What does julienning mean?
Julienning is the present participle of “julienne,” meaning to cut food into very thin, matchstick-like strips. The technique is most often applied to carrots, peppers, courgettes or zucchini, onions, and other firm vegetables, although it can also be used for fruit or firm meat. A julienned ingredient has a neat, uniform appearance and cooks quickly, making the cut especially useful in salads, stir-fries, garnishes, and refined presentations. The word carries a culinary and somewhat technical tone, but it is also widely understood in general English. It should not be confused with the base verb “julienne,” which describes the action itself, or with the noun “julienne,” which can refer either to the cut strips or to the size in which they are prepared.
verb (present participle)Cutting food, especially vegetables, into very thin, matchstick-like strips. It is the present participle of “julienne.”
- The act of cutting food into thin, matchstick-like strips.
"She spent the afternoon julienning carrots for the salad."
"The chef was julienning peppers and carrots for the stir-fry."
"Julienning the zucchini can produce several pounds of delicate strips."
Julienning turns everyday vegetables into elegant, slender strips worthy of a formal dinner.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does julienning come from?
The word comes from French “julienne,” a feminine form of the name Jules and the culinary term for thin strips cut from vegetables or fruit. Jules derives from the Latin name Iulius, the source of cognates such as Julia and Julius. French “julienne” entered English in the culinary context before the verb became established for the act of preparing ingredients in that style.
Related word forms
How julienning is actually used
This form is normally used in cooking and food preparation. It is chiefly British and American in use and is less common than the base verb “julienne.”
Easily confused with julienning
“Julienne” is the base verb and noun; “julienning” is its present-participle form.