Cooking verbs are the words that describe actions you do in the kitchen, like mixing, baking, or chopping. They help you follow recipes, ask questions, and talk about cooking with others.

Basic Cooking Verbs

These are the most common and simple cooking verbs used in everyday cooking.

English Verb	Example Sentence
add	Add the sugar to the bowl.
bake	Bake the cake for 30 minutes.
boil	Boil the water before adding pasta.
chop	Chop the onions finely.
cook	Cook the chicken thoroughly.
fry	Fry the eggs in a pan.
mix	Mix the flour and eggs together.
pour	Pour the milk into the glass.
slice	Slice the bread thinly.
stir	Stir the soup occasionally.

Preparation Verbs

These verbs are used for preparing ingredients before cooking.

English Verb	Example Sentence
peel	Peel the apples before cooking.
grate	Grate some cheese on top.
dice	Dice the tomatoes into small pieces.
crush	Crush the garlic cloves.
whisk	Whisk the eggs until fluffy.
measure	Measure two cups of flour.
slice	Slice the cucumbers thinly.
rinse	Rinse the vegetables under cold water.
trim	Trim the fat from the meat.
season	Season the salad with salt and pepper.

Cooking Method Verbs

These verbs describe different ways to cook food.

English Verb	Example Sentence
grill	Grill the steaks for 5 minutes each side.
steam	Steam the broccoli until tender.
roast	Roast the potatoes in the oven.
simmer	Let the soup simmer for 20 minutes.
stir-fry	Stir-fry the vegetables quickly.
broil	Broil the fish until golden.
poach	Poach the eggs in hot water.
blanch	Blanch the green beans before freezing.
deep-fry	Deep-fry the chicken wings crisp.
sear	Sear the steak to lock in juices.

Mixing and Combining Verbs

These verbs are used when you combine ingredients together.

English Verb	Example Sentence
blend	Blend the fruits into a smoothie.
fold	Fold the whipped cream gently.
knead	Knead the dough for 10 minutes.
beat	Beat the butter and sugar together.
whisk	Whisk the cream until stiff peaks form.
combine	Combine all the ingredients in a bowl.
spread	Spread the jam on the toast.
roll	Roll the dough into a circle.
sift	Sift the flour to remove lumps.
stir	Stir the batter slowly.

Finishing and Serving Verbs

These verbs describe the final steps before serving food.

English Verb	Example Sentence
garnish	Garnish the soup with chopped parsley.
serve	Serve the pasta with grated cheese.
drain	Drain the water from the pasta.
cool	Let the cake cool before slicing.
plate	Plate the food attractively.
top	Top the dessert with whipped cream.
freeze	Freeze the leftovers for later.
store	Store the cookies in an airtight container.
warm	Warm the bread in the oven.
glaze	Glaze the pastry with egg wash.

Kitchen Tool Verbs

These verbs describe actions done with common kitchen tools.

English Verb	Example Sentence
slice	Slice the bread with a knife.
grate	Grate the cheese using a grater.
peel	Peel the carrots with a peeler.
whisk	Whisk the eggs with a fork.
blend	Blend the ingredients in a blender.
strain	Strain the sauce through a sieve.
beat	Beat the eggs with a whisk.
chop	Chop the herbs with a sharp knife.
crush	Crush the nuts with a mortar and pestle.
roll	Roll the dough with a rolling pin.

Conclusion

Now you know the key verbs used in cooking, you can follow recipes and describe your cooking process with confidence.

Now you know the key verbs used in cooking, you can follow recipes and describe your cooking process with confidence. Don’t be afraid to try these verbs next time you’re in the kitchen!

Flashcards (1 of 60)

Example Sentence: Add the sugar to the bowl.

English Verb: add

Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025

English

Cooking Verbs