Adjectives to Describe Food and Recipes

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For all you food bloggers and writers, this is the best resource for describing and writing about food and recipes. Become the Shakespeare of the food writing world with descriptions that make your readers almost able to taste the dish you're discussing. The big list of 540 Ways to Describe Food is the ultimate food writer's treasure, because you really do need other ways to say “yummy”.

A

Acerbic
Acid
Acidic
Acrid
Aftertaste
Aged
Airy
A la carte
A la king
A la mode
Alcoholic
Al dente
Almond flavored
Amazing
Ambrosia
Ambrosial
Ample
Appealing
Appetizing
Aroma
Aromatic
Astringent
Au fromage
Au gratin
Au jus

B

Balsamic
Baked
Barbecue
Basted
Bathed in
Battered
Béarnaise
Beautiful
Bite-size
Biting
Bitter
Bittersweet
Blackened
Blah
Blanched
Bland
Blended
Bold
Bolognese
Boiled
Boneless
Brackish
Braised
Breaded
Brewed
Briny
Brittle
Broiled
Browned
Bubbly
Burning
Burnt
Bursting
Butterflied
Buttery

C

Cacciatore
Cakey
Candied
Candy-coated
Canned
Caramelized
Caustic
Chalky
Charbroiled
Charcuterie
Charred
Cheesy
Chewy
Chili
Chilled
Chipotle
Chocolaty
Choice
Chopped
Chowder
Chunky
Clarified
Classic
Classical
Classy
Cold
Colorful
Cool
Comforting
Comfort Food
Condensed
Condiment
Copious
Course
Crafted
Creamed
Creamery
Creamy
Creole
Crisp
Crispy
Crumbly
Crunchy
Crusty
Crystalized
Cuisine
Curd
Curdled
Cured
Curried

D

Dainty
Dash
Dazzling
Decadent
Deglaze
Dehyrated
Delectable
Delicate
Delicious
Delightful
Deluxe
Devein
Deviled
Diced
Dietary
Diluted
Dipping
Disagreeable
Disgusting
Distasteful
Distinctive
Divine
Doughy
Dredged
Drenched
Dressed
Dripping
Dried out
Drizzled
Dry
Dry-Roasted
Dulcified
Dull
Dusted

E

Earthy
Eatable
Edible
Eggy
Elastic
Elegant
Encrusted
Enjoyable
Enticing
Entrée
Escalloped
Etouffee
Evaporated
Excellent
Exquisite
Extraordinary

F

Fantastic
Fatty
Fermented
Fiery
Fine
Finger Licking
Fibrous
Filling
Fishy
Fizzy
Flakey
Flambé
Flaming
Flat
Flavorful
Flavorless
Flavorsome
Fleshy
Florentine
Floury
Fluffy
Foie gras
Folded
Foul
Fra diablo
Fragrant
Feathery
Fresh
From scratch
Freeze dried
Fricasseed
Fried
Frosted
Frosty
Frozen
Fruity
Fudgy
Full
Full-bodied
Full-flavored

G

Gamy
Garden
Garden-fresh
Garlicky
Gastric
Gelatinous
Generous
Gingery
Glazed
Gloppy
Glossy
Gluteny
Golden
Good
Gooey
Gorgeous
Gourmet
Grainy
Granulated
Grated
Gratifying
Greasy
Griddled
Grilled
Gritty
Gross
Guiltless

H

Hardboiled
Harsh
Heady
Heat
Heavy
Healthy
Heaping
Hearty
Heart-healthy
Heavenly
Herbaceous
Hint
Homemade
Homestyle
Homogenized
Honeyed
Hors d’oeuvre
Hot
Hot Sauce

I

Ice-cold
Iced
Icy
Indulgent
Infused
Intense
Intriguing
Inviting

J

Juicy
Julienne
Jumbo

K

Kick
Kosher

L

Laced
Laden
Laiche
Lavish
Layered
Lean
Leathery
Lemony
Light
Limp
Lip-smacking
Liquid
Loaded
Low-Fat
Lumpy
Luscious
Lush
Lusty
Lyonnaise

M

Malodorous
Marinate
Marvelous
Mashed
Mealy
Meaty
Medium
Mellow
Melt-in-your-mouth
Melting
Messy
Microwave
Mild
Milky
Minced
Minty
Mixed
Moist
Moldy
Mouth-watering
Muddy
Mushy

N

Nasty
Natural
Nauseating
Nectarous
Nosey
Nostalgic
Nourishing
Noxious
Nuked
Nutriment
Nutritious
Nutty

O

Odoriferous
Odorless
Oily
Oniony
Oozing
Organic
Overpowering
Overripe

P

Palatable
Palate-pleasing
Pan-fried
Paprika
Parboiled
Parched
Pasteurized
Pasty
Pâté
Peck
Penetrating
Peppered
Peppery
Perfumed
Perishable
Piccata
Pickled
Piping
Piquant
Plain
Pleasant
Pleasing
Plump
Poached
Popular
Powdered
Powdery
Potent
Pouched
Preserved
Puffy
Pulp
Pulverized
Pungent
Puréed

R

Ragout
Rancid
Rank
Rare
Raw
Redolent
Reduced
Reeking
Refreshing
Relish
Retro
Rich
Rib Sticking
Ripe
Roasted
Robust
Rotten
Roux
Ruined
Rubbery
Runny

S

Saccharine
Saline
Salted
Salty
Satisfying
Satiny
Saturated
Sapid
Saporous
Sautéed
Savory
Scalded
Scented
Scorched
Scrambled
Scrumptious
Seared
Seasonal
Seasoned
Sharp
Shredded
Signature
Silky
Simple
Sizzling
Simmering
Skillfully
Skimmed
Skunky
Slathered
Sliced
Slimey
Slivered
Smelly
Smoked
Smokey
Smooth
Smothered
Snappy
Snappy
Soaked
Sodden
Soft
Soft-boiled
Soggy
Soothing
Sordid
Soufflé
Soupy
Sour
Sparkling
Special
Spiraled
Spiced
Spicy
Spirited
Spoiled
Spongy
Spread
Sprinkled
Stale
Starchy
Steamy
Stewed
Sticky
Stiff
Stinging
Stringy
Stinky
Strong
Stuffed
Subdued
Subtle
Succulent
Sunnyside up
Sugar-coated
Sugar free
Sugared
Sugary
Superb
Sweet
Sweet and Sour
Sweetened
Syrupy

T

Tainted
Tangy
Tantalizing
Tart
Tasteful
Tasteless
Tasty
Tempting
Tender
Tepid
Terrific
Texture
Thick
Thin
Titillating
Toasted
Toothsome
Tossed
Tough
Traditional
Treacly
Treat
Tumaceous