Foods That Start With Y: 39 Foods Beginning With The Letter Y (2024)

My foods that start with Y include everything from fruits and vegetables to ingredients and complete recipes! Get ready to enjoy some new international dishes or familiar favorites. Whether you are cooking your way through the alphabet or working on trivia, this list is bound to help!

Foods Beginning With The Letter Y

There are only a few more letters left before we finish cooking our way through the alphabet! With the letter Y, we will get to enjoy some Japanese dishes, sweet yams, and so much more!

I haven't gotten the chance to experience every food on this list, but I am excited to try them out! Which one do you want to try first?

1. Yabby

A yabby is a small freshwater crustacean that looks like a miniature lobster. It has a sweet and delicate flavor.

They are often enjoyed in various dishes, either boiled, grilled, or cooked in savory sauces.

2. Yacon

Yacon is a crunchy and sweet root vegetable that looks like a mix between a potato and a sweet potato. It has a juicy and mildly fruity flavor, making it great for salads or snacking.

3. Yakhnet Batata

Yakhnet Batata is a Middle Eastern dish featuring tender chunks of potatoes cooked in a flavorful tomato-based stew. The dish is seasoned with a blend of spices, creating a comforting and hearty meal.

4. Yakhni

Yakhni is a broth-based dish originating from South Asian cuisine. It's made by simmering meat, often chicken or lamb, with spices and herbs.

Yakhni is known for its rich taste and is often enjoyed as a warming soup or used as a base for various rice and meat dishes.

5. Yakhni Pulao

Yakhni Pulao is a flavorful rice dish cooked with spices and broth, usually made with meat like chicken or lamb. The result is a tasty one-pot meal that combines tender meat and perfectly seasoned rice.

6. Yaki Udon

Yaki udon is a Japanese dish made with thick, chewy udon noodles stir-fried with a combination of vegetables, meat (such as chicken or pork), and savory soy-based sauce.

7. Yakisoba

Yakisoba is a Japanese stir-fried noodle dish that brings together savory flavors and colorful vegetables. These thin wheat noodles are typically cooked with ingredients like sliced pork, cabbage, carrots, and onions.

They are seasoned with a blend of soy sauce and other savory spices.

8. Yakitori

Yakitori is a Japanese dish featuring skewered and grilled bite-sized pieces of tender chicken (or other meat). These skewers are typically brushed with a savory soy-based sauce, resulting in a tasty combination of smoky and sweet flavors.

9. Yali Pear

The Yali pear is a sweet and juicy fruit with smooth, yellow-green skin. It has a crisp texture and a mild, refreshing flavor.

These pears are great for snacking or adding to salads and desserts.

10. Yamarita

Yamarita is a Nigerian dish featuring yam slices that have been coated in a seasoned batter and deep-fried until golden and crispy. The result is a blend of soft yam on the inside and a flavorful, crunchy exterior.

>>>>See all of my recipes here<<<<

11. Yam Bean

Yam bean, also known as jicama, is a crunchy and refreshing vegetable with a mild, slightly sweet taste. It has a water chestnut-like texture and can be enjoyed raw in salads, slaws, or as a crisp snack.

12. Yams

Yams are delicious root vegetables with a sweet and starchy taste, similar to sweet potatoes (learn the difference here). They have a vibrant orange or purple color on the inside and rough, brown skin on the outside.

When cooked, yams become soft and tender. They are commonly used in holiday recipes, such as brown sugar candied yams or candied yams with marshmallows.

13. Yangmei Fruit

Yangmei fruit, also known as Chinese bayberry, is a small, round berry with a unique sweet and tart flavor. The fruit has a reddish-purple skin and a juicy, translucent flesh.

14. Yankee Pot Roast

Yankee pot roast is a hearty and comforting American dish made by slow-cooking beef with vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and onions. The meat becomes tender and flavorful, absorbing the flavors of the simmering broth.

Try my crockpot version here.

15. Yardlong Beans

Yardlong beans are long, slender, green vegetables with a crisp texture and a slightly sweet taste. These beans, also known as snake beans, can grow up to a yard in length but are usually harvested when they are about 18 inches long.

They are commonly used in stir-fries, salads, or as a side dish.

16. Yassa

Yassa is a flavorful West African dish featuring marinated chicken or fish cooked with onions, lemons, and various spices. The dish is known for its zesty and tangy taste.

17. Yautia

Yautia is a starchy root vegetable with a mild flavor and smooth texture. Similar to potatoes, it can be cooked in various ways, such as boiling, frying, or mashing.

This makes it a versatile ingredient in many dishes, such as soups, stews, or side dishes.

18. Yeast

Yeast is a tiny living thing that helps make bread rise and gives it a fluffy texture. Without yeast, our bread wouldn't be as light and airy!

19. Yellow Apple

The yellow apple is a crisp and sweet fruit with bright, golden skin. Its juicy flesh has the perfect balance of tartness and sweetness.

20. Yellow Cornmeal

Yellow cornmeal is a finely ground powder made from dried yellow corn. It's commonly used in cooking to add texture and a slightly sweet, nutty flavor to dishes like cornbread, muffins, and coatings for fried foods.

21. Yellow Eye Beans

Yellow eye beans are a type of legume that gets its name from the distinctive yellow spot on its inner curve. These beans have a mild, creamy flavor and a smooth texture, making them a versatile ingredient in various dishes like soups, stews, and salads.

22. Yellow Mustard

Yellow mustard is a tangy and mildly spicy condiment that adds a zesty kick to your favorite snacks and meals. Its bright yellow color and bold flavor make it ideal for hot dogs, sandwiches, and burgers.

23. Yellow Moon Dal

Yellow moon dal is a comforting dish made from split yellow lentils. Cooked to a smooth, creamy texture, it's seasoned with spices for a delicious flavor that pairs perfectly with rice or bread.

24. Yellow Passion Fruit

Yellow passion fruit is a tropical fruit with a tough, wrinkled outer skin that houses juicy flesh. The yellow pulp is dotted with black seeds and has a sweet-tart flavor.

25. Yellow Squash

Yellow squash is a bright vegetable with smooth, golden skin and a tender, mild flavor. Its soft texture makes it a versatile ingredient in various dishes, whether grilled, sautéed, or added to soups and casseroles.

26. Yellowfin Tuna

Yellowfin tuna is a type of fish that's known for its mild flavor and firm, meaty texture. With its distinctive yellowfin and sleek body, this tuna is popular in dishes like sushi and sashimi.

27. Yellowtail Fish

Yellowtail fish is a delicious and flaky fish with a mild, buttery flavor. Its tender white flesh makes it a popular choice for grilling or sashimi.

28. Yiros

Yiros is a dish that originates from Greece. It typically consists of seasoned and grilled meat, often served in a soft flatbread and topped with fresh vegetables like tomatoes, onions, and lettuce.

29. Yodels

Yodels are delicious chocolate cakes with a creamy filling inside. You can purchase them in most grocery stores or make them at home yourself.

30. Yogurt

Yogurt is a creamy and slightly tangy dairy product that is made by fermenting milk with good, beneficial bacteria. It has a smooth texture and comes in various flavors, making it a great snack or ingredient in recipes.

31. Yogurt Muffins

Yogurt muffins are soft and moist baked treats that get their delicious texture from the inclusion of yogurt in the batter. These muffins have a light, slightly tangy flavor that complements their fluffy interior.

32. Yokan

Yokan is a traditional Japanese treat that's a bit like a firm jelly or dense dessert loaf. Made from sweet red bean paste, sugar, and agar, it has a smooth texture and comes in various flavors.

33. Yolks

Yolks are the bright, yellow centers of eggs. They're known for their creamy texture and add a delicious touch to recipes, whether they're gently cooked sunny-side-up or mixed into batters for a smooth finish in dishes like cakes and custards.

34. Yorkshire Pudding

Yorkshire pudding is a traditional British dish that's like a crispy, golden-brown pastry. It's made from a simple batter of flour, eggs, and milk, then baked until it puffs up and turns crispy on the outside while staying soft on the inside.

35. Yorkshire Teacakes

Yorkshire teacakes are soft, round, and slightly sweet baked treats originating from Yorkshire, England. These fluffy desserts are made with a yeast-based dough, studded with currants or sultanas, and are perfect when toasted and slathered with butter.

36. Youngberries

Youngberries are a type of juicy, sweet berries that are a cross between blackberries and dewberries. They have a deep, dark color and a flavor that combines the best of both parent berries.

37. Yuca

Yuca, also known as cassava, is a starchy root vegetable enjoyed in many cuisines around the world. With a mild, slightly sweet taste and a firm texture, it's often used in dishes like fries or mashed yuca, offering a tasty alternative to potatoes.

38. Yukon Gold Potatoes

Yukon Gold potatoes are a type of yellow-fleshed spud with a smooth, thin skin. Known for their creamy texture and buttery flavor, they're great for mashed potatoes, fries, or any dish that calls for potatoes.

39. Yuzu

Yuzu is a citrus fruit that looks like a small, bumpy lemon. It has a unique flavor that's a mix of lemon, mandarin, and grapefruit, which adds a refreshing twist to dishes and beverages.

What do you think of these foods beginning with Y? Did I miss any? Leave a comment and let me know what you think!

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