Spanish Vocabulary for Food & Drinks
Learn common Spanish words and phrases related to Food & Drinks to expand your language skills.
queso de cabra
goat cheese
The Spanish term 'queso de cabra' refers to a type of cheese produced using goat's milk. It is commonly enjoyed in a variety of dishes for its unique and tangy flavor. Goat cheese can range in taste from strong and pungent, to delicate and mild. It is considered a delicacy in many cultures worldwide.
queso de oveja
sheep cheese
The phrase 'queso de oveja' comes from Spanish and is translated into English as 'sheep cheese.' This refers to cheese that is made from the milk of sheep. This type of cheese is very popular in various parts of the world and can have a diverse range of flavors and textures, depending on many factors such as the breed of the sheep, the diet of the sheep, the production process, and the age of the cheese.
queso fresco
fresh cheese
The Spanish term 'queso fresco' directly translates to 'fresh cheese' in English. 'Queso fresco' is soft, moist, and crumbly, which makes it perfect for sprinkling over a wide variety of dishes. White in color, this popular variety of cheese usually doesn't melt when heated, but it becomes somewhat creamy while still retaining its overall shape. It is quite mild in flavor, which makes it versatile in culinary applications.
quitar la sed
remove the thirst
The Spanish phrase 'quitar la sed' translates to 'remove the thirst' in English. This expression is often used to mean satisfying a thirst or quenching a thirst. An equivalent phrase in English might be 'to quench one's thirst'. This could be literally, such as by drinking water when you're thirsty, or figuratively, such as satisfying a deep desire or need.
ración
ration
The Spanish word 'ración' translates to 'ration' in English. A ration is a fixed amount of something, often food, that is allowed to each person during a time of shortage. Therefore, 'ración' in Spanish refers to a particular portion or share, especially of food, that is allotted to a person.
rallar queso
grating cheese
The Spanish phrase 'rallar queso' translates to 'grating cheese' in English. 'Rallar' is a verb which refers to the act of grating or shredding something, usually with a tool like a grater. 'Queso' is a noun that means cheese. Hence, 'rallar queso' refers to the action of grating cheese, often as a way to prepare it for cooking or for adding as a topping to certain dishes.
receta
recipe
The word 'receta' in Spanish translates to 'recipe' in English. A 'receta' can be a set of instructions or guidelines to prepare a particular dish or meal. This includes a list of ingredients required, the cooking methods, steps of preparation, and sometimes even the cooking time or special equipment needed. The term is used extensively in cooking and culinary arts. It may also refer to a prescription given by a doctor in a medical context, but primarily it is associated with food and cooking.
refresco
soda
The Spanish word 'refresco' translates to 'soda' in English. It's commonly used in many Spanish-speaking countries to refer to sweet, carbonated beverages that are often served chilled. While local brands and flavors can vary widely, the general concept of a 'refresco' remains consistent across regions as a type of delicious, bubbly drink that can be either fruit-based or cola-based.
rehogar verduras
sauté vegetables
The Spanish term 'rehogar verduras' refers to a common cooking technique in English known as 'sautéing vegetables'. This process involves quickly frying the vegetables in a small amount of hot oil or fat. It's a basic and essential cooking method in Spanish cuisine often used as the first step in recipes to enhance the flavor of vegetables.
rico
rich
The Spanish word 'Rico' translates to 'Rich' in English. In Spanish, it is typically used to describe people who possess a lot of wealth or property. However, it can also be used in a broader sense to refer to things that are rich, like food that has a rich flavor. The usage of the term 'Rico' in Spanish can be context-dependent, just like the word 'Rich' in English.
rico en calcio
rich in calcium
The Spanish phrase 'rico en calcio' translates to 'rich in calcium' in English. This phrase might be used in dietary and health contexts, often referring to food or drink that has a high content of calcium. Calcium is a crucial mineral for the human body, supporting the development and maintenance of strong bones and teeth, amongst other functions. Thus, a diet 'rico en calcio' can contribute significantly to a person's health and well-being.
rico en calorías
rich in calories
The Spanish phrase 'rico en calorías' translates to 'rich in calories' in English. This is often used to describe food or meals that have a high calorie content. For example, a dessert like a chocolate cake could be described as 'rico en calorías'. It's important to note that this phrase can also be used metaphorically to describe something as 'full of', 'packed with' or 'rich with' a certain attribute or quality.
rico en fibra
rich in fiber
The Spanish phrase 'rico en fibra' translates to 'rich in fiber' in English. Typically, this phrase is used in the context of nutrition and health, often to describe certain foods that contain large amounts of dietary fiber. Including fiber-rich foods in your diet can contribute to better digestion, a feeling of fullness, and other health benefits.
rico en proteínas
rich in protein
The Spanish phrase 'rico en proteínas' translates to 'rich in protein' in English. It is often used to describe food or meals that contain a high amount of protein. Protein is a essential nutrient important for the repair, maintenance and growth of body tissues. Examples of foods that could be described as 'rico en proteínas' include meat, fish, eggs, and legumes.
rico en vitaminas
rich in vitamins
The Spanish phrase 'rico en vitaminas' translates to 'rich in vitamins' in English. This phrase is often used in nutritional contexts to describe foods or meals that have a high vitamin content. In a sentence, you might use 'rico en vitaminas' to say something like 'Este plato es rico en vitaminas', which means 'This dish is rich in vitamins'.
romero
rosemary
Romero is a Spanish noun that translates to 'rosemary' in English. It refers to an aromatic herb used commonly in various cuisines worldwide. This herb is recognized by its small leaves and lovely smell, often used in cooking for its notable flavor. The Spanish word 'romero' might also be used metaphorically in various contexts within literature and songs.
ron
rum
The Spanish word 'ron' translates to 'rum' in English. Rum is a type of alcoholic beverage that is distilled from sugarcane byproducts such as molasses, or directly from sugarcane juice. It has a strong association with the Caribbean and Latin America due to the history and large production of sugarcane in these areas. 'Ron' is used in a variety of Spanish-speaking settings and countries, not unlike how 'rum' is understood and used universally in English-speaking regions.
sabor agradable
pleasant flavor
The Spanish phrase 'sabor agradable' translates to 'pleasant flavor' in English. This phrase is often used in the context of food and drinks to describe a satisfying or enjoyable taste. It can also be used metaphorically to denote a pleasant experience or feeling.
sabor bueno
taste good
The Spanish term 'sabor bueno' translates into English as 'taste good'. It is an expression frequently used in contexts associated with food and taste. It refers to something that has a pleasant flavor or, in a broader sense, suggests positive approval or appreciation. Remember to use these words to express your enjoying something tasty during your spanish conversations.
saborear un plato
savor a dish
The Spanish phrase 'saborear un plato' translates to 'savor a dish' in English. It implies not just eating, but enjoying and relishing every bite of the dish. The term 'saborear' is derived from 'sabor' which means 'flavor'. It's often used in contexts where the food is considered to be exceptionally enjoyable, causing the eater to take their time to fully experience and appreciate the meal.
saborear una comida
savor a meal
The Spanish phrase 'saborear una comida' translates to 'savor a meal' in English. This phrase is used to denote the action of enjoying a meal by taking the time to appreciate its taste and aroma. Just like the English verb 'to savor', 'saborear' also carries a sense of pleasure and enjoyment derived from eating. It is often used in contexts where food is appreciated not just for its nutritional value, but also for the sensual pleasure and enjoyment that comes with the experience of eating. To savor a meal means to derive enjoyment not just from the taste of the food but also from its texture, aroma, and presentation.
sabroso
Yummy.
The Spanish word 'sabroso' translates directly to 'yummy' in English. It is mainly used to describe food and drinks that are very tasty and pleasant to the palate. It can be used in a variety of contexts when you are referring to something good and delicious. 'Sabroso' is an adjective, and it follows the rules for changing gender and number: 'Sabrosa' for feminine singular, 'sabrosos' for masculine plural, and 'sabrosas' for feminine plural.
sacacorchos
corkscrew
The Spanish word 'sacacorchos' translates to 'corkscrew' in English. It is a tool typically used for drawing corks from wine bottles. It is generally made of a pointed metallic helix (often called the 'worm') attached to a handle, which the user screws into the cork and pulls to extract it. In Spanish, 'saca' means 'take out' or 'pull out', and 'corchos' means 'corks', effectively describing the function of the tool.
sal
salt
The Spanish word 'sal' translates to 'salt' in English. Salt is a mineral composed primarily of sodium chloride (NaCl), and is used globally as a seasoning and preservative in cooking. Its importance to life has led it to become a highly traded commodity and a symbol of hospitality in many cultures.
salado
salad
The word 'salado' does not translate to 'salad' in English. 'Salado' actually translates to 'salty'. The correct Spanish word for 'salad' is 'ensalada'.
salmón
salmon
The Spanish word 'salmón' translates to 'salmon' in English. It is a term used to refer to a variety of species of ray-finned fish in the family Salmonidae. Salmon are native to the tributaries of the North Atlantic and Pacific Ocean. The term 'salmón' is used in many Spanish dishes and cuisine where this fish is a main ingredient.
salsa
salsa
The word 'salsa' is Spanish, meaning 'sauce' in English. In a more general context, it is used to describe a variety of sauces used in Mexican and Spanish cuisines, including salsa roja (a red sauce) and salsa verde (a green sauce). The term 'salsa' is also widely associated with a popular genre of Latin American music and dance.
salsa de soja
soy sauce
The term 'salsa de soja' is Spanish for 'soy sauce'. Soy sauce is a type of sauce made from fermented soybeans, wheat, salt, and water. It is a common condiment in many Asian cuisines, used for flavoring food during cooking, as well as a dip. It is known for its umami flavor, a savory taste that is considered the fifth flavor alongside sweetness, sourness, bitterness, and saltiness.
salsa roquefort
Roquefort sauce
The Spanish phrase 'salsa roquefort' translates to 'roquefort sauce' in English. This phrase is used to describe a sauce made primarily from Roquefort cheese, which is a blue cheese from the Roquefork region of France. It is often used to accompany various dishes, like steak, potatoes, or pasta, adding a rich, pungent, and slightly tangy flavor to these meals. The variations of the sauce can include additional ingredients such as cream, butter, white wine, or other seasonings according to individual preference.
salsa verde
Green sauce
The term 'salsa verde' native to Spanish language, translates as 'green sauce' in English. This sauce is typically made of tomatillos, green chili peppers, cilantro, and various other green ingredients. It is a popular condiment in Mexican cuisine, often served with tacos, grilled meat and many other dishes. True to its name, the sauce is green in color.