Cooking glossary
The plain-English cooking glossary
Every ingredient, technique, and tool explained simply — so you can shop, cook, and learn without getting stuck on unfamiliar terms. Sourced from the same reference library built into Tastease.
Produce
- Apple
- Arugula
- Asparagus
- Avocado
- Baby potatoes
- Baby spinach
- Banana
- Basil
- Bean sprouts
- Beets
- Bell pepper
- Blueberries
- Bok choy
- Broccoli
- Broccolini
- Brussels sprouts
- Burdock root
- Butter Lettuce
- Cabbage
- Cantaloupe
- Carrot
- Cauliflower
- Celery
- Cherry tomatoes
- Cilantro
- Coleslaw mix
- Corn
- Corn kernels
- Cremini mushrooms
- Cucumber
- Curry leaves
- Daikon
- Delicata squash
- Eggplant
- Fennel
- Fresh Dill
- Fresh Mint
- Fresh sage
- Fresh thyme
- Frozen peas
- Frozen spinach
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Grapes
- Green beans
- Jalapeño
- Kale
- Kiwi
- Leek
- Lemon
- Lime
- Mango
- Mixed berries
- Mushrooms
- Orange zest
- Parsley
- Parsnip
- Pear
- Pineapple
- Portobello mushrooms
- Raspberries
- Red onion
- Romaine lettuce
- Rosemary
- Russet potatoes
- Scallion
- Seedless Grapes
- Shallot
- Shiitake mushrooms
- Spinach
- Strawberries
- Sweet potato
- Thyme
- Tomatillos
- Tomato
- Watermelon
- White onion
- Yellow onion
- Yukon Gold potatoes
- Zucchini
Meat & Seafood
- Anchovy
- Andouille sausage
- Bacon
- Beef chuck
- Beef Jerky
- Canned Tuna
- Chicken breast
- Chicken thighs
- Cocktail Sausages
- Deli Turkey
- Flank steak
- Ground beef
- Ground Chicken
- Ground lamb
- Ground pork
- Ground turkey
- Guanciale
- Ham
- Italian sausages
- Mussels
- Pancetta
- Pork belly
- Pork shoulder
- Pork tenderloin
- Prosciutto
- Rotisserie chicken
- Salmon
- Shrimp
- Smoked Salmon
- Whole chicken
Dairy
- Brie
- Butter
- Buttermilk
- Cheddar
- Cotija
- Cottage Cheese
- Cream cheese
- Eggs
- Evaporated milk
- Feta
- Firm tofu
- Fresh mozzarella
- Goat cheese
- Greek Yogurt
- Gruyère
- Halloumi
- Heavy cream
- Ice cream
- Mascarpone
- Paneer
- Parmesan
- Pecorino Romano
- Plain yogurt
- Queso fresco
- Ricotta
- Sharp cheddar
- Silken tofu
- Sour cream
- Sweetened condensed milk
- Swiss cheese
- Unsalted butter
- Whipped cream
- Whole milk
Pantry
- Active dry yeast
- All-purpose flour
- Almond Butter
- Almond extract
- Almond flour
- Almonds
- Apple cider vinegar
- Baked beans
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Balsamic glaze
- Balsamic vinegar
- Basmati rice
- Beef broth
- Black beans
- Boxed brownie mix
- Boxed cake mix
- Bread flour
- Breadcrumbs
- Brown sugar
- Caesar dressing
- Cake flour
- Canned Artichoke Hearts
- Canned diced tomatoes
- Canned frosting
- Cannellini Beans
- Capers
- Chia Seeds
- Chicken stock
- Chickpeas
- Chili oil
- Chipotles in adobo
- Cocoa powder (unsweetened)
- Coconut aminos
- Coconut milk
- Coconut Oil
- Corn tortillas
- Cornstarch
- Couscous
- Cream of tartar
- Crushed tomatoes
- Dark chocolate
- Dark Chocolate Chips
- Dashi stock
- Dijon mustard
- Doubanjiang
- Dried Cranberries
- Dried wakame seaweed
- Dry red wine
- Dry white wine
- Edamame
- Elbow macaroni
- Farro
- Fava beans
- Fettuccine
- Fish sauce
- Flour tortillas
- Fusilli
- Garlic butter
- Ghee
- Gochujang
- Granola
- Granulated sugar
- Green curry paste
- Green olives
- Harissa paste
- Hoisin Sauce
- Hominy
- Honey
- Hummus
- Instant pudding mix
- Israeli couscous
- Jasmine rice
- Jell-O gelatin
- Kalamata olives
- Ketchup
- Kimchi
- Lentils
- Light corn syrup
- Linguine
- Lo mein noodles
- Maple syrup
- Maraschino cherries
- Marshmallows
- Mayonnaise
- Mini Chocolate Chips
- Mirin
- Miso paste
- Mixed Nuts
- Neutral Oil
- Nori
- Nutritional yeast
- Oat milk
- Olive oil
- Orzo
- Oyster sauce
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Pappardelle
- Peanut butter
- Pecans
- Penne
- Phyllo dough
- Pickled Jalapeños
- Pinto beans
- Polenta
- Popcorn Kernels
- Powdered sugar
- Pretzels
- Pumpkin puree
- Quinoa
- Raisins
- Ramen noodles
- Red lentils
- Red wine vinegar
- Refried beans
- Rice
- Rice Cakes
- Rice flour
- Rice Krispies cereal
- Rice noodles
- Rice paper wrappers
- Rice vermicelli
- Rice vinegar
- Rice wine
- Rigatoni
- Roasted peanuts
- Roasted red peppers
- Rolled Oats
- Sake
- Salsa
- San Marzano tomatoes
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Sesame oil
- Sesame seeds
- Shortening
- Soy sauce
- Spaghetti
- Sriracha
- Stir-fry sauce
- Strawberry Jam
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Sunflower Seeds
- Sweetened shredded coconut
- Tahini
- Tamarind paste
- Tomato sauce
- Tortilla Chips
- Vanilla extract
- Vegetable broth
- Vegetable oil
- Walnuts
- White miso
- White rice
- White vinegar
- White Wine Vinegar
- Whole-Grain Crackers
- Whole-Grain Mustard
- Worcestershire Sauce
Bakery
Spices
- Allspice
- Bay leaves
- Black pepper
- Cajun seasoning
- Cayenne pepper
- Chili powder
- Cinnamon
- Cloves
- Coriander
- Cumin
- Curry powder
- Dried ancho chiles
- Dried guajillo chiles
- Dried thyme
- Everything Bagel Seasoning
- Flaky sea salt
- Fresh Chives
- Garam masala
- Garlic powder
- Gochugaru
- Italian seasoning
- Kosher salt
- Mustard seeds
- Nutmeg
- Onion Powder
- Oregano
- Paprika
- Pumpkin pie spice
- Red pepper flakes
- Sichuan peppercorns
- Smoked paprika
- Star anise
- Sumac
- Taco seasoning
- Tajín
- Turmeric
- Za'atar
Techniques
- Add drops at a time
- Add whole
- Aglio e olio
- Al dente
- Bake
- Baste
- Beat
- Blanch
- Blend
- Bloom in oil
- Boil
- Boil al dente
- Bowls
- Braise
- Broil
- Brown
- Brown butter
- Caramelize
- Carbonara
- Char
- Char on flame
- Chiffonade
- Chop
- Coat before frying
- Cook grains
- Cream
- Crisp
- Crumble
- Crush
- Curries
- Deglaze
- Devein
- Dice
- Dissolve
- Dollop
- Drain and rinse
- Drain fat
- Dredge
- Drizzle
- Emulsify
- Finish in sauce
- Fold
- Fold in
- Fry
- Fry in butter
- Garnish
- Glaze
- Grate
- Grill
- Grind
- Guacamole
- Halve
- Halve and pit
- Infuse
- Infuse in oil
- Juice
- Julienne
- Make a roux
- Make gremolata
- Make pesto
- Marinate
- Mash
- Measure precisely
- Melt
- Mince
- Mise en place
- Peel
- Poach
- Pound thin
- Press tofu
- Quick pickle
- Ragù
- Reduce
- Remove seeds
- Render
- Reserve pasta water
- Rest after cooking
- Rinse first
- Roast
- Roasting
- Salads
- Sauté
- Scald
- Scramble
- Sear
- Season
- Season to taste
- Shave
- Shred
- Side dish
- Sift
- Simmer
- Slaw
- Slice
- Soften
- Spread
- Steam
- Stir-fries
- Stir-fry
- Strip leaves
- Tear
- Temper
- Toast
- Warm
- Whip
- Whisk
- Wilt
- Zest