English–Czech Ingredient Glossary
Tricky or unusual ingredients with Czech translations. Common items (salt, butter, flour) are omitted.
Herbs & Spices
| English |
Czech |
Notes |
| allspice |
nové koření |
whole berries or ground; Albert, Kaufland |
| caraway seeds |
kmín |
Czech staple — available everywhere |
| cumin |
římský kmín |
not the same as caraway! often confused |
| dill |
kopr |
fresh in season, dried year-round |
| marjoram |
majoránka |
essential for Czech cuisine; dried is standard |
| nutmeg |
muškátový oříšek |
whole or pre-ground |
| smoked paprika |
uzená paprika |
Spanish pimentón; specialty stores or Lidl |
| sweet paprika |
sladká paprika |
Hungarian style; standard in all stores |
| cayenne pepper |
kajenský pepř |
ground; Albert, Kaufland spice aisle |
| coriander (ground) |
mletý koriandr |
not the fresh herb (that's also koriandr); spice aisle |
| turmeric |
kurkuma |
ground; Albert, Lidl |
Meat Cuts
| English |
Czech |
Notes |
| beef chuck |
hovězí plec |
great for stews; local butcher for quality |
| beef shin / shank |
hovězí koleno |
osso buco style; order from butcher |
| chicken thighs (bone-in) |
kuřecí stehna |
far cheaper and more flavorful than breast |
| pork belly |
vepřový bůček |
with or without skin; butcher or Kaufland |
| pork shoulder |
vepřová plec |
Czech goulash staple |
Produce
| English |
Czech |
Notes |
| celeriac |
celer bulvový |
root, not stalk — Czech soups essential |
| kohlrabi |
kedlubna |
common in CZ; raw or cooked |
| leek |
pórek |
available everywhere; substitute for spring onions |
| parsley root |
petržel (kořen) |
white root used in soup base (not the herb) |
| savoy cabbage |
kapusta |
lighter than regular cabbage; seasonal |
Pantry & Other
| English |
Czech |
Notes |
| bouillon cube |
bujón (kostka) |
Knorr or Podravka; beef, chicken, vegetable |
| fresh yeast |
droždí (čerstvé) |
Vitana red 42g cube; ⅓ the weight of active dry; fridge, 2-week life |
| bread dumplings |
houskové knedlíky |
buy fresh or frozen; or make from stale bread |
| cream cheese |
žervé / lučina |
Lučina is the common Czech brand |
| quark |
tvaroh |
soft fresh cheese; baking essential in CZ |
| sour cream |
zakysaná smetana |
standard 12% fat; not the same as crème fraîche |
| kidney beans |
červené fazole |
canned; Albert, Kaufland, Lidl |
| stone-ground mustard |
hořčice |
Czech mustard is milder than Dijon |