Get ready to explore a category of foods that are often overlooked – those that start with the letter Y. I know it can be challenging to come up with new and exciting recipes, especially when you’re tired of the same old dishes.
That’s why I’ve compiled a list of delicious Y foods that will awaken your taste buds and inspire your culinary creativity. From sweet to savory, there’s something for everyone on this list.
Jump to:
- 🍽️ 100 Foods That Begin With Y
- 🍎 Fruits That Start With Y
- 🥦 Vegetables That Start With Y
- 🥨 Snacks That Start With Y
- 🧁 Desserts That Start With Y
- 🍹 Drinks That Start With Y
- 🧂 Condiments, Herbs, & Spices That Start With Y
- 🥩 Meat Dishes That Start With Y
- 🥗 Vegetarian Dishes That Start With Y
- 💙 Food Brand Names That Start With Y
- More Alphabet Food Fun
🍽️ 100 Foods That Begin With Y
If you just want a simple, straightforward list of foods beginning with the letter Y, here is a list of 100:
- Yabbies (Freshwater crustaceans)
- Yak
- Yakitori
- Yam
- Yam bean
- Yam cake
- Yam noodles
- Yam pudding
- Yamagobo (Pickled burdock root)
- Yamarita (Yam fritters)
- Yambalaya
- Yams
- Yangmei (Chinese bayberry)
- Yangzhou fried rice
- Yanjing beer
- Yardlong beans
- Yaro root
- Yassa chicken
- Yautia (Malanga)
- Yautia amarilla
- Yautia blanca
- Yellow bell pepper
- Yellow cake
- Yellow chard
- Yellow curry
- Yellow dal
- Yellow eggplant
- Yellow eye beans
- Yellow lentils
- Yellow melon
- Yellow mole
- Yellow mustard
- Yellow onion
- Yellow passionfruit
- Yellow peaches
- Yellow pepper
- Yellow plantain
- Yellow plums
- Yellow raspberries
- Yellow rice
- Yellow rockfish
- Yellow zucchini
- Yellowfin croaker
- Yellowfin sole
- Yellowfin tuna
- Yellowfoot chanterelle
- Yellowfoot mushrooms
- Yellowjack (Fish)
- Yellowjacket melon
- Yellowtail (Fish)
- Yellowtail amberjack
- Yellowtail amberjack sashimi
- Yellowtail amberjack sushi
- Yellowtail flounder
- Yellowtail kingfish
- Yellowtail snapper
- Yellowtail snapper sashimi
- Yellowtail teriyaki
- Yellowtail tuna
- Yemeni bread
- Yerba mate
- Yerushalmi kugel (Jerusalem kugel)
- Yerushalmi kugel (Jerusalem kugel)
- Yetakelt w’et (Ethiopian vegetable stew)
- Yew berries
- Yoghurt
- Yogurt-covered pretzels
- Yokan (Japanese dessert)
- Yolk
- Yomogi mochi
- Yorkshire pudding
- Yorshire curd tart
- Yorshire ham
- Young coconut
- Young corn
- Youngberries
- Youtiao (Chinese cruller)
- Yucca
- Yucca blossom
- Yucca flower
- Yucca fruit
- Yucca root
- Yuenyeung (Hong Kong beverage)
- Yugwa (Korean rice snack)
- Yujacha (Citrus tea)
- Yuzu
- Yuzu kosho
- Yuzu miso
- Yuzu ponzu
- Yuzu sorbet
- Yuzu vinegar
- Yuzu zest
- Yuzu-kosho butter
- Yuzu-miso soup
- Yuzu-pon dressing
- Yuzu-ponzu sauce
- Yuzu-sesame dressing
- Yuzuade
- Yuzuju
- Yuzukosho mayonnaise
🍎 Fruits That Start With Y
Yellow Dragonfruit: As the name suggests, this fruit has a yellow outer skin. The inside is white and dotted with small black seeds. It has a mildly sweet taste and is perfect for smoothies.
Yellow Lemon: This fruit has a bright yellow skin and is a tangy addition to various recipes. You can use it in salads, dressings, and even cocktails!
Yellow Passionfruit: This fruit has a bright yellow skin, and its pulp is sweet and tangy. You can eat it fresh or use it in various desserts.
Yellow Pitaya: Also known as yellow dragonfruit, this fruit has a yellow skin covered in green scales. Inside, the fruit is white with small black seeds and has a sweet, slightly tart taste.
Yellow Plum: This fruit has a yellow skin and a soft, juicy flesh. They’re perfect for snacks or for adding to salads.
Yellow Watermelon: This fruit has a bright yellow flesh, and it tastes similar to regular watermelon but with a slightly sweeter taste.
🥦 Vegetables That Start With Y
Yam: This starchy root vegetable is a staple in many African and Caribbean cuisines. It has a sweet flavor and can be boiled, roasted, mashed or fried. Yams are a good source of fiber, potassium, and vitamin C.
Yellow Squash: This summer squash has a bright yellow skin and a mild flavor. It can be boiled, grilled, sautéed or roasted. Yellow squash is low in calories and high in vitamin C and potassium.
Yucca: This root vegetable is also known as cassava or manioc. It’s a staple in many Latin American and African cuisines. Yucca has a mild, nutty flavor and can be boiled, steamed, fried or mashed. It’s rich in carbohydrates, fiber and vitamin C.
Yu Choy: This leafy green vegetable is popular in Chinese cuisine. It has slender stems and dark green leaves that are slightly bitter. Yu choy can be stir-fried, steamed or boiled. It’s a good source of antioxidants and vitamins A and C.
Yuzu: This citrus fruit is popular in Japanese cuisine. It looks like a small grapefruit and has a sour, aromatic flavor. Yuzu can be used in marinades, dressings, sauces or desserts. It’s rich in antioxidants and vitamin C.
🥨 Snacks That Start With Y
Yaki Imo: It’s a roasted sweet potato snack that originated in Japan.
Yancey’s Fancy: A New York-based artisanal cheese company with unique cheese flavors such as Buffalo Wing Cheddar and Wasabi Cheddar.
Yankee Doodle Candy: These patriotic candies are red, white, and blue taffy that comes in different flavors like strawberry and blue raspberry.
Yocrunch: This brand offers yogurt cups with crunchy toppings such as granola, nuts, and even candy.
Yodel: It’s a Swiss cake roll that has a chocolate filling covered in a layer of chocolate cake.
Yoghurt Drops: These Australian treats are made with freeze-dried yogurt that melts in your mouth, leaving a creamy texture.
York Peppermint Patties: It’s a sweet and minty candy that has a delicious chocolate coating.
YumEarth: This brand creates organic and natural candies and snacks that are gluten-free, nut-free, and dairy-free. Their products include fruit snacks, gummy bears, and lollipops.
Yum Yum Chips: These potato chips are popular in Thailand and come in flavors such as crab curry, grilled squid, and spicy lemongrass.
Yuzu Gummy: These gummies have a tart and tangy flavor that is extracted from the Japanese citrus fruit, yuzu.
🧁 Desserts That Start With Y
Yaki Imo: A Japanese sweet potato roasted and served with butter or sugar.
Yankee Doodle Pie: A sweet pie made with layers of fruit, custard, and crumbled cookies.
Yeasted Donuts: A fluffy and chewy donut made with yeast, sugar, and flour, usually fried and glazed with a sweet glaze or icing.
Yellow Cake: A classic cake made with butter, sugar, eggs, and flour, usually served with frosting or whipped cream.
Yellow Cupcakes: Miniature cakes made with yellow cake batter, frosted with buttercream or cream cheese frosting.
Yema Cake: A Filipino dessert cake made with condensed milk and egg yolks, usually topped with buttercream frosting.
Yogurt Parfait: A simple dessert made with layers of yogurt, granola, and fresh fruit.
York Peppermint Patties: A chocolate-covered candy filled with a peppermint-flavored candy center.
Yule Log Cake: A traditional Christmas cake made with a sponge cake rolled and filled with whipped cream or buttercream.
Yuzu Tart: A tart filled with yuzu curd, a tart citrus fruit commonly used in Japanese cuisine.
🍹 Drinks That Start With Y
Yellowbird: A refreshing and citrusy cocktail made with rum, lime juice, and triple sec. It’s often garnished with a twist of lime peel.
Yemeni Coffee: This strong and aromatic coffee is brewed with spices like cinnamon and ginger, and is often sweetened with honey. It’s a staple in Yemeni culture and is enjoyed both hot and cold.
Yerba Mate: This traditional South American drink is made from the leaves of the yerba mate plant, and is often enjoyed as a hot tea or iced tea. It’s known for its caffeine content and earthy flavor.
Yerushalmi Kugel Cocktail: This cocktail is inspired by a traditional Jewish dish called yerushalmi kugel, which is a sweet and savory noodle pudding. The drink is made with vodka, sweet vermouth, and honey, and is garnished with a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Yoohoo: This chocolate-flavored drink has been a favorite of kids and adults alike for decades. It’s often compared to chocolate milk, but has a unique flavor all its own.
Yoo-hoo Yeehaw: A fun and festive cocktail made with Yoo-hoo chocolate drink, Root Beer Schnapps, and vanilla vodka. It’s often served in a mason jar and garnished with whipped cream.
Yummy Nummies: These are small packets of flavored powder that you mix with water to create mini drinks and snacks. They come in a variety of flavors, including soda and smoothie options.
Yuzu Lemonade: Yuzu is a citrus fruit that’s popular in Japan, and its flavor is a cross between a grapefruit and a lemon. Yuzu lemonade is a tangy and refreshing twist on a classic beverage.
🧂 Condiments, Herbs, & Spices That Start With Y
Yam Powder: Yam powder is made from dried and ground yams. It is often used as a thickening agent in soups and stews, and can also be added to smoothies and baked goods for added nutrients.
Yarrow: Yarrow is an herb that has been used for its medicinal properties for centuries. It is often brewed into a tea that is believed to have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and pain-relieving properties.
Yellow Curry Powder: Yellow curry powder is a blend of spices that is commonly used in Indian cuisine. Its ingredients include coriander, turmeric, cumin, and fenugreek, among others. Yellow curry powder adds a warm and earthy flavor to dishes.
Yellow Dock: Yellow dock is an herb that is often used for its detoxifying properties. It is believed to support liver function and promote healthy digestion.
Yellow Mustard: Yellow mustard is a classic American condiment that is often used on hot dogs and sandwiches. It is made from ground mustard seeds, vinegar, and turmeric, giving it its signature yellow color.
Yum Yum Sauce: Yum Yum sauce is a Japanese-inspired sauce that’s perfect for dipping sushi or as a topping for stir-fry.
Yuzu Kosho: Yuzu kosho is a Japanese condiment that is made from yuzu zest, chili peppers, and salt. It has a spicy and citrusy flavor that pairs well with seafood and grilled meats.
🥩 Meat Dishes That Start With Y
Yakiniku Beef: A Japanese dish made by grilling slices of beef over a charcoal flame.
Yakhni Pulao: A Kashmiri dish made with spiced meat broth and rice.
Yakisoba: A popular Japanese dish made with pan-fried noodles, meat, and vegetables.
Yakitori: A Japanese dish made from marinated grilled chicken skewers.
Yambalaya: A Cajun/Creole dish from the Southern United States made with rice, meats, and vegetables.
Yankee Pot Roast: A traditional American dish consisting of beef slow cooked with vegetables and seasonings.
Yassa Chicken: A traditional dish from Senegal made with marinated chicken, onions, and lemon.
Yellow Curry: A Thai dish made with curry powder, coconut milk, and a variety of meats or vegetables.
Yoghurtlu Kebap: A Turkish dish made with lamb, yogurt, and tomato sauce.
Yorkshire Pudding: A British dish made from a batter of eggs, flour, and milk, typically served with beef.
🥗 Vegetarian Dishes That Start With Y
Yakisoba: A Japanese stir-fried noodle dish made with vegetables such as cabbage, carrots, and onions. Vegetarian versions often include tofu or tempeh.
Yaki Tomorokoshi: This Japanese dish consists of grilled corn on the cob seasoned with soy sauce, butter, and toppings such as sesame seeds and green onions.
Yaki Udon: Another Japanese noodle dish, this one stir-fried with vegetables such as bell peppers and bean sprouts. Vegetarian versions often include tofu or mushrooms.
Yam Khamin Khao Tod: A spicy Thai salad made with boiled yam, garlic, shallots, and chili peppers, served on top of crispy fried rice.
Yellow Curry: A Thai curry made with coconut milk, vegetables, and spices such as turmeric and cumin. Vegetarian versions often include tofu or chickpeas.
Yellow Squash Casserole: A Southern-style casserole made with tender yellow squash, breadcrumbs, and cheese, baked until golden and crispy.
Yellow Lentil Soup: A hearty soup made with yellow lentils, vegetables such as carrots and onions, and spices such as cumin and coriander. It is often served with crusty bread.
Yemenite Soup: Also known as marak temani, this soup is a traditional dish from Yemen made with vegetables, potatoes, and spices such as turmeric and cumin. It is often served with bread.
Yosenabe: A Japanese hot pot dish made with tofu, vegetables such as mushrooms and napa cabbage, and a broth that can be either miso or soy sauce-based.
Yucca Fries: A crispy and flavorful alternative to traditional french fries, yucca fries are made from the starchy root vegetable and seasoned with spices such as paprika and garlic.
💙 Food Brand Names That Start With Y
Now that we’ve covered all the foods starting with Y pretty thoroughly, let’s end with some popular food-related brands you’ll recognize from grocery stores and local shopping and dining spots.
Yakult: Yakult is a famous Japanese probiotic drink that claims to improve digestion and boost the immune system.
Yasso: This brand offers a delicious range of frozen Greek yogurt bars and pints in various flavors.
Yellow Tail: This brand of wine hails from Australia and offers a range of red, white, and sparkling options.
YoCrunch: YoCrunch is a brand of yogurt that comes with crunchy toppings like granola and fruit.
Yogi: Yogi is a popular brand of tea that offers a variety of flavors and blends, including green tea, herbal tea, and chai tea.
Yoohoo: This classic chocolate drink is perfect for on-the-go or as a sweet treat.
Yoplait: Yoplait is a well-known brand of yogurt that offers a range of flavors and styles, including Greek yogurt and lactose-free options.
Yves Veggie Cuisine: This brand offers a range of plant-based meat substitutes like veggie burgers, chicken burgers, and sausages.
More Alphabet Food Fun
Want to eat your way through the alphabet? Or are you just memorizing lists so you can always win the alphabet game?
Either way, I’ve got you covered with comprehensive food lists for EVERY letter of the alphabet. Check out the entire collection of Foods That Start With lists!