or stirringFor example: I used a spoon for the yogurt.
knife and forkbasic eating tools togetherFor example: We set out a knife and fork for everyone.
cutleryknives, forks, and spoonsFor example: The cutlery is in the drawer.
dishwashera machine that washes dishesFor example: Load the dishwasher after dinner.
dish racka rack for drying dishesFor example: Put the cups on the dish rack.
spongea soft tool for washing dishesFor example: Use a sponge with dish soap.
dish soapsoap used for washing dishesFor example: Add a little dish soap to the water.
scrub brusha brush for scrubbing tough dirtFor example: I used a scrub brush on the pan.
tea towela cloth for drying dishes (often UK)For example: Dry the plate with a tea towel.
paper toweldisposable towel made of paperFor example: Wipe the spill with a paper towel.
brooma tool for sweeping floorsFor example: Use a broom to sweep the floor.
mopa tool for wet cleaning floorsFor example: I mopped the kitchen after cooking.
containera box for storing foodFor example: Put the rice in a container.
lidthe cover for a pot or containerFor example: Put the lid on the pot.
jara glass container with a lidFor example: The jam is in a jar.
zip top baga plastic bag that seals at the topFor example: Store the herbs in a zip top bag.
plastic wrapthin plastic film for covering foodFor example: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap.
cling filmanother name for plastic wrap (often UK)For example: Wrap the sandwich in cling film.
aluminum foilmetal foil used for wrapping and bakingFor example: Cover the tray with aluminum foil.
parchment papernonstick paper for bakingFor example: Line the pan with parchment paper.
recipeinstructions for cooking a dishFor example: This recipe needs only five ingredients.
ingredientone of the foods used in a dishFor example: Garlic is a key ingredient in this sauce.
portionthe amount served to one personFor example: That is a big portion of pasta.
leftoversfood that remains after a mealFor example: I ate leftovers for breakfast.
salt shakera container that sprinkles saltFor example: Pass the salt shaker, please.
pepper grindera tool that grinds peppercornsFor example: I used a pepper grinder on the salad.
spicesstrong flavorings like cumin or cinnamonFor example: Add spices to make it taste better.
herbsleafy flavorings like basil or parsleyFor example: Fresh herbs smell amazing.
oilcooking fat, like olive oilFor example: Heat a little oil in the pan.
vinegara sour liquid used in cookingFor example: Add vinegar to the dressing.
flourpowder used for bakingFor example: Dust the board with flour.
sugarsweet crystals used in dessertsFor example: Add a spoon of sugar to the tea.
buttera dairy fat used for cooking or spreadingFor example: Melt butter in the pan.
to chopto cut into rough piecesFor example: Chop the onions into small pieces.
to sliceto cut into thin piecesFor example: Slice the cucumber thinly.
to diceto cut into small cubesFor example: Dice the tomatoes for the salsa.
to minceto cut into very tiny piecesFor example: Mince the garlic finely.
to grateto shred using a graterFor example: Grate the cheese on top.
to peelto remove the skinFor example: Peel the potatoes before boiling.
to whiskto beat quickly with a whiskFor example: Whisk the eggs until fluffy.
to stirto mix gently with a spoonFor example: Stir the sauce so it does not burn.
to sauteto cook quickly in a small amount of oilFor example: Saute the mushrooms for three minutes.
to boilto cook in bubbling waterFor example: Boil the pasta until soft.
to simmerto cook gently below boilingFor example: Let the soup simmer for twenty minutes.
to fryto cook in hot oilFor example: Fry the tofu until golden.
to baketo cook using dry heat in an ovenFor example: Bake the bread for thirty minutes.
to roastto cook in the oven, often meats or vegetablesFor example: Roast the carrots with olive oil.
to grillto cook with direct heatFor example: Grill the fish for a smoky taste.
to steamto cook with hot steamFor example: Steam the broccoli to keep it bright.
to seasonto add salt, pepper, or spicesFor example: Season the soup with salt and pepper.
to marinateto soak food in a flavorful liquidFor example: Marinate the chicken overnight.
to kneadto press and fold doughFor example: Knead the dough for five minutes.
to preheatto heat the oven before cookingFor example: Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius.
to rinseto wash quickly with waterFor example: Rinse the rice before cooking.
to drainto remove liquidFor example: Drain the noodles in a colander.
to clean upto make the kitchen clean after cookingFor example: We cleaned up the kitchen together.

Optional Variants (US vs UK)

Both are correct. Choose what matches your audience, your workplace, or your favorite TV show.

US EnglishUK EnglishExampleHear
stovecookerFor example: The pot is on the stove / cooker.
broilergrillFor example: Put it under the broiler / grill to brown the top.
cookie sheetbaking trayFor example: Place the cookies on the cookie sheet / baking tray.
plastic wrapcling filmFor example: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap / cling film.
aluminum foiltin foilFor example: Wrap the potatoes in aluminum foil / tin foil.
paper towelkitchen rollFor example: Wipe the spill with a paper towel / kitchen roll.
measuring cupmeasuring jugFor example: Pour the milk into a measuring cup / jug.
garbagerubbishFor example: Take the garbage / rubbish out tonight.
trash canbinFor example: Put the peel in the trash can / bin.
cookiebiscuitFor example: I had a cookie / biscuit with tea.
eggplantaubergineFor example: We roasted eggplant / aubergine for dinner.
zucchinicourgetteFor example: Slice the zucchini / courgette thinly.

Yak Snark: The real “kitchen vocabulary” test is saying “colander” confidently while water is everywhere. Bonus points if you do not scream.

Yak Yacker: Learn English. Cook food. Pretend you enjoy cleaning the sink.

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