✔ Updated · 285 foods, sorted by category
What is your favorite food beginning with P? Is it pizza, pear, pancakes or maybe potato salad?
P is one of the biggest letters in the kitchen, and this list rounds up 285 foods that start with P, sorted into ten categories: fruits and nuts, vegetables, dishes, desserts, breads and grains, 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 games and quizzes.
Foods that start with P, from everyday favorites to rare finds. The most popular:
Fruits & Nuts That Start With P
Stone fruits, tropical fruits, berries and nuts that start with P. I buy peaches by the box at the farm stand.
Peach
A fuzzy-skinned stone fruit with sweet, juicy yellow or white flesh, eaten fresh or baked into cobblers and pies.
Pear
A sweet, juicy fruit with a soft, grainy texture, including Bartlett, Bosc and Anjou, eaten fresh, poached or baked.
Plum
A smooth-skinned stone fruit in purple, red or yellow, sweet and tart, eaten fresh or made into jams and tarts.
Pineapple
A tropical fruit with spiky skin and sweet, tangy yellow flesh, eaten fresh, grilled, juiced or on pizza.
Papaya
A tropical fruit from Central America with soft orange flesh and black seeds, eaten ripe or shredded green in salads.
Passion Fruit
A wrinkly purple or yellow fruit filled with tangy, aromatic, seedy pulp, used in drinks, desserts and pavlova.
Persimmon
A glossy orange fruit eaten crisp like the Fuyu or very soft and jelly-like like the Hachiya, sweet as honey.
Pomegranate
A leathery red fruit packed with hundreds of juicy, sweet-tart ruby seeds called arils, sprinkled on salads or juiced.
Prunes
Dried plums with a deep, sweet flavor and chewy texture, eaten as a snack or stewed and baked into desserts.
Pomelo
The largest citrus fruit, with a thick rind and mild, sweet segments, an ancestor of the grapefruit.
Pawpaw
The largest native North American fruit, with creamy flesh that tastes like a mix of banana, mango and custard.
Plantain
A large, starchy cooking banana, fried green as tostones or ripe and sweet as maduros in Latin American cooking.
Plumcot
A natural cross between a plum and an apricot, with smooth skin and sweet, juicy flesh.
Pluot
A modern plum and apricot hybrid that is mostly plum, with very sweet flesh and speckled skin in many colors.
Physalis
Also called cape gooseberry or golden berry, a small orange fruit in a papery husk with a sweet, tangy flavor.
Pitaya
Also called dragon fruit, a bright pink or yellow cactus fruit with white or magenta flesh speckled with tiny black seeds.
Pepino Melon
A small, yellow, purple-striped Andean fruit with juicy flesh that tastes like a cross between melon and cucumber.
Prickly Pear
The red or green fruit of the opuntia cactus, with sweet, melon-like flesh used in juices, candies and margaritas.
Pulasan
A Southeast Asian fruit related to rambutan, with short, thick spikes and sweet, juicy white flesh.
Pitanga
Also called Surinam cherry, a small, ribbed red Brazilian fruit with a tart, slightly resinous flavor.
Pitomba
A small orange Brazilian fruit with a thin, brittle shell and sweet-sour, juicy pulp around a large seed.
Pequi
A strongly aromatic Brazilian fruit cooked with rice and chicken in Goiás; its seed is covered in sharp spines, so it is nibbled carefully.
Pineberry
A small white strawberry with red seeds and a flavor some say hints at pineapple.
Persian Lime
The common seedless lime found in supermarkets, larger and less aromatic than the key lime, used in drinks and cooking.
Peento Peach
Also called the donut or Saturn peach, a flat white peach with sweet, low-acid, almond-scented flesh.
Pink Lady Apple
A crisp, pink-blushed Australian apple with a tart-sweet, fizzy flavor, also sold as Cripps Pink.
Piel de Sapo Melon
A Spanish melon whose mottled green skin earned it the name toad skin, with sweet, pale green flesh.
Peanuts
Legumes that grow underground and are eaten like nuts, roasted, boiled, salted or ground into peanut butter.
Pecans
Rich, buttery nuts native to the southern United States, the star of pecan pie and pralines.
Pistachios
Green nuts in partly open shells with a sweet, delicate flavor, eaten roasted and salted or used in baklava and ice cream.
Pine Nuts
Small, creamy seeds harvested from pine cones, toasted for salads or ground with basil and parmesan in pesto.
Pili Nuts
Rich, buttery nuts from the Philippines with a soft, melting texture, eaten roasted or made into brittle.
Pepitas
Hulled green pumpkin seeds, toasted with salt or chili and sprinkled on salads, soups and Mexican dishes.
Vegetables & Legumes That Start With P
Roots, peppers, greens, beans and mushrooms that begin with P.
Potatoes
Starchy tubers eaten mashed, baked, roasted, fried or boiled, and one of the most important food crops in the world.
Peas
Small, sweet green seeds from pea pods, eaten fresh, frozen or dried and split for soup.
Pumpkin
A large orange winter squash with sweet flesh for pies, soups and breads, also carved for Halloween.
Parsnip
A cream-colored root related to the carrot, with a sweet, nutty flavor that deepens when roasted.
Peppers
Sweet bell peppers and hot chili peppers in green, red, yellow and orange, eaten raw, stuffed, roasted or stir-fried.
Get the recipe →Poblano Pepper
A large, mild, dark green Mexican chili, roasted and stuffed for chiles rellenos; dried, it is called ancho.
Padrón Peppers
Small green Spanish peppers blistered in olive oil and sprinkled with sea salt; most are mild, but some are hot.
Pepperoncini
Mild, tangy, slightly sweet Italian peppers, usually pickled and served in salads, sandwiches and antipasto platters.
Piquillo Peppers
Small, sweet red peppers from northern Spain, roasted over wood fires, peeled and often stuffed with cheese or tuna.
Pimento
A sweet, heart-shaped red pepper used to stuff green olives and to make pimento cheese.
Pinto Beans
Speckled beige beans that turn creamy and pinkish-brown when cooked, used for refried beans and chili.
Pigeon Peas
Small, nutty legumes cooked into Caribbean rice and peas and Indian toor dal.
Petai Beans
Also called stink beans, bright green Southeast Asian beans with a strong smell, stir-fried with shrimp and sambal.
Purple Cabbage
Also called red cabbage, a firm, deep purple cabbage used in slaws, pickles and braised with apples.
Purple Sweet Potato
A sweet potato with vivid purple flesh, like the Okinawan variety, roasted, mashed or used in desserts.
Pak Choi
Another name for bok choy, a Chinese cabbage with crisp white stems and tender green leaves for stir-fries.
Pea Shoots
The tender young leaves and tendrils of pea plants, with a fresh pea flavor, eaten raw in salads or stir-fried.
Puntarelle
A Roman chicory with crisp, hollow shoots, sliced thin and dressed with anchovy, garlic and lemon.
Purslane
A succulent leafy green with a lemony, slightly salty taste, used in Mexican, Greek and Middle Eastern salads.
Parsley Root
A pale root that looks like a parsnip and tastes like parsley and celery, used in soups in Central Europe.
Pattypan Squash
A small, flying saucer-shaped summer squash with scalloped edges and tender, mild flesh.
Pearl Onions
Tiny, mild white or red onions used whole in stews, creamed onions and as the garnish in a Gibson martini.
Plum Tomatoes
Oval, meaty tomatoes with few seeds, like Roma and San Marzano, the best tomatoes for sauces.
Pointed Cabbage
Also called sweetheart cabbage, a cone-shaped green cabbage with tender, sweet leaves that cook quickly.
Porcini
Prized wild mushrooms with a rich, nutty, earthy flavor, used fresh or dried in risotto, pasta and soups.
Portobello Mushroom
A large, mature cremini mushroom with a meaty texture, grilled as a burger or stuffed and baked.
Get the recipe →Palmito
Hearts of palm, the tender, ivory inner core of certain palm trees, with an artichoke-like taste, used in salads.
Dishes & Meals That Start With P
Breakfasts, sandwiches, soups and dinners that start with P. Pizza night is every Friday in our house.
Pizza
An Italian flatbread topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella and toppings like pepperoni, sausage and mushrooms, baked hot.
Get the recipe →Pasta
Italian noodles made from durum wheat and water or eggs, in hundreds of shapes, served with countless sauces.
Pancakes
Fluffy griddle cakes of flour, eggs, milk and baking powder, stacked high with butter and maple syrup.
Get the recipe →Potato Pancakes
Crispy fried cakes of grated or mashed potato, onion and egg, served with applesauce or sour cream.
Get the recipe →Poached Eggs
Eggs cooked gently in simmering water until the whites set and the yolks stay runny, the base of eggs Benedict.
Potato Salad
Boiled potatoes dressed with mayonnaise or vinaigrette, often with eggs, celery and onion, a picnic favorite.
Get the recipe →Pasta Salad
Cold cooked pasta tossed with vegetables, cheese, salami and Italian dressing, a potluck and barbecue staple.
Potato Soup
A creamy, hearty soup of potatoes, onion and broth, often loaded with bacon, cheddar and green onions.
Get the recipe →Potato Skins
Baked potato halves scooped out and fried crisp, filled with cheddar and bacon and topped with sour cream.
Get the recipe →Pea Soup
A thick soup of split peas simmered with ham or bacon, onion and carrots until creamy.
Pot Pie
Chicken or turkey and vegetables in a creamy sauce, baked under a flaky pastry crust.
Get the recipe →Pot Roast
A tough beef chuck roast braised slowly with onions, carrots and potatoes until fork-tender, a Sunday dinner classic.
Pulled Pork
Pork shoulder smoked or slow-cooked until it shreds easily, tossed in barbecue sauce and piled on buns.
Pork Chops
Bone-in or boneless cuts from the pork loin, grilled, pan-fried, baked or smothered in gravy.
Get the recipe →Pork Fried Rice
Day-old rice stir-fried with diced pork, egg, peas, carrots, green onions and soy sauce, a takeout favorite.
Pepper Steak
A Chinese-American stir-fry of thin beef strips with green peppers and onions in a savory soy-based sauce.
Prime Rib
A large beef rib roast cooked slowly and served pink in thick slices with au jus and horseradish.
Get the recipe →Pad Thai
Thailand's famous stir-fried rice noodles with egg, tofu or shrimp, bean sprouts and tamarind sauce, topped with peanuts.
Get the recipe →Pasta Primavera
Pasta tossed with lightly cooked spring vegetables, olive oil or a light cream sauce and parmesan.
Pasta e Fagioli
A rustic Italian soup of pasta and beans in a tomato broth, often with pancetta and rosemary.
Penne alla Vodka
Penne pasta in a creamy tomato sauce made with a splash of vodka, finished with parmesan.
Philly Cheesesteak
A Philadelphia sandwich of thinly sliced griddled beef and melted cheese, often with onions, on a long hoagie roll.
Get the recipe →Patty Melt
A burger patty with Swiss cheese and caramelized onions grilled between slices of rye bread.
Get the recipe →Po' Boy
A New Orleans sandwich of fried shrimp, oysters, catfish or roast beef on crusty French bread, fully dressed.
Get the recipe →Pastrami Sandwich
Hot, peppery pastrami piled high on rye bread with spicy brown mustard, a New York deli icon.
Panini
Italian pressed sandwiches of meats, cheese and vegetables grilled in a ridged press until crisp and melty.
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich
The classic American lunchbox sandwich of peanut butter and grape or strawberry jelly on soft bread.
Pigs in a Blanket
Little sausages or hot dogs wrapped in crescent dough or pastry and baked until golden, a party favorite.
Get the recipe →Popcorn Chicken
Bite-sized pieces of breaded, seasoned chicken fried until crunchy, eaten by the handful with dipping sauces.
Get the recipe →Pepperoni Rolls
Soft bread rolls baked with sticks or slices of pepperoni inside, the unofficial state food of West Virginia.
Desserts & Sweets That Start With P
Pies, cakes, pastries, puddings and candy that start with P. Pumpkin pie is the one I bake the night before Thanksgiving.
Pie
A pastry crust filled with sweet fruit or custard, or savory meat, baked with or without a top crust.
Get the recipe →Pumpkin Pie
A spiced custard of pumpkin, eggs and evaporated milk in a flaky crust, a Thanksgiving essential.
Get the recipe →Pecan Pie
A Southern pie of toasted pecans in a gooey filling of corn syrup or sugar, butter and eggs.
Peach Cobbler
Juicy, spiced peaches baked under a golden biscuit or cake-like topping, served warm with vanilla ice cream.
Get the recipe →Peach Melba
Poached peaches with vanilla ice cream and raspberry sauce, created by chef Auguste Escoffier for singer Nellie Melba.
Pound Cake
A dense, buttery loaf cake originally made with a pound each of flour, butter, sugar and eggs.
Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
A butter cake baked over pineapple rings, cherries and brown sugar, then flipped to show the caramelized fruit.
Poppy Seed Cake
A moist cake, often lemon or almond flavored, dotted with crunchy poppy seeds, popular in Central Europe.
Pumpkin Roll
A thin spiced pumpkin sponge cake rolled up around sweet cream cheese filling and sliced into spirals.
Petit Fours
Tiny, elegant layered cakes covered in smooth icing and decorated, served at tea parties and weddings.
Profiteroles
Small choux pastry puffs filled with cream or ice cream and drizzled with warm chocolate sauce.
Palmiers
Crisp, caramelized French cookies of puff pastry and sugar folded into a heart or palm-leaf shape.
Pithivier
A round French pie of puff pastry filled with almond cream, with a domed, spiral-scored top.
Panna Cotta
A silky Italian dessert of sweetened cream set with gelatin, served with berries, caramel or fruit sauce.
Pavlova
A meringue dessert with a crisp shell and soft center, topped with whipped cream and fresh fruit like passion fruit.
Pots de Crème
Rich, smooth French baked custards, usually chocolate or vanilla, served in small pots or ramekins.
Pudding
A creamy, spoonable dessert of milk thickened with cornstarch or eggs, in flavors like chocolate, vanilla and banana.
Parfait
Layers of yogurt or ice cream with fruit, granola or sauce, served in a tall glass.
Praline
A creamy Southern candy of pecans, brown sugar, butter and cream; in Europe, a nut and caramel paste.
Peanut Brittle
A hard, crunchy candy of peanuts set in golden caramelized sugar, broken into jagged pieces.
Peanut Butter Cookies
Soft or crunchy cookies made with peanut butter and pressed with a fork for their crisscross pattern.
Get the recipe →Peanut Butter Cups
Chocolate cups filled with sweet, salty peanut butter, a best-selling American candy since the 1920s.
Peanut Butter Fudge
Smooth, creamy fudge made with peanut butter, sugar and butter, cut into rich little squares.
Get the recipe →Peppermint Bark
Layers of dark and white chocolate topped with crushed candy canes, a popular homemade Christmas gift.
Pfeffernüsse
Small, round German spice cookies with black pepper, cinnamon and cloves, dusted with powdered sugar for Christmas.
Pizzelle
Thin, crisp Italian waffle cookies with a snowflake pattern, often flavored with anise or vanilla.
Get the recipe →Polvorones
Crumbly Spanish and Mexican shortbread cookies made with lard or butter and nuts, dusted with powdered sugar.
Pecan Tassies
Bite-sized Southern pastries of cream cheese dough filled with a gooey pecan pie filling.
Panforte
A dense, chewy Italian Christmas cake from Siena packed with nuts, candied fruit, honey and spices.
Pastiera
A Neapolitan Easter tart filled with ricotta, cooked wheat berries, candied citrus and orange blossom water.
Paskha
A Russian Easter dessert of sweetened farmer cheese, butter and dried fruit, pressed into a pyramid mold.
Pandowdy
An old-fashioned American dessert of spiced apples baked under a pastry crust that is pressed down into the juices.
Puppy Chow
Crispy rice cereal squares coated in melted chocolate and peanut butter, then tossed in powdered sugar.
Get the recipe →Pop-Tarts
Rectangular toaster pastries with sweet fillings and frosting, sold by Kellogg's since 1964.
Popsicle
A frozen treat of flavored ice on a stick, invented by an 11-year-old in 1905 who left a drink outside overnight.
Poires Belle Hélène
A French dessert of pears poached in syrup and served with vanilla ice cream and warm chocolate sauce.
Breads, Grains & Snacks That Start With P
Breads, pasta shapes, grains and snacks that begin with P.
Pita
A round Middle Eastern flatbread that puffs into a pocket when baked, stuffed with falafel or torn for hummus.
Pretzel
Twisted, knotted bread dipped in a baking soda or lye bath before baking for a chewy, glossy, salty crust.
Pumpernickel
A dark, dense German rye bread baked slowly at low heat, with a deep, slightly sweet flavor.
Parker House Rolls
Soft, buttery folded dinner rolls created at the Parker House Hotel in Boston in the 1870s.
Popovers
Light, hollow rolls made from an egg batter that puffs dramatically in a hot oven, like Yorkshire pudding.
Pumpkin Bread
A moist, spiced quick bread made with pumpkin purée, cinnamon and nutmeg, a fall favorite.
Pain au Chocolat
A flaky, buttery French croissant-dough pastry wrapped around sticks of dark chocolate.
Pain de Mie
A soft, fine-crumbed French sandwich bread baked in a lidded pan for perfectly square slices.
Panettone
A tall, fluffy Italian Christmas bread from Milan studded with candied orange, citron and raisins.
Pandoro
A star-shaped, golden Italian Christmas cake from Verona, light and buttery, dusted with powdered sugar.
Pan de Sal
Soft, slightly sweet Filipino bread rolls coated in fine breadcrumbs, eaten warm for breakfast.
Pane Carasau
A paper-thin, crisp Sardinian flatbread once made for shepherds, eaten with olive oil and salt.
Paratha
A flaky, layered Indian flatbread cooked with ghee on a griddle, plain or stuffed with spiced potato.
Puri
A small, unleavened Indian wheat bread that puffs into a golden ball when deep-fried, served with curries.
Peshwari Naan
A sweet, stuffed naan filled with coconut, almonds and raisins, a British Indian restaurant favorite.
Get the recipe →Penne
Short, tube-shaped pasta cut on the diagonal like a quill, ridged or smooth, great with chunky sauces.
Pappardelle
Wide, flat Italian egg noodles from Tuscany, classically served with rich ragù of wild boar or beef.
Paccheri
Large, wide, smooth pasta tubes from Naples, served with seafood or hearty tomato sauces.
Pici
Thick, hand-rolled Tuscan spaghetti made with just flour and water, served with garlic tomato sauce or cacio e pepe.
Pastina
Tiny pasta shapes like stars, cooked in broth with butter and parmesan as Italian comfort food for children.
Polenta
Coarse cornmeal cooked slowly into a creamy porridge, or set, sliced and grilled, from northern Italy.
Porridge
A warm breakfast of oats or other grains simmered in water or milk, topped with fruit, honey or brown sugar.
Parboiled Rice
Rice partially boiled in the husk before milling, giving firm, separate grains that hold up well.
Get the recipe →Pearl Barley
Barley with its bran polished off, cooking up chewy and plump in soups, stews and grain salads.
Pearl Couscous
Large, round toasted pasta balls also called Israeli couscous or ptitim, with a chewy, nutty texture.
Puffed Rice
Rice grains heated until they pop into light, crisp kernels, used in cereals, bhel puri and rice cakes.
Popcorn
Corn kernels that burst into fluffy white puffs when heated, eaten buttered, salted or caramel-coated.
Get the recipe →Potato Chips
Thin slices of potato fried or baked until crisp and salted, one of America's best-selling snacks.
Pork Rinds
Crispy, puffy fried pork skin, called chicharrones in Mexico, seasoned with salt, chili or vinegar.
Pinole
A finely ground toasted corn flour from Mexico, sweetened with cinnamon and eaten as a drink or snack.
Drinks That Start With P
Juices, coffees, cocktails, wines and beers that start with P.
Piña Colada
A creamy Puerto Rican cocktail of rum, cream of coconut and pineapple juice, blended with ice.
Pink Lemonade
Lemonade tinted pink with cranberry, strawberry or grenadine, a sweet summer fair favorite.
Punch
A party drink mixed in a large bowl from fruit juices, soda and sometimes alcohol, served with a ladle.
Pineapple Juice
Sweet, tangy juice pressed from pineapples, enjoyed on its own and used in piña coladas and tiki drinks.
Pomegranate Juice
A deep red, tart-sweet juice pressed from pomegranate seeds, mixed into spritzers and cocktails.
Pumpkin Spice Latte
An espresso drink with steamed milk, pumpkin and warm spices, topped with whipped cream, a fall icon.
Get the recipe →Peppermint Mocha
Espresso with chocolate sauce, peppermint syrup and steamed milk, topped with whipped cream for the holidays.
Pistachio Latte
A sweet espresso drink with steamed milk and nutty pistachio syrup, often topped with brown butter sprinkles.
Get the recipe →Peppermint Tea
A caffeine-free herbal tea of dried peppermint leaves with a cooling, refreshing flavor.
Pu-erh
A fermented and aged dark tea from Yunnan, China, pressed into cakes, with an earthy, mellow flavor.
Pepsi
A cola soft drink created in North Carolina in 1893 by pharmacist Caleb Bradham, originally called Brad's Drink.
Paloma
A refreshing Mexican highball of tequila, grapefruit soda and lime juice, served in a salt-rimmed glass.
Pisco Sour
A South American cocktail of pisco brandy, lime juice, simple syrup and egg white, topped with bitters.
Painkiller
A tiki cocktail from the British Virgin Islands of dark rum, pineapple and orange juice and cream of coconut, with nutmeg.
Pimm's Cup
A British summer cocktail of Pimm's No. 1 with lemonade, cucumber, mint and fruit, served at Wimbledon.
Planter's Punch
A classic Jamaican rum punch of dark rum, lime juice, sugar and grenadine with Angostura bitters.
Pink Squirrel
A creamy pink dessert cocktail of crème de noyaux, white crème de cacao and cream, born in Milwaukee.
Get the recipe →Peanut Punch
A thick, creamy Caribbean drink of peanut butter, milk, sugar and spices, popular in Jamaica and Trinidad.
Get the recipe →Prosecco
A light, fruity Italian sparkling wine from the Veneto, used in mimosas, bellinis and spritzes.
Pinot Noir
A delicate red wine grape from Burgundy, making silky, light-bodied wines with cherry and earthy notes.
Pinot Grigio
A crisp, light Italian white wine with citrus and green apple flavors, called Pinot Gris in France.
Port
A sweet, fortified red wine from Portugal's Douro Valley, sipped after dinner with cheese or chocolate.
Perry
A traditional English and French drink of fermented pear juice, made like hard cider.
Pilsner
A pale, crisp, hoppy lager first brewed in 1842 in Pilsen, now in the Czech Republic.
Porter
A dark English beer brewed with roasted malt, with flavors of chocolate, coffee and caramel, a forerunner of stout.
Pastis
An anise-flavored French aperitif from Marseille, diluted with cold water until cloudy.
Pálinka
A strong, clear Hungarian fruit brandy distilled from plums, apricots, pears or cherries.
Pulque
An ancient Mexican drink of fermented agave sap, milky white and slightly sour, often flavored with fruit.
Cheeses & Dairy That Start With P
Hard, soft and fresh cheeses that start with P.
Parmesan
Parmigiano-Reggiano, a hard, aged Italian cheese with a nutty, savory flavor, grated over pasta and salads.
Provolone
A smooth, mild or sharp Italian stretched-curd cheese, great melted on sandwiches and cheesesteaks.
Pecorino Romano
A hard, salty Italian sheep's milk cheese grated over pasta, essential in cacio e pepe and carbonara.
Paneer
A fresh, firm Indian cheese that does not melt, cubed and cooked in curries like palak paneer.
Pepper Jack
Monterey Jack cheese studded with spicy jalapeño and habanero peppers, great in quesadillas and burgers.
Port Salut
A semi-soft French cow's milk cheese with an orange rind and a mild, creamy, slightly sweet flavor.
Pont-l'Évêque
A square, washed-rind cheese from Normandy, one of the oldest French cheeses, soft and savory.
Piave
A firm Italian cow's milk cheese from the Veneto, sweet and nutty like a milder parmesan.
Petit Basque
A small, firm sheep's milk cheese from the French Pyrenees with a smooth, nutty flavor.
Pierre-Robert
A rich, buttery French triple-cream cheese with a soft bloomy rind, made extra creamy with added cream.
Pavé d'Affinois
A soft, square French cheese with a white rind and a rich, silky texture, similar to brie.
Petit-Suisse
A small, fresh, unsalted French cream cheese, eaten with sugar or fruit as a dessert by children.
Paški Sir
A hard sheep's milk cheese from the Croatian island of Pag, salty and herbal from the island's grazing.
Pot Cheese
A dry, crumbly fresh cheese between cottage cheese and farmer cheese, used in blintzes and pierogi.
Pimento Cheese
A Southern spread of sharp cheddar, mayonnaise and diced pimentos, served on crackers and sandwiches.
Meat & Seafood That Start With P
Cuts, cured meats, game, fish and shellfish beginning with P.
Pork
Meat from pigs, the most widely eaten meat in the world, sold as chops, roasts, ribs, bacon, ham and sausages.
Pork Belly
A rich, fatty boneless cut layered with meat, roasted for crackling, braised or cured into bacon.
Get the recipe →Pork Tenderloin
A long, lean, very tender cut of pork that cooks quickly, often roasted or grilled and sliced into medallions.
Porterhouse Steak
A large steak cut with a T-shaped bone separating the strip loin and a big section of tenderloin.
Picanha
A Brazilian cut of beef from the top of the rump with a thick fat cap, grilled on skewers at churrascarias.
Pastrami
Beef brisket cured in brine, coated in pepper and coriander, smoked and steamed, then thinly sliced.
Pepperoni
A spicy, cured American salami of pork and beef, the most popular pizza topping in the United States.
Prosciutto
Italian dry-cured ham aged for months and sliced paper-thin, served with melon or on pizza.
Pancetta
Italian cured pork belly seasoned with pepper and spices, diced and crisped for carbonara and soups.
Peameal Bacon
Canadian back bacon made from lean, brined pork loin rolled in cornmeal, served in sandwiches in Toronto.
Polish Sausage
Kielbasa, a smoked, garlicky pork sausage grilled, fried with onions or simmered with sauerkraut.
Pâté
A rich, spreadable paste of finely ground liver or meat with fat and seasonings, served on toast or crackers.
Get the recipe →Pigs' Feet
Pork trotters slow-cooked until tender and gelatinous, enjoyed pickled, stewed or braised in soul food and Asian cooking.
Get the recipe →Pheasant
A game bird with lean meat that tastes like a richer chicken, roasted, braised or wrapped in bacon.
Partridge
A small game bird with tender, delicately flavored meat, usually roasted whole and served one per person.
Pigeon
Young pigeon, sold as squab, has rich, dark, tender meat, roasted or seared and served pink.
Prawns
Large shrimp-like crustaceans with sweet meat, grilled, fried or cooked with garlic and butter.
Pollock
A mild, flaky white fish from the North Pacific and Atlantic, used in fish sticks, fish sandwiches and imitation crab.
Plaice
A European flatfish with orange spots and delicate, sweet white fillets, a fish and chip shop favorite.
Pompano
A small, silvery Florida and Gulf Coast fish with rich, sweet flesh, famously baked in parchment.
Perch
A small freshwater fish with sweet, mild, flaky flesh, served pan-fried at Midwestern Friday fish fries.
Pink Salmon
The most abundant Pacific salmon, with pale, mild flesh, used mostly for canned salmon.
Pickled Herring
Herring cured in vinegar, sugar and spices, often with onions or sour cream, a Scandinavian and Jewish deli favorite.
Periwinkles
Small sea snails with spiral shells, boiled and picked out with a pin, eaten in Britain, Ireland and West Africa.
Pipis
Small, triangular Australian clams with sweet, tender meat, often cooked with chili, garlic and XO sauce.
Herbs, Spices & Condiments That Start With P
Herbs, spices, sauces and spreads that start with P.
Parsley
A fresh, bright green herb in curly or flat-leaf varieties, used in tabbouleh, chimichurri, gremolata and garnishes.
Peppermint
A strong, cooling mint used in teas, candies, candy canes, chocolate and holiday desserts.
Perilla
An herb in the mint family, called shiso in Japan and kkaennip in Korea, with a minty, anise-like flavor.
Pandan
Long, fragrant green leaves with a vanilla-like aroma, used to flavor and color Southeast Asian rice and desserts.
Paprika
A red spice ground from dried sweet or hot peppers, smoked in Spain and essential in Hungarian goulash.
Peppercorns
The dried berries of the pepper vine, black, white or green, ground fresh to season almost every savory dish.
Pink Peppercorns
Rosy, papery berries from the Peruvian or Brazilian pepper tree, mildly peppery and fruity, not true pepper.
Poppy Seeds
Tiny blue-black seeds with a nutty crunch, sprinkled on bagels and baked into lemon poppy seed muffins.
Pumpkin Pie Spice
A warm blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves or allspice for pumpkin pie and fall baking.
Panch Phoron
A Bengali whole spice blend of fenugreek, nigella, cumin, black mustard and fennel seeds, fried in oil.
Pickles
Cucumbers preserved in brine or vinegar with dill, garlic or sugar, served with sandwiches and burgers.
Piccalilli
A bright yellow British relish of chopped pickled vegetables in a tangy mustard and turmeric sauce.
Preserved Lemons
Lemons cured in salt and their own juice for weeks, a soft, intense seasoning in Moroccan tagines.
Pesto
An Italian sauce from Genoa of crushed basil, pine nuts, garlic, parmesan and olive oil, tossed with pasta.
Pico de Gallo
A fresh Mexican salsa of chopped tomato, onion, jalapeño, cilantro and lime juice.
Ponzu
A tangy Japanese citrus and soy dipping sauce, served with hot pot, dumplings and seared fish.
Plum Sauce
A sweet and sour Chinese sauce of plums, sugar, vinegar and ginger, served with duck and egg rolls.
Peanut Sauce
A savory-sweet sauce of peanuts, coconut milk, soy and chili, served with satay and spring rolls.
Peanut Butter
A thick spread of ground roasted peanuts, creamy or crunchy, eaten on toast and in sandwiches and cookies.
Piri Piri Sauce
A fiery African and Portuguese hot sauce of bird's eye chilies, garlic, lemon and oil, used on grilled chicken.
Pepper Jelly
A sweet and spicy Southern jelly of bell and hot peppers, poured over cream cheese and served with crackers.
Pomegranate Molasses
A thick, tangy syrup of reduced pomegranate juice used in Middle Eastern dressings, marinades and stews.
International Foods That Start With P
Global dishes that start with P, from Spain to the Philippines.
Paella
A Spanish rice dish from Valencia cooked in a wide pan with saffron, chicken, rabbit or seafood, prized for its crispy base.
Patatas Bravas
A Spanish tapa of crispy fried potato cubes topped with spicy tomato bravas sauce and often garlic aioli.
Pan con Tomate
A Catalan snack of toasted bread rubbed with garlic and ripe tomato, drizzled with olive oil and salt.
Pisto
A Spanish vegetable stew of tomatoes, peppers, zucchini and onions, similar to ratatouille, often topped with a fried egg.
Pho
A Vietnamese noodle soup of rice noodles in a fragrant, spiced beef or chicken broth, topped with fresh herbs.
Pad See Ew
A Thai stir-fry of wide rice noodles with Chinese broccoli, egg and sweet dark soy sauce, slightly charred.
Pad Kra Pao
A Thai stir-fry of minced pork or chicken with holy basil, chilies and garlic, served over rice with a fried egg.
Peking Duck
A Beijing dish of roasted duck with lacquered, crispy skin, carved and wrapped in thin pancakes with hoisin.
Pancit
Filipino stir-fried noodles with meat, shrimp and vegetables, served at birthdays for a long life.
Pajeon
A savory Korean pancake packed with green onions and often seafood, served with a soy dipping sauce.
Poke
A Hawaiian dish of cubed raw fish, usually tuna, marinated in soy sauce and sesame oil, served over rice.
Poi
A traditional Hawaiian staple of cooked taro root pounded into a smooth, purple, slightly sour paste.
Pierogi
Polish half-moon dumplings filled with potato and cheese, sauerkraut or meat, boiled and pan-fried in butter.
Pelmeni
Small Russian meat dumplings boiled and served with sour cream, butter or vinegar.
Pirozhki
Russian and Ukrainian buns stuffed with meat, cabbage, potatoes or eggs, baked or fried.
Plov
A Central Asian rice pilaf cooked with lamb, carrots, onions and spices, the national dish of Uzbekistan.
Pljeskavica
A large, spiced Balkan grilled patty of mixed minced meats, served in flatbread with onions and kajmak.
Pastitsio
A Greek baked pasta dish of tubular pasta, spiced meat sauce and a thick, creamy béchamel topping.
Pastilla
A Moroccan pie of thin pastry filled with spiced pigeon or chicken and almonds, dusted with sugar and cinnamon.
Pakora
Indian fritters of vegetables like onion, potato and spinach dipped in spiced chickpea batter and deep-fried.
Pani Puri
An Indian street snack of hollow, crispy puris filled with potato, chickpeas and tangy tamarind and mint water.
Pav Bhaji
A Mumbai street food of spicy mashed vegetable curry served with soft buttered bread rolls.
Palak Paneer
A North Indian curry of paneer cheese cubes in a smooth, spiced spinach sauce.
Poutine
A Quebec dish of french fries topped with squeaky cheese curds and hot brown gravy.
Pozole
A Mexican soup of hominy and pork or chicken in a red or green chili broth, topped with cabbage and radish.
Pupusas
Thick Salvadoran corn tortillas stuffed with cheese, beans or pork, served with curtido slaw and tomato salsa.
Picadillo
A Latin American and Filipino hash of ground beef with tomatoes, olives, raisins and spices, served with rice.
Pastelón
A Puerto Rican casserole of sweet ripe plantains layered with seasoned ground beef and cheese, like lasagna.
Pabellón Criollo
Venezuela's national dish of shredded beef, black beans, white rice and fried sweet plantains.
Pão de Queijo
Brazilian cheese bread rolls made with tapioca flour, crisp outside and chewy and cheesy inside.
Pastel de Nata
A Portuguese custard tart with a flaky, crisp pastry shell and a creamy, caramelized egg custard filling.
Pasty
A Cornish hand pie of shortcrust pastry crimped around beef, potato, onion and swede, once eaten by tin miners.
Ploughman's Lunch
A British pub plate of crusty bread, cheddar, pickle, apple and sometimes ham or pork pie.
Pot-au-Feu
A French boiled dinner of beef and root vegetables simmered for hours, served with mustard and broth.
Pissaladière
A Provençal onion tart from Nice topped with slow-cooked onions, anchovies and black olives.
Panzanella
A Tuscan summer salad of stale bread soaked with ripe tomatoes, onions, basil, olive oil and vinegar.
Porchetta
A rolled, boneless Italian pork roast stuffed with garlic, fennel and herbs, roasted until the skin crackles.
Parmigiana
An Italian baked dish of fried eggplant slices layered with tomato sauce, mozzarella and parmesan.
Peri-Peri Chicken
Portuguese-Mozambican grilled chicken marinated in fiery piri piri chili sauce, made famous by restaurant chains worldwide.
Get the recipe →Did You Know?
- A pineapple plant produces just one pineapple at a time, and each fruit takes around 18 months to two years to grow.
- Peanuts are not true nuts but legumes, related to peas and beans, and their pods ripen underground after the flowers bend down into the soil.
- The pavlova is named after Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova, who toured Australia and New Zealand in the 1920s, and both countries still claim to have invented it.
- The Philly cheesesteak is credited to brothers Pat and Harry Olivieri, who sold a chopped steak sandwich from their hot dog stand in South Philadelphia in 1930.
Quick List: All 285 Foods That Start With P
Handy for alphabet games, quizzes and Scattergories. The full list, A to Z:
Pabellón Criollo, Paccheri, Pad Kra Pao, Pad See Ew, Pad Thai, Padrón Peppers, Paella, Pain au Chocolat, Pain de Mie, Painkiller, Pajeon, Pak Choi, Pakora, Palak Paneer, Palmiers, Palmito, Paloma, Pan con Tomate, Pan de Sal, Pancakes, Pancetta, Panch Phoron, Pancit, Pandan, Pandoro, Pandowdy, Pane Carasau, Paneer, Panettone, Panforte, Pani Puri, Panini, Panna Cotta, Panzanella, Papaya, Pappardelle, Paprika, Paratha, Parboiled Rice, Parfait, Parker House Rolls, Parmesan, Parmigiana, Parsley, Parsley Root, Parsnip, Partridge, Paskha, Passion Fruit, Pasta, Pasta e Fagioli, Pasta Primavera, Pasta Salad, Pastel de Nata, Pastelón, Pastiera, Pastilla, Pastina, Pastis, Pastitsio, Pastrami, Pastrami Sandwich, Pasty, Patatas Bravas, Patty Melt, Pattypan Squash, Pav Bhaji, Pavlova, Pavé d'Affinois, Pawpaw, Paški Sir, Pea Shoots, Pea Soup, Peach, Peach Cobbler, Peach Melba, Peameal Bacon, Peanut Brittle, Peanut Butter, Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich, Peanut Butter Cookies, Peanut Butter Cups, Peanut Butter Fudge, Peanut Punch, Peanut Sauce, Peanuts, Pear, Pearl Barley, Pearl Couscous, Pearl Onions, Peas, Pecan Pie, Pecan Tassies, Pecans, Pecorino Romano, Peento Peach, Peking Duck, Pelmeni, Penne, Penne alla Vodka, Pepino Melon, Pepitas, Pepper Jack, Pepper Jelly, Pepper Steak, Peppercorns, Peppermint, Peppermint Bark, Peppermint Mocha, Peppermint Tea, Pepperoncini, Pepperoni, Pepperoni Rolls, Peppers, Pepsi, Pequi, Perch, Peri-Peri Chicken, Perilla, Periwinkles, Perry, Persian Lime, Persimmon, Peshwari Naan, Pesto, Petai Beans, Petit Basque, Petit Fours, Petit-Suisse, Pfeffernüsse, Pheasant, Philly Cheesesteak, Pho, Physalis, Piave, Picadillo, Picanha, Piccalilli, Pici, Pickled Herring, Pickles, Pico de Gallo, Pie, Piel de Sapo Melon, Pierogi, Pierre-Robert, Pigeon, Pigeon Peas, Pigs in a Blanket, Pigs' Feet, Pili Nuts, Pilsner, Pimento, Pimento Cheese, Pimm's Cup, Pine Nuts, Pineapple, Pineapple Juice, Pineapple Upside-Down Cake, Pineberry, Pink Lady Apple, Pink Lemonade, Pink Peppercorns, Pink Salmon, Pink Squirrel, Pinole, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, Pinto Beans, Pipis, Piquillo Peppers, Piri Piri Sauce, Pirozhki, Pisco Sour, Pissaladière, Pistachio Latte, Pistachios, Pisto, Pita, Pitanga, Pitaya, Pithivier, Pitomba, Pizza, Pizzelle, Piña Colada, Plaice, Plantain, Planter's Punch, Pljeskavica, Ploughman's Lunch, Plov, Plum, Plum Sauce, Plum Tomatoes, Plumcot, Pluot, Po' Boy, Poached Eggs, Poblano Pepper, Poi, Pointed Cabbage, Poires Belle Hélène, Poke, Polenta, Polish Sausage, Pollock, Polvorones, Pomegranate, Pomegranate Juice, Pomegranate Molasses, Pomelo, Pompano, Pont-l'Évêque, Ponzu, Pop-Tarts, Popcorn, Popcorn Chicken, Popovers, Poppy Seed Cake, Poppy Seeds, Popsicle, Porchetta, Porcini, Pork, Pork Belly, Pork Chops, Pork Fried Rice, Pork Rinds, Pork Tenderloin, Porridge, Port, Port Salut, Porter, Porterhouse Steak, Portobello Mushroom, Pot Cheese, Pot Pie, Pot Roast, Pot-au-Feu, Potato Chips, Potato Pancakes, Potato Salad, Potato Skins, Potato Soup, Potatoes, Pots de Crème, Pound Cake, Poutine, Pozole, Praline, Prawns, Preserved Lemons, Pretzel, Prickly Pear, Prime Rib, Profiteroles, Prosciutto, Prosecco, Provolone, Prunes, Pu-erh, Pudding, Puffed Rice, Pulasan, Pulled Pork, Pulque, Pumpernickel, Pumpkin, Pumpkin Bread, Pumpkin Pie, Pumpkin Pie Spice, Pumpkin Roll, Pumpkin Spice Latte, Punch, Puntarelle, Puppy Chow, Pupusas, Puri, Purple Cabbage, Purple Sweet Potato, Purslane, Pálinka, Pâté, Pão de Queijo
Frequently Asked Questions
What fruit starts with P?
Peaches, pears, plums and pineapples are the best-known fruits that start with P. Papaya, passion fruit, persimmon, pomegranate, pomelo, pawpaw, plantain, pluot, physalis and pitaya, also called dragon fruit, begin with P too.
What vegetable starts with P?
Potatoes, peas and pumpkin are the most common vegetables that start with P. Parsnips, peppers, poblano peppers, pinto beans, pigeon peas, pak choi, pattypan squash, purslane, porcini and portobello mushrooms also begin with P.
What's a dessert that starts with P?
Pie is the classic dessert that starts with P, especially pumpkin pie and pecan pie. Peach cobbler, pound cake, panna cotta, pavlova, profiteroles, pudding, pralines, peanut brittle and peppermint bark are other sweet choices.
What dinner foods start with P?
Pizza and pasta are the top dinner foods that start with P. Pot roast, pot pie, pulled pork, pork chops, prime rib, pad Thai, paella, pierogi and Philly cheesesteaks are other popular dinner ideas.
What are some unusual foods that start with P?
Unusual foods that start with P include pequi, a pungent Brazilian fruit with a spiny seed; poi, Hawaiian pounded taro; petai, or stink beans; pastilla, a sweet and savory Moroccan pigeon pie; and pulque, fermented agave sap.
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