What does parboil mean?
To parboil means to cook food by boiling it only partway through. The technique is especially useful for potatoes, which are often parboiled before being roasted, and for vegetables or meat that need a gentler, more even finish in a later cooking process. Parboiling differs from ordinary boiling in duration and intention: the food is partially cooked rather than fully cooked. It is also a preparatory step, allowing the final dish to be completed more quickly and helping larger pieces cook evenly. The word is natural in kitchen instructions and recipes in both British and American English. Its unusual history adds interest: “parboil” comes through Dutch from elements meaning “partly boil,” reflecting the method’s long-standing practical role in the kitchen.
verbTo cook food by boiling it only partially, usually before cooking it further by another method.
- To cook food partially by boiling it, usually before further cooking.
"She parboiled the potatoes before roasting them with the vegetables."
"The chef parboiled the potatoes in salted water before finishing them with herbs."
"Parboil the chicken briefly, then grill it until the skin is crisp."
Parboil comes from Dutch for “partly boil”: a simple cooking technique that gives tender food a head start.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does parboil come from?
The English verb comes from Dutch “parboilen,” meaning “to boil partly.” Dutch formed the word from a prefix meaning “partly” and “boilen,” “to boil,” with a parallel development occurring in French. The boil element is related to the Germanic root underlying English “boil,” while the English cooking sense developed from the idea of partially cooking food in boiling water.
Related word forms
How parboil is actually used
This is primarily a cooking term used in British and American English. It is especially common when referring to potatoes, vegetables, and meat that will be cooked further by roasting, baking, grilling, or simmering.