Genine Torres
, May 10, 2023

15+ Easy German Cooking Verbs For Beginners

Want to delve into the exciting world of German cuisine? To truly appreciate and immerse yourself in German cooking, it’s essential to understand the language used in the kitchen. In line with this, German cooking verbs play a vital role in guiding you through various culinary processes, from preparing ingredients to serving and plating. So in this article, we’ll explore the most commonly used cooking verbs to help you express yourself better and follow German Rezepte (recipes). Let’s begin!

Imagine yourself cozied up in a rustic German tavern, savoring the flavors of a traditional dish, and wondering, “How can I recreate this magic at home?” As a self-proclaimed food enthusiast, I’ve often found myself in this very predicament. Because honestly, German food is like a siren’s song to my taste buds. Being born and raised in an Asian country (where the use of wok and sesame oil is like the Holy Grail), I just can’t resist the unique and comforting taste of Königsberger Klopse and the delectably marinated Sauerbraten.

If you’re eager to whip up some authentic German dishes, there are a ton of German recipes online to help you out. But wait, there’s a catch – not all of them stick to the traditional cooking methods! Our advice? Seek out recipes that are actually written in German for that extra touch of authenticity. However, we’re not just talking about using Google Translate here! To truly master these recipes and impress your German pals, you’ll want to learn some basic food preparation verbs too.

Ready to give your favorite German recipe a try? Grab your apron and bring out the ingredients because we’re learning the best verbs below!

German Cooking Verbs

Before we explore specific cooking verbs, it’s important to understand how they are used in German. Similar to English, verbs in German are action words that describe different cooking activities. Whether it’s preparing ingredients, executing cooking methods, or serving and plating, German cooking verbs provide clarity and direction in the kitchen.

Let’s now explore some essential German cooking verbs under different categories.

Preparing Ingredients

Before diving into the culinary adventure, it’s essential to lay the foundation with the proper preparation of ingredients. After all, the way we chop, peel, grate, and slice can greatly impact the final outcome of our dishes. In this section, we’ll explore a range of basic techniques to get your ingredients ready for cooking.

English	German	Sound
To chop	schneiden
To peel	schälen
To grate	reiben
To slice	schneiden
To mix	mischen
To stir	rühren
To whisk	verquirlen
To knead	kneten
To garnish	garnieren
To drizzle	träufeln
To sprinkle	bestreuen
To lay	legen
To shake	schütteln
To wash	waschen
To sieve	sieben

Basic Cooking Methods

Cooking methods are the secret behind transforming raw ingredients into mouthwatering creations. Whether you’re boiling, frying, baking, or grilling, each technique adds its own unique touch to your dishes. In this section, we’ll delve into the fundamental cooking methods that form the backbone of countless culinary adventures.

English	German	Sound
To boil	kochen
To fry	braten
To bake	backen
To grill	grillen
To roast	rösten
To steam	dämpfen
To sauté	anbraten
To simmer	köcheln
To broil	grillen (im Ofen)
To stew	schmoren
To barbecue	grillen
To stir	rühren
To put inside	hineingeben
To wipe off	abwischen
To set something	etwas einstellen
To dry off	abtrocknen

Advanced German Verbs Related To Cooking

Ready to elevate your culinary skills to the next level? In this section, we’ll explore a collection of advanced German verbs that will take your cooking prowess to new heights. From deglazing to emulsifying, these verbs are the secret weapons of seasoned chefs.

English	German	Sound
To season	würzen
To marinate	marinieren
To deglaze	ablöschen
To baste	beträufeln
To smoke	räuchern
To poach	pochieren
To caramelize	karamellisieren
To glaze	glasieren
To reduce	reduzieren
To thicken	eindicken
To whip	aufschlagen
To emulsify	emulgieren
To bread	panieren
To melt	schmelzen
To blanch	blanchieren
To strain	abseihen
To toss	vermengen
To carve	tranchieren
To smoke	räuchern
To ferment	fermentieren
To season	abschmecken
To incorporate	einarbeiten
To puree	pürieren
To beat	schlagen
To dice	würfeln
To plate	anrichten

Basic Sentence Formula For Using German Cooking Verbs

Now that you’re familiar with a variety of German cooking verbs, let’s explore a basic sentence formula that will help you effectively incorporate them into your culinary endeavors. By understanding this structure, you’ll be able to confidently communicate your actions in the kitchen.

Ich + Verb + Object

As we learned in the previous blog posts, “ich” refers to “I” in the German language. Let’s go over how it can be used based on the examples below:

I am boiling the egg = Ich koche das Ei.
I am baking the cake = Ich backe den Kuchen.
I am slicing the mushrooms = Ich schneide die Pilze.
I am dicing an onion = Ich würfele eine Zwiebel.
I am frying the chicken = Ich brate das Huhn.

See how easy to incorporate the verbs we covered above into complete sentences? With this simple sentence formula, we bet that you can now at least make a more complex expression than just word by word.

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