English vocabulary by topic
Food & Cooking Vocabulary
Follow a recipe, describe a dish and explain your food preferences in natural English. These words cover ingredients, kitchen actions, flavours and textures. Notice the difference between what food tastes like and how it feels: a soup may be spicy and creamy at the same time.
20 words and phrases · A2–C1 teaching levels · 5 quiz questions
How to use this vocabulary naturally
Learn chop vegetables, simmer a sauce and serve a portion together. Use recipe for cooking instructions and dish for a prepared food. Flavour and savoury are British spellings; flavor and savory are the American equivalents.
Vocabulary by level
Levels are approximate teaching guides for the meanings shown, not official CEFR word classifications. Start where you feel comfortable and practise each word in your own sentence.
A2 — Everyday essentials
meal
A2noun
an occasion when food is eaten, or the food eaten then
Example: We shared a simple meal after the evening class.
dish
A2noun
food prepared in a particular way
Example: This rice dish is my grandmother's favourite.
boil
A2verb
to cook something in bubbling hot liquid
Example: Boil the pasta in a large pan of water.
bake
A2verb
to cook using dry heat in an oven
Example: We baked a small loaf for breakfast.
sweet
A2adjective
having a taste like sugar
Example: The berries were sweet enough without extra sugar.
B1 — Build your range
ingredient
B1noun
one of the foods or substances used to make a dish
Example: Yoghurt is the unexpected ingredient in this cake.
recipe
B1noun
instructions for preparing a particular food
Example: I wrote the recipe on a card for my brother.
chop
B1verb
to cut food into smaller pieces
Example: Chop the onion before you heat the pan.
roast
B1verb
to cook food with dry heat, usually in an oven
Example: We roast vegetables with a little oil.
portion
B1noun
an amount of food served to one person
Example: The restaurant offers a smaller portion at lunchtime.
spicy
B1adjective
having a strong taste from spices, often with heat
Example: I ordered a mild curry because I dislike very spicy food.
leftovers
B1plural noun
food remaining after a meal
Example: We packed the leftovers for tomorrow's lunch.
B2 — More precise language
simmer
B2verb
to cook liquid gently just below boiling
Example: Let the sauce simmer while you set the table.
seasoning
B2noun
salt, spices or herbs added to improve flavour
Example: Taste the soup before adding more seasoning.
texture
B2noun
the way food feels in your mouth
Example: Toasted seeds give the salad a crunchy texture.
crispy
B2adjective
firm and pleasantly easy to break when bitten
Example: The potatoes were crispy outside and soft inside.
savoury
B2adjective
salty or spicy rather than sweet
Example: I prefer a savoury snack with my afternoon tea.
cuisine
B2noun
a style of cooking associated with a place or tradition
Example: The market introduced me to regional Vietnamese cuisine.
C1 — Extend your expression
aroma
C1noun
a noticeable, usually pleasant smell
Example: The aroma of fresh bread filled the kitchen.
marinate
C1verb
to leave food in a flavoured liquid before cooking
Example: I marinated the vegetables before putting them on skewers.
Common mistakes and better choices
Check: Can you give me the receipt for this soup?
Use: Can you give me the recipe for this soup?
A recipe gives cooking instructions. A receipt records a payment.
Check: The soup tastes deliciously.
Use: The soup tastes delicious.
When taste links food to a quality, use an adjective, such as delicious or salty.
Check: I ate a bread with lunch.
Use: I ate a slice of bread with lunch.
Bread is usually uncountable. Use a slice, a piece or a loaf when counting.
IELTS speaking examples
These original practice prompts are not official test questions or scored answers. Adapt the language to your own experience. The Part 2 extract is an opening to expand into a longer response.
Part 1
Do you enjoy cooking?
Yes, especially at weekends. I like following a new recipe and changing one ingredient to see how the flavour develops. I usually cook enough to have leftovers for lunch.
Practise: Specific details make a simple preference more informative.
Part 2 — sample opening
Describe a meal you enjoyed with other people.
For my birthday, my friends cooked a vegetable curry. They chopped everything together and let the sauce simmer while we talked. The dish was mildly spicy, and the crispy bread provided a lovely contrast in texture.
Practise: Continue with where you ate, who attended and why you remember the meal.
Part 3
Why do people enjoy trying food from other countries?
Trying another cuisine can make an unfamiliar culture feel more accessible. People may first enjoy an aroma or a particular seasoning, then become curious about the dish itself. Restaurants can introduce those flavours, although home cooking often tells a different story.
Practise: Use food vocabulary to develop an explanation rather than list adjectives.
Check your understanding
Five-question vocabulary quiz
Choose one answer for each question. Your first choice is scored; read the explanation before moving on.
0 of 5 answered · 0 correct