Spanish food words & vocabulary: 341 tasty words & phrases

Learning about your passions is one of the best ways to learn a new language, and who’s not passionate about food? Check out these 341 Spanish food vocabulary words.

There’s a Spanish saying that goes, “barriga llena, corazón contento.” It translates to “full belly, happy heart,” and only a few things could be any truer. Beyond just giving us the energy and nutrients we need to survive, food is a unifying force that brings friends, families, and entire cultures together to break bread and celebrate each other.

This is especially true in Spanish-speaking countries, where food is so important that people center their entire days around food. Forget about a 30-minute desk lunch because taking two hours in the middle of a workday for a leisurely lunch isn’t uncommon in Latin America. These food traditions help us take a break from our hectic lives to appreciate not only the food’s delicious taste but also the effort of those who made it and the Earth for providing the ingredients.

Plus, one of the biggest beauties of food is just how diverse it is, creating culinary explosions like Mexican tacos and more subtle treats like Spain’s tortilla (the one made with potatoes, not the one used for burritos!). As you continue to learn Spanish, you’ll have the pleasure of getting more acquainted with the incredible cuisines of Spain and over a dozen Latin American countries and regions, which can be much more diverse than you’d imagined.

Keep reading, and maybe you’ll find your new favorite dish on this list!

Table of contents

• Basic food vocabulary in Spanish
  • Common fruits and vegetables in Spanish
  • Meat and seafood words in Spanish
  • Desserts in Spanish
  • Other basic food Spanish words
• Exploring staple dishes from around the world
• Herbs and spices in Spanish
• Spanish words to describe flavors
• Food words in Spanish for dining out
  • Vocabulary for different food courses in Spanish
  • Spanish tapas vocabulary
• Kitchen vocabulary in Spanish
  • Utensils and appliances vocabulary
  • Common cooking methods
  • Useful Spanish vocabulary for recipes
• Food-related idioms and expressions in Spanish
• Conclusion

Basic food vocabulary in Spanish

Let’s start from the top. As incredibly diverse as cuisines all over the world can be, there are a number of staples that work as the building blocks of most cuisines. Fruits, vegetables, rice, spices, and meats are often very similar around the world, and if cooked in ingenious ways, they appear entirely different. So, let’s start by looking at some of the most common food items in Spanish.

Common fruits and vegetables in Spanish

Fruits and vegetables are the foundation of any well-balanced diet. Especially if you’re traveling to Spain or Latin America, you’ll find tons of exotic, yummy, and healthy fruits and vegetables. Here are some of the most common fruits and vegetables in Spanish.

Meat and seafood words in Spanish

Next, you’ll want to know how to say the different kinds of meats and seafood words in Spanish. These are both extremely delicious everywhere, from Mexican carnitas to Spanish seafood and Argentinian Asado. Here are some of the most common:

Desserts in Spanish

Who doesn’t love a little something sweet after a nice meal? Spain and Latin America have the culture of “la sobremesa” (la soh-breh-meh-sah), which involves spending a long time after a meal having a little dessert, maybe some coffee, and just enjoying each other’s company. These are just some of the most common desserts in Spanish:

Other basic food Spanish words

Of course, you’ll want a well-rounded meal that includes complex carbs, fats, protein, and other kinds of nutritious elements. These are some of the most common generic food items in Spanish:

Exploring staple dishes from around the world

One of the absolute best parts about learning a new language is getting to know new dishes — and Spanish is one of the best languages for that. From Spanish to Colombian to Mexican cuisine, Spanish-speaking regions are some of the most diverse when it comes to culinary traditions. Here are just a few of the standout dishes from Spanish-speaking countries:

Paella

Country: Spain

A rice dish originally from Valencia, made with saffron, various meats, and seafood. This dish is traditionally cooked over an open fire and served straight from the pan it’s cooked in, which is also called a “paella.”

Tacos

Country: Mexico

Soft tortillas filled with a variety of ingredients like meats, cheeses, vegetables, and salsas. Tacos vary widely across Mexico, and you can find thousands of different styles across the country. For example, tacos al pastor are popular in Mexico City, while tacos de cochinita are popular in Yucatán.

Empanadas

Country: Argentina, but also popular in Spain and other Latin American countries

Pastries filled with a variety of ingredients, including meats, cheeses, and sweet fillings. The name comes from the Spanish verb “empanar,” meaning to wrap or coat in bread.

Ceviche

Country: Peru and Mexico, but also popular in coastal regions of Latin America

Fresh fish marinated in citrus juices with onion, cilantro, and chili peppers. In fact, ceviche is so integral to Peruvian culture that there’s a holiday dedicated to it — June 28th!

Arepas

Country: Venezuela and Colombia

Corn dough cakes that are grilled, baked, or fried. They’re split open and stuffed with various fillings, like meats, vegetables, or cheese. In Venezuela, arepas are often eaten with fillings like cheese, meats, or black beans. In Colombia, they’re typically eaten without fillings or with a simple spread of butter or cheese.

Gallo Pinto

Country: Costa Rica and Nicaragua

A traditional breakfast dish made of rice and beans mixed together, often served with eggs, cheese, or plantains. The name means “spotted rooster” in Spanish, referring to the speckled appearance of the dish.

Pabellón Criollo

Country: Venezuela

A traditional dish consisting of shredded beef, black beans, and rice, often accompanied by fried plantains. It’s considered the national dish of Venezuela and represents the three races (European, African, and Indigenous) that influence the country’s culture.

Asado

Country: Argentina

A variety of barbecued meats, including beef, pork, and chicken, typically cooked on a grill called a “parrilla” or an open pit. More than just a meal, Asado is a social event and cherished cultural tradition in Argentina.

Mole

Country: Mexico

A rich sauce typically made from a blend of chilies, spices, and chocolate, served over meat or chicken. There are many types of mole, but Mole Poblano is considered the national dish, famously originating from Puebla.

Tamales

Country: Mexico, with variations across Latin America

Corn dough stuffed with various fillings, wrapped in banana leaves or corn husks and steamed. Tamales are a traditional holiday celebratory food in Mexico, often made in large quantities during Christmas and other Mexican holidays.

Ropa Vieja

Country: Cuba

A dish of shredded beef stewed with tomatoes, onions, peppers, and spices. The name translates to “old clothes” because the shredded meat resembles tattered, torn rags.

Locro

Country: Argentina

A hearty stew made from squash, meat (usually beef or pork), and corn. It’s traditionally eaten on May 25th, during Argentina’s May Revolution holiday, making it a patriotic dish.

Bandeja Paisa

Country: Colombia

A platter consisting of beans, rice, chicharrón, avocado, fried egg, and plantain. The dish is a culinary symbol of the Antioquia region of Colombia and is known for its generous portions.

Salteñas

Country: Bolivia

Baked pastries filled with a juicy mixture of meat, potatoes, and spices. Salteñas are a popular mid-morning snack in Bolivia. They’re different from empanadas due to their sweeter, glazed dough and juicier filling.

Sancocho

Country: Dominican Republic (also popular in other parts of the Caribbean)

A hearty stew made with various meats, large pieces of vegetables, and tubers. It’s considered comfort food and is typically consumed during family gatherings and weekends.

Chivito

Country: Uruguay

A sandwich made with thinly sliced steak, mozzarella, tomatoes, mayonnaise, and often bacon, eggs, and ham. It’s the national dish of Uruguay — ask any Uruguayan what the best sandwich in the world is, see what they say! 😉

Herbs and spices in Spanish

One of the secrets behind the tastiness of Latin cuisine is the spices. While Spanish food typically relies on the freshness and simplicity of its ingredients, Lain food takes full advantage of spices to create explosions of flavors. These are some of the most popular herbs and spices:

Spanish words to describe flavors

Once you find yourself enjoying the beautifully delicious flavors of Spain and Latin America, you’ll want to know ways to express yourself! Whether your host family cooked an incredible meal for you or you simply enjoyed a delicious meal at a restaurant, here are some of the best words to describe flavors in Spanish:

Food words in Spanish for dining out

Knowing how to order at a restaurant in Spanish will open up more doors for you than you can imagine. Not only will you be able to tell the wait staff what you’d like to eat, but you’ll be able to communicate how you want it cooked, what sides you’ll want with your main dish, and if you need any extra utensils or napkins. These are some of the most important words for dining at a restaurant in Spanish:

Vocabulary for different food courses in Spanish

A menu in Spanish might look kinda funky, especially when it’s your first time seeing one. The main thing you should keep in mind is the difference between entrée and entrada. In English, an entrée is the main dish, but in Spanish, an entrada is the starter! Your main course, or entrée, will be your plato principal.

Spanish tapas vocabulary

Another super fun element of Spanish food is tapas. You’ve likely heard of this concept, and you’ve probably used it, too, but you don’t really understand it until you’re in Spain, getting your first tapas. Truly, there’s not a lot to say about them. You simply order a drink, and they come! Just like magic. These are some of the most popular tapas:

• Patatas bravas: Fried potato cubes served with a spicy tomato sauce and aioli.
• Tortilla española: A thick Spanish omelet made with potatoes and onions, often served at room temperature. Not to be confused with Mexican tortillas!
• Jamón ibérico: A type of cured ham from Spain, served thinly sliced. It’s often accompanied by bread.
• Croquetas: Breaded and fried rolls filled with ham, chicken, fish or mushrooms mixed with béchamel sauce.
• Gambas al ajillo: Shrimp sautéed in garlic and olive oil, sometimes with a hint of chili pepper.
• Pimientos de padrón: Small green peppers fried in olive oil and sprinkled with coarse salt, varying in spice.
• Calamares a la romana: Squid rings battered and fried, served with lemon wedges.
• Chorizo al vino: Chorizo sausage cooked in wine, often served in slices.
• Queso manchego: A firm, slightly salty sheep’s milk cheese from the La Mancha region.
• Pan con tomate: Toasted bread rubbed with garlic and ripe tomatoes, then drizzled with olive oil and salt.
• Albóndigas: Spanish meatballs in tomato sauce, often spiced with garlic and herbs.
• Aceitunas: A variety of olives, often marinated in garlic, herbs, and olive oil.
• Boquerones en vinagre: Anchovies marinated in vinegar and garlic, served cold.
• Ensaladilla rusa: A Spanish version of potato salad with mayonnaise, peas, carrots, and sometimes tuna.
• Pulpo a la gallega: Sliced octopus served with paprika, rock salt, and a drizzle of olive oil.
• Chorizo a la sidra: Chorizo sausage cooked in cider, typically from Asturias.
• Morcilla: Spanish blood sausage, often served sliced and fried.
• Bacalao: Salt cod, typically served in small portions fried with tomatoes and peppers or in pil-pil sauce.
• Montaditos: Small sandwiches typically topped with various ingredients like ham, cheese, or anchovies.
• Setas al ajillo: Mushrooms sautéed in garlic, olive oil, and sometimes a splash of sherry.

Kitchen vocabulary in Spanish

The kitchen is one of the biggest parts of Spanish food culture. While restaurants can be incredible, there’s nothing like a great home-cooked meal. Let’s take a look at some of the most important kitchen vocabulary words in Spanish.

Utensils and appliances vocabulary

The first thing you’ll want to be aware of is the utensils and appliances in Spanish. After all, how could you cook without a refrigerator or stove? These are the most important kitchen vocabulary words in Spanish:

Common cooking methods

Even if you’re using the exact same ingredients, the cooking method can have a tremendous difference in the taste of your dish. That’s why it’s so important to know how to say cooking methods in Spanish. Here are some of the most common ones:

Useful Spanish vocabulary for recipes

Want to know one of the biggest cooking hacks? Learn to read recipes in Spanish. Not only will you learn more authentic cooking methods, but you’ll also get to practice your Spanish — all while you whip up a delicious meal!

Food-related idioms and expressions in Spanish

Spanish-speaking countries are deeply invested in food, and this shows in the sheer amount of food-related idioms in Spanish. Although many of these may sound like gibberish, there’s a meaning behind each one. Here are some of the most popular ones and what they mean:

Enjoy this Spanish food vocab and, ¡buen provecho!

Getting to eat your way through Spain and Latin America is a massive privilege and one you’ll get to enjoy even more once you’ve mastered this Spanish food vocabulary. With these words on Spanish fruits, vegetables, meats, seafood, kitchen utensils, appliances, and more, you’ll be able to fully express yourself as you try to order, buy, or cook food in Spanish, giving you an unbeatable culinary edge.

If you want to learn more about Spanish food and culture, then check out our Spanish blog! We publish new Spanish content all the time, from Mexican wedding rituals to a guide to Spanish false cognates.