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February 2, 2025

30 French Words To Learn Related to Cooking: Essential Kitchen Vocabulary

30 French Words To Learn Related to Cooking: Essential Kitchen Vocabulary

Basic Kitchen Equipment in French

The foundation of French cooking starts with knowing your kitchen equipment. Just as we learned in our holiday vocabulary guide, mastering specific terms enhances your language experience. These essential items are frequently used in French recipes and cooking instructions.

French Term English Meaning
saucepan
frying pan
oven
knife
spoon

Important

Remember that most kitchen equipment terms in French are feminine, using 'la' as the article, though there are exceptions like 'le four' and 'le couteau'.

Essential Cooking Verbs

Understanding cooking verbs is crucial for following French recipes. Similar to how we approach understanding spoken French, these action words form the backbone of kitchen communication.

French Verb English Meaning
to cut
to mix
to cook
to boil
to roast

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Common Ingredients and Foods

These ingredients appear frequently in French cuisine and recipes. As with intermediate-level conversations, knowing these terms will help you navigate French cooking contexts naturally.

French Term English Meaning
butter
flour
eggs
sugar
salt

Cooking Methods and Techniques

French cuisine is renowned for its sophisticated cooking techniques. These terms describe various methods used in French cooking.

French Term English Meaning
baked
steamed
sautéed
poached
grilled

Kitchen Measurements and Quantities

Precise measurements are essential in French cooking. These terms will help you understand French recipes accurately.

French Term English Meaning
a pinch
tablespoon
cup
gram
liter

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Descriptive Cooking Terms

These adjectives and descriptions are commonly used to describe food preparation and results in French cooking.

French Term English Meaning
cooked
raw
hot
cold
tender

Notes

When using descriptive terms, remember that they must agree in gender and number with the noun they're describing. For example: "la viande cuite" (the cooked meat) versus "le poisson cru" (the raw fish).

Culinary Timing and Temperature

Understanding timing and temperature terms is crucial for successful French cooking.

French Term English Meaning
on low heat
on high heat
to preheat
to simmer
to rest

Examples

Example usage: "Faites mijoter la sauce à feu doux pendant vingt minutes." (Let the sauce simmer on low heat for twenty minutes.)

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