How to Learn the Cooking Terms
Recipes are full of technique words — sauté, braise, blanch, fold — and knowing them is the difference between following a recipe and guessing. This deck teaches the essential cooking terms so no instruction trips you up.
There are 12 cards in the deck below. You can read through them, practise them right here with the flip-card player, and then save the deck to study properly with spaced repetition — the method that makes them stick for months, not minutes.
Why the cooking terms is hard to memorize (and the fix)
Many terms sound similar but mean different things (simmer vs boil, sauté vs sear), and getting them wrong changes the dish. Clear definitions fix the confusion.
The fix is active recall plus spaced repetition. Instead of re-reading the list (which feels productive but barely works), you test yourself — pull each answer out of memory — and you review each card on a schedule that stretches over time. Every time you successfully recall a fact, the memory gets stronger and the next review is pushed further out. That's how you go from "I saw it once" to "I just know it."
The fastest way to learn the cooking terms
- Break it into small batches. Learn the heat/liquid terms first (boil, simmer, sauté, braise), then the mixing terms (fold, whisk), then the rest.
- Test, don't re-read. Look at the question, say the answer out loud before flipping the card. The little struggle to recall is what builds the memory — a smooth re-read does almost nothing.
- Review on a schedule. Spaced repetition shows you each card right before you'd forget it. Get one right and it comes back in a few days, then a week, then a month. Miss one and it comes back sooner.
- Keep sessions short and daily. Five to ten minutes a day beats a two-hour cram every time. Consistency is the whole game.
One fact per card. To "fold" is to combine gently (keeping air in) — the opposite of vigorous stirring.
The full deck: the Cooking Terms
Here's every card in the set. Practise them above, or save the deck and let spaced repetition schedule your reviews automatically.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| What does "sauté" mean? | To fry quickly in a small amount of fat over high heat |
| What does "braise" mean? | To cook slowly in a little liquid in a covered pot |
| What does "blanch" mean? | To briefly boil, then plunge into ice water |
| What does "simmer" mean? | To cook in liquid just below boiling (gentle bubbles) |
| What does "sear" mean? | To brown the surface quickly at high heat |
| What does "fold" mean? | To gently combine ingredients, keeping air in |
| What does "poach" mean? | To cook gently in barely simmering liquid |
| What does "knead" mean? | To work dough by pressing and folding |
| What does "marinate" mean? | To soak food in a seasoned liquid before cooking |
| What does "caramelize" mean? | To cook sugar (or a food's sugars) until browned and sweet |
| What does "whisk" mean? | To beat rapidly to add air or combine |
| What is the difference between simmer and boil? | Simmering is gentle (small bubbles); boiling is rapid and rolling |
Save this deck and actually remember it
Create a free account, keep this 12-card deck, and we'll schedule every review at the perfect moment. First deck free forever — no credit card.
Study this deck free →FAQ: learning the cooking terms
How long does it take to learn the cooking terms?
Most people can lock in the cooking terms within one to three weeks of short daily sessions. With spaced repetition doing 10–12 cards a day, you'll recognise them within days and recall them reliably within a couple of weeks.
What's the best way to memorize the cooking terms?
Active recall plus spaced repetition. Test yourself instead of re-reading, and review on a schedule that spaces the cards out over time. Flashcards are built for exactly this — which is why the deck above is the fastest path.
Is this deck free?
Yes. You can practise all 12 cards on this page for free with no account. Sign up (also free) to save the deck and let spaced repetition schedule your reviews so it sticks long-term.