What Is a Savory Dish?

Party guests in the U.K. eat pork pies as savory snacks.

In cooking, most dishes fall into one of two categories: sweet or savory. You can define a savory dish by its ingredients, its flavor and often by where and when it is served.

Meaning

A savory dish typically tastes salty or spicy, rather than sugary; the opposite of a sweet dish. The word "savory" (or "savoury" in British English) literally means "pleasing in taste," from the Old French "savour," meaning "to taste."

Examples

Savory dishes use ingredients such as meat, vegetables, rice, potatoes and herbs and spices. Popular savory snacks and foods includes meats, non-sweet pastries, cheese, crackers, chips and pretzels.

Occasions

You may eat savory dishes as an appetizer, as an accompaniment, as part of a main course or as a snack. In the U.K., party guests enjoy savory dishes picked from a buffet. Traditionally, hosts served savory dishes after the dessert to cleanse the palate.

References

• Online Etymology Dictionary: Savory
• "Savory Baking: 75 Warm and Inspiring Recipes for Crisp, Savory Baking"; Mary Cech, Noel Barnhurst; 2009.
• Oxford Dictionaries: Savoury