Table of Contents
- What are some food names in Spanish?
- What are some general food terms?
- What are popular Spanish foods?
- What is a classic Spanish dish?
- What are the names of some common foods in Spanish?
- What are some Spanish words for food?
- What are the most popular dishes in Spain?
- What are some food recipes from Spain?
Vegetables La Verduras
What are some food names in Spanish?
Vegetables La Verduras
| artichoke | la alcachofa |
|---|---|
| potato | la patata |
| radish | el rábano |
| spinach | las espinacas |
| tomato | el tomate |
- Hola = Hello.
- Adiós = Goodbye.
- Por favor = Please.
- Gracias = Thank you.
- Lo siento = Sorry.
- Salud = Bless you (after someone sneezes)
- Sí = Yes.
- No = No.
What are some general food terms?
General words for meals or food – thesaurus
- food. noun. the things that people or animals eat.
- meal. noun. the food that you serve or eat at one time.
- cooking. noun. food cooked in a particular way.
- nutrition. noun. food considered as something that keeps you healthy.
- nourishment. noun.
- sustenance. noun.
- groceries. noun.
- fare. noun.
What are popular Spanish foods?
14 Spanish dishes you should try — from churros to jamón
- Paella Valenciana. Paella is perhaps the most famous Spanish dish of all, and certainly one of the most abused.
- Patatas bravas.
- Gazpacho.
- Pimientos de Padron.
- Fideuà
- Jamón.
- Tortilla.
- Churros.
What is a classic Spanish dish?
Paella is perhaps the most famous Spanish dish of all, and certainly one of the most abused. Authentic paella originates from the region around Valencia, and comes in two varieties: Paella Valenciana, with rabbit and chicken; and seafood paella.
What are the names of some common foods in Spanish?
– Paella. – Gazpacho. – Spanish Omelet. – Jamon Serrano. – Turrón.
What are some Spanish words for food?
The most common way to say “food” in Spanish is with the word “comida,” which typically refers to a meal. Another common term is “alimento,” which means “food” or “nourishment” in a metaphorical sense rather than food that you eat. If you need to talk about food as a product or commodity, use the word “comestibles.”.
What are the most popular dishes in Spain?
Paella. One of the most traditional and famous rice dishes in Spain,paella comes in several varieties,but if you can,try Valencia paella.
What are some food recipes from Spain?
Originating in Valencia, paella is a rice dish prepared with seafood. Of all the foods in Spain, this is the most popular. In this dish, savory yellow rice is combined with tomatoes, onions, peas, shellfish , squid, clams and chicken drumsticks. These ingredients are cooked in a large saucepan over an open fire with olive oil and salt.
Here’s a complete list of Spanish words to ask for and give information about food!
Would you rather have this Spanish vocabulary list in PDF format? Download it below.
- Food Vocabulary
- Asking About Food
- Vegetables and Greens
- Fruit
- Cereals and Legumes
- Milk Products
- Meats
- Drinks
- Ways to Cook
- Food Vocabulary Chart
At the end of the post, you will find a food vocabulary chart that can help you remember what you learn today.
Would you rather have this list in .mp3 format? Download the audio below.
Asking About Food
• ¿Qué es el gazpacho? (What is gazpacho?)
• Es una sopa. (It’s a soup.)
• ¿Qué lleva la ensalada? (What’s in the salad?)
• Lleva tomate y lechuga. (It has tomato and lettuce.)
• ¿Qué llevan los macarrones? (What’s in the pasta?)
• Llevan queso. (It has cheese.)
Vegetables and Greens
• la cebolla (onion)
• el tomate (tomato)
• las patatas / papas (potato)
• la calabaza (pumpkin)
• el pepino (cucumber)
• el calabacín (zucchini)
• la lechuga (lettuce)
• el rábano (radish)
• el brócoli (broccoli)
• la remolacha (beet)
Fruit
• el aguacate / la palta (avocado)
• la piña (pineapple)
• la banana (banana)
• la cereza (cherry)
• el coco (coconut)
• el durazno (peach)
• la frambuesa (raspberry)
• la fresa (strawberry)
• el higo (fig)
• el kiwi (kiwi)
• el limón (lemon)
• la mandarina (tangarine)
• el mango (mango)
• la manzana (apple)
• el melón (melon)
• la naranja (orange)
• la papaya (papaya)
• la pera (pear)
• la sandía (watermelon)
• la uva (grape)
Wondering how to order tacos in Spanish? Check out the post How to Order Tacos in Spanish (Easy Formula).
Cereals and Legumes
• el arroz (rice)
• el maíz (corn)
• el trigo (wheat)
• la cebada (barley)
• la avena (oats)
• la quinua (quinoa)
• la harina (flour)
• los garbanzos (chickpeas)
• las lentejas (lentils)
• el pan (bread)
Milk Products
• la leche (milk)
• el yogur (yogurt)
• el helado / sorbete (ice cream)
• el queso (cheese)
• la crema (cream)
Meats
• el pollo (chicken)
• la res (beef)
• el cerdo (pork)
• el chorizo (chorizo)
• el jamón (ham)
• la salchicha (sausage)
• el pescado (fish)
• el tocino (bacon)
Drinks
• el agua (water)
• el café (coffee)
• el té (tea)
• la cerveza (beer)
• el vino (wine)
• el zumo / jugo (juice)
• la soda (soda)
Ways to Cook
Crudo, cocido, frito and saltado are adjectives. They describe how a food has been cooked.
Since adjectives in Spanish agree in gender and number with the word they describe, crudo will change to cruda when you describe a feminine word.
• crudo / a / os / as (raw)
• cocido / a / os / as (boiled)
• saltado / a / os / as (sauteed)
• frito / a / os / as (fried)
• a la plancha (griddled)
• a la parrila (grilled)
• al horno (baked)
• al vapor (steamed)
Food Vocabulary Chart
And that’s it for today! Here’s a little chart that can help you remember these words!
Interested in learning more Spanish vocabulary? Visit the post Top 1000 Spanish Words!
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comida
Gender
The gender of comida is feminine. E.g. la comida.
Plural
The plural of comida is comidas.
Spanish Definition
| food | |
| 1. n. Comida, alimento |
Translations for food and their definitions
| alimento | |
| 1. n. (slightly, formal) food (solid substance that can be consumed) | |
| 2. n. nourishment | |
| 3. n. (in the plural) alimony, maintenance | |
| 4. v. first-person singular present indicative of alimentar |
| comida |  |
|
| 1. n. food | ||
| Yo no quiero comida. — I don’t want food. | ||
| 2. n. lunch | ||
| 3. n. dinner | ||
| 4. n. (slang) cunnilingus | ||
| 5. v. feminine singular past participle of comer |
Pronunciation
Mexican Dialect
comida
Dictionary
More Spanish words for Groceries
All vocabulary sets
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La Comida[edit | edit source]
Verbos/ Verbs[edit | edit source]
- comer: to eat, to have a meal (any meal you eat)
- desayunar: to have breakfast
- almorzar: to have a lunch
- merendar: similar to tea time in england, it is something light before supper, usually coffee and bread
- cenar: to have supper, to have dinner
- cocinar: to cook
- beber: to drink
- tomar: to have (food or drink), to take (in)
- guisar: to stew
- congelar: to freeze
- añadir: to add
- picar: to dice
- cortar: to cut
Sustantivos[edit | edit source]
- la comida: the food, the meal
- la bebida: the drink
- el desayuno: the breakfast
- el almuerzo: the lunch
- la merienda: the small brunch you take before having supper
- la cena: the dinner, the supper
- el plato fuerte: the main dish
- el postre: the dessert
La Carne[edit | edit source]
- la res: beef
- el pollo: chicken (tender and younger chicken)
- la gallina: chicken (mature chicken)
- el cordero: lamb
- la barbacoa: grilled
- el cerdo: pork
- el perrito caliente: hot dog
- el jamón: ham
- la hamburguesa: hamburger
- el tocino: bacon
- el pescado: fish (cooked, if it is still alive it is el pez)
- los mariscos: shellfish
- las almejas: clams
- la langosta: lobster
- el atún: tuna
- las cigalas: crayfish
- Los camarones: shrimps
- Las embutido: sausage
Las Verduras[edit | edit source]
- la zanahoria: carrot
- la lechuga: lettuce
- el tomate: tomato (technically fruit)
- la maíz: corn
- la papa/la patata: potato
- las papas/patatas fritas: french fries
- el brocoli: broccoli
- la espinaca: spinach
- la cebolla: onion
- el repollo: cabbage
- la ensalada: salad
- la aceituna: olive
- las calabacitas: squash
- el hongo: mushroom
- el pepino: cucumber (technically fruit)
- el ají: chili pepper (technically fruit)
Las Frutas[edit | edit source]
- (1-42) la fruta: fruit
- (1) la manzana: apple
- (2) la pera: pear
- (3) el níspero del Japón: loquat
- (4) el durazno: peach
- (5) la ciruela: plum
- (6) el damasco / el albaricoque: apricot
- (7) la cereza: cherry
- (8) la fresa: strawberry
- (9) la frambuesa: raspberry
- (10) la zarzamora: blackberry
- (11) el arándano: blueberry
- (12) el arándano rojo: cranberry
- (13) el melón: melon
- (14) la sandía: watermelon
- (15) la naranja: orange
- (16) la mandarina: tangerine
- (17) la toronja: grapefruit
- (18) el limón: lemon
- (19) la lima: lime
- (20) la naranja china: kumquat
- (21) las uvas: grapes
- (22) el dátil: dates
- (23) la granada: pomegranate
- (24) el higo: fig
- (25) la oliva: olive
- (26) el plátano: banana
- (27) la piña: pineapple
- (28) el coco: coconut
- (29) el mango: mango
- (30) la papaya: papaya
- (31) el chirimoyo: cherimoya
- (32) el níspero: sapodilla
- (33) el rambután: rambutan
- (34) el tamarindo: tamarind
- (35) el mangostino: mangosteen
- (36) el carambolo: starfruit
- (37) la guayaba: guava
- (38) el kiwi: kiwifruit
- (39) el maracuyá: passionfruit
- (40) el lichi: lychee
- (41) el longan: longan
- (42) el durián: durian
Las Bebidas[edit | edit source]
- la cerveza: beer
- el refresco: pop, soft drink
- el té: tea
- el té helado: iced tea
- el café: coffee
- la leche: milk
- el agua: water
- el jugo: juice
- el batido: milkshake
Los Postres[edit | edit source]
- El Chocolate: chocolate
- Los Dulces: candy
- El Pastel: cake
- Las Galletas: cookies
- El Helado: ice cream
- El Churros con chocolate: chocolate churros
- El Basque Cheesecake: Cheesecake
Las Salsas[edit | edit source]
- la salsa: sauce
- la mostaza: mustard
- la mayonesa: mayonnaise
- el aceite: oil
- el azúcar: sugar
- las especias: spices
platos[edit | edit source]
- el plato plate: plate
- el plato hondo: bowl
- el vaso/la copa: glass/cup
- el tenedor: fork
- la cuchara: spoon
- el cuchillo: knife
- la servilleta: napkin
By
Last updated:
January 16, 2023
Food is the heart of culture, especially Spanish culture.
As Spanish language learners, we grow closer to the Spanish language and Hispanic culture by learning Spanish food and cooking vocabulary.
The Spanish food vocabulary provided here was hand-picked to give you an authentic taste of life in Spanish-speaking regions of the world.
It will also help you navigate talking about food and even being able to cook recipes in Spanish!
Contents
- Spanish Food Words
-
- Eating and Mealtimes in Spanish
- Fruit in Spanish
- Vegetables in Spanish
- Staple Foods in Spanish
- Herbs and Spices in Spanish
- Meat and Dairy in Spanish
- Cooking Tools in Spanish
- Preparing Ingredients in Spanish
- Measurements in Spanish
- Cooking Words in Spanish
- Flavors in Spanish
- Other Spanish Food Words
- Why Learn Spanish Through Cooking
- How to Learn Spanish Through Cooking and Eating
Download:
This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you
can take anywhere.
Click here to get a copy. (Download)
Spanish Food Words
Eating and Mealtimes in Spanish
Here are some of the most common words that you will see relating to general eating and mealtime topics:
- Desayuno — Breakfast
- Almuerzo — Lunch
- Cena — Dinner
- Comer — To eat
- Beber — To drink
- Desayunar — To have breakfast
- Almorzar — To have lunch
- Cenar — To have dinner
- Merienda — Snack
- Comida — Food
- Estar lleno — To be full
- Tener hambre — To be hungry
Fruit in Spanish
Traveling throughout Latin America you are bound to stumble across many a strange and mysterious fruit. Here are some common words for fruit in Spanish, whether you know the fruit or not:
- Fruta — Fruit
- Manzana — Apple
- Naranja — Orange
- Limón — Lemon
- Maracuyá — Passionfruit
- Piña — Pineapple
- Banana — Banana
- Fresa — Strawberry
- Mango — Mango
- Coco — Coconut
Vegetables in Spanish
Vegetales is a commonly used word to say “vegetables” in spoken Spanish, but verduras (vehr-doo-rahs) is the more technically correct term.
- Vegetales — Vegetables
- Zanahoria — Carrot
- Ají — Chili pepper
- Lechuga — Lettuce
- Cebolla — Onion
- Pimiento — Pepper
- Tomate — Tomato
Staple Foods in Spanish
Be prepared to find these ingredients in any Latin American or Spanish household:
- Maíz — Corn
- Arroz — Rice
- Frijoles — Beans
- Harina — Flour
- Lentejas — Lentils
- Papas — Potatoes
- Plátano — Plantain
- Yucca — Cassava root
Herbs and Spices in Spanish
Here is where the distinctive flavors of Hispanic cooking originate.
- Albahaca — Basil
- Laurel — Bay leaf
- Canela — Cinnamon
- Comino — Cumin
- Jengibre — Ginger
- Orégano — Oregano
- Pimienta — Pepper
- Sal — Salt
Meat and Dairy in Spanish
These products are often the main event of the meal, despite the tower of rice and beans on the plate.
- Carne — Red meat
- Carne de res — Beef
- Pollo — Chicken
- Carne de cerdo — Pork
- Chuleta — Pork chop
- Pescado — Fish
- Huevo — Egg
- Leche — Milk
- Mantequillla — Butter
- Queso — Cheese
Cooking Tools in Spanish
Knowing how to refer to these will help you navigate your way around the kitchen as you follow a new recipe.
- Tenedor — Fork
- Cuchillo — Knife
- Cuchara — Spoon
- Batidor — Whisk
- Espátula — Spatula
- Sartén — Frying pan
- Olla — Pot
- Licuadora — Blender
- Tetera — Kettle
- Tostadora — Toaster
Preparing Ingredients in Spanish
These are the first and most crucial steps to any recipe.
- Lavar — To wash
- Pelar — To peel
- Cortar — To cut
- Picar — To chop
- Moler — To grind
- Agregar — To add
- Mezclar — To mix
- Batir — To whisk
- Combinar — To combine
- Aliñar — To dress (salad)
- Fundir — To melt
- Machacar — To crush
- Rebozar — To bread/fry
- Salpimentar — To season with salt and pepper
- Untar — To spread
Measurements in Spanish
If you want to follow a recipe properly, you need to know how much of each ingredient to use.
- Libra — Pound
- Taza — Cup
- Cucharada — Tablespoon
- Cucharadita — Teaspoon
- Onza — Ounce
- Gramo — Gram
Cooking Words in Spanish
Here are some Spanish cooking terms to use when talking about actually cooking the food.
- Calentar — To heat
- Freír — To fry
- Hervir — To boil
- Hornear — To bake
- Asar — To roast/broil
- Quemar — To burn
- Llama — Flame
- Baja la llama — Lower the temperature
- Alza la llama — Raise the temperature
- Fuego alto — High heat
- Fuego medio — Medium heat
- Fuego bajo — Low heat
Flavors in Spanish
- Dulce — Sweet
- Salado — Salty
- Picante — Spicy
- Contundente — Heavy, overwhelming
- Empalagoso — Sickly sweet
- En su punto — Cooked to perfection
- Exquisito — Exquisite
- Grasiento — Greasy
- Soso — Tasteless
Other Spanish Food Words
- Denominación de origen — Destination of origin, where the food comes from
- De temporada — In season
- Orgánico — Organic
- Transgénico — Genetically modified
- Vendimia — Vintage wine
- Degustación — Tasting
- Paladar — Palate
- Pinta — Appearance of food
- Surtido — Variety or assortment
Why Learn Spanish Through Cooking
While becoming immersed in the Spanish language and eating out at restaurants abroad, you’ll encounter an incredible diversity of Hispanic foods.
The regions of Spain alone offer a wide array of culinary styles, from rice dishes to seafood and roasted meats.
Taking all of Latin America into consideration, one can become overwhelmed trying to define the sweeping category that is Hispanic cuisine.
To really grasp Spanish culture, you can try all the different foods, whether at an authentic restaurant or making it yourself.
If you do cook something yourself, you can use the Spanish recipe to not only get the cultural experience, but practice your Spanish reading as well!
How to Learn Spanish Through Cooking and Eating
By integrating Spanish learning into your shopping, cooking, and eating habits, you infuse one more aspect of your life with your new language.
Once you begin to familiarize yourself with Spanish cooking vocabulary you’ll find many more learning tools and strategies open up to you.
Here are some ways to learn and practice your Spanish food vocabulary and cooking terms:
- Shop at a local Hispanic grocery store and practice reading Spanish labels.
- Watch Spanish food-related videos on YouTube or Spanish learning platforms. The immersive language program FluentU adds interactive dual-language subtitles to their authentic Spanish videos, and provides personalized quizzes and flashcards for practicing new cooking vocabulary.
- Make a Spanish shopping list whenever you go to the store to reinforce what you’ve learned.
- Watch Spanish language cooking shows to pick up new recipes and kitchen tricks.
- Cook a regional dish from Spain or Latin America and host a Spanish conversation night for your language partner, fellow Spanish language learners and native speakers.
While cooking styles are very variable throughout the Spanish-speaking world, the basic ingredients and preparations are strikingly similar.
Here is a great video that will introduce you to even more kitchen vocabulary:
Now that you know all this Spanish food vocabulary, there’s nothing left to do but enjoy all that Spanish food.
¡Buen provecho! (Bon appetite!)
Download:
This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you
can take anywhere.
Click here to get a copy. (Download)
Food — the fuel for daily life — is something that can produce some very colorful vocabulary no matter what language you’re speaking. Spanish is no exception. With multiple words for the idea of food itself and a whole host of related words and regional slang terms, the Spanish language has no shortage of words to discuss food. Luckily, the basics are easy, even if you don’t know a word of Spanish!
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1
Say «comida» as a general term for «food» or «meal». This is probably the most important food-related word you’ll want to know. It’s used in virtually all Spanish-speaking countries as an all-purpose word for «food.» It can also be used the same way as «meal» is used in English: «la comida» can be both the general idea of food and the specific food you eat when you sit down at your plate.
- «Comida» is pronounced «koh-MEE-thah.» When d is used before a vowel at the end of a word in Spanish, it gets a soft sound that’s very similar to the «th» sound in English (as in «th»).[1]
- Be sure to put stress on the «ee» part of the word. It’s «koh-MEE-thah,» not «koh-mee-THAH» or «KOH-mee-thah.» In the rest of this article, the syllable written in capitals gets the stress.
- «Comida» is pronounced «koh-MEE-thah.» When d is used before a vowel at the end of a word in Spanish, it gets a soft sound that’s very similar to the «th» sound in English (as in «th»).[1]
-
2
Say «alimento» for «food» or «nourishment.« This is another common word used to refer to food. Unlike «comida,» it isn’t usually used for «meal,» but you can use it metaphorically to discuss fuel, feed, and so on (e.g., «alimento para el fuego» means «fuel for the fire»).
- Pronounce «alimento» «all-ee-MEN-toe.» The first syllable sounds like the word «all» (not the name «Al»).
-
3
Use «sustento» for «sustenance.« This word is a somewhat old-fashioned way to describe food. Here, the focus is on the fact that the food is sustaining the person eating it — it’s implied that it’s his or her source of survival in a way that isn’t usually done for «normal» food. For example, a prisoner’s meager rations might be «su sustento» («his sustenance»). You can also use this word to refer to a person’s means of living (i.e., a job).
- Pronounce this word «soos-TEHN-toe.» Note that the first syllable uses a «oo» sound (as in «root») rather than an «oh» sound (as in «toe»).
-
4
Use «comestibles» for «edibles.« This isn’t a word that’s usually used when people are talking about the food in their day-to-day meals. Instead, it’s mainly used for referring to food as a product or commodity. For example, «la tienda de comestibles» is «the edibles store,» or what we would call a grocery store.[2]
- Pronounce this word «koh-meh-STEE-blays.» The word ends with a hard s sound (as in «glass») rather than a soft s (like an English z). This is true in general for the Spanish s.[3]
- Pronounce this word «koh-meh-STEE-blays.» The word ends with a hard s sound (as in «glass») rather than a soft s (like an English z). This is true in general for the Spanish s.[3]
-
5
Learn the names of the daily meals. If you want to talk specifically about the food you would typically eat at a given time of the day, you can use the name of the meal. These are:
- Breakfast: el desayuno («deh-sah-JOO-no» or «deh-sah-YOO-no«)
- Lunch: el almuerzo («all-MWEHR-so«)
- Dinner: la cena («SAY-nah«)
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6
Learn the various terms for «snack.« Like English, Spanish has many different ways to refer to the small meals you eat between the «main» ones — in other words, snacks. A few of the most common ones are listed below. There are many others that vary from region to region.
- el tentempié («ten-temp-ee-AY«)
- el bocadillo («boh-cah-DEE-joe» or «boh-cah-DEE-yo«)
- el piscolabis («pees-coh-LAW-bees«)
-
1
Try «cebo.« This literally means «bait» or «lure» (like you would use for fishing). It’s often used as a slang term for food the same way you might use «chow» or «chum» in English.
- «Cebo» is pronounced «SAY-bo.» Like in English, the»c» is pronounced like an «s» if it’s before an e.
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2
Say «pasto» for «feed» or «chow.« This noun is often used for «food» and «nourishment», but it also means «pasture», «grass», «feed», and «grazing». Though its dictionary definition contains mostly agricultural meanings, it’s often used for people as well. Like with «cebo,» the usage is similar to «chow.»
- This word is pronounced «PAH-stow.» It’s almost exactly like the English word «pasta,» only with an «oh» sound at the end (as in «toe»).
-
3
Use «pitanza» for «daily rations» or «grub.« This word sounds a little like the English word «pittance,» but its meaning is actually much closer to «daily rations.» You can use this definition or use the word as a sling term for «food» in general.[4]
- The proper pronunciation is «pee-TAN-sah.»
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4
Use «pan» as a metaphor for food in general. The literal meaning of «pan» is «bread.» However, the word is sometimes used to convey the idea of food or sustenance in general. This is done in English, too (e.g., «our daily bread»).
- «Pan» is easy to pronounce — it’s just «PAHN» (rhymes with «John»). Spanish speakers use a somewhat short, «punchy» pronunciation for this word. The «ah» sound isn’t drawn out like in the English word «pawn» — it’s quick and staccato.
- An expression you may want to know is «Pan de cada día» («PAHN dey kah-da DEE-uh«). This is literally «bread of every day,» or, in English, «daily bread.»
Add New Question
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Question
How do I say «What would you like to eat?»
You would say: «¿Qué te gustaría comer?» It translates directly as «What pleases you to eat?», but it’s meaning is «What would you like to eat?»
-
Question
How do I say «I want my food now»?
Anada Martinez
Community Answer
You would say, «Quiero mi comida ahora.» Although saying please on the end would be a lot more polite, in which case the translation would be, «Quiero mi comida ahora, por favor.»
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Question
How do you say «food for days»?
TheArtOfSarcasm
Community Answer
You would say it as «comidas por dias». Some may confuse «por» for «para» in this instance, since they both mean «for», but since «por» is used in combination with durations of time like we see here with «days» (the amount of time), «por» will be used.
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A Spanish thesaurus (like the one available at lenguaje.com) can be great for finding alternate words for «food.»[5]
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There are also many round-about ways to talk about food without referring to it directly. For example, if you say «algo para comer» («something to eat»), Spanish speakers will understand exactly what you mean.
References
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The most common way to say «food» in Spanish is with the word «comida,» which typically refers to a meal. Another common term is «alimento,» which means «food» or «nourishment» in a metaphorical sense rather than food that you eat. If you need to talk about food as a product or commodity, use the word «comestibles.» To learn the various ways to refer to snack foods, read on!
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Have you ever wanted to order food in Spanish and didn’t know where to start?
That’s a common situation for language learners. Sooner or later, you’ll find yourself needing to order food and drinks in Spanish. For this reason, today I’m introducing you to this comprehensive food and drink vocabulary in Spanish.
Keep reading to find out why you need to learn about food and drinks in Spanish, the most useful food vocabulary in Spanish divided by food groups and meals of the day, a collection of popular drinks, and essential phrases to order food in Spanish.
Table of Contents:
- Why You Need to Learn About Food and Drinks in Spanish
- Food Vocabulary
- Drinks Vocabulary
- Basic Vocabulary for Ordering
- Practice This Vocabulary and Order Food in Spanish
Why You Need to Learn About Food and Drinks in Spanish
When studying a language, you have to learn vocabulary about a lot of different areas of life, including medical phrases, sports words, and accounting terms, to name just a few.
However, I can’t think of a more important vocabulary guide than one that introduces you to food and drink terms in the language you’re learning.
Talking about food in Spanish-speaking countries requires more than just learning terms for foods and beverages. You also need to know words to place an order. You may even need different slang terms depending on which country you are visiting.
Food Vocabulary
As a Spanish teacher, I’ve come to the conclusion that the best way to learn about different foods in Spanish involves dividing them into food categories first and then studying dishes from the different meals of the day. That’s exactly what I do in the following food lists.
Food Groups
According to the MyPlate from the US government, there are five main food groups:
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Grains
- Protein foods
- Dairy
In the following tables, each group has its own list of 14 food items in English and their Spanish translation.
Fruits – Las Frutas
| English | Spanish |
| apple | la manzana |
| banana | el plátano |
| blueberry | el arándano |
| cherry | la cereza |
| grape | la uva |
| lemon | el limón |
| lime | la lima |
| melon | el melón |
| orange | la naranja |
| papaya | la papaya |
| pear | la pera |
| pineapple | la piña |
| strawberry | la fresa |
| watermelon | la sandía |
Vegetables – Las Verduras
| English | Spanish |
| asparagus | aspárrago |
| avocado | el aguacate |
| broccoli | el brócoli |
| cabbage | la col / el repollo |
| carrot | la zanahoria |
| celery | el apio |
| cucumber | el pepino |
| garlic | el ajo |
| lettuce | la lechuga |
| onion | la cebolla |
| pepper | el pimiento |
| potato | la papa / la patata |
| spinach | la espinaca |
| tomato | el tomate |
Grains – Los Granos
According to the US government classification of foods, “any food made from wheat, rice, oats, cornmeal, barley, or another cereal grain is a grain product.” With that in mind, this list includes the main grains and a few of the most common foods made from them.
| English | Spanish |
| amaranth | el amaranto |
| barley | la cebada |
| bread | el pan |
| corn | el maíz |
| crackers | las galletas saladas |
| noodles | los fideos |
| oat | la avena |
| pasta | la pasta |
| popcorn | las palomitas de maíz |
| quinoa | la quinoa |
| rice | el arroz |
| rye | el centeno |
| wheat | el trigo |
Protein – La proteína
In this group, you find animal protein, as well as nuts, beans, and soy products.
| English | Spanish |
| beans | los frijoles |
| chicken | el pollo |
| egg | el huevo |
| fish | el pescado |
| ham | el jamón |
| lentils | las lentejas |
| meat | la carne de vaca |
| nuts | las nueces |
| peas | los chícharos / los guisantes |
| pork | la carne de cerdo |
| seafood | los mariscos |
| seeds | las semillas |
| shrimp | el camarón |
| soy | la soya |
Dairy – Los lácteos
In this group you find all foods made from milk.
| English | Spanish |
| butter | la mantequilla |
| cheese | el queso |
| cream | la crema |
| ice cream | el helado |
| milk | la leche |
| powdered milk | la leche en polvo |
| sour cream | la crema agria |
| whipped cream | la crema batida |
| yogurt | el yogurt |
Breakfast – El Desayuno
Now it’s time to learn about some of the most common types of breakfast food.
| English | Spanish |
| bagel | el bagel |
| croissant | el cuernito |
| granola | la granola |
| honey | la miel de abeja |
| jam | la mermelada / la jalea |
| maple syrup | el jarabe de maple |
| omelet | el omelet |
| pancakes | los panqueques / las tortitas |
| refried beans | los frijoles refritos |
| sandwich | el sándwich / el emparedado |
| sausage | la salchicha |
| scrambled eggs | los huevos revueltos |
| toast | el pan tostado |
| waffles | los waffles |
Lunch Foods – La Comida
To make this section feel like a proper menu, I’ve divided the lunch foods into main dishes, side dishes, and desserts.
Main Dishes – Los Platos Fuertes
Here’s an eclectic mix of main dishes of various cuisines, including comida chatarra (junk food).
| English | Spanish |
| burger | la hamburguesa |
| chicken wings | las alitas de pollo |
| duck a l’orange | el pato a la naranja |
| fish and chips | el pescado con papas |
| fried chicken | el pollo frito |
| grilled octopus | el pulpo asado |
| hot dog | el hot dog / el perrito caliente |
| lobster | la langosta |
| meatloaf | el pastel de carne |
| pizza | la pizza |
| roasted turkey | el pavo asado |
| steak | el filete |
Side Dishes – Las Guarniciones
This is the food that you order to accompany your main dish.
| English | Spanish |
| baked beans | los frijoles cocidos |
| baked potato | la papa al horno |
| Caesar salad | la ensalada César |
| chicken salad | la ensalada de pollo |
| French fries | las papas fritas |
| fruit salad | la ensalada de fruta |
| garlic bread | el pan de ajo |
| macaroni and cheese | los macarrones con queso |
| mashed potatoes | el puré de papa |
| mushrooms | los champiñones |
| roasted cauliflower | la coliflor asada |
| roasted vegetables | las verduras asadas |
| salad | la ensalada |
| soup | la sopa |
Desserts – Los Postres
Now, let’s learn about some of the most delicious desserts in Spanish.
| English | Spanish |
| apple pie | el pay de manzana |
| banana bread | el pastel de plátano / el pan de banano |
| caramel | el dulce de leche |
| carrot cake | el pastel de zanahoria |
| cheesecake | el pay de queso |
| chocolate cake | el pastel de chocolate |
| cinnamon roll | el rollo de canela |
| cupcake | la magdalena |
| donut | la dona / la rosquilla |
| jelly | la gelatina |
| nougat | el turrón |
| pudding | el flan |
| pumpkin pie | el pastel de calabaza |
| rice pudding | el arroz con leche |
Dinner – La Cena
To finish with the food vocabulary, it’s time to study a few of the most popular dinner dishes.
| English | Spanish |
| baked chicken breasts | las pechugas de pollo cocidas |
| baked salmon | el salmón cocido |
| beef stew | el estofado de carne |
| chicken sandwich | el sándwich de pollo |
| chicken soup | el caldo de pollo |
| chili con carne | la carne con chile |
| lamb chops | las chuletas de cordero |
| pork tenderloin | el lomo de cerdo |
| roast beef | el pastel de chocolate |
| roast lamb | el cordero asado |
| roasted sweet potatoes | las papas asadas |
| seafood casserole | la sopa de mariscos |
| stuffed peppers | los pimientos rellenos |
| vegetable soup | la sopa de verduras |
Drinks Vocabulary
It’s time to focus on learning vocabulary about drinks in Spanish.
| English | Spanish |
| apple juice | el jugo de manzana |
| black coffee | el café negro |
| coffee | el café |
| cranberry juice | el jugo de arándano |
| hot chocolate | el chocolate caliente |
| hot tea | el té caliente |
| iced tea | el té helado |
| lemonade | la limonada |
| milkshake | la malteada |
| orange juice | el jugo de naranja |
| smoothie | el batido / el licuado |
| sparkling water | el agua con gas |
| still water | el agua natural |
| tomato juice | el jugo de tomate |
Basic Vocabulary for Ordering
Let’s now learn basic vocabulary for ordering your food. For this, I recommend you to first take a look at this useful post about how to order food in Spanish.
You may also want to read this article on Spanish restaurant vocabulary.
Ordering Vocabulary
These useful words will help you to order your food in Spanish.
| English | Spanish |
| bottle | la botella |
| cutlery | los cubiertos |
| fork | el tenedor |
| knife | el cuchillo |
| medium | término medio |
| medium well | tres cuartos |
| menu | el menú / la carta |
| napkin | la servilleta |
| spoon | la cuchara |
| table | la mesa |
| takeaway | para llevar |
| to want | querer |
| waiter / waitress | el mesero / la mesera |
| well done | bien hecho |
Essential Phrases for Ordering Food in Spanish
Last but not least, here you can find a few of the most useful phrases to order your food in Spanish.
¿Me trae la carta?
Can you bring me the menu?
¿Me puede tomar la orden?
Can you take my order?
Quiero un(a) ________ .
I want a ________ .
¿Me trae la lista de vinos?
Can I get the wine list?
Para beber tráeme un(a) _______ .
For a drink bring me a ________ .
Aún no he decidido.
I haven’t decided yet.
Sin picante por favor.
Without hot sauce please.
Soy alérgico a ______ .
I’m allergic to _______ .
¿Tiene un menú vegano?
Do you have a vegan menu?
Practice This Vocabulary and Order Food in Spanish
Learn this useful vocabulary about food and drinks in Spanish and practice ordering your own food next time you visit a restaurant in a Spanish-speaking country.
Remember that learning a new language isn’t only about grammar rules and new vocabulary, but also about learning a new culture. Spanish-speaking countries have a rich and diverse gastronomy that’s an expression of this extraordinary culture.
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Luis F. Domínguez is a freelance writer and independent journalist interested in travel, languages, art, books, history, philosophy, politics and sports. He has written for Fodor’s, Yahoo!, Sports Illustrated, Telemundo, and Villa Experience, among other brands of print and digital media in Europe and North America.