grillade: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal/Culinary
Quick answer
What does “grillade” mean?
A piece of meat (typically beef or veal) that has been grilled or broiled.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A piece of meat (typically beef or veal) that has been grilled or broiled; the dish of such meat, often served with sauce.
Can also refer, especially in French and Cajun/Creole cooking contexts, to a dish of braised or stewed meat (like a round steak) cooked with tomatoes, onions, and seasonings.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, it is a very rare, direct French borrowing typically found only on high-end French restaurant menus. In American English, particularly in the Southern states (Louisiana), it has a more established culinary meaning tied to Creole/Cajun cuisine, often referring to a smothered or braised dish, not just grilled.
Connotations
UK: French fine dining. US (General): Uncommon, specialized. US (Louisiana): Regional, hearty, traditional.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general British or American usage. Slightly higher frequency in Louisiana regional English and related cookbooks.
Grammar
How to Use “grillade” in a Sentence
[Prep] grillade of [Meat Type][Adj] grillade served with [Side]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “grillade” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Might appear in historical texts on food or cultural studies of Louisiana.
Everyday
Extremely rare, except in specific regional or culinary conversations.
Technical
Culinary term; used in professional kitchens, especially those specializing in French or Cajun cuisine.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “grillade”
- Mispronouncing it as 'GRILL-ade' (like 'mill-ade') instead of the French-influenced 'gree-YAHD'.
- Using it as a verb (to grillade) – it's a noun.
- Assuming it means any grilled food; it's specific to meat, often beef/veal.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. While its core French meaning is a grilled piece of meat, in its most common English usage (Louisiana cuisine), it refers to a dish of braised or stewed meat, typically with a tomato-based sauce. Context is key.
The most accepted pronunciation follows the French: /ɡriːˈjɑːd/ (gree-YAHD). In some American contexts, you might hear a more Anglicized /ˈɡrɪlˌeɪd/ (GRILL-ade), but the former is more standard for the culinary term.
It's not recommended unless you are specifically talking about French or Cajun food. In general conversation, terms like 'grilled steak,' 'braised beef,' or 'smothered steak' will be much more widely understood.
In British English, it remains a rare, direct French loanword for a grilled item. In American English, particularly in the South, it has developed a distinct regional meaning for a braised meat dish, showing adaptation of the borrowed term.
A piece of meat (typically beef or veal) that has been grilled or broiled.
Grillade is usually formal/culinary in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None commonly associated in English.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: GRILL + ADE (like lemonade). A 'grill-ade' is the result or product of grilling, just as lemonade is the product of lemons.
Conceptual Metaphor
N/A (Highly specific concrete noun).
Practice
Quiz
In which regional cuisine is the term 'grillade' most integrated into English?