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.
Winding-up
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