A
abadejo – pollack
acedera - sorrel
aceite - oil
aceite de girasol -sunflower oil
aceite de oliva – olive oil
aceituna – olive
aceituna negra – black olive
aceituna verde – green olive
acelgas - chard
achicoria – chicory
achuras – intestines, offal
adereza – dressing, condiment
adobo - marinade
agridulce - sweet and sour
agrio - sour
agua mineral – mineral water
natural – still
con gas - sparkling
aguacate – avocado
aguja - sandpiper
ahumado – smoked
ajedrea – summer/winter savory
ajo - garlic
ajonjolí - sesame
albacora – albacore (tuna)
albahaca -basil
albardilla – fat wrapped around meat when cooking
albaricoque - apricot
albóndiga - meatball
alcachofa - artichoke
alcaparras – capers
alcaravea - caraway
alforfón - buckwheat
algarrobo - carob
algas - seaweed
alioli - garlic mayonnaise
aliño – dressing (as in salad dressing)
almejas - clams
almendras - almonds
almíbar – syrup
almidón - starch
altramuz – white lupin (bean)
alubias – pulses, beans
alubias negras - black beans
alubias rojas - kidney beans
anacardo - cashew
ancas de rana – frog legs
anchoa – pickled anchovy
androlla – type of pork sausage
angélica – garden angelica
anguila – freshwater eel
angula – baby eel
anís – anise
añadir/añadido – to add, added
añojo – meat (beef, veal) from an animal of 1-2 years of age
aperitivo – appetizer or aperitif
apio – celery
arándano – cranberry, blueberry
arbiello – type of pork sausage
arenque - herring
arenque ahumado – kipper, smoked herring
arroz - rice
asado/a – roasted, baked
ascalonia - shallot
aspic, gelatina - aspic
atún – tuna
ave - poultry
avellana - hazelnut
avena - oats
avestruz - ostrich
azafrán – saffron
azahar – orange flower (and the flower of other fruits)
azucar -sugar
azúcar glace -icing sugar
azúcar moreno – brown sugar
azul - blue
B
bacalao - cod
bacalao salado - salt cod
bajoca – green bean
baluchon – small bundle
bandeja - tray
bambú – bamboo
baño/bañado – coated, glazed
barbacoa – barbecue
barbo – barbel (carp)
barón – cut of lamb
barquillo – cone (ice cream)
barra – loaf (of bread), bar, counter
bastón – cut in a long, thin shape
batata – sweet potato
batido – milkshake
becada - woodcock
bechamel - bechamel sauce
beicón -bacon
bellota – acorn
berberecho - cockle
berenjena – aubergine, eggplant
berro – watercress
berza – green cabbage
besugo - sea bream
bígaro – winkle (snail)
birica – fresh sausage
bisbe - type of blood sausage
bisbot – pork sausage
bistec – steak
bizcocho – cake, coffee-cake, ladyfingers
blanca/o - white
bocadillo - sandwich on baguette-type bread
bodega – winery, wine cellar
boga – Iberian nase (ray finned fish)
bogavante – lobster
boletus – funghi porcini mushrooms
bollo – roll, sweet roll
bombón - bonbon
bonito - tuna
boquerones – salted anchovies
borde - edge
borraja – borage
botelo – Galician sausage
botillo – sausage typical to Leon
brasear/braseado – charcoal-grill
brócoli, brécol - broccoli
brocheta - skewer
brotes de soja - bean sprouts (soybean)
buey – beef from an animal of more than 4 years of age
buey del mar – pagurus crab
budín, pudín, pudding –pudding
buñuelo – fritter
burbuja - bubble
butifarra – Catalunyan sausage
C
caballa - mackerel
caballo – horse
cabello de angel – angel-hair
cabeza - head
cabra – goat
cabracho - scorpionfish
cabrito - kid
cacahuete - peanut
cacao – cocoa powder
caella – smooth dogfish
café – coffee
café solo – small, black espresso
café cortado – small espresso with a little milk
café con leche – coffee with milk
café americano – larger, black coffee
calabacín – courgette, zucchini
calabaza – pumpkin, squash
calamar - squid
caldo - broth or stock
caliente - hot
callos – tripe
camarón - shrimp
canela - cinnamon
canelones - cannelloni
cangrejo – crab
canónigos – lamb’s lettuce
caña – glass of draft beer
cañadillas – sea snails
cañita – small glass of draft beer/pastry roll
capa – layer
capón – capon
capricho – whim
carabinero – large, red shrimp
caracol – snail
caramelizado – caramelized
caramelo – caramel
caramelos - candies
carbón – charcoal
cardamomo – cardamom
cardo - thistle
carne -meat
carne de salchicha - sausage meat
carne picada – mince, ground meat
carpa - carp
carrillera – (animal) cheek
cáscara - rind
cáscaras - shells
castaña –chestnut
cata/catar – wine-tasting/try the wine
cava – sparkling champagne-style wine
caza - game
cazo - pan, saucepan
cazón – dogfish
cazuela – casserole dish
cebolla - onion
cebolleta – shallot, scallion, green onion
cebollino – chive
cebón – beef from an animal of up to 4 years of age
cecina – cured beef
cena – evening meal
centeno - rye
centollo – king crab
cerdo - pork
cerdo picado - ground pork
cereal – cereal
cereales – breakfast cereal
cereza – cherry
cerveza - beer
ceviche – raw marinated fish or shellfish
champiñones – mushrooms
changurro – prepared crab meat
chanquete – goby (fish)
chipirón – small squid
chirimoya - cherimoya
chirivia - parsnip
chirla – small clam
chistorra – cured pork sausage from Navarra
chivo – young kid (2 – 4 months of age)
chocolate – chocolate
chopa – black bream
chopito – dwarf bobtail squid
chorizo – spicy Spanish pork sausage
chorro – trickle, dash
chuchango - snail
chufa – sedge, tigernuts
chuleta – chop (pork or lamb)
chuletón – t-bone/porterhouse steak*
churro – deep-fried pastry
cidra – hard cider
ciervo - deer
cigala – Norway lobster
cigalita - crab
cilantro - coriander
cintas – type of pasta, tagliatelle
ciruela – plum
ciruela pasa - prune
cítrico - citric
clara de huevo - egg white
clavo – clove
coca – pastry shell, pastry base
cocido – cooked, a typical stew
cochinillo – suckling pig
cocina – kitchen, stove, cuisine
coco - coconut
codorniz - quail
codillo – ham hock
cogollo - heart (of cabbage, lettuce)
col - cabbage
cola – tail
coles de Bruselas - brussel sprouts
coliflor – cauliflower
colmenillas - morels
comida - food, the lunch-time meal
comino - cumin
condimento - seasoning
conejo - rabbit
confitado – candied, stewed, conft
congelado - frozen
congrio - conger eel
conserva – canned, preserved foods
conservante - preservative
conservar - preserve
consistencia –consistency
contra muslo - thigh
coñac - brandy
copa – wine glass (stemmed glass), liqueur, mixed drink
copos de avena -oats
copos de maíz tostados - cornflakes
corazón – heart
coquina – tellina (clam)
corinto - currant
cordero – lamb
corral – (chicken) free-range
corte - cut
corvina – croaker (fish)
corzo – roe deer
cosecha – crop, vintage
costillas – ribs, spare ribs
crema pastelera - confectioner's custard
cremoso/a - creamy
crepe – pancake, crepe
criadilla de tierra – type of wild mushroom
criadillas – (animal) testicles
crianza – (red wine) minimum aging of 2 years
crocante – crispy
croqueta – croquette
crudo - raw
crujiente – crispy
crustáceo – crustacean, shellfish
cuajar - curdle
cuajo – rennet
cubitera - icebucket
cuchara – tablespoon, soup spoon
(de) cuchara – soup, stew eaten with a spoon
cucharita, cucharilla - teaspoon
cuchillo – knife
cuenco –bowl
culis – coulis
curado/a - cured
cúrcuma - turmeric
D
dátil – date
dátil de mar – date mussel
del día – today’s, the day’s special
dentón – dentex bream
deshuesado – boned
desayuno (n.), desayunar (v.) – breakfast
despojos – secondary cuts of meat, offal
dientes de ajo – cloves of garlic
diente de león – dandelion
doblado – folded
doncella – rainbow wrasse fish
donut – doughnut
dorada – gilt head fish
dorado - golden
dulce – sweet
dulce de membrillo – quince jelly
E
embutido – general name for sausage
empanada, empanadilla – pasty, breaded
emperador – swordfish
emulsión - emulsion
endrina - sloe
enebro - juniper
endibias - endives
endulzante - sweetener
endulzar, azucarar - sweeten
eneldo - dill
enfriado – chilled
engrasado –greased, oiled
ensalada – salad
en su punto – (meat) medium
entero – whole
entrada – first course, appetizer
entrecot – rib eye steak*
erizo de mar – sea urchin
escaldar - scald
escalfado – poached
escalope – thin beef fillet
escabeche – marinade
escarola – chicory, radicchio
escorpena – scorpion fish
escupiña – Venus clam
espaguetis - spaghetti
espalda – cut of lamb used in stews
espárrago – asparagus
especia - spice
espeso – stiff, thick
espina – fish bone
espinacas - spinach
espuma - foam
estofado - casserole or stew
estómago – stomach
estragón – tarragon
esturión - sturgeon
exprimido - squeezed
F
faba – broad bean
faisán – pheasant
faneca – poor-cod
fardito – small bundle
fécula – potato starch
fiambres – cold cuts
fideo – small pasta, noodle
filet – fillet
flan – creme caramel
flor – flower
foie gras – goose or duck liver pate
forma – shape
frambuesa – raspberry
fresa – strawberry
fresón – large strawberry
frijol – lima bean
frito/a – fried
frotado/a – rubbed
G
galleta - cookie
galleta salada - cracker, pretzel
gallina – hen
gallineta – blackbelly rosefish
gallo – rooster
gallo de mar – megrim, turbot
gambas – prawns, shrimp
gamo – dama gazelle
ganso - goose
garbanzos - chick peas
gazpacho - cold tomato soup
gelatina – gelatina, jelly
ginebra - gin
girasol – sunflower
gofre - waffle
goloso - sweet toothed
granada - pomegranate
granizado – beverage made with shaved ice
gran reserva (red wine) – from the best vintage and aged at least 5 years
grasa – grease, fat
gratinar/gratinado – grilled
grelos - rapini
grisín, colín - bread stick
grosella – red currant
grueso – thick
guarnición – garnish, side dish
guayaba – guava
guinda – sour cherry
guindilla – pepperoncini peppers, chili peppers
guisantes – peas
güisqui – whisky
H
habas - broad beans
habichuelas/alubias/frijoles - beans
harina - flour
harina de maíz - cornstarch
helado - ice cream
helado/a – cold, frozen
hervido – boiled
hielo - ice
hierba – herb
hierba doncella - myrtle (AmE), periwinkle (BrE)
hierbabuena - mint
hierbaluisa - lemon verbena, lemongrass
higado - liver
higo - fig
higo chumbo - prickly pear
hilo - string
hinojo - fennel
hoja - leaf
hojaldre - puff pastry
horchata – beverage made from ground nuts
horno – oven
horno de leña – wood-burning store
hortaliza - vegetable
hueco - dent, hollow
huerta - garden
hueso – bone, pit (as in an olive)
hueva -roe
huevera - eggcup
huevo - egg
huevo duro - hard boiled egg
J
jabalí - wild boar
jamón – ham
jamón serrano – cured ham
jamón York - cooked ham, boiled ham
japuta – Atlantic pomfret fish
jaramago – horseradish
jarra – large glass or mug (beer), pitcher (water, wine)
jarrete – shin cut of meat*
jengibre - ginger
jerez – sherry
joven - young
judía – bean
judías verdes – green beans
jugo – juice (meat)
jugoso - juicy
juliana – julienne
jurel – Atlantic horse mackerel
L
lacón – cured pork shoulder
lado – side
ladrillo – wedge (lit. brick)
lagarto – lizard
láminas - shavings
lamprea - eel
langosta – Norwegian lobster
langostinos – prawns, giant shrimp
lañar/lañado – split open
lapa - limpet
lata – can or tin
laurel - bayleaf
lechal – baby animal (kid, lamb)
leche - milk
leche cuajada – curdled milk
leche de coco – coconut milk
lecho – bed (i.e. of lettuce)
lechoso - milky
lechuga - lettuce
lechón (cochinillo) - suckling pig
legumbre - legume
lenguado – sole
lengua - tongue
lentamente – gradually, slowly
lentejas - lentils
levadura - baking powder, yeast
liebre – hare
lija - catshark
lima - lime
limón - lemon
limoncillo – lemongrass
llampuga - dolphinfish
lombarda – red cabbage
lomo - loin
longaniza – sausage with ground pork filling
lubina – sea bass
lucio - pike
M
macis – mace
madroño – arbutus berry
maduro - ripe
magdalena - cupcake
magret de pato – lean duck breast
magro - lean (pork)
mahonesa - mayonnaise
maíz – sweetcorn
malagueta – bay rum
mandarina – mandarine orange
mandioca - cassava
mango - mango
manita - hoof
manteca - lard
mantequilla - butter
manzana – apple
manzanilla – chamomile tea, dry sherry
maracuyá – passion fruit
margarina - margarine
mariscos – shellfish
masa - dough
mayonesa – mayonnaise
medallón – medallion
media - half
mejillones – mussels
mejorana - marjoram
melaza – molasses
melisa – lemon balm
melocotón - peach
melón - honeydew melon
melón gialla – galia melon
melón piel de sapo – Christmas melon
melsa – beef or pork pancreas
melva – frigate mackerel
membrillo - quince
menta – mint
menú – special menú
menú de degustación – tasting menu
merluza - hake
mero - grouper
mezcla – mix, assortment
microvegetales – baby vegetables
miel – honey
mielga - alfalfa
migas de pan/pan rallado – breadcrumbs
milanesa – breaded cutlet
mitad - half
molido, pulverizado - ground
mollejas, lechecillas - sweetbreads
mollete – muffin
mojama – cured tuna
mojarra – two-banded sea bream
molusco – mollusk
montado/montadito – open-faced sándwich
montaña - mountain
mora - blackberry
morcilla - black pudding, blood sausage
morena – brown, tanned
morro - snout
mostaza - mustard
mújol - mullet
muslo de pollo - drumstick (chicken)
muy hecha – (meat) well-done
N
nabo – turnip
nalga - rump
naranja - orange
nata - cream
nata agria - sour cream
nata montada - whipped cream
natillas – custard, pudding
navaja – razor shell clam
nécora – velvet swimming crab
nectarina – nectarine
níspero - loquat
novillo – young beef
nube - cloud
nuez (pl. nueces) - walnuts
nuez moscada –nutmeg
ñoras – spicy dried peppers
O
oca - goose
orégano -oregano
oreja – ear
ortiga – nettle
ortiga de mar – sea anemone
oruga – rocket, arugula
ostras – oysters
oveja – ewe
P
pacharan – typical liqueur
pagel (or pajel) – Pandora bream
pájaro – bird
paladar – palate
paleta – shoulder cut of meat*
palito – stick-shaped
palmito – palm heart
paloma – squab, dove, pigeon
palometa – pompano
pan – bread
panache – assortment
panceta – bacon
pan de molde – sliced bread
pan integral – whole wheat bread
pan rallado – bread crumbs
pardela – shearwater bird
pargo – red porgy fish
parrilla – grill
pasionaria – passion fruit
pasta – pasta, dough
pastel – cake, tart
pata – paw, animal’s leg
patata – potato
patatas fritas – crisps, chips, French fries
pato – duck
pavo – turkey
pechina – tellina clam
pechuga – breast
pelada/o – peeled , skinned
pejepalo – smoked cod
pejerrey – smelt
pepinillo – gherkin, pickle
pepino – cucumber
pera – pear
perca – perch
percebe – barnacle
perdiz – partridge
perejil – parsley
perifollo – chervil
perrito caliente – hotdog
pescadilla – sea trout, hake
pescado – fish
pez espada – swordfish
picante – spicy
picar/para picar – snack
piel – skin
pierna – leg
pimentón – páprika
pimienta – pepper (spice)
pimiento – pepper (vegetable)
pincho – small serving
piña – pineapple
piñones – pinenuts
pipas – seeds, sunflower seeds
pistacho – pistaccio
pizca –pinch
plancha – grill, griddle
plátano – banana
platija –flounder
plato – dish, course
plato principal – main course
poca hecha – (meat) rare
pochada/o – poached
poleo – mint, herbal mint tea
pollo – chicken
polvo – powder, dust
pomelo – grapefruit
porra – thicker “churro”
postre – dessert
potaje – stew, thick soup
precio mercado (pm or psm) – market price
primer plato – first course, starter
puchero – stew, casserole
puerro – leek
pularda – young hen
pulpo – octopus
puré – puree
Q
queso – cheese
R
rábano – radish
rabo de buey – oxtail
ración – portion, serving
rallada/o – grated
ramita – sprig
rana – frog
rape – monkfish
rata de agua – water vole
raya – skate
rebanada – slice
rebeco – chamois goat
rebozada/o – breaded
recental – young nursing animal
receta – recipe
reducción – reduction
refresco – soft drink
refrito – sauteed with vegetables or tomato and garlic
regaliz – licorice
rellena/o – filling
rémol – brill fish
remolacha – beetroot
repollo – cabbage
repostería – confectionery
requesón – ricotta cheese, cottage cheese
riñon – kidney
rodaballo – turbot
roja/o – red
rollito – roll
romero – rosemary
ron – rum
rosado – pink, rosé wine
rosbi – roast beef
rosquilla – doughnut
rúcula – rocket, arugula
ruibarbo – rhubarb
S
sabor – taste
sacarina – saccharine, artificial sweetener
sal – salt
sal grueso – coarse salt, sea salt
salada/o – salted, salty
salchicha – sausage
salchichón – cured sausage
salmón – salmon
salmonete – red mullet
salsa – sauce
salteado – sautéed
salvia – sage
sándwich – sandwich on sliced bread
sandía – watermelon
sangre – blood
sapito – whole monkfish
sardinas – sardines
sazonado – seasoned
secada/o – dried
secreto ibérico – pork fillet
segundo plato – second course, main course
semilla – seed
sémola – semolina
sepia – cuttlefish
sésamo – sesame
seso – brain
setas – wild mushrooms, morels
sidra – cider
sobresada – pork sausage spread
sofrito – sauce from sautéed vegetables
soja – soy
solomillo – top sirloin or tenderloin steak*
solomillo ibérico – pork tenderloin
sopa – soup
sorbete – sorbet
sumergida/o – dipped
suprema – boneless, skinless cut of fish
T
tabla – board, tray
taco – cube
tallarines – noodles, fettuccine
tallo – stalk
tapa – small portion of food, appetizer
tapada/o – covered
tarta – cake, pie, tart
te – tea
templada/o – lukewarm
tenca – tench, doctor fish
ternasco – young lamb
ternera picada – ground beef
ternera – veal or beef from animals of 8-12 months of age
tibia/o – tepid, lukewarm
tierna/o – tender
tila – linden flower
tinta – ink
tinto – red (wine)
tiritas – strips
tocino – pork fat
tofu – queso de soja – tofu
tomate – tomato
tomillo – thyme
tordo – thrush
toro – bull
torrija – french toast
tortilla – omelette
tortita – pancake
tortuga – turtle
tosta – toasted (generally) rustic bread
tostada – (breakfast) toast
tostada/o – toasted
trenza – braid
trigo – wheat
trigueros – asparagus
tripa – intestines, tripe
triturada/o – liquified
tronco – trunk, medallion, fillet
trucha – trout
trufa – truffle
U
untada/o – spread (with)
urta – red porgy fish
uva – grape
uva pasa – raisin
V
vaca – cow
vainilla – vanilla
vapor – steam
venado – venison
ventresca – white section of tuna
verbena – assortment, medley
verdura – vegetable
vieira – scallop
vinagre – vinegar
vinagreta – vinaigrette
vino – wine
tinto – red
blanco – white
rosado – rosé
de aguja – sparkling wine
viruta – shaving, small bit
vodka – vodka
Y
yema de huevo – egg yolk
yogur – yogurt
Z
zamburiña – small scallop
zanahoria – carrot
zarzamora – blackberry
zarzaparrilla – sarsparilla
zumo – juice (fruit or vegetable)
• use of a/o: all nouns in Spanish have gender, masculine or feminine and the modifying adjective agrees with the noun. An adjective you see may end in either “a” or “o” depending on the noun, i.e.: vino (masculine) blanco, ternera (feminine) blanca
• * meat cuts, especially beef, are not identical to US or UK butchers’ cuts
• Words for allergies and specific dietetic needs:
“sin gluten” – gluten-free
“sin frutos secos” – without nuts
“vegetariana/o” – vegetarian
“sin productos lácteos” – lactose-free
“sin azúcar” – sugar-free