Samaha Kazmi
, July 15, 2022

18+ Amazing Food Ingredients In Urdu You Should Know About

If you are a lover of food and engrossed in cooking, then this article will provide you with details about the basic food ingredients in Urdu. I am a spice lover and this hankering compelled me to search for Urdu recipes on youtube. I grasped all the intricacies necessary for Pakistani food recipes and I started experimenting at home and luckily succeeded.

18 Food Ingredients In Urdu

Following are the essential food ingredients that we use almost in all the delicious recipes to enhance every important occasion.

Red Chilli (لال مرچ)

Red Chilli is the basic ingredient used in every Pakistani food recipe. It is very effective for weight loss. Kashmiri chilies are the most hunted red chilies worldwide and hence loved everywhere.

Salt (نمک)

The most common and popular ingredient is used in every food even in sweets and helps you to stop dehydration and enhances others flavors. Not enough salt in your blood results in muscle cramps and dizziness.

Sugar (چینی)

In Pakistan, sugar grains are numerous and colorless/milky candy-like cubes used in everyday life. Another name for sugar is monosaccharides. They contain glucose and galactose. Too much sugar can cause health issues like diabetes, heart problems, etc.

Pakistani people love sugar so much that even their greetings sound sweet.

Ginger And Garlic (لہسن اور ادرک)

Every Pakistani family is fond of Ginger and Garlic (لہسن اور ادرک). Ginger and garlic are the obligatory ingredients used in Pakistani recipes like chicken ( مرغی کا گوشت), rice (چاول), pulses (دالیں) etc. They are known to counter chronic inflammation.

Cardamom (الائچی)، Aniseed (سونف) ، And Cinnamon (دار چینی)

Tea is one of the most luxurious drinks in Pakistan. Cardamom (الائچی)، Aniseed (سونف) ،Cinnamon (دار چینی) are essential for luscious tea.

Tomato (ٹماٹر) And Onion (پیاز)

The starters of every meal. Onions Tomato (ٹماٹر) and Onion (پیاز) are the most versatile ingredients and are also used in making salads (سلاد), sandwiches (سینڈوچ ), pasta (پاستا), meat (گوشت ), rice (چاول ) and numerous other dishes eaten throughout the day.

Pickle (آچار) And Tamarind (آملی)

The most liked of the tangy ingredients. It multiplies the flavor of any meal. It is often combined with tea during breakfast in Pakistan. It is enriched with magnesium that supports blood cholesterol and blood pressure levels.

Turmeric Powder (ہلدی پاؤڈر)

Turmeric powder (ہلدی پاوڈر) is one of the fundamental ingredients used in Pakistani food recipes. It is consumed in less quantity but gives maximum benefits for health, particularly for skin problems. It ameliorates heart health and puts a stop to tumors.

Coriander Powder (دھنیا پاؤڈر)

It originates from the kernel of coriander (دھنیا) plants and is stocked in every home’s spices rack. It is a good supplement for hair and skin and is advantageous for bone health. It also plays a vital role in healing mouth ulcers.

Jaggery (گڑ)

Jaggery (گڑ) is a substitute for sugar (چینی). Its color varies from golden brown to dark brown. It assists in depression and cures lung and bronchial septicemia. It is also used as a sweet after a meal.

Vinegar (سرکہ)

Vinegar (سرکہ) is a molten suspension of acetic acid. It is also used in many tasty recipes like soup ( سوپ) ،vegetable pasta (سبزیوں والا پاسا) etc. It lessens cholesterol and ameliorates skin health and blood pressure. The use of apple cider vinegar in the morning could help with weight loss.

Saffron (زعفران)

It is a precious ingredient used in eastern, middle eastern, and European platters. It is also known as autumn crocus. It is a very influential anti-oxidant. It refines our mood and also treats depression. It is expensive but can be grown in your home garden.

Garam Masala Powder (گرم مصالحہ پاؤڈر)

A combination or mixture of the following spices: cinnamon (دار چینی)، peppercorns (ثابت کالی مرچ), cardamom (الائچی) cloves (لونگ), nutmeg (جائفل ), coriander seeds (ثابت دھنیا), mustard seeds (سرسوں کے بیج). They are ground together, and this powdered combination is called Garam masala powder (گرم مصالحہ پاؤڈر).

It is used both in the powdered and ground form generally known as ‘Pisa garam masala (پسا گرم مصالحہ)’ and ‘Sabut garam masala (ثابت گرم مصالحہ)’ respectively. Garam masala powder (گرم مصالحہ پاؤڈر) is used as it gives an earthy flavor to the cuisines. Sprinkling Garam masala powder (گرم مصالحہ پاؤڈر) on the different dishes helps in garnishing as well.

More Vocabulary

پھل (Phal)

پھل (Phal) is a word for fruits in Urdu. Here is an easy list of fruits for you to check out!

English Words	Urdu Words	Romanized Armenian
Apples	سیب	Saib
Avocado	ایواکاڈو	Avokado
Bananas	کیلے	Kelay
Blueberries	بلوبیری	Bluberry
Cherries	چیری	Cherry
Dragon fruit	ڈریگن فروٹ	Dregan froot
Durian	ڈورین فروٹ	Duren froot
Grapefruit	گریپ فروٹ	Grayp froot
Grapes	انگور	Angoor
Guava	امرود	Amrood
Kiwi	کیوی	Kivi
Lychee	لیچی	Lich’i
Mango	آم	Aam
Olives	زیتون	Zaitoon
Oranges	سنتری	Santari
Peaches	آڑو	Aaroo
Pineapple	انناس	Ananas
Pomegranates	انار	Anaar
Strawberries	اسٹرابیری	Istrawberry
Watermelon	تربوز	Tarbooz

سبزیاں (Sabziyaan)

Here is a list of all the essential سبزیاں (Sabziyaan) meaning vegetables that add to the color of Pakistani food.

English Words	Armenian Words	Romanized Armenian
Beans And Peas	پھلیاں اور مٹر	Phaliaan or matar
Bulb Vegetables	بلب سبزیاں	Balb sabziyan
Dark-Green Vegetables	گہرے سبز سبزیاں	Gehry sabz sabziyan
Flower Vegetables	پھول سبزیاں	Phool sabziyan
Fruit Vegetables	پھل سبزیاں	Phal sabziyan
Leafy Vegetables	پتوں والی سبزیاں	Paton wali sabziaan
Pod And Seed Vegetables	پھلی اور بیج والی سبزیاں	Phalli or beej wali sabziaan
Red And Orange Vegetables	سرخ اور نارنجی سبزیاں	Surkh or naranji sabziyan
Root Vegetables	جڑ والی سبزیاں	Jarh wali sabziyan
Starchy Vegetables	نشاستہ دار سبزیاں	Nishasta dar sabziyan
Stem Vegetables	تنوں کی سبزیاں	Tanon wali sabziyan
Tuber Vegetables	ٹبر سبزیاں	Tabar sabziyan

Root And Stem Vegetables

Here are the top 8 roots and stem vegetables used highly in Pakistani food:

English Words	Urdu Words	Romanized Armenian
Asparagus	موصلی سفید	Musli sufaid
Carrot	گاجر	Gajar
Celery	اجوائن	Ajwain
Garlic	لہسن	Lhsan
Onion	پیاز	Pyaz
Potato	آلو	Aaalu
Radish	راشد	Rashid
Rhubarb	روبرب	Robarb
Sweet Potato	شکر قندی	Shakar qandi

Leafy Greens

Now that you have learned about other types of vegetables, you might as well learn about the leafy ones too

English Words	Urdu Words	Romanized Armenian
Artichoke	آرٹچیک	Articheck
Arugula	ارگولا	Argola
Broccoli	بروکولی	Brokoli
Cabbage	گوبھی	Gobhi
Cauliflower	گوبھی	Gobhi
Kale	کالے	Kaly
Lettuce	لیٹش	Lytish
Spinach	پالک	Palak

Fruits And Squash

English Words	Urdu Words	Romanized Armenian
Avocado	ایواکاڈو	Avocado
Butternut Squash	بٹرنٹ اسکواش	Butternut iskwash
Cucumber	کھیرا	Kheera
Eggplant	بینگن	Bangan
Pepper	کالی مرچ	Kali mirch
Pumpkin	قددو	Qaddu
Tomato	ٹماٹر	Tmatar
Zucchini	زچینی	Zcheeni

Fungus

Finally, we get to the last category of vegetables that you might not get a lot in Pakistan but you will definitely need to talk about!

English Words	Urdu Words	Romanized Armenian
Beech Mushroom	بیچ مشروم	Beech mushroom
Black Trumpet Mushroom	بلیک ٹرمپیٹ مشروم	Black trumpet mushroom
Enoki Mushroom	اینوکی مشروم	Enoki mushroom
Hedgehog Mushroom	ہیج ہاگ مشروم	Heejhaag mushroom
King Trumpet Mushroom	کنگ ٹرمپیٹ مشروم	King trumpet mushroom
Morel Mushroom	موریل مشروم	Morel mushroom
Porcino Mushroom	پورسینو مشروم	Porcino mushroom
Portabello Mushroom	پورٹابیلو مشروم	Portobello mushroom
White Button Mushroom	سفید بٹن مشروم	Sufaid Button mushroom

گوشت (gosht)

Pakistanis are huge fans of گوشت (gosht) i.e meat and consume it in their everyday life. Let’s learn some useful words.

English Words	Urdu Words	Romanized Armenian
Bacon	بیکن	Baken
Beef	گائے کا گوشت	Gaye ka gosht
Chicken Liver	چکن لیور	Chicken lever
Chicken Stock	چکن اسٹاک	Chicken istak
Chops	چوپس	Chops
Crab	کیکڑا	Kekra
Free Range Chicken	فری رینج چکن	Free range chicken
Grass Fed Chicken	گراس فیڈ چکن	Grass Fed chicken
Keema	کیما	Keema
Kidney Meat	گردے کا گوشت	Gurdy ka gosht
Lamb Meat	بھیڑ کا گوشت	Bhair ka gosht
Meat Stock	گوشت کا ذخیرہ	Gosht ka zakheera
Mutton	مٹن	Mutton
Mutton Liver	مٹن لیور	Mutton lever
Organic Chicken	آرگینک چکن	Aargang chicken
Partridge	تیتر	Teetar
Pork	سور کا گوشت	Suor ka gosht
Quail	بٹیر	Batair
Skinned Chicken	چمڑے والا چکن	Chamry wala chicken
Turkey	ترکی	Turkey

سمندری غذا (Samundari Ghaza)

Not many people fancy eating seafood but if you want to make friends with the elite people then it might be a nice idea to learn some vocab about seafood.

English Words	Urdu Words	Romanized Armenian
Clams	کلیمز	Claims
Cod	میثاق جمہوریت	Meesaq e jamhuriat
Crab	کیکڑا	Kekra
Crayfish	کری فش	Curry fish
Cuttlefish	کٹل فش	Cuttlefish
Krill	کرل	Curl
Land snails	زمینی گھونگے۔	Zameni ghoongy
Lobster	لابسٹر	Labistar
Octopus	آکٹوپس	Oaktopus
Oysters	سیپ	Seep
Prawn	جھینگا	Jheenga
Salmon	سالمن	Saalman
Shrimps	جھینگا	Jhaanga
Snails	گھونگا	Ghunga
Squid	سکویڈ	Sukvaid
Trout	ٹراؤٹ	Trout
Tuna	ٹونا	Tona
Whelks	ویلکس	Welkus

مصالحہ جات (Masala Jaat)

Pakistani food is nothing without its condiments which provide excellent flavor. Let’s learn about these!

English Words	Urdu Words	Romanized Armenian
Basil	تلسی	Tulsi
Bay Leaves	خلیج کے پتے	Khaleej k paty
Cayenne	لال مرچ	Laal mirch
Chili Powder	مرچ پاؤڈر	Mirch powder
Cinnamon	دار چینی	Daar cheeni
Cloves	لونگ	Long
Cumin	جیرا	Jeera
Curry Powder	کری پاؤڈر	Curry powder
Fennel Seed	سونف کا بیج	Saunf ka beej
Garlic Powder	لہسن پاؤڈر	Lehsan powder
Ground Cardamom	پسی ہوئی الائچی	Pisi hui elaichi
Ground Ginger	زمین ادرک	Zameen adrak
Ground Mustard	پسی ہوئی سرسوں	Pisi hui sarson
Mace	گدی	Gadi
Nutmeg	جائفل	Jaifal
Onion Powder	پیاز پاؤڈر	Payaz powder
Oregano	اوریگانو	Oregano
Rosemary	روزمیری	Roz merry
Smoked Paprika	تمباکو نوشی پاپریکا	Tambaku noshi paprika
Thyme	تائیم	Ta’iam

Healthy Sauces

English Words	Urdu Words	Romanized Armenian
Apple cider vinegar	سیب کا سرکہ	Saib ka sirka
Balsamic vinegar	بالسامک سرکہ	Balsamik sirka
Grass-fed butter	گھاس کھلایا مکھن	Ghass khilaya makhan
Hummus	ہمس	Hamas
Kimchi	کمچی	Kimchi
Lemon juice	لیموں کا رس	Lemon ka ras
Mustard	سرسوں	Sarson
Nut butter	نٹ مکھن	Nut makhan
Nutritional yeast	غذائی خمیر	Ghazai khameer
Olive oil	زیتون کا تیل	Zaitoon ka tail
Pesto	پیسٹو	Pesto
Plain Greek yogurt	سادہ یونانی دہی	Sada younani dahi
Raw honey	خالص شہد	Khalis shehad
Red hot sauce	سرخ گرم چٹنی۔	Surkh garam chatni
Tahini	تہینی	Tahini
Tamari	تماری	Tamari
Toasted sesame oil	تل کا تیل	Til ka tail

Limited Sauces

These are some limited sauces with sweet and savory condiment flavors.

English Words	Urdu Words	Romanized Armenian
Artificial sweeteners	مصنوعی مٹھاس	Masnoi mithas
Barbecue sauce	باربیکیو ساس	Barbecue sauce
Fat-free salad dressing	چربی سے پاک سلاد ڈریسنگ	Charbi se paak salad dressing
Margarine	مارجرین	Margarine
Pancake syrup.	پینکیک کا شربت۔	Pancake ka sharbat

Pakistani cuisine is being recognized worldwide because of the contribution of Pakistani chefs in different countries like the USA and foreign guests who visit Pakistan. The restaurants in major cities like Lahore, Peshawar, and Karachi are very well known as they not only retain the national flavor and food character in the cuisine but also keep the recipes updated according to the tastes of the people.