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Level: A1

Meat, Fish & Related Foods Vocabulary

English words for meat, fish, dairy, seasonings, and cooking — each with a clear definition.

500+ words in pictures

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  • Meat
  • beef – meat from cows
  • veal – meat from young cows (calves)
  • pork – meat from pigs
  • ham – salty or smoked meat from a pig’s leg
  • lamb – meat from young sheep
  • mutton – meat from adult sheep
  • chicken – meat from chickens
  • turkey – meat from a large bird often eaten at holidays
  • duck – meat from a water bird with a rich taste
  • steak – a thick, flat piece of meat, usually beef
  • sausage – meat ground up, mixed with spices, and put in a tube shape
  • salami – a hard, spicy sausage, often eaten in slices
  • burger – a round, flat meat patty, often in a bun
  • bacon – thin, salty strips of pork, usually fried
  • meatball – small balls made from ground meat and spices
  • Fish & Seafood
  • fish – animals that live in water and have fins
  • cod – a mild, white fish often used for fish and chips
  • salmon – a pink fish popular for grilling or smoking
  • tuna – a large fish, often canned or eaten raw in sushi
  • trout – a freshwater fish, usually small and mild in flavor
  • sardine – a small fish often canned in oil
  • anchovy – a tiny, salty fish, often used on pizza
  • crab – a sea animal with a shell and pincers
  • lobster – a large shellfish with big claws
  • prawns – small, pink sea animals like shrimp
  • shrimp – small shellfish, similar to prawns
  • squid – a sea animal with long arms, called calamari when cooked
  • octopus – a sea animal with eight arms, sometimes eaten as food
  • clam – a shellfish with two shells, often eaten in soups
  • mussel – a small shellfish with a black shell
  • oyster – a shellfish sometimes eaten raw
  • scallop – a sea animal with a round shell, popular in fancy meals
  • seafood – all kinds of food from the sea, like fish, shrimp, or crab
  • Dairy & Other Animal Foods
  • eggs – oval food from birds, used in many recipes
  • omelette – cooked eggs, usually with cheese or vegetables
  • butter – a yellow spread made from milk or cream
  • cheese – food made from milk that is firm or soft and often yellow or white
  • cream – the thick part of milk, used in desserts or sauces
  • yogurt – a smooth, sour milk food, sometimes with fruit
  • milk – a white drink from cows or other animals
  • Seasonings, Sauces & Accompaniments
  • salt – small white grains that make food taste salty
  • pepper – small black or white grains that add a spicy taste
  • spicy – having a strong, hot flavor
  • sugar – sweet white or brown crystals added to food or drinks
  • vinegar – a sour liquid used in salad dressings or for flavor
  • oil – a liquid fat used for cooking or in salads
  • gravy – a thick sauce made from meat juices
  • ketchup – a sweet, red tomato sauce
  • mayonnaise – a creamy white sauce made with eggs and oil
  • mustard – a yellow or brown spicy sauce
  • tartar sauce – a creamy sauce with pickles, often served with fish
  • Preparation & Cooking Methods
  • grilled – cooked over an open fire or on a grill
  • fried – cooked in hot oil
  • boiled – cooked in water that is very hot and bubbling
  • baked – cooked with dry heat in an oven
  • roasted – cooked in an oven or over a fire with dry heat
  • smoked – flavored and preserved using smoke
  • steamed – cooked using hot water vapor
  • poached – gently cooked in simmering liquid
  • marinated – soaked in sauce or spices before cooking
  • breaded – covered with crumbs before cooking
  • stewed – slowly cooked in a little liquid
  • braised – browned, then cooked slowly in a little liquid
  • Food Quality & Texture
  • tender – soft and easy to cut or chew
  • chewy – takes a lot of chewing
  • crispy – firm and makes a crunch sound
  • juicy – full of liquid
  • rare – cooked very little (as in steak)
  • medium – cooked a moderate amount
  • well-done – cooked thoroughly
  • raw – not cooked
  • fresh – recently prepared or caught
  • spoiled – not safe to eat because it’s old or bad
  • Processed & Packaged Foods
  • canned – preserved in a metal container
  • frozen – kept very cold to stay fresh
  • deli – ready-to-eat meats and cheeses from a store section
  • jerky – dried, salty strips of meat
  • packaged – wrapped or contained for sale