Inklingo

How to Say "grilled" in Spanish

English → Spanish

asado

ah-SAH-dohaˈsaðo

adjectiveA1general
Use 'asado' when referring to food that has been cooked on a grill, often implying a smoky flavor or a more traditional barbecue style.
A golden-brown roasted chicken sitting on a ceramic platter.

Examples

Me encanta el pollo asado con patatas.

I love roasted chicken with potatoes.

Prefiero las verduras asadas.

I prefer grilled vegetables.

Matching the Food

Because this is an adjective, it must change its ending to match what you are eating. Use 'asado' for masculine foods like 'el pollo' and 'asada' for feminine foods like 'la carne'.

Gender Mismatch

Mistake: “La carne asado.”

Correction: La carne asada. 'Carne' is a feminine word, so the describing word must end in -a.

plancha

plahn-chahˈplant͡ʃa

nounA2general
Use 'a la plancha' to describe food cooked on a flat, hot surface (like a griddle or flat-top grill), often emphasizing a healthier cooking method with less oil.
A flat metal cooking griddle with vegetables grilling on top.

Examples

Prefiero el pollo a la plancha porque es más saludable.

I prefer grilled chicken because it's healthier.

Limpia la plancha después de cocinar la carne.

Clean the griddle after cooking the meat.

Hicimos verduras a la plancha para la cena.

We made grilled vegetables for dinner.

Using 'A la'

When you see 'a la plancha' on a menu, it describes the style of cooking (seared on a flat hot surface with little oil).

Asado vs. A la Plancha

The most common mistake is using 'asado' when 'a la plancha' is more appropriate, or vice versa. Remember that 'asado' often implies cooking over open heat or coals, while 'a la plancha' specifically refers to a flat, hot surface.

Related Translations

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