barely cooked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barely cooked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe food that has been cooked for a very short time, resulting in it being undercooked or not fully cooked. Example: "The chicken was barely cooked, leaving it pink in the middle and unsafe to eat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Now add the chicken and onion, toss well, and continue cooking for another 10-12 minuntil unthe the chicken is barely cooked and the potatoes are fully softened.

Independent

Once or twice a month more than one village would meet together for dancing, singing, communally cooking and killing a few pigs which were eaten barely cooked.

Huffington Post

I prefer a firmer, barely cooked pepper, so I just leave them on a plate to cool after cooking; the skin slips off without a problem.

The New York Times - Food

Fish will be barely cooked.

The New York Times - Food

The meat was consistently barely cooked, more raw than rare.

The New York Times

Grilled oysters, barely cooked, arrived in tequila-and-sage butter.

The New York Times

To me it tastes best barely cooked, just briefly warmed in butter or olive oil.

The New York Times

There are plump cockles, barely cooked to retain their full sweetness.

The New York Times - Travel

I chose asparagus barely cooked, to dress pasta in pastel green.

The New York Times - Food

Crudités are raw or barely cooked vegetables, often served with a dip or sauce.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Add the tuna pieces and simmer until they are barely cooked through, about 10 minutes.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "barely cooked" when precision is key, like specifying the desired doneness of seafood or eggs. Be clear about the intended texture, such as "The scallops should be barely cooked, still translucent in the center."

Common error

Avoid using "barely cooked" as a universal descriptor for all undercooked foods. Specify the item and desired outcome to avoid ambiguity. Do not say "The dish was barely cooked", instead specify what was undercooked: "The potatoes in the dish were barely cooked."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely cooked" primarily functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun (typically a food item). Ludwig confirms its function through numerous examples where it describes the state of being cooked, emphasizing a minimal degree of doneness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Encyclopedias

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "barely cooked" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adjective phrase. According to Ludwig, it describes food that has been cooked to a minimal degree, often to achieve a specific texture or flavor. Its usage is considered neutral, fitting various contexts, but is most prevalent in News and Media. While the phrase is generally acceptable, it's best to specify which component of a dish is "barely cooked" for maximum clarity. Consider using alternatives like "lightly cooked" or "undercooked" depending on the specific nuance you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undercooked

Directly implies a lack of sufficient cooking time.

slightly cooked

Emphasizes the minimal extent of the cooking.

lightly cooked

Focuses on the lightness of the cooking process rather than a minimal degree of doneness.

minimally cooked

Similar to "slightly cooked" but perhaps even less so.

partially cooked

Highlights that only a portion of the cooking process has been completed.

briefly cooked

Focuses on the short duration of the cooking time.

flash-cooked

implies a very fast, high-heat cooking method intended to only partially cook the item.

just warmed

Suggests a very gentle and short cooking process, mainly focused on increasing temperature.

rarely cooked

Emphasizes infrequency, suggesting it's not cooked often or thoroughly.

touched by heat

A more descriptive way to indicate minimal cooking.

FAQs

How can I use "barely cooked" in a sentence?

You can use "barely cooked" to describe food that is intentionally undercooked to retain texture or flavor. For example, "The chef served the asparagus "barely cooked", preserving its crispness".

What is a synonym for "barely cooked"?

Synonyms include "lightly cooked", "undercooked", or "partially cooked", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it safe to eat "barely cooked" food?

The safety of eating "barely cooked" food depends on the ingredient. Some foods, like certain vegetables, are safe and even desirable "barely cooked". However, it's crucial to fully cook meats and seafood to avoid foodborne illnesses.

What's the difference between "barely cooked" and "raw"?

"Barely cooked" implies minimal heat application, whereas "raw" means the food hasn't been cooked at all. The distinction is that "barely cooked" has been exposed to some heat, altering its state slightly.