Spanish for Cooking: Giving Multi-Step Instructions for a Complex Dish
Learn to give detailed, step-by-step instructions in Spanish for preparing a multi-part dish, using commands, sequencing words, and cooking vocabulary.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
In this lesson, you will learn how to give detailed instructions in Spanish for preparing a complex, multi-part dish. Unlike simple recipes, this lesson focuses on sequencing multiple steps, using command forms, and incorporating specific cooking techniques. You will practice vocabulary for ingredients, actions, and timing, enabling you to explain a recipe from start to finish. By the end, you will be able to confidently guide someone through a multi-step cooking process in Spanish.
By the end, you can…
- give a series of commands in Spanish to instruct someone in preparing a dish.
- use sequencing words to organize steps in a recipe.
- describe cooking actions and ingredients accurately in Spanish.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Pica la cebolla en cuadritos.
Dice the onion into small cubes.
PEE-kah lah seh-BOH-yah en kwah-DREE-tohs
Use this command form (tú) for informal instructions. 'Pica' is the imperative of 'picar'.
Sofríe el ajo hasta que esté dorado.
Sauté the garlic until golden.
soh-FREE-eh el AH-hoh AHS-tah keh es-TEH doh-RAH-doh
Use 'sofreír' for sautéing. 'Hasta que' introduces a condition.
Agrega la carne y cocina por diez minutos.
Add the meat and cook for ten minutes.
ah-GREH-gah lah KAR-neh ee koh-SEE-nah pohr DYEHS mee-NOO-tohs
Use 'agrega' to add ingredients. 'Por' indicates duration.
Mientras se cocina, prepara la salsa.
While it cooks, prepare the sauce.
MYEN-trahs seh koh-SEE-nah, preh-PAH-rah lah SAHL-sah
Use 'mientras' to indicate simultaneous actions.
Licúa los tomates con el chile y el cilantro.
Blend the tomatoes with the chili and cilantro.
lee-KOO-ah lohs toh-MAH-tehs kohn el CHEE-leh ee el see-LAHN-troh
In Latin America, 'licuar' is common for blending; in Spain, 'batir' is used for whisking or beating, while 'triturar' is used for blending or grinding.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To give instructions, use the imperative mood. For informal tú commands, regular -ar verbs drop the -s: 'pica' (dice), 'agrega' (add). For -er and -ir verbs, change the ending to -e: 'cocina' (cook), 'añade' (add). Some verbs are irregular: 'pon' (put), 'haz' (do/make), 'di' (say). For negative commands, use 'no' + present subjunctive: 'no piques' (don't dice).
When to use it
Use these commands when giving direct instructions in a casual setting, like cooking with friends or family. In more formal situations, use the usted form: 'pique', 'agregue', 'cocine'. For groups, use ustedes: 'piquen', 'agreguen'. Also, use sequencing words like 'primero' (first), 'luego' (then), 'después' (after), 'mientras' (while), and 'finalmente' (finally) to guide through steps.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Para hacer un mole poblano, primero necesitas varios ingredientes.
To make a mole poblano, first you need several ingredients.PAH-rah ah-SEHR oon MOH-leh poh-BLAH-noh, pree-MEH-roh neh-seh-SEE-tahs VAH-ree-ohs een-greh-DYEN-tehs¿Qué hago primero?
What do I do first?keh AH-goh pree-MEH-rohTuesta los chiles y las semillas, luego licúalos con los tomates.
Toast the chiles and seeds, then blend them with the tomatoes.TWEHS-tah lohs CHEE-lehs ee lahs seh-MEE-yahs, LWEH-goh lee-KOO-ah-lohs kohn lohs toh-MAH-tehs¿Y después?
And then?ee des-PWEHSA little context goes a long way
In Latin America, cooking instructions often use the tú form among friends and family, while usted is used in more formal contexts or with older individuals. In Spain, the tú form is also common, but the vosotros form is used for groups. Additionally, some ingredients have different names: 'chile' in Mexico, 'ají' in South America, and 'pimiento' in Spain for bell pepper.
One thing to watch for
Using the infinitive instead of the command form, e.g., 'picar la cebolla' instead of 'pica la cebolla'.
Try this instead: In commands, use the imperative: 'Pica la cebolla' (Dice the onion). The infinitive is used for general statements, not direct instructions.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you tell a friend to 'add the salt' in Spanish?
Show a sample answer
Agrega la sal.
'Agrega' is the tú command of 'agregar'. You could also say 'Añade la sal'.
2What is the Spanish phrase for 'while it cooks, prepare the sauce'?
Show a sample answer
Mientras se cocina, prepara la salsa.
This uses 'mientras' for simultaneous actions and 'prepara' as the command.
3How do you say 'don't burn the garlic' informally?
Show a sample answer
No quemes el ajo.
Negative tú commands use 'no' + present subjunctive: 'quemes' from 'quemar'.
Use command forms and sequencing words to give clear, step-by-step cooking instructions in Spanish. Practice with common verbs and adjust formality with tú or usted.
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