✔ Updated · 251 foods, sorted by category
From melon and mango to macaroni, meatballs and muffins, the letter M starts some of the most delicious foods on the planet.
This list rounds up 251 foods that start with M, sorted into ten categories: fruits and nuts, vegetables, dishes, desserts, breads and snacks, drinks, cheeses, meat and seafood, herbs and condiments, and international foods. Each entry has a short description, and a quick A-to-Z list at the end is handy for alphabet games, quizzes and Scattergories.
Foods that start with M, from everyday favorites to rare finds. The most popular:
Fruits & Nuts That Start With M
Tropical fruits, berries, apples and nuts that start with M.
Mango
A juicy tropical stone fruit native to South Asia with sweet, golden flesh, eaten fresh or blended into lassi and smoothies.
Mandarin
A small, easy-to-peel citrus fruit, sweeter than an orange, with clementines and satsumas among its best-known types.
Melon
A large, sweet, juicy fruit with many varieties, including cantaloupe, honeydew, canary melon and winter melon.
Mulberry
A black, red or white berry that looks like a long blackberry, eaten fresh, dried like raisins or made into jam.
Mangosteen
A Southeast Asian fruit with a thick purple rind and soft white segments that taste sweet, tangy and floral.
Medjool Dates
Large, soft, caramel-sweet dates with chewy flesh, eaten as a snack, stuffed with nuts or blended into desserts.
Marionberry
A dark, juicy blackberry variety from Oregon with a sweet-tart flavor, prized for pies, cobblers and jam.
Mamey Sapote
A large Central American fruit with rough brown skin and creamy salmon-colored flesh tasting of pumpkin and sweet potato.
Mammee Apple
A round Caribbean fruit with thick brown skin and firm, apricot-flavored orange flesh, eaten fresh or in preserves.
Maracuja
The Portuguese and Spanish name for passion fruit, a wrinkly purple or yellow fruit filled with tangy, seedy pulp.
Miracle Fruit
A small red West African berry that temporarily makes sour foods like lemons taste sweet after eating it.
Monstera Deliciosa
The fruit of the Swiss cheese plant, which tastes like pineapple and banana but must be fully ripe to eat safely.
Meyer Lemon
A cross between a lemon and a mandarin with thin skin and sweeter, less acidic juice, loved for baking.
Mirabelle Plum
A small, golden plum from the Lorraine region of France, very sweet, used in tarts, jams and brandy.
Medlar
An old European fruit that is eaten only after it softens and browns, when its flesh tastes like spiced applesauce.
Mayhaw
A small red hawthorn fruit from Southern US swamps, cooked into a prized, rosy-pink jelly in Louisiana and Georgia.
Muscadine
A thick-skinned grape native to the southeastern US, very sweet and musky, used in jelly, pies and Southern wine.
Morello Cherry
A dark red sour cherry used in Black Forest cake, pies and preserves rather than eaten fresh.
McIntosh Apple
A tender, tangy red and green apple from Canada that breaks down quickly, ideal for applesauce.
Macoun Apple
A crisp, very juicy New England apple with a sweet, berry-like flavor, available only for a short autumn season.
Mutsu Apple
Also called Crispin, a large, green-yellow Japanese apple with crunchy, sweet-tart flesh for snacking and baking.
Mamoncillo
Also called Spanish lime, a small green Caribbean fruit with a large seed and tangy, jelly-like salmon flesh.
Marula
A yellow, plum-sized African fruit with tart, juicy flesh, used in jams, beer and the cream liqueur Amarula.
Mabolo
Also called velvet apple, a fuzzy reddish Philippine fruit with creamy, sweet flesh and a cheese-like aroma.
Maqui Berry
A small, deep purple berry from Chile and Argentina, usually sold dried or powdered for smoothies and juices.
Malay Apple
A pear-shaped red fruit from Southeast Asia with crisp, white, mildly sweet flesh, related to the rose apple.
Monk Fruit
Also called luo han guo, a small Chinese melon dried for tea and processed into a zero-calorie sweetener.
Moro Orange
An Italian blood orange with deep red flesh and a sweet, berry-like flavor, in season during winter.
Macadamia Nuts
Rich, buttery nuts native to Australia with a very hard shell, famous in white chocolate macadamia cookies.
Marcona Almonds
Round, sweet Spanish almonds, usually fried in olive oil and salted, a classic tapas bar snack.
Vegetables & Legumes That Start With M
Mushrooms, greens, roots and beans that begin with M. I brown mushrooms until the pan smells nutty, just like my mum taught me.
Mushrooms
Fleshy edible fungi such as button, cremini and portobello, sautéed, stuffed, grilled or added to sauces and soups.
Get the recipe →Morel Mushrooms
Prized wild spring mushrooms with a honeycomb cap and earthy, nutty flavor, always cooked before eating.
Maitake
Also called hen of the woods, a frilly, clustered mushroom with a rich, savory taste that crisps beautifully when roasted.
Matsutake
A highly prized Japanese mushroom with a spicy, piney aroma, cooked with rice or in clear soup in autumn.
Mustard Greens
Peppery, slightly bitter leaves cooked Southern-style with ham hocks, stir-fried in Asia or pickled in China and India.
Mizuna
A Japanese salad green with feathery, jagged leaves and a mild, peppery taste, common in mesclun mixes.
Mibuna
A Japanese green related to mizuna, with long, smooth, strap-like leaves and a slightly stronger mustard flavor.
Microgreens
Tiny, young seedlings of vegetables and herbs, harvested a week or two after sprouting, used as an intensely flavored garnish.
Mesclun
A French-style mix of young salad leaves such as arugula, endive, chervil and lettuces, sold as spring mix.
Mâche
Also called lamb's lettuce or corn salad, small, tender rosettes of soft, nutty leaves for winter salads.
Malabar Spinach
A heat-loving vine with thick, glossy leaves that turn silky when cooked, popular in Indian and Southeast Asian cooking.
Malanga
A starchy, hairy-skinned root from the Caribbean and Latin America with a nutty flavor, boiled, mashed or fried into fritters.
Manioc
Another name for cassava or yuca, a starchy tropical root that must be cooked and is the source of tapioca.
Mangetout
The British and French name for snow peas, flat pea pods eaten whole, raw or quickly stir-fried.
Marrow
A large, mild summer squash popular in Britain, essentially an overgrown zucchini, often stuffed with mince and baked.
Marrowfat Peas
Large, starchy dried green peas soaked and cooked into the mushy peas served with fish and chips in Britain.
Maize
The original name for corn, a staple grain of the Americas eaten on the cob, ground into masa or popped.
Mung Beans
Small green beans cooked into dal and soups, sprouted into bean sprouts or made into sweet bean paste.
Moth Beans
Small, brown, drought-hardy Indian beans, sprouted and cooked into misal and usal in Maharashtra and Rajasthan.
Mayocoba Beans
Also called canary or Peruano beans, buttery pale yellow beans that make creamy refried beans.
Moringa
A fast-growing tree whose leaves are cooked like spinach and whose long pods, called drumsticks, flavor Indian curries.
Mirliton
The Louisiana name for chayote, a pale green, pear-shaped squash often stuffed with shrimp and breadcrumbs.
Mexican Sour Gherkin
A grape-sized cucumber that looks like a tiny watermelon, with a crunchy, lemony-sour taste for snacking or pickling.
Maui Onion
A sweet, mild onion grown on the volcanic slopes of Maui in Hawaii, juicy enough to eat raw.
Dishes & Meals That Start With M
Comfort food, soups and dinners that start with M. Mac and cheese is the side my family fights over.
Meatloaf
Ground beef mixed with breadcrumbs, egg, onion and seasonings, shaped into a loaf, glazed with ketchup and baked.
Get the recipe →Meatballs
Balls of minced meat mixed with breadcrumbs, egg, garlic and herbs, fried, baked or simmered in tomato sauce.
Get the recipe →Meatball Sub
A toasted sub roll stuffed with saucy meatballs and marinara and topped with melted provolone or mozzarella.
Get the recipe →Macaroni and Cheese
Elbow macaroni in a creamy cheddar sauce, stovetop or baked with a golden top, the ultimate American comfort food.
Get the recipe →Macaroni Salad
A cold picnic salad of elbow macaroni, mayonnaise, celery, onion and sometimes eggs, served at barbecues and potlucks.
Mashed Potatoes
Boiled potatoes mashed with butter and milk or cream until smooth, the classic side for gravy, roasts and fried chicken.
Get the recipe →Minestrone
A hearty Italian vegetable soup with beans, small pasta and tomatoes, varied by season and region.
Get the recipe →Manicotti
Large pasta tubes stuffed with ricotta, mozzarella and herbs, covered in marinara and baked until bubbly.
Margherita Pizza
The classic Neapolitan pizza topped simply with tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, basil and olive oil.
Mississippi Pot Roast
A slow cooker chuck roast cooked with ranch seasoning, au jus mix, butter and pepperoncini until it shreds.
Monte Cristo
A ham, turkey and Swiss cheese sandwich dipped in egg batter and fried, dusted with powdered sugar and served with jam.
Muffuletta
A New Orleans sandwich on a round sesame loaf layered with Italian cold cuts, provolone and briny olive salad.
Mushroom Risotto
Creamy Italian arborio rice slowly cooked with stock, sautéed mushrooms, white wine, butter and parmesan.
Manhattan Clam Chowder
A red, tomato-based clam chowder with potatoes, celery and carrots, lighter than creamy New England style.
Matzo Ball Soup
A Jewish chicken soup with fluffy dumplings made from matzo meal, eggs and schmaltz, often called Jewish penicillin.
Mulligatawny
An Anglo-Indian curried soup of lentils or chicken with vegetables, apple, rice and coconut milk.
Mulligan Stew
A thrifty American stew made from whatever meat and vegetables are on hand, linked with Depression-era hobo camps.
Mock Turtle Soup
A Victorian English soup that imitated green turtle soup using calf's head or beef, inspiring Lewis Carroll's Mock Turtle.
Mongolian Beef
A Chinese-American dish of crispy sliced flank steak in a sweet, garlicky soy and brown sugar sauce with green onions.
Moo Shu Pork
A Chinese dish of stir-fried pork, egg, cabbage and mushrooms wrapped in thin pancakes with hoisin sauce.
Mexican Rice
Long-grain rice toasted in oil and simmered with tomato, onion, garlic and broth, served alongside tacos and enchiladas.
Maple Glazed Salmon
Salmon fillets brushed with a sweet and savory glaze of maple syrup, soy sauce and garlic, then baked or broiled.
Meat Pie
A pastry crust filled with minced or diced meat in gravy, eaten in Australia, Britain, Canada and New Zealand.
Mixed Grill
A British and Irish pub plate of grilled steak, lamb chop, sausage, bacon, kidney, tomato and mushrooms.
Desserts & Sweets That Start With M
Cakes, cookies, pies, pastries and candy that start with M. I bake muffins most weekends.
Macarons
Delicate French sandwich cookies made from almond flour meringue, filled with ganache, buttercream or jam in many colors.
Macaroons
Chewy, golden mounds of sweetened shredded coconut and egg whites, often dipped in chocolate, popular at Passover.
Madeleines
Small, shell-shaped French sponge cakes with a buttery crumb and a signature hump, made famous by Marcel Proust.
Madeira Cake
A firm, buttery British sponge flavored with lemon, named for the Madeira wine it was once served with.
Marble Cake
A butter cake swirled with vanilla and chocolate batter, creating a marbled pattern in every slice.
Marshmallows
Soft, fluffy candies of whipped sugar and gelatin, toasted for s'mores or melted onto hot chocolate and sweet potatoes.
Marzipan
A sweet paste of ground almonds and sugar, molded into fruit shapes and figures or used to cover cakes.
Meringue
Egg whites whipped with sugar into glossy peaks, baked into crisp cookies or toasted on top of pies.
Mille-Feuille
A French pastry of three layers of crisp puff pastry filled with pastry cream and topped with feathered icing.
Millionaire's Shortbread
A Scottish bar of buttery shortbread topped with thick, gooey caramel and a layer of chocolate.
Mince Pie
A small British Christmas pie filled with mincemeat, a spiced mix of dried fruit, suet, sugar and brandy.
Mississippi Mud Pie
A gooey Southern chocolate dessert with a cookie crust, fudgy filling and whipped cream or marshmallow topping.
Mochi
Soft, chewy Japanese rice cakes made from pounded glutinous rice, often filled with sweet red bean paste or ice cream.
Get the recipe →Mochi Donut
A ring of eight connected dough balls made with glutinous rice flour, with a light, bouncy chew and colorful glazes.
Get the recipe →Molasses Cookies
Soft, chewy spiced cookies made with molasses, ginger and cinnamon, rolled in sugar for a crackly top.
Molten Chocolate Cake
A small chocolate cake with a gooey, liquid center, served warm with vanilla ice cream or raspberries.
Monkey Bread
Pull-apart balls of sweet dough rolled in cinnamon sugar and baked in a Bundt pan with buttery caramel sauce.
Mont Blanc
A French and Italian dessert of sweetened chestnut purée piped into strands over meringue and whipped cream.
Mooncake
A dense Chinese pastry filled with lotus seed or red bean paste, often with a salted egg yolk, eaten at the Mid-Autumn Festival.
MoonPie
A Southern snack cake of marshmallow sandwiched between two graham cookies and dipped in chocolate, made in Tennessee since 1917.
Mousse
A light, airy dessert of whipped cream or egg whites folded into chocolate or fruit, chilled until set.
Mexican Wedding Cookies
Buttery, crumbly ball cookies made with ground pecans or walnuts and rolled in powdered sugar.
Muddy Buddies
Rice cereal coated in melted chocolate and peanut butter, then tossed in powdered sugar, also called puppy chow.
Get the recipe →Magic Cookie Bars
Layered bars of graham cracker crust, sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chips, coconut and nuts, also called seven-layer bars.
Malted Milk Balls
Crunchy, airy malted milk centers coated in milk chocolate, a movie theater and Easter favorite.
Maple Candy
Melt-in-the-mouth candy made by boiling maple syrup and pouring it into leaf-shaped molds, a Vermont and Quebec treat.
Milk Chocolate
Chocolate made with cocoa, sugar and milk powder, sweeter and creamier than dark chocolate, the most popular kind in the US.
M&M's
Small, colorful candy-coated chocolates sold since 1941, baked into cookies or sprinkled on ice cream and trail mix.
Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
Cool mint-flavored ice cream, often tinted pale green, studded with chips or shavings of dark chocolate.
Breads, Grains & Snacks That Start With M
Breads, pasta, grains and snacks that begin with M.
Muffin
A small, sweet quick bread baked in a cup, like blueberry or banana, or the griddled English muffin.
Morning Glory Muffin
A hearty muffin packed with grated carrot, apple, coconut, raisins and nuts, created on Nantucket in the 1970s.
Muesli
A Swiss breakfast of rolled oats, nuts, seeds and dried fruit, eaten with milk or yogurt or soaked overnight.
Millet
A small, ancient, gluten-free grain cooked like rice or porridge, a staple in India, China and Africa.
Matzo
A thin, crisp unleavened flatbread of flour and water, eaten by Jewish families during Passover.
Mantou
Soft, fluffy Chinese steamed buns without filling, eaten plain, with savory dishes or fried and dipped in condensed milk.
Markook
A paper-thin Middle Eastern flatbread stretched by hand and baked on a domed griddle called a saj.
Malt Loaf
A dense, sticky British bread made with malt extract and dried fruit, sliced and spread thickly with butter.
Melba Toast
Very thin, crisp, dry toast named after the opera singer Nellie Melba, served with soups, pâté and cheese.
Multigrain Bread
A hearty bread made with several grains such as wheat, oats, barley, flax and millet, great for sandwiches.
Marie Biscuits
Plain, lightly sweet round biscuits created in London in 1874, dunked in tea and used in no-bake desserts.
Macaroni
Dry pasta shaped into short, hollow tubes, usually elbow-shaped in North America, used in mac and cheese and salads.
Mafaldine
Long, flat ribbon pasta with ruffled edges, named after Princess Mafalda of Savoy, great with rich ragù.
Mostaccioli
Smooth, tube-shaped pasta cut on the diagonal like penne, a Midwest potluck favorite baked with meat sauce.
Maltagliati
Irregular, rough-cut pieces of fresh pasta from Emilia-Romagna, whose name means badly cut, used in bean soups.
Mezze Maniche
Short, wide rigatoni-style tubes whose name means half sleeves, perfect for carbonara and chunky sauces.
Masa Harina
Fine corn flour made from nixtamalized corn, mixed with water to make tortillas, tamales and pupusas.
Mixed Nuts
A salted snack mix of nuts such as peanuts, cashews, almonds, pecans and Brazil nuts, roasted until crunchy.
Mozzarella Sticks
Breaded and fried sticks of mozzarella cheese with a gooey, stretchy center, served with marinara for dipping.
Malted Milk Powder
A powder of malted barley, wheat flour and milk, stirred into milkshakes and baked goods for a toasty flavor.
Drinks That Start With M
Coffee, tea, cocktails and wines that start with M.
Milk
A white, nourishing drink, usually from cows, poured on cereal, used in baking and enjoyed cold by the glass.
Milkshake
Ice cream blended with milk and flavorings like chocolate, vanilla or strawberry, often topped with whipped cream.
Get the recipe →Mocha
An espresso drink made with chocolate and steamed milk, often topped with whipped cream, also called a mochaccino.
Macchiato
A shot of espresso marked with a dash of milk foam; the caramel macchiato is a sweeter latte-style drink.
Get the recipe →Matcha
Finely powdered Japanese green tea whisked into a frothy drink, or blended with milk for a creamy matcha latte.
Get the recipe →Masala Chai
Indian spiced tea brewed with black tea, milk, sugar, ginger, cardamom, cinnamon and cloves.
Mate
Also called yerba mate, a caffeinated South American herbal tea sipped from a gourd through a metal straw.
Milk Tea
Tea mixed with milk and sugar, from Hong Kong-style milk tea to Taiwanese bubble tea with chewy tapioca pearls.
Mango Lassi
A creamy Indian drink of yogurt blended with ripe mango, milk and a pinch of cardamom.
Margarita
A tequila cocktail with lime juice and orange liqueur, served on the rocks or frozen in a salt-rimmed glass.
Martini
A classic cocktail of gin or vodka and dry vermouth, stirred and served with an olive or lemon twist.
Manhattan
A classic cocktail of rye or bourbon whiskey, sweet vermouth and bitters, garnished with a cherry.
Mojito
A Cuban highball of white rum, fresh mint, lime juice, sugar and soda water, served over crushed ice.
Mai Tai
A tiki cocktail of rum, lime juice, orange curaçao and orgeat almond syrup, created in California in the 1940s.
Get the recipe →Mimosa
A brunch cocktail of equal parts sparkling wine and chilled orange juice, served in a champagne flute.
Get the recipe →Mint Julep
A Southern cocktail of bourbon, sugar and fresh mint over crushed ice, the official drink of the Kentucky Derby.
Get the recipe →Moscow Mule
A refreshing cocktail of vodka, spicy ginger beer and lime juice, served in a frosty copper mug.
Mudslide
A creamy dessert cocktail of vodka, coffee liqueur and Irish cream, often blended with ice cream.
Michelada
A Mexican beer cocktail of lager with lime juice, hot sauce, spices and tomato juice in a salt-rimmed glass.
Mulled Wine
Red wine gently heated with orange, cinnamon, cloves and sugar, a winter favorite at Christmas markets.
Merlot
A popular red wine grape from Bordeaux, making soft, smooth wines with plum and black cherry flavors.
Malbec
A bold red wine grape from France now famous in Argentina, with dark fruit flavors that suit grilled steak.
Moscato
A sweet, lightly sparkling Italian white wine made from Muscat grapes, with peach and orange blossom flavors.
Marsala
A fortified wine from Sicily, used to make chicken marsala and the sauce in tiramisu and zabaglione.
Madeira
A fortified wine from the Portuguese island of Madeira, heated during aging for a nutty, caramel flavor that lasts for decades.
Mead
One of the oldest alcoholic drinks, made by fermenting honey with water, sometimes flavored with fruit or spices.
Mezcal
A Mexican spirit distilled from roasted agave hearts, with a distinctive smoky flavor; tequila is a type of mezcal.
Mineral Water
Water from a natural spring containing dissolved minerals, sold still or sparkling, like Perrier or San Pellegrino.
Cheeses & Dairy That Start With M
Fresh, soft and aged cheeses that begin with M.
Mozzarella
A soft, fresh Italian cheese made by stretching curds, from buffalo or cow's milk, the classic cheese for pizza.
Mascarpone
A rich, spreadable Italian cream cheese with a sweet, buttery taste, the key ingredient in tiramisu.
Manchego
A firm Spanish sheep's milk cheese from La Mancha with a nutty flavor and a zigzag-patterned rind.
Monterey Jack
A mild, creamy American cheese from California that melts beautifully in quesadillas, nachos and grilled cheese.
Muenster
A mild, soft American cheese with a bright orange rind, great for melting on sandwiches and burgers.
Munster
A pungent, washed-rind French cheese from Alsace, much stronger than American Muenster, often served with cumin.
Mimolette
A hard, bright orange French cheese with a rough rind, aged until it tastes nutty and caramel-like.
Mizithra
A Greek whey cheese made from sheep or goat milk, eaten fresh or aged and grated over pasta with browned butter.
Maasdam
A semi-hard Dutch cheese with large holes and a sweet, nutty taste, similar to Emmental but creamier.
Mahón
A tangy cow's milk cheese from the Spanish island of Menorca, with a rind rubbed with paprika and olive oil.
Morbier
A semi-soft French cheese from the Jura with a distinctive thin line of vegetable ash through its middle.
Montasio
A firm Italian cow's milk cheese from the Friuli region, the traditional cheese for frico, a crispy cheese pancake.
Manouri
A creamy, mild Greek whey cheese made from sheep or goat milk, eaten with honey or crumbled into salads.
Maroilles
A square, orange-rinded cheese from northern France with a strong smell and creamy, savory paste.
Mont d'Or
A seasonal French and Swiss cheese wrapped in spruce bark, so runny it is often baked and eaten with a spoon.
Malai
A thick layer of clotted cream skimmed from boiled milk in India, used in sweets, curries and malai kofta.
Matzoon
A tangy fermented milk similar to yogurt from Armenia and Georgia, eaten plain or used in soups and sauces.
Meat & Seafood That Start With M
Fish, shellfish, game and sausages that start with M.
Mutton
Meat from mature sheep, stronger and fattier than lamb, slow-cooked in curries, stews and Middle Eastern dishes.
Mackerel
An oily, full-flavored fish with striped skin, grilled, smoked or cured, and rich in omega-3 fats.
Mahi Mahi
Also called dolphinfish, a firm, mild warm-water fish that is great grilled or blackened in fish tacos.
Monkfish
A fearsome-looking fish with firm, sweet tail meat often called poor man's lobster, great roasted or in stews.
Marlin
A large billfish with dense, meaty flesh similar to swordfish, grilled as steaks or smoked in Hawaii and the Caribbean.
Mullet
A mild, oily fish fried or smoked along the US Gulf Coast, prized in Florida and for its bottarga roe.
Milkfish
The national fish of the Philippines, called bangus, often marinated in vinegar and garlic and fried for breakfast.
Mako Shark
A fast ocean shark with firm, meaty steaks similar to swordfish, usually marinated and grilled.
Mussels
Blue-black shellfish steamed in white wine, garlic and herbs until they open, served with bread or fries.
Mud Crab
A large, heavy-clawed crab from Asian and Australian mangroves, famous in Singapore's chili crab.
Mantis Shrimp
A colorful crustacean with sweet, lobster-like meat, eaten steamed or salt-and-pepper fried in Asia and the Mediterranean.
Masago
Tiny orange capelin roe with a mild, salty crunch, sprinkled on sushi rolls and poke bowls.
Get the recipe →Mojama
Salt-cured, air-dried tuna loin from southern Spain, sliced paper-thin and served with almonds and olive oil.
Moose
Lean, dark game meat from the largest member of the deer family, hunted in Canada, Alaska and Scandinavia.
Mallard
A wild duck whose dark, rich, lean meat is roasted or pan-seared rare, a classic autumn game bird.
Mortadella
A large Italian cooked sausage from Bologna with cubes of pork fat and pistachios, the ancestor of bologna.
Merguez
A spicy North African lamb or beef sausage seasoned with harissa, cumin and paprika, grilled or added to couscous.
Mettwurst
A German pork sausage, either cured and smoked or soft and spreadable, eaten on bread rolls.
Morcilla
A Spanish blood sausage made with pork blood, onions, spices and often rice, sliced and fried for tapas.
Mince
The British word for ground meat, usually beef, used in cottage pie, bolognese and mince and tatties.
Marrow Bones
Beef bones split to expose rich, buttery marrow, roasted and spread on toast or used for broth.
Herbs, Spices & Condiments That Start With M
Seasonings, sauces, spreads and syrups beginning with M.
Mint
A fresh, cooling herb used in teas, mojitos, salads, lamb dishes and desserts, with spearmint and peppermint the best known.
Marjoram
A sweet, mild herb related to oregano, used in sausages, stuffing, soups and tomato sauces.
Mexican Oregano
A citrusy, earthy herb from a verbena-family plant, not true oregano, used in chili, pozole and salsas.
Mace
The lacy red covering around the nutmeg seed, dried into a warm, delicate spice for baking and sauces.
Mahleb
A spice made from ground cherry pits with a bitter almond flavor, used in Greek, Turkish and Middle Eastern breads.
Mastic
A pine-scented resin from trees on the Greek island of Chios, used to flavor ice cream, bread and liqueur.
Mitmita
A fiery orange-red Ethiopian spice blend of bird's eye chilies, cardamom and salt, served with kitfo.
Mulato Chile
A dried poblano pepper with a sweet, chocolatey, smoky flavor, one of the key chilies in mole poblano.
Mustard
A tangy yellow or brown condiment made from mustard seeds, vinegar and spices, essential on hot dogs and sandwiches.
Mustard Seeds
Tiny yellow, brown or black seeds fried in oil for Indian dishes, used in pickling or ground into mustard.
Mayonnaise
A thick, creamy emulsion of oil, egg yolks and vinegar or lemon juice, the base of many sandwiches and dressings.
Maple Syrup
A sweet syrup boiled down from the sap of maple trees, poured over pancakes, waffles, oatmeal and French toast.
Molasses
A thick, dark syrup left after refining sugar cane, used in gingerbread, baked beans and barbecue sauce.
Marmalade
A fruit preserve made with citrus peel and juice, most famously from bitter Seville oranges, spread on toast.
Margarine
A butter substitute made from vegetable oils, used for spreading, baking and cooking.
Miso
A salty, savory Japanese paste of fermented soybeans, used in soup, marinades, glazes and dressings.
Mirin
A sweet Japanese rice wine used in teriyaki sauce, glazes and dipping sauces to add shine and gentle sweetness.
Malt Vinegar
A tangy brown vinegar made from malted barley, splashed on British fish and chips and used in pickling.
Marinara Sauce
A simple Italian-American tomato sauce with garlic, onion, olive oil and herbs, for pasta, pizza and dipping.
Mornay Sauce
A French white sauce enriched with Gruyère or parmesan, used in croque madame and baked vegetable gratins.
Mint Sauce
A thin British sauce of chopped mint, vinegar and sugar, traditionally served with roast lamb.
Mignonette
A sharp sauce of minced shallots, cracked pepper and red wine vinegar, spooned over raw oysters.
Mango Chutney
A sweet, tangy and lightly spiced Indian condiment of cooked mango, served with curries and poppadoms.
Mostarda
An Italian condiment of candied fruit in a sharp mustard-flavored syrup, served with boiled meats and cheese.
Mojo
A Cuban and Canarian sauce of garlic, olive oil and sour orange or peppers, used as a marinade for roast pork.
Monosodium Glutamate
Better known as MSG, a seasoning that adds savory umami flavor, first produced in Japan in 1909.
International Foods That Start With M
Global dishes that start with M, from Greece to Nepal and Brazil.
Moussaka
A Greek baked dish of layered eggplant, spiced minced lamb or beef and thick béchamel sauce; Balkan versions use potatoes.
Mapo Tofu
A Sichuan dish of soft tofu and minced pork in a spicy, numbing sauce of chili bean paste and Sichuan peppercorns.
Miso Soup
A Japanese soup of dashi broth and miso paste with tofu, seaweed and green onions, served with most meals.
Masala Dosa
A crisp South Indian rice and lentil crepe filled with spiced potato, served with sambar and coconut chutney.
Massaman Curry
A mild, rich Thai curry with Persian influences, made with coconut milk, potatoes, peanuts and beef or chicken.
Malai Kofta
A North Indian dish of fried potato and paneer dumplings in a rich, creamy tomato and cashew gravy.
Matar Paneer
A North Indian curry of green peas and cubes of paneer cheese simmered in a spiced tomato sauce.
Misal Pav
A spicy Maharashtrian curry of sprouted moth beans topped with crunchy farsan and onion, served with soft bread rolls.
Momo
Tibetan and Nepali steamed dumplings filled with spiced meat or vegetables, served with a fiery tomato chutney.
Manti
Tiny Turkish and Central Asian meat dumplings served with garlic yogurt and drizzled with paprika butter.
Mole Poblano
A rich, dark Mexican sauce of dried chilies, chocolate, spices and nuts, served over turkey or chicken.
Menudo
A Mexican soup of beef tripe and hominy in a red chili broth, a traditional weekend and hangover cure.
Machaca
Dried, shredded beef from northern Mexico, rehydrated and scrambled with eggs, peppers and onions for breakfast.
Molletes
Mexican open-faced sandwiches of bolillo rolls topped with refried beans and melted cheese, served with pico de gallo.
Migas
Spanish fried breadcrumbs with chorizo, or the Tex-Mex breakfast of eggs scrambled with crispy tortilla strips.
Mofongo
A Puerto Rican dish of fried green plantains mashed with garlic and pork cracklings, often served with broth.
Moqueca
A Brazilian seafood stew of fish or shrimp simmered with coconut milk, tomatoes, peppers and palm oil.
Matambre
An Argentine dish of thin flank steak rolled around vegetables and hard-boiled eggs, cooked and sliced into spirals.
Manakish
A Levantine flatbread topped with za'atar and olive oil, cheese or minced meat, eaten for breakfast.
Maqluba
A Palestinian and Jordanian dish of rice, fried vegetables and meat cooked in a pot and flipped upside down to serve.
Mansaf
The national dish of Jordan: lamb cooked in fermented dried yogurt sauce, served over rice and flatbread.
Musakhan
A Palestinian dish of roast chicken on taboon bread smothered in onions cooked with sumac, olive oil and pine nuts.
Mujaddara
A Middle Eastern dish of lentils and rice or bulgur topped with deeply caramelized fried onions.
Muhammara
A Syrian dip of roasted red peppers, walnuts, breadcrumbs and pomegranate molasses, served with pita.
Mulukhiyah
A Middle Eastern and Egyptian stew of finely chopped jute leaves with garlic and coriander, served with rice.
Mandazi
East African fried dough triangles flavored with coconut milk and cardamom, eaten with tea in Kenya and Tanzania.
Matoke
A Ugandan dish of green cooking bananas steamed or stewed with onions, tomatoes and meat until soft.
Mohinga
Myanmar's national breakfast dish of rice noodles in a fish and lemongrass broth, topped with crispy fritters.
Mee Goreng
Spicy fried yellow noodles from Malaysia and Indonesia, tossed with sweet soy sauce, vegetables, egg and shrimp or chicken.
Mechado
A Filipino beef stew braised in tomato sauce, soy sauce and calamansi with potatoes and carrots.
Moules Frites
The national dish of Belgium: a pot of steamed mussels served with crispy fries and mayonnaise.
Mititei
Small, skinless Romanian grilled sausages of minced beef, lamb and pork with garlic, served with mustard and beer.
Did You Know?
- Macadamia nuts are native to Australia; Hawaii, now a major grower, planted its first macadamia trees in the 1880s.
- Traditional mozzarella is made from the milk of water buffalo, and Mozzarella di Bufala Campana is protected by European Union law.
- The marionberry is named after Marion County, Oregon, where it was tested before its release in 1956, and it is still Oregon's best-known blackberry.
- According to a famous Naples legend, the Margherita pizza was named in 1889 for Queen Margherita of Italy, its red, white and green toppings matching the Italian flag.
Quick List: All 251 Foods That Start With M
Handy for alphabet games, quizzes and Scattergories. The full list, A to Z:
M&M's, Maasdam, Mabolo, Macadamia Nuts, Macaroni, Macaroni and Cheese, Macaroni Salad, Macarons, Macaroons, Macchiato, Mace, Machaca, Mackerel, Macoun Apple, Madeira, Madeira Cake, Madeleines, Mafaldine, Magic Cookie Bars, Mahi Mahi, Mahleb, Mahón, Mai Tai, Maitake, Maize, Mako Shark, Malabar Spinach, Malai, Malai Kofta, Malanga, Malay Apple, Malbec, Mallard, Malt Loaf, Malt Vinegar, Maltagliati, Malted Milk Balls, Malted Milk Powder, Mamey Sapote, Mammee Apple, Mamoncillo, Manakish, Manchego, Mandarin, Mandazi, Mangetout, Mango, Mango Chutney, Mango Lassi, Mangosteen, Manhattan, Manhattan Clam Chowder, Manicotti, Manioc, Manouri, Mansaf, Manti, Mantis Shrimp, Mantou, Maple Candy, Maple Glazed Salmon, Maple Syrup, Mapo Tofu, Maqluba, Maqui Berry, Maracuja, Marble Cake, Marcona Almonds, Margarine, Margarita, Margherita Pizza, Marie Biscuits, Marinara Sauce, Marionberry, Marjoram, Markook, Marlin, Marmalade, Maroilles, Marrow, Marrow Bones, Marrowfat Peas, Marsala, Marshmallows, Martini, Marula, Marzipan, Masa Harina, Masago, Masala Chai, Masala Dosa, Mascarpone, Mashed Potatoes, Massaman Curry, Mastic, Matambre, Matar Paneer, Matcha, Mate, Matoke, Matsutake, Matzo, Matzo Ball Soup, Matzoon, Maui Onion, Mayhaw, Mayocoba Beans, Mayonnaise, McIntosh Apple, Mead, Meat Pie, Meatball Sub, Meatballs, Meatloaf, Mechado, Medjool Dates, Medlar, Mee Goreng, Melba Toast, Melon, Menudo, Merguez, Meringue, Merlot, Mesclun, Mettwurst, Mexican Oregano, Mexican Rice, Mexican Sour Gherkin, Mexican Wedding Cookies, Meyer Lemon, Mezcal, Mezze Maniche, Mibuna, Michelada, Microgreens, Migas, Mignonette, Milk, Milk Chocolate, Milk Tea, Milkfish, Milkshake, Mille-Feuille, Millet, Millionaire's Shortbread, Mimolette, Mimosa, Mince, Mince Pie, Mineral Water, Minestrone, Mint, Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream, Mint Julep, Mint Sauce, Mirabelle Plum, Miracle Fruit, Mirin, Mirliton, Misal Pav, Miso, Miso Soup, Mississippi Mud Pie, Mississippi Pot Roast, Mititei, Mitmita, Mixed Grill, Mixed Nuts, Mizithra, Mizuna, Mocha, Mochi, Mochi Donut, Mock Turtle Soup, Mofongo, Mohinga, Mojama, Mojito, Mojo, Molasses, Molasses Cookies, Mole Poblano, Molletes, Molten Chocolate Cake, Momo, Mongolian Beef, Monk Fruit, Monkey Bread, Monkfish, Monosodium Glutamate, Monstera Deliciosa, Mont Blanc, Mont d'Or, Montasio, Monte Cristo, Monterey Jack, Moo Shu Pork, Mooncake, MoonPie, Moose, Moqueca, Morbier, Morcilla, Morel Mushrooms, Morello Cherry, Moringa, Mornay Sauce, Morning Glory Muffin, Moro Orange, Mortadella, Moscato, Moscow Mule, Mostaccioli, Mostarda, Moth Beans, Moules Frites, Moussaka, Mousse, Mozzarella, Mozzarella Sticks, Mud Crab, Muddy Buddies, Mudslide, Muenster, Muesli, Muffin, Muffuletta, Muhammara, Mujaddara, Mulato Chile, Mulberry, Mulled Wine, Mullet, Mulligan Stew, Mulligatawny, Multigrain Bread, Mulukhiyah, Mung Beans, Munster, Musakhan, Muscadine, Mushroom Risotto, Mushrooms, Mussels, Mustard, Mustard Greens, Mustard Seeds, Mutsu Apple, Mutton, Mâche
Frequently Asked Questions
What fruit starts with M?
Mango is the most popular fruit that starts with M. Others include melon, mandarin, mulberry, mangosteen, Medjool dates, marionberry, mamey sapote, Meyer lemon, mirabelle plum, medlar and muscadine grapes, plus McIntosh and Macoun apples.
What vegetable starts with M?
Mushrooms are the best-known vegetable that starts with M. Mustard greens, mizuna, microgreens, mesclun, malanga, mangetout, marrow, maize, mung beans and moringa also begin with M, along with morel and maitake mushrooms.
What's a dessert that starts with M?
Macarons and mousse are classic desserts that start with M. Madeleines, marble cake, meringue, mille-feuille, Mississippi mud pie, mochi, molten chocolate cake, monkey bread and mooncakes are other sweet choices.
What dinner foods start with M?
Meatloaf and meatballs are the top dinner foods that start with M. Macaroni and cheese, manicotti, Margherita pizza, Mississippi pot roast, mushroom risotto, Mongolian beef, moussaka and massaman curry are other easy dinner ideas.
What are some unusual foods that start with M?
Unusual foods that start with M include miracle fruit, which makes sour foods taste sweet; mojama, Spanish cured tuna; mastic, a tree resin from Chios; mulukhiyah, an Egyptian jute leaf stew; and mohinga, Myanmar's breakfast noodle soup.
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