savory
Opposite of sweet
Savory describes food that is flavorful and appetizing, especially in a salty or spicy way rather than sweet: savory snacks, a savory pie.
The word suggests rich, satisfying taste—umami rather than sugar.
Figuratively, something savory is morally respectable, usually in the negative: The neighborhood had some unsavory characters.
Savory is also an herb in the mint family used in cooking.
Aromatic culinary herb
- rosemaryFragrant culinary evergreen
- sageWisdom keeper or seasoning
- oreganoMediterranean culinary herb
- marjoramAromatic culinary herb
basil · parsley · dill · chives · tarragon · bayleaf · cilantro · chervil
Excitatory neural transmitter
- misoFermented legume paste
- soyProtein-rich Asian bean
- parmesanGranular Italian grating cheese
- anchovySmall, salty forage fish
shiitake · tomato · seaweed · dashi · bonito · fermented · tamari · aged
Tasting of brine
- umamiFifth taste sensation
- piquantPleasingly sharp-tasting
- seasonedFlavored or battle-tested
- spicedSeasoned with aromatics
briny · smoky · tangy · meaty · earthy · robust · sharp · zesty
Emitting pleasant smell
- appetizingStimulating desire for food
- mouthwateringExtremely appealing to eat
- redolentSmelling strongly of something
- waftingFloating through air
sizzling · roasting · grilling · sautéing · browning · caramelizing · tempting · enticing
thyme
Aromatic culinary herb
marjoram · basil · parsley · dill · chives · tarragon · bayleaf · cilantro · chervil · lemongrass
glutamate
Excitatory neural transmitter
anchovy · shiitake · tomato · seaweed · dashi · bonito · fermented · tamari · aged · broth
salty
Tasting of brine
spiced · briny · smoky · tangy · meaty · earthy · robust · sharp · zesty · rich
fragrant
Emitting pleasant smell
- appetizingStimulating desire for food
- mouthwateringExtremely appealing to eat
- redolentSmelling strongly of something
wafting · sizzling · roasting · grilling · sautéing · browning · caramelizing · tempting · enticing · inviting
sweet
Tasting of sugar
- dessertSweet course after dinner
- sugaryContaining much sweetener
- confectionElaborate sweet preparation
pastry · cake · candy · chocolate · caramel · honey · fruit · syrup · saccharine · cloying
stew
Slow-simmered meat dish
chili · lasagna · goulash · paella · risotto · chowder · quiche · curry · tagine · biryani
- tastebitter, salty, taste, sour, sweet
- sensory testingblind tasting, taste testing, sensory thresholds, flavor profiles, mouthfeel
- taste and smelltaste, smell, flavor, gustation, olfaction
- aromatic herbsbasil, rosemary, thyme, oregano, mint
- Culinary Herbsbasil, chives, cilantro, dill, marjoram
- food adjectivesdelicious, tasty, yummy, scrumptious, mouthwatering
savoryunappetizing
Not pleasing to eat
distasteful · unpalatable · disgusting · revolting · nauseating
savorybland
Lacking distinctive qualities
tasteless · flavorless · insipid · flat · unseasoned
- savory tartPastry with unsweetened filling
- savory snackSmall seasoned bite
- savory pastryNon-sweet baked good
- savory dishPrepared food, not sweet
- savory dishesFoods that aren't sweet
- savory piesNon-sweet filled pastries
savor, unsavory, savoury, savoriness, savories, unsavoury, savouries, savoriest