109 vegetable names in English you’ll want to feast on

Why learn to name vegetables in English?

It’s easy to take veggies for granted, but learning the names of these common foods is extremely useful. Here are a few reasons why.

You’ll be able to order exactly what you want

If you’re ordering at a restaurant and want an eggplant, it won’t do you any good to say, “I want that big purple thing!” Not only will the waiter look at you funny, but they may bring back something completely different from what you had in mind.

If you know the names of different vegetables, you can speak more confidently when ordering – and you won’t have any surprises when your food arrives!

You’ll be able to understand cooking shows

Many people like to watch cooking shows on TV, but if you don’t know the names of some common ingredients in English, it can be tricky – or even impossible – to follow along.

When the chef says “chop up an onion” or “add diced tomatoes to the pan”, will you know what they mean? Learning these words will help!

You’ll be able to understand recipes on the internet

You can find all kinds of recipes online, which is wonderful! However, if you don’t know the names of vegetables in English, you might get confused and cook the recipes with a completely different ingredient!

Learning how to name a diverse range of veggies will allow you to fully understand the recipes and buy the right ingredients at the supermarket.

Root vegetables in English

You certainly consume many root vegetables in your diet, such as beetroots or carrots. Root vegetables are… well, edible roots of the plant. Plus, some spices that we eat in our diets, such as ginger or turmeric, are also considered stem vegetables.

Here’s the list of every possible root vegetable that we could find on the internet.

Bulb vegetables in English

Bulb vegetables have this name because they look like a bulb and consist of layers. We often use them to make delicious soups or to flavor a savory meal, such as onion, garlic, or leek. Here’s a list of the most common bulb vegetables in English.

Flower vegetables in English

Flower vegetables are… well, edible flowers. These are pretty much all the vegetables our moms made us eat when we were little. Who remembers throwing tantrums whenever broccoli appeared on the dinner table?

Here’s a list of some flower vegetables worth knowing in English.

Leaf vegetables in English

Leaf vegetables are edible leaves of the plant, such as spinach or lettuce. In English, there’s a wide variety of leaf vegetables that you probably heard of. However, the names of some of the less known leaves, such as tung ho, come from Japan or China, where they are primarily consumed.

Here’s an extensive list of leaf vegetables.

Seeds and legumes in English

There is a lot of confusion about what are legumes and seeds. Legumes are plants that have protective seed coats, while seeds are the tiny, hard-shelled fruits that come in various shapes and sizes.

Legumes include beans, peas, and lentils, while seeds include corn and soybeans. Here’s a list of different seeds and legumes in English.

Enjoy your veggies!

On this list, you’ll find typical vegetables that appear in your daily diet. But, you’ll also find more exotic vegetable names that you’ve probably never heard of.

We hope that thanks to this list, you’ll be able to name your favorite veggies and use this vocabulary in practical situations!

If you’d like to learn more useful English vocabulary, check out our English language blog or sign up for English language classes with us!