20 Essential French Cooking Verbs

French cuisine is famous worldwide, but if you really want to cook like a French chef, you need to learn the language of the kitchen! French recipes often use specific cooking verbs, and understanding them will help you follow instructions with confidence—whether you're making a simple crêpe or a complex coq au vin.

So, let’s dive into 20 essential French cooking verbs that will take your culinary skills to the next level! 🔥🍳

🔪 1. Couper – To cut

One of the most basic yet essential verbs. You’ll see it in almost every recipe!

👉 Exemple:

"Coupez les légumes en petits morceaux."*
(Cut the vegetables into small pieces.)

🥕 2. Émincer – To slice finely

A step beyond "couper," this means slicing very thinly, like for onions or garlic.

👉 Exemple:

"Émincez l’oignon pour la soupe."*
(Slice the onion finely for the soup.)

🧄 3. Hacher – To chop

Used when you need to chop something into tiny pieces, like garlic or herbs.

👉 Exemple:

"Hachez finement l’ail et le persil."*
(Chop the garlic and parsley finely.)

🍲 4. Faire revenir – To sauté

This means lightly frying something in a bit of fat, like onions in butter.

👉 Exemple:

"Faites revenir les oignons dans du beurre."*
(Sauté the onions in butter.)

🥩 5. Saisir – To sear

Used when cooking meat at high heat to create a caramelized crust.

👉 Exemple:

"Saisissez le steak à feu vif."*
(Sear the steak on high heat.)

🔥 6. Griller – To grill

Perfect for meats, vegetables, or even toast!

👉 Exemple:

"Grillez les poivrons au four."*
(Grill the peppers in the oven.)

🍛 7. Mijoter – To simmer

French cuisine loves slow-cooked dishes, and this verb is all about letting flavors develop over time.

👉 Exemple:

"Laissez mijoter la sauce pendant 30 minutes."*
(Let the sauce simmer for 30 minutes.)

🍳 8. Frire – To fry

Used for deep-frying or pan-frying.

👉 Exemple:

"Faites frire les pommes de terre."*
(Fry the potatoes.)

🥘 9. Bouillir – To boil

A must-know for pasta, soups, or blanching vegetables.

👉 Exemple:

"Faites bouillir de l’eau pour les pâtes."*
(Boil water for the pasta.)

🥄 10. Remuer – To stir

Perfect for soups, sauces, or risotto!

👉 Exemple:

"Remuez la sauce régulièrement."*
(Stir the sauce regularly.)

🥚 11. Battre – To beat/whisk

Used when mixing eggs, cream, or batter.

👉 Exemple:

"Battez les œufs avec du sucre."*
(Beat the eggs with sugar.)

🧈 12. Fouetter – To whip

A step up from battre, this verb is used when whipping cream or egg whites to a fluffy texture.

👉 Exemple:

"Fouettez la crème jusqu’à ce qu’elle soit ferme."*
(Whip the cream until it’s firm.)

🥣 13. Mélanger – To mix

A general term for combining ingredients together.

👉 Exemple:

"Mélangez la farine et le beurre."*
(Mix the flour and butter.)

🏺 14. Incorporer – To fold in

A gentle way of mixing without deflating a batter (important for soufflés and mousse!).

👉 Exemple:

"Incorporez délicatement les blancs en neige."*
(Fold in the whipped egg whites gently.)

🍮 15. Napper – To coat

Used for pouring a sauce over a dish.

👉 Exemple:

"Nappez le gâteau de chocolat fondu."*
(Coat the cake with melted chocolate.)

🍗 16. Arroser – To baste

A technique used for roasting meats, keeping them moist and flavorful.

👉 Exemple:

"Arrosez le poulet avec son jus de cuisson."*
(Baste the chicken with its cooking juices.)

🧂 17. Assaisonner – To season

An essential step in French cooking—adding salt, pepper, or spices.

👉 Exemple:

"Assaisonnez la soupe à votre goût."*
(Season the soup to your taste.)

🥑 18. Peler – To peel

Used for removing the skin from fruits or vegetables.

👉 Exemple:

"Pelez les pommes avant de les couper."*
(Peel the apples before cutting them.)

🍞 19. Pétrir – To knead

Essential for making bread or pastry dough!

👉 Exemple:

"Pétrissez la pâte jusqu’à ce qu’elle soit souple."*
(Knead the dough until it’s smooth.)

🍽 20. Dresser – To plate

A fancy term for arranging food beautifully on a plate.

👉 Exemple:

"Dressez les assiettes avant de servir."*
(Plate the dishes before serving.)

Mastering these 20 essential French cooking verbs will not only improve your culinary skills, but also help you understand French recipes like a pro! Whether you're following a recipe from a Michelin-starred chef or just making a simple homemade meal, these verbs will make your cooking experience more authentic and enjoyable.

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