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

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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 / phrase Meaning Example Hear
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 English UK English Example Hear
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.