Mexican Spanish <> English Food Lexicon
Last update 10 March 2008

My goal is to create a complete Mexican food lexicon.   I have tried, probably unsuccessfully, to include only words and expressions used in Mexico.  I'm sure I don't have them all because there are so many regional terms that don't make it into the dictionaries or the dozens of Mexican food lexicons on the web that I have searched.  If you know words that should be included, or if you find errors, I'd sure like to hear from you.  Rollybrook@hotmail.com   The reason I undertook this project is that I have not been able to find a truly complete Mexican food lexicon -- there are several of them on the web, but each one comes up short.  I hope you find this one useful.

There are some links that take you to Doña Martha's cooking pages, and there are a few links that take you to other websites that will help to define concepts.  Use your browser's back button to return here. 

If you want to print it, it will be 35+ pages.

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abadejo = haddock

abulón = abalone

acelyas = chard, Swiss chard

aceite = oil

aceite de cacahuates = peanut oil  

aceite de oliva = olive oil

aceite vegetal = vegetable oil

aceituna = olive (Aceituna is not commonly used in Mexico except on labels of imported olive producs)

acelga = Swiss chard

achiote = the seed of the annato tree which is used to make a seasoning paste of the same name.

acitrón = candied fruit made from shoots of the biznaga cactus used as a candy or ingredient in stuffings

acocil = small, fresh water crustacean

acuyo = piper sanctum, plant with large leaves which has an anis-like flavor.  More often called hoja santa in Mexico and "root beer plant' in the USA

adobo = a seasoning paste, usually containing ground chiles, vinegar, garlic and spices that is used to coat meats, poultry and seafood prior to cooking or drying to preserve

agridulce = sweet and sour

agrio = sour

agrio, ácido = bitter

agua = water  

agua de coco = coconut milk

aguacate = avocado

aguamiel = the sweet juice of the maguey plant, that when fermented produces pulque

aguas frescas = a genre of soft drinks made by infusing water with various flavorings including tamarind, chía, and flor de jamaica

aguayon = sirloin steak

aguja = litterally "needle." A cut of chuck steak that is one of the favorite al carbón (char-broiled) specialties of northern Mexico

ahumado = smoked

ahumar = to smoke foods

ajedrea = savory

ajo = garlic

ajonjolí = sesame  

alcaravea = caraway

al carbón = cooked over charcoal or wood coals

alambre, brocheta = shish kabobs

ala = wing of a bird, fin of a fish

albahaca = basil 

albardilla = batter

albaricoque, chabacano = apricot

albóndiga = meatball

alcachofa = artichoke

alcaparras = capers

alegría = a traditional sweet made of toasted amaranth seeds and honey or syrup.

albóndiga = meatball 

albóndigas = meatballs, also a meatball soup

aleta = fin (of a fish)

alioli = garlic mayonnaise

almeja = clam

almendra = almond

almíbar = syrup

almuerzo = a midmorning meal that is often  translated as lunch

alubias = a dried white bean

al vapor = steamed

amaranto = amaranth, a grain sometimes used in making candies and moles; or the eatable leaves from the plant of the same name

anacardo, nuez de la India = cashew  

añadir = add

ancho = dried poblano chile used in most red chile sauces

anchoa, anchovete, bocón = anchovy

añejo = aged

anguila = eel

anís = aniseed  

annatto = small, dark red seed used by the Mayas to color and spice food

antojito = appetizer

antojitos mexicanos = any corn and tortilla-based dish

apagar = to turn off

aperitivo = appetizer or aperitif

apio = celery

almorzar = to eat breakfast or lunch  

arándano -- see note under berries

arándano rojo = cranberry (see note under berries)

arenque = herring

arenque ahumado = kipper

arracheras = skirt steak or fajitas

arroz = rice

asadero = a type of cheese

asado = grilled, roasted 

asador = barbeque grill

asar = to grill, to roast or braise

ate = quince

atole = a thick drink, dating from pre-Hispanic times, made with ground, dried corn and water or milk, and seasonings;  served hot or cold.

atún = tuna

avellana = filbert, hazelnut

avena = oats

ayocote = a large type of bean, also spelled ayecote

azafrán = saffron (and crocus)

azafrancillo  = a plant whose bulbs are used to color foods, and often used as a substitute for saffron

azucar = sugar  

azúcar blanca de granulado muy fino = caster sugar

azúcar de arce = maple syrup 

azúcar glace = confectioners or icing sugar

azucarera = sugar bowl

 

A

 

abalone = abulón

achieved = logrado

acidic or sour = ácido, agrio

acorn = bellota

add = añadir

agave = maguey

allspice = pimienta de Jamaica, pimienta inglesa

almonds = almendras

aluminum foil = papel de aluminio

amaranth = amaranto

anchovy = anchoa, anchovete, bocón

aniseed = anís

ant eggs = escamoles

appetizer = (drink) aperitivo

apple = manzana

apricot = chabacano, albaricoque

to arrange = poner

artichoke = alcachofa

artichoke heart = corazone de alcachofa

asparagus = espárrago

avocado = aguacate

bacalao = cod

bacalao salado = salt cod

bagre = see catfish

baja = low

balché = an alcoholic beverage made from bark of the balché tree and honey.

bañar = (to bathe)  to cover with sauce

barbacoa = a beef or lamb dish that is slow-cooked with chiles; sometimes used to mean barbeque

barra = loaf

batido (de leche) = milkshake

bechamel = bechamel sauce

basa = a type of catfish native to the Mekong River Delta in Vietnam 

báscula = scale (for weighing) 

batidora = mixer

batidora eléctrica = electric mixer

batir = to whisk or beat as in to beat eggs

baya = berry (see note under berries)

bebida = drink, beverage

bellota = acorn

berenjena = eggplant

berro = watercress

berza, col, repollo = cabbage

betabel = beet also remolacha

biberón = baby's bottle

birria = a barbacoa specialty of Jalisco made with lamb or goat

bistec = beefsteak

bizcocho = biscuit, cupcake or cookie

bizcochito redondo = cupcake

biznaga = a type of cactus, resembling a barrel cactus, from whose young stalks acitrón, (candied cactus) which is used as a flavoring in stuffings such as for chiles en nogada, is made  

blanco de Nilo = a fish from the perch family; usually farm-raised

blanco de Pátzcuaro = a mild flavored fish from Lake Pátzcuaro in Michoacán, for which the town of the same name is justly famous. It is usually fried in an egg batter and is often served al mojo de ajo (with garlic sauce)

blanquear = to blanch

bocadillo = snack or finger food  

bocón = anchovy

bolillo = French style, crusty bread rolls that is served with entrees and used for sandwiches. 

bollo, panecillo = biscuit, roll, bun, scone

bonito = bonito tuna

borracho = (drunk) sauces or beans made with pulque, beer or tequila

borrego = lamb 

botana = snacks or appetizers, often taken with drinks in a bar which may be called a botana

bote - jar

botella de biberón = baby's bottle

brasear, asar = to braise

brocheta, alambre  = shish kabob 

brócoli, brécol = broccoli

brotes de soja = bean sprouts (soyabean)

budín = pudding

budin de elote = corn pudding 

buñuelo = a fritter made of fried wheat flour dough and flavored with sugar or a syrup or honey, and often anis and cinnamon

burritos = a large flour tortilla wrapped around a filling, usually shredded meat or cheese and beans, often mixed with a chile sauce

 

B

 

Top

baby's bottle = tetera, biberón, botella de biberón 

bacon = tocino

to bake = hornear, cocer al horno  

baking dish = charola

baking powder = levadura (en polvo)

banana = plátano

barbeque = parrillada, sometimes barbacoa  

barbeque grill = asador

barracuda = cuda

basil = albahaca  

bass = róbalo, lobina

basting = rociando

batter = albardilla  

to batter and fry = capear

bay leaf = laurel

bean = frijol;  beans = frijoles  

 - black = frijoles negros

 - green or string beans  = ejotes

 - sprouts (soybean)  = brotes de soja

bechamel sauce = béchamel

beef = carne de res 

beef shank = cambareta

beef steak = bistec

beer = cerveza 

berries = bayas  --- blackberries, blueberries, cranberries, and mulberries are sometimes called by a confusing overlapping of the same names = arándano, mora, zarzamora.  Strawberries = fresas are not part of this confusion.

beet = betabél

bell pepper, green = chile pimienta marrón verde

bell pepper, red = chile pimienta marrón roja

bell pepper, yellow = chile pimienta marrón amarilla

biscuit = bolo, bizcocho, panecillo

bitter = amargo, áspero

black beans = frijoles negros

blackberry = zarzamora (see note under berries) 

black pepper = pimiento negro

blade of a knife = hoja del cuchillo  

to blanch = blanquear, escaldar

to blend = pasar por la licuadora  

blender = licuadora

blueberry = mora azul (see note under berries)

to boil = hervir

boiling point = punto de ebullición

bone = hueso; fish bone = espina  

to bone (debone) = dehuesar

boned = dehuesado  

bonefish = macabi 

bonito tuna = bonito

borage = borraja

bottle opener = destapador

bowls = cuenco

bran = salvado

brandy = coñac  

brains = sesos 

Brazil nut = nuez del Brazil 

bread = pan 

breadcrumbs = pan molido, pan rallado  

bread pudding = capirotada 

breakfast = desayuno

breast (of chicken or turkey) = perchuga (de pollo o povo)

brisket = pecho de res

broad beans = habas

broccoli =  brócoli, brécol

to brown = dorar

browned = dorado

to brush = cepillar

Brussel sprouts = coles de Bruselas

butter = mantequilla

buttermilk = suero de leche

to butter = untar con mantequilla

to burn =quemar

burned, burnt = quemado

burner (on a stove) = quemador

 

caballa = mackerel

cabra = goat

cabrito = kid (young goat)

cabuche = flower of the biznaga (barrel) cactus

cacahuacentli also spelled cacahuacintle and cacahuazintle = a type of corn with large ears and round grains (resembling cacao beans) often used to make tamales cernidos (strained tamales, meaning that the dough is strained to make it extra fine and spongy) and pozole.

cacahuate = peanut

cacerola = casserole (food and cooking dish)

café = coffee or a cafe

café de olla = Mexican style coffee made in a clay pot  

cafetera = coffee pot or coffee machine

caguama = a large turtle; an extra large bottle of beer or any large item

cajeta de Celaya = a thick paste confection made by simmering goat's milk and sugar

calabacín =  zucchini squash

calabaza = pumpkin or summer squash  

calabaza en tacha = a pumpkin dessert traditionally served for The Day of the Dead

calamar = squid

caldo = soup or broth

caliente = hot - to touch, to taste [and horny]  

callos de hacha = scallops

calor = hot (weather)

camarón = shrimp

camote = sweet potato; sweets which are made with sweet potatoes and fruit

campechano =  various seafood cocktails  

caña del cordero = lamb shank

canela = cinnamon  

canelones = canneloni

cangrejo = crab

capa = layer

capeado = egg white batter

capear = to cover food with batter and fry it.

capirotada = a pudding of bread, fruit, nuts and syrup

capulín = a fruit resembling a wild cherry, used for medicinal and ornamental purposes.  

caracol = snail

caramelo = caramel  

caramelo duro hecho con azúcar y mantequilla =  butterscotch 

cardamomo = cardamom 

carne = meat

carne asada = broiled or grilled meat

carne de puerco = pork

carne de res = beef

carne molida = ground meat or hamburger

carnero = mutton or lamb

carnitas = deep fried or shredded pork

carne picada = mince

carne seca = jerky

carta = menu  

cáscara, peladura = rind, zest

cáscaras = shells

castaño = chestnut

cazo = pan, saucepan

cazón = dog fish, small shark

cazuela, cacerola = casserole (food and cooking dish)

cazuelitas = are made by pressing a thin layer of tortilla dough around the outside of a small mold and then deep frying it to produce a crisp shallow corn cup. They are filled with shredded meat and other taco fillings.

cebiche, often spelled ceviche which see

cebolla = onion

cebollíta, cebolita, cebolla de verde = scallion 

cebollino, cebollana or chive = chive

cecina, tasajo = dried beef or pork, jerky

cedazo = strainer or sieve

cena = supper, dinner

centeno = rye 

cerdo = pork, pig

cerdo picado = minced pork

cereal = cereal

cereza = cherry

cernidor = sifter

cernir also tamizar = to sift

cerveza = beer

ceviche sometimes spelled cebiche = fish that is cooked by the chemical action of lime juice and may include tomatoes, avocados and cilantro

chabacano, albaricoque = apricot

Chalupas = boat shaped fried tortilla dough topped with shredded meat, cheese and similar fillings.

chamberete = shank of beef

chamberete de carnero more commonly caña del cordero  = lamb or mutton shank

champiñón = mushroom; See also hongo

champurrado = Mexican hot chocolate

charales = a fish similar to smelts

charola = baking dish

chaya = large-leafed vegetable used to flavor soups, stews and, in some areas, to wrap tamales.

chayote = a squash called Mirliton in the southern USA

chía = a plant whose seeds have been used since pre-Hispanic times as in ingredient in drinks, cereals and tamales.

chícharo = pea

chicharrones = fried pork skins, cracklings

chicoria = chicory

chicos = dried corn cooked with pork and chile sauce

chicozapote = a small brown, sweet fruit from the chicle tree from which latex is made.

chicozapote = brown-skinned fruit with a mild flavor somewhat like that of a pear.

chilacayote = gourd with edible flesh and seeds.

chilaquiles = a casserole of corn tortilla chips, chile sauce and cheese; often sereved for breakfast 

chile -- see this website for a list of common chiles with pictures and descriptions.  Also look at this one.

  -- con queso = cheese dip with mild chiles

  -- pimiento amarillo = yellow bell pepper

  -- pimiento rojo = red bell pepper

  -- pimiento verde = green bell pepper

chiles in nogada = made with green chilies stuffed with ground meat and almonds and covered with walnut sauce

chiles relleños = stuffed chiles,  poblano chiles stuffed with cheese or meat and fried

chimichangas = small deep fried burritos  sometimes spelled chivichanga

chilatole = an atole flavored with ground broiled tomatoes and chiles.

chilmole = a flavoring paste from the Yucatan made with dried chiles that are dry roasted on a comal until blackened, often with grain alcohol to enhance the charring effect, and other spices. Also spelled chimole or chirmole

chilocuil = red maguey worms. second in popularity to the meocuil or white maguey worm.

chilorio = a  meat filling, popular in northern Mexico. Usually made with pork but sometimes with beef, that is boiled, shredded, then fried with ground chiles and other spices.

chilpachol = a crab soup

chipotle = smoked ripe jalapeno chile, very hot with a smoky flavor

chirimoya = a scaly, greenish-brown fruit that is white inside with large seeds. Very sweet with a custard-like flavor and grainy texture.

chirmole See chilmole

chivo = kid (young goat)

chocolate = chocolate  

chongos = a sweet dessert made from curdled milk, eggs, sugar and cinnamon

chorizo = spicy pork sausage 

choros = mussels

chorote = an atole served in the state of Tabasco, flavored with sugar and chocolate.  

choucroute, chucrut, col picada en salmuera = sauerkraut

chuleta = chop, cutlet 

chuleta de aguayon = sirloin steak

chuleta de carnero = lamb chop

chuleta de dos lomos = porterhouse steak

chuleta de puerco = pork chop

churro = fried strips of dough typically served hot and sprinkled with powdered sugar, cinnamon and sugar

ciervo, venado = deer

cilantro = coriander

ciruela pasa = prune

ciruela = plum

clara de huevo = egg white

clavetear = to decorate or adorn

clavo de olor = clove (the spice)

clemole = a kind of mole, sometimes used in the diminutive, clemolito

cocada = a sticky sweet made with coconut

cocer = to cook, boil or simmer

cocina = kitchen

cocinar = to cook

cocinar a fuego lento = to simmer

cochinita pibil = Yucatecan-style roast pork wrapped in banana leaves

cocinero = cook, chef

coco = coconut

cóctel = cocktail

codillo = elbow or knuckle.

codorniz = quail 

cogollo = heart (of cabbage, lettuce)

col = cabbage. See also repollo.  

col picada en salmuera = sauerkraut

coladera = colander, sieve or strainer  

colar = to strain

coles de Bruselas = Brussel sprouts

coliflor = cauliflower

colonche = an alcoholic beverage made by fermenting tunas from the nopal cactus.

colorín = edible, red flowers from the tree of the same name - coral tree in English

comal = a griddle made originally from clay, but now more usually from metal.

comida = food; a meal, often referring to the principal one taken in the mid or late afternoon

comida chatarra, comida basura, porquerías = junk food

comida del mar, mariscos = sea food

comino = cumin

comiso = packed lunch

compota de fruitas = stewed fruit

coñac = brandy

conchas = scallops

condimento = seasoning

conejo = rabbit

confitar = to crystallize, sweeten or cook fruit in syrup

congelado = frozen

congelador = freezer

conserva = food preserved in sealed, sterilized

copos de avena = oats

copos de maíz tostados, often "cornflakes" = cornflakes

corazón = heart

corazones de alcachofas = artichoke hearts

cordero = lamb

coriando = coriander, cilantro

cortado en cuatro = quartered

cortar = to cut or trim

cortar en cuadritos = diced

cortar en lonchas finas = thinly slice 

cortar en tiras = to cut into strips, shreds

corunda = a pyramid shaped tamal which is a specialty of Michoacán

corvina = sea bass

costillas = ribs, spare ribs

costillas chuletas = rib steaks

crema = cream  

  -- agria = sour cream

  -- dulce = sweet cream

  -- para batir = whipping cream

crema de cacahuate = peanut butter 

crema tartaro = cream of tartar

cremera = creamer

crepe = crepes, pancake

cuajar = to curdle

cuajo = rennet

cubrir = to cover

cuchara = spoon    

cuchara de medir = measuring spoon

cuchara de servir = serving spoon

cuchara del azúcar = sugar spoon

cuchara para sopa = soup spoon

cucharada = spoonful

cucharadita, cucharilla = teaspoon   

cucharear = to spoon, to ladle 

cucharón  = ladle, large spoon

cuenco = bowls

cueritos = pickled pig skin 

cuchillo = knife  

cuchillito = small knife

cucuma = tumeric

cuda = barracuda

cueta = eye of the round