✔ Updated · 130 foods, sorted by category
Foods that start with I include ice cream, iceberg lettuce, iced tea, Irish stew, Italian sausage, idli and Irish soda bread.
I is a tricky letter, so this list sticks to 130 real foods and skips filler, sorted into ten categories: fruits, vegetables, dishes and meals, desserts, snacks and breads, drinks, cheeses and dairy, meat and seafood, herbs, spices and condiments, and international foods. A quick A-to-Z list at the end is handy for alphabet games and quizzes.
Foods that start with I, from everyday favorites to rare finds. The most popular:
Fruits That Start With I
Apple and citrus varieties plus tropical and bush-food rarities.
Indian Gooseberry
Also called amla, a small, very sour green fruit eaten pickled, candied or in chutneys in India.
Ilama
A Central American relative of the cherimoya with pink or green skin and sweet, custardy white or pink flesh.
Imbe
A small, bright orange African fruit with a thin layer of sweet-tart flesh around a large seed, eaten fresh.
Illawarra Plum
An Australian bush food from a conifer tree, with dark purple fruit tasting of plum and pine, used in sauces and jams.
Ice Apple
The translucent, jelly-like fruit of the toddy palm, also called nungu, eaten in India in summer for its cool, sweet flesh.
Icaco
Also called cocoplum, a small round tropical fruit with white, mildly sweet flesh, often preserved in syrup in Colombia.
Ice Cream Bean
The long pod of the inga tree, whose seeds are wrapped in sweet, cottony white pulp that tastes like vanilla ice cream.
Iyokan
A large, easy-peel Japanese citrus fruit from Ehime Prefecture, juicy and sweet with a hint of bitterness.
Indian Jujube
Also called ber, a small, round fruit that is crisp and apple-like when green and sweeter as it ripens.
Indian Fig
Another name for the prickly pear, the sweet, seedy fruit of the opuntia cactus, eaten fresh or in drinks.
Italian Plum
A dark purple, oval prune plum with firm, sweet flesh that separates easily from the pit, ideal for baking and drying.
Idared Apple
A bright red, tart apple developed in Idaho in the 1940s that keeps well and is good for baking.
Imperial Mandarin
An early-season Australian mandarin with thin, easy-peel skin and sweet, juicy segments.
Ice Cream Banana
Also called Blue Java, a banana with blue-tinged skin and soft flesh said to taste like vanilla custard.
Indian Almond
The tropical almond tree's seed, eaten raw or roasted in Asia and the Pacific, with a flavor similar to almonds.
Indian Blood Peach
An heirloom peach with deep red flesh and a tart, berry-like flavor, prized for canning and preserves.
Indian Strawberry
Also called mock strawberry, a small red wild berry that looks like a strawberry but has a mild, watery taste.
Vegetables That Start With I
Lettuce, potatoes, peppers, gourds and greens that start with I.
Iceberg Lettuce
A crisp, pale green head lettuce with a mild flavor and lots of crunch, used in wedge salads, burgers and tacos.
Idaho Potato
A starchy russet potato grown in Idaho, fluffy when baked and the classic choice for French fries and mashed potatoes.
Italian Eggplant
A slightly smaller, more tender version of the globe eggplant, used in eggplant Parmesan and caponata.
Italian Frying Pepper
A long, thin-skinned, mild sweet pepper, also called cubanelle, fried in olive oil or stuffed.
Icicle Radish
A long, slender white radish with a crisp texture and milder heat than red radishes.
Imperator Carrot
The long, slender, tapered carrot most often sold in US supermarkets, sweet and crunchy.
Ivy Gourd
Also called tindora, a small, cucumber-like green vegetable cooked in Indian stir-fries and curries.
Indian Round Gourd
Also called tinda or apple gourd, a small, pale green squash cooked in North Indian curries.
Indian Corn
Flint corn with multicolored kernels in red, blue and yellow, ground into cornmeal or popped and used as fall decoration.
Ice Plant
A succulent with leaves covered in glistening, water-filled bumps, eaten raw in salads for its crunchy, salty taste.
Indian Mustard Greens
The peppery leaves of the brown mustard plant, cooked into the Punjabi dish sarson ka saag.
Irish Moss
A red seaweed from the North Atlantic, used to thicken puddings and the Caribbean drink known as sea moss.
Indian Cucumber Root
A woodland plant of eastern North America whose small, crisp white root tastes like cucumber.
Dishes & Meals That Start With I
Soups, sandwiches, stews and easy dinners that start with I. Irish stew is my rainy-day pot.
Irish Stew
A hearty stew of lamb or mutton, potatoes, onions and carrots simmered slowly in broth.
Italian Wedding Soup
A soup of tiny meatballs, greens and small pasta in chicken broth; its Italian name means married soup.
Italian Beef
A Chicago sandwich of thin-sliced roast beef soaked in seasoned juices on a roll, topped with giardiniera or sweet peppers.
Italian Sub
A long sandwich layered with salami, ham, capicola, provolone, lettuce, tomato and oil and vinegar.
Impossible Pie
A Bisquick-era pie that forms its own crust as it bakes, made sweet with coconut or savory with cheeseburger fillings.
Get the recipe →Instant Noodles
Precooked, dried noodles sold in blocks or cups with a seasoning packet, ready in minutes with hot water.
Instant Oatmeal
Thin, precooked rolled oats that soften in a minute with hot water or milk, often sold in flavored packets.
Irish Breakfast
A full cooked breakfast of bacon rashers, sausages, eggs, black and white pudding, tomatoes and soda bread.
Irish Nachos
A pub dish of crispy fried potato slices topped with cheese, bacon, sour cream and green onions instead of chips.
Indian Tacos
Fluffy Native American fry bread topped with seasoned beef, beans, lettuce, cheese and tomato.
Israeli Salad
Finely diced cucumber and tomato dressed with olive oil, lemon juice and salt, served with almost every meal.
Idaho Finger Steaks
An Idaho specialty of strips of beef sirloin battered and deep-fried, served with fries and cocktail sauce.
Italian Hot Dog
A New Jersey sandwich of a deep-fried hot dog in pizza bread stuffed with fried peppers, onions and potatoes.
Insalata Caprese
An Italian salad of sliced tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and basil drizzled with olive oil, in the colors of the Italian flag.
Desserts & Sweets That Start With I
Frozen treats, cakes, puddings and candy that start with I. Ice cream is always in my freezer.
Ice Cream
A frozen dessert of sweetened cream and milk churned with flavorings, from vanilla and chocolate to rocky road.
Get the recipe →Italian Ice
A smooth, scoopable frozen dessert of fruit juice, sugar and water, sold at stands in Philadelphia and New York.
Ice Cream Cake
A cake layered with ice cream, often with a cookie crumb center and whipped cream frosting.
Icebox Cake
A no-bake dessert of thin chocolate wafers layered with whipped cream and chilled until the cookies soften into cake.
Ice Cream Sandwich
A slab of vanilla ice cream pressed between two soft chocolate wafers or cookies.
Ice Pop
Flavored water or juice frozen on a stick, sold in endless colors and flavors as a summer treat.
Ice Cream Cone
A crisp wafer or waffle cone filled with scoops of ice cream, popularized at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair.
Icing
A sweet coating of powdered sugar mixed with milk, butter or egg whites, spread or piped onto cakes and cookies.
Indian Pudding
A New England baked pudding of cornmeal, milk and molasses spiced with cinnamon and ginger, served warm.
Italian Cream Cake
A Southern layer cake with coconut and pecans in the batter, covered in cream cheese frosting.
Irish Potato Candy
A Philadelphia candy of coconut and cream cheese rolled into small balls and dusted in cinnamon to look like potatoes.
Irish Apple Cake
A rustic cake of sliced apples baked into a buttery batter, often served warm with custard or cream.
Icebox Pie
A chilled pie with a no-bake filling such as lemon, chocolate or key lime set in a graham cracker crust.
Instant Pudding
A boxed pudding mix that thickens with cold milk in minutes, sold in flavors like chocolate, vanilla and pistachio.
Iced Gems
Small British biscuits topped with a swirl of brightly colored hard icing, a children's party favorite.
Italian Wedding Cookies
Buttery, crumbly shortbread balls made with ground nuts and rolled in powdered sugar, served at weddings and holidays.
Italian Rainbow Cookies
Italian-American almond sponge layers dyed red, white and green, sandwiched with jam and topped with chocolate.
Iced Oatmeal Cookies
Crisp, spiced oatmeal cookies topped with a thin layer of hard white icing.
Italian Meringue
A glossy, stable meringue made by pouring hot sugar syrup into whipped egg whites, used for frosting and mousses.
Imarti
An Indian sweet of lentil batter piped into flower shapes, deep-fried and soaked in saffron sugar syrup.
Imagawayaki
A Japanese street-food cake of thick, round pancake batter filled with sweet red bean paste or custard.
Imqaret
Maltese diamond-shaped pastries filled with dates and anise, deep-fried and often served with vanilla ice cream.
Ischler Tortchen
Austrian almond shortbread cookies sandwiched with jam and dipped in dark chocolate, named after Bad Ischl.
Snacks & Breads That Start With I
Breads, grains and pantry staples starting with I.
Irish Soda Bread
A quick bread leavened with baking soda and buttermilk instead of yeast, marked with a cross on top before baking.
Italian Bread
A long, crusty white loaf with a soft, airy crumb, used for garlic bread, bruschetta and sandwiches.
Israeli Couscous
Also called pearl couscous, small toasted balls of pasta that are larger and chewier than regular couscous.
Icelandic Rye Bread
A dense, dark, sweet rye bread called rugbraud, traditionally slow-baked in the ground near hot springs.
Instant Mashed Potatoes
Dehydrated potato flakes that turn into mashed potatoes when mixed with hot water or milk and butter.
Instant Rice
Rice that is precooked and dried so it can be prepared in about five minutes.
Drinks That Start With I
Iced drinks, Irish classics, teas, beers and sodas starting with I. I drink iced tea all summer.
Iced Tea
Brewed tea chilled and served over ice, sweetened in the South as sweet tea or served plain with lemon.
Iced Coffee
Coffee served cold over ice, often with milk and sweetener; cold brew is a smoother, slow-steeped version.
Get the recipe →Iced Matcha Latte
Japanese matcha green tea powder whisked with water and poured over ice and milk.
Get the recipe →Irish Coffee
Hot coffee with Irish whiskey and brown sugar, topped with a layer of lightly whipped cream.
Irish Cream
A creamy liqueur of Irish whiskey, cream and chocolate, sipped over ice or added to coffee and desserts.
Irish Whiskey
A smooth whiskey made in Ireland, usually triple-distilled and aged at least three years in wooden casks.
Irish Breakfast Tea
A strong, malty black tea blend, usually based on Assam, taken with milk.
Italian Soda
Sparkling water mixed with flavored syrup over ice, sometimes topped with cream to make an Italian cream soda.
India Pale Ale
A hoppy, bitter style of beer known as IPA, originally brewed in Britain for export to India.
Irish Stout
A dark, roasty beer made with roasted barley, served with a thick creamy head.
Ice Cream Soda
Soda water and flavored syrup poured over a scoop of ice cream, a classic soda fountain drink.
Instant Coffee
Coffee brewed and then freeze-dried or spray-dried into granules that dissolve in hot water.
Icewine
A sweet dessert wine made from grapes frozen on the vine, a specialty of Canada and Germany.
Inca Kola
A bright yellow Peruvian soda flavored with lemon verbena, often called the national drink of Peru.
Islay Whisky
Scotch whisky from the Isle of Islay, famous for its smoky, peaty and briny flavor.
Ipoh White Coffee
A Malaysian coffee from the city of Ipoh, roasted with palm oil margarine and served with condensed milk.
Cheeses & Dairy That Start With I
Spanish, Scottish and Icelandic cheeses, plus skyr and butter.
Idiazabal
A firm, often lightly smoked sheep's milk cheese from the Basque Country and Navarre in Spain.
Iberico Cheese
A Spanish cheese made from a blend of cow's, goat's and sheep's milk, with a buttery, nutty flavor.
Ibores
A Spanish goat cheese from Extremadura with a rind rubbed with paprika and olive oil.
Isle of Mull Cheddar
A tangy, crumbly farmhouse cheddar made on the Scottish island of Mull, pale in color with a sharp bite.
Icelandic Skyr
A thick, strained cultured dairy product from Iceland, technically a soft cheese but eaten like yogurt.
Irish Butter
Rich, yellow butter made from the milk of grass-fed Irish cows, with a higher butterfat than standard American butter.
Meat & Seafood That Start With I
Sausages, hams, roe and fish that start with I.
Italian Sausage
A pork sausage seasoned with fennel and garlic, sold sweet or hot, and grilled, crumbled into sauces or baked.
Iberico Ham
Spain's prized cured ham from black Iberian pigs, some fattened on acorns, sliced paper-thin.
Imitation Crab
Also called surimi or crab sticks, a seafood product of minced white fish shaped and colored to look like crab.
Ikura
Large, glossy orange salmon roe cured in soy sauce or salt, served on sushi and rice bowls.
Irish Bacon
Back bacon cut from the pork loin with a strip of belly attached, leaner and meatier than American bacon.
Icefish
Small, translucent fish eaten whole in China, Japan and Korea, fried or added to soups and omelets.
Indian Mackerel
A small, oily mackerel common in South and Southeast Asia, fried, grilled or cooked in coconut curries.
Isterband
A Swedish smoked sausage of pork, barley and potatoes with a slightly sour, fermented tang.
Herbs, Spices & Condiments That Start With I
Seasonings, dressings and pantry staples beginning with I.
Italian Seasoning
A dried herb blend of basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary and marjoram for pasta sauces, pizza and roasted vegetables.
Italian Dressing
A vinaigrette of oil, vinegar or lemon juice, herbs, garlic and sometimes bell pepper, used on salads and as a marinade.
Italian Parsley
Flat-leaf parsley with a stronger, fresher flavor than curly parsley, used in gremolata, chimichurri and tabbouleh.
Iodized Salt
Table salt with added iodine, the most common salt in American kitchens.
Icing Sugar
The British name for powdered or confectioners' sugar, finely ground sugar used for frostings and dusting.
Instant Yeast
A fast-acting dried yeast that can be mixed straight into flour without proofing first.
Imli Chutney
A sweet and sour Indian tamarind chutney with jaggery and spices, drizzled over samosas and chaat.
Indian Bay Leaf
Also called tej patta, a large leaf with a cinnamon-clove aroma used in Indian biryanis and curries.
Iru
Fermented locust beans used across West Africa to add deep, savory flavor to stews and soups.
International Foods That Start With I
Global dishes that start with I, from India to Turkey and Nigeria.
Idli
Soft, steamed South Indian cakes of fermented rice and lentil batter, served with sambar and coconut chutney.
Idiyappam
String hoppers from South India and Sri Lanka: rice flour dough pressed into fine noodles and steamed in nests.
Injera
A spongy, sour Ethiopian flatbread made from teff flour, used as both plate and utensil for stews.
Imam Bayildi
A Turkish dish of whole eggplant stuffed with onions, garlic and tomatoes and braised in olive oil, served cold.
Iskender Kebab
A Turkish dish of thin-sliced doner meat over pita, topped with tomato sauce, melted butter and yogurt.
Icli Kofte
Turkish and Middle Eastern bulgur shells stuffed with spiced meat and nuts, then fried; also called kibbeh.
Involtini
Italian rolls of thin meat, fish or eggplant slices wrapped around a filling and baked or braised.
Inarizushi
Japanese sushi rice stuffed into pouches of sweet, seasoned fried tofu, a popular lunchbox food.
Ikayaki
Grilled whole squid brushed with soy sauce, a classic Japanese festival street food.
Isi Ewu
A spicy Nigerian dish of goat head cooked in a thick palm oil and utazi sauce, served in a wooden bowl.
Isaw
Filipino street food of chicken or pork intestines threaded on skewers and grilled, dipped in spiced vinegar.
Inasal
Chicken inasal is a Filipino grilled chicken from Bacolod, marinated in calamansi, lemongrass and annatto oil.
Ikan Bakar
Indonesian and Malaysian grilled fish marinated in chili and spices and cooked over charcoal on banana leaves.
Ikan Bilis
Small dried anchovies fried until crunchy and served with nasi lemak in Malaysia and Singapore.
Irio
A Kenyan dish of mashed potatoes, peas, corn and greens, often served with grilled meat.
Isombe
A Rwandan dish of pounded cassava leaves cooked with eggplant, spinach and palm oil or peanut butter.
Ishtu
A mild Kerala stew of vegetables or meat cooked in coconut milk with whole spices and green chilies.
Ilocos Empanada
A crisp, orange rice-flour empanada from the Philippines filled with papaya, egg and longganisa.
Did You Know?
- Iceberg lettuce is said to get its name from the 1920s, when California growers shipped it across the US by rail packed under heaps of crushed ice.
- Irish coffee was created in the 1940s by chef Joe Sheridan at the Foynes flying boat terminal in County Limerick, to warm up cold transatlantic passengers.
- The Turkish dish imam bayildi translates as 'the imam fainted', with legends claiming he swooned at how good the stuffed eggplant tasted, or at the cost of the olive oil.
- The ice cream cone was popularized at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair, where vendors rolled waffles into cones to hold scoops of ice cream.
Quick List: All 130 Foods That Start With I
Handy for alphabet games, quizzes and Scattergories. The full list, A to Z:
Iberico Cheese, Iberico Ham, Ibores, Icaco, Ice Apple, Ice Cream, Ice Cream Banana, Ice Cream Bean, Ice Cream Cake, Ice Cream Cone, Ice Cream Sandwich, Ice Cream Soda, Ice Plant, Ice Pop, Iceberg Lettuce, Icebox Cake, Icebox Pie, Iced Coffee, Iced Gems, Iced Matcha Latte, Iced Oatmeal Cookies, Iced Tea, Icefish, Icelandic Rye Bread, Icelandic Skyr, Icewine, Icicle Radish, Icing, Icing Sugar, Icli Kofte, Idaho Finger Steaks, Idaho Potato, Idared Apple, Idiazabal, Idiyappam, Idli, Ikan Bakar, Ikan Bilis, Ikayaki, Ikura, Ilama, Illawarra Plum, Ilocos Empanada, Imagawayaki, Imam Bayildi, Imarti, Imbe, Imitation Crab, Imli Chutney, Imperator Carrot, Imperial Mandarin, Impossible Pie, Imqaret, Inarizushi, Inasal, Inca Kola, India Pale Ale, Indian Almond, Indian Bay Leaf, Indian Blood Peach, Indian Corn, Indian Cucumber Root, Indian Fig, Indian Gooseberry, Indian Jujube, Indian Mackerel, Indian Mustard Greens, Indian Pudding, Indian Round Gourd, Indian Strawberry, Indian Tacos, Injera, Insalata Caprese, Instant Coffee, Instant Mashed Potatoes, Instant Noodles, Instant Oatmeal, Instant Pudding, Instant Rice, Instant Yeast, Involtini, Iodized Salt, Ipoh White Coffee, Irio, Irish Apple Cake, Irish Bacon, Irish Breakfast, Irish Breakfast Tea, Irish Butter, Irish Coffee, Irish Cream, Irish Moss, Irish Nachos, Irish Potato Candy, Irish Soda Bread, Irish Stew, Irish Stout, Irish Whiskey, Iru, Isaw, Ischler Tortchen, Ishtu, Isi Ewu, Iskender Kebab, Islay Whisky, Isle of Mull Cheddar, Isombe, Israeli Couscous, Israeli Salad, Isterband, Italian Beef, Italian Bread, Italian Cream Cake, Italian Dressing, Italian Eggplant, Italian Frying Pepper, Italian Hot Dog, Italian Ice, Italian Meringue, Italian Parsley, Italian Plum, Italian Rainbow Cookies, Italian Sausage, Italian Seasoning, Italian Soda, Italian Sub, Italian Wedding Cookies, Italian Wedding Soup, Ivy Gourd, Iyokan
Frequently Asked Questions
What fruit starts with I?
Fruits that start with I include Indian gooseberry (amla), ilama, imbe, Illawarra plum, ice apple (toddy palm fruit), icaco, ice cream bean, iyokan, Indian jujube, Italian plums, Idared apples and Imperial mandarins.
What vegetable starts with I?
Iceberg lettuce is the most common vegetable that starts with I. Idaho potatoes, Italian eggplant, Italian frying peppers, icicle radishes, Imperator carrots, ivy gourd, Indian corn, Indian round gourd and ice plant also begin with I.
What's a dessert that starts with I?
Ice cream is the classic dessert that starts with I. Italian ice, ice cream cake, icebox cake, ice cream sandwiches, Indian pudding, Italian cream cake, Irish potato candy, imarti and imagawayaki are other sweet choices.
What are some rare or unusual foods that start with I?
Unusual foods that start with I include isi ewu, a Nigerian goat head pepper soup; ilama, a Central American custard fruit; isaw, Filipino grilled chicken intestines; imbe, an African fruit; and iru, fermented locust beans from West Africa.
What drinks start with I?
Drinks that start with I include iced tea, iced coffee, Irish coffee, Irish cream, Irish whiskey, Irish breakfast tea, Italian soda, India pale ale, ice cream soda, icewine and Inca Kola, the golden soda of Peru.
More foods by letter:
