Spanish Phrase
Reduce al mínimo el picado y la preparación.
Meaning
The sentence tells someone to keep chopping and any other preparation work to the smallest possible amount. It’s a typical instruction in a kitchen where time or texture matters.
When to use
Use this phrase when giving cooking instructions, especially in professional kitchens or recipe videos, to emphasize efficiency and precision in the prep stage.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Reducealmínimoelpicadoylapreparación
Imperative verb
‘Reduce’ is the affirmative imperative of the verb ‘reducir’, used to give a direct command.
Contraction ‘al’
‘Al’ is the contraction of the preposition ‘a’ + the definite article ‘el’; it means ‘to the’.
Adjective placement
‘Mínimo’ works as an adjective after the preposition, meaning ‘the minimum’.
Noun phrases
‘El picado’ and ‘la preparación’ are noun phrases that act as the objects of the verb.
Coordinating conjunction ‘y’
‘Y’ links two parallel noun phrases, indicating both actions should be minimized.
🗨In Conversation
Reduce al mínimo el picado y la preparación.
Keep the chopping and preparation to a minimum.
Entendido, lo haré justo antes de servir.
Got it, I’ll do it right before serving.
✕Common Mistakes
Reduce a el mínimo el picado y la preparación.
‘a el’ should be contracted to ‘al’ in standard Spanish.
El reduce al mínimo el picado...
Using ‘reduce’ as a noun is incorrect; it must stay as the verb in imperative form.
Reduce al mínimo picado y preparación.
Leaving out the article before ‘picado’ sounds unnatural; keep ‘el picado’.
↔Alternatives
Minimiza el picado y la preparación.
Minimize the chopping and preparation.
Mantén al mínimo el picado y la preparación.
Keep the chopping and preparation at a minimum.
Haz el picado y la preparación lo más breve posible.
Make the chopping and preparation as brief as possible.
Cultural Tip
In Spanish culinary instructions, the imperative mood is preferred for direct orders. The phrase ‘al mínimo’ is a set expression that sounds natural and concise, especially in professional settings. Avoid overly formal language like ‘por favor reduzca’, which can feel out of place in a fast‑paced kitchen.