Lots of my students get confused about English verbs when reading cooking instructions in recipes!! Here is a list of common English verbs used in recipes and kitchens everywhere!


cut: To separate or divide into pieces, using a sharp tool (eg: a knife).

Miranda has cut some apple for the children to eat.

slice: To cut into thin, wide pieces.

I’ll slice the bread so it’s ready for the sandwiches.

chop: To cut into small pieces (generally used with vegetables).

The vegetables need to be chopped before they go into the oven.

carve: To cut cooked meat into slices.

My dad carves the turkey on Christmas Day.

mince: to chop food (normally meat) into very small pieces. A machine is often used to do this.

The meat is minced before they make hamburgers.

grate: To divide into small parts by rubbing on a sharp surface. Usually used with cheese, fruits and vegetables.

He always grates cheese onto his spaghetti.

peel: To remove the skin of fruits or vegetables.

Can you peel the potatoes and add them to the soup?


Add the mushrooms to the mix.

bake: To cook in an oven by using heat.

Put the cake in the oven and bake it for 40 minutes.


Beat the eggs together in the bowl.


Gently knead the dough for 5 minutes.


Mix the sugar, flour and butter together in the bowl.

stir: To mix liquid ingredients by moving a spoon around in a circular motion.

You need to stir the soup every 15 minutes, so it doesn’t stick.

melt: to make something solid become liquid, by heating.

Melt the butter in the microwave.



He is barbecuing the meat while watching the football.

marinate: To soak meat or vegetables in juices and spices to flavour it.

I marinate the chicken in vinegar, lemon, lime and sugar.

boil: To heat water until little bubbles form.

Wait until the water is boiling before you add the sugar.


John cooks dinner on Wednesday evenings.


To make chips, you need to fry slices of potatoes.


Do you want me to grill or roast the lamb?

microwave: To heat up food within a microwave oven.

Are you hungry? You can microwave the soup in the fridge.

roast: To cook in the oven or over a fire.

She roasted the vegetables in the oven.

stir fry: To cook small pieces of food by moving it quickly in hot oil (similar to saute)

sauté: To quickly fry food by placing it in hot oil in a frying pan (similar to stir fry)



crack: to break or snap apart

Then, crack the egg into the saucepan.

break: To separate into smaller parts by force.

We should break the chocolate into pieces so everyone gets a piece.

combine: To put two or more things together.

Combine the flour, sugar and cocoa in the mixing bowl.

grease: To cover with a layer of oil or butter.

Grease the baking tray before you add the mixture.

measure: To obtain an exact quantity.

Can you measure half 300g of flour for me?

open: To allow things to pass through something, the opposite of closed.

I opened a jar of jam. / If you open the fridge, you’ll see the cake!

pour: To transfer liquid from one container to another.

Use the jug to pour water into the glasses.

put: To place something in a particular position or location.

Put the lettuce in the bowl.

wash: To immerse food in water and make sure it becomes clean.

Wash the tomatoes before you cut them.


I need 500g of beef mince. Can you weigh it for me?


REMEMBER: Lots of these Verbs become adjectives to describe food. For example:

  • Stir-fried vegetables (vegetables that has been stir-fried)
  • Scrambled Eggs (eggs that has been scrambled)
  • Microwave popcorn (corn that has been microwaved)
  • Crushed garlic (garlic that has been crushed)
  • Fried eggplant (eggplant that has been fried)