✔ Updated · 291 foods, sorted by category
Foods that start with S include spaghetti, sushi, steak, strawberries, salmon, sweet potatoes, shrimp and s'mores.
S is one of the biggest letters for food, and this list rounds up 291 of them, sorted into eleven categories: fruits, vegetables, grains and pasta, dishes and meals, desserts, snacks and breads, drinks, cheeses and dairy, meat and seafood, herbs, spices 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 and quizzes.
Foods that start with S, from everyday favorites to rare finds. The most popular:
Fruits & Nuts That Start With S
Berries, citrus, tropical fruits and well-known apple, pear and grape varieties that start with S. Strawberries are my favorite summer fruit.
Strawberry
A sweet, juicy red fruit dotted with tiny seeds, eaten fresh or used in shortcakes, jams, smoothies and pies.
Starfruit
Also called carambola, a waxy yellow tropical fruit that forms perfect stars when sliced, with a crisp, sweet-tart taste.
Satsuma
A small, seedless Japanese mandarin with loose, easy-peel skin and very sweet segments, popular in winter.
Sultanas
Golden raisins made by drying green seedless grapes, plump and sweet, used in scones, cakes and granola.
Soursop
Also known as guanabana, a spiky green tropical fruit with creamy white flesh tasting of pineapple, strawberry and citrus.
Sapodilla
A brown, potato-like tropical fruit with soft, grainy flesh that tastes of brown sugar and pear.
Salak
Also called snake fruit for its scaly brown skin, an Indonesian fruit with crunchy, sweet and tangy white lobes.
Santol
A round Southeast Asian fruit with fuzzy golden skin and sweet-sour white pulp, eaten fresh, candied or in curries.
Star Apple
A purple or green Caribbean fruit whose cut cross-section shows a star, with sweet, milky, jelly-like flesh.
Sugar Apple
Also called sweetsop, a knobby green fruit that breaks into segments of creamy, very sweet custard-like flesh.
Sapote
A name for several soft Central American fruits, including black sapote, which tastes like chocolate pudding when ripe.
Salal Berry
Dark purple berries from a Pacific Northwest shrub, long eaten by Native peoples fresh or dried into cakes.
Salmonberry
A salmon-pink to red wild raspberry relative from the Pacific coast of North America, juicy and mildly sweet.
Saskatoon Berry
A purple serviceberry from the Canadian prairies with a sweet, nutty almond flavor, baked into pies and jams.
Sea Buckthorn
Small, bright orange berries with an intensely sour, tropical taste, pressed into juice, jams and sauces in Europe and Asia.
Sloe
The small, very tart blue-black fruit of the blackthorn bush, best known for flavoring sloe gin.
Sour Cherry
Tart, bright red cherries such as Montmorency, too sharp to snack on but perfect for pies, jams and juice.
Seville Orange
A bitter, aromatic Spanish orange with lots of pectin, the classic fruit for British marmalade.
Sharon Fruit
A seedless, non-astringent persimmon grown in Israel's Sharon plain, eaten firm and crisp like an apple.
Shine Muscat Grape
A large, seedless Japanese green grape with thin, edible skin and a sweet, floral muscat flavor.
Sumo Citrus
A large, easy-peel mandarin hybrid with a bumpy top knot, very sweet and seedless, known in Japan as dekopon.
Sugar Baby Watermelon
A small, round, dark green watermelon with very sweet red flesh, sized to fit in a refrigerator.
Sea Grape
Purple grape-like clusters from a coastal tree in Florida and the Caribbean, eaten fresh or made into jelly.
Safou
Also called African pear or butterfruit, a purple fruit from Central Africa that is boiled or roasted until buttery.
Sweet Lemon
Also called mosambi or sweet lime, a low-acid citrus with pale juice popular as a fresh juice in India.
Strawberry Guava
A small red guava with sweet, tart, strawberry-scented flesh, eaten fresh or turned into jellies.
Surinam Cherry
A ribbed red fruit like a tiny pumpkin, with juicy, tart and slightly resinous flesh, common in Brazil and Florida.
SweeTango Apple
A very crisp, juicy apple bred at the University of Minnesota from Honeycrisp and Zestar, sold in late summer.
Spartan Apple
A Canadian apple from British Columbia with deep crimson skin and sweet, snowy white flesh, good for snacking.
Stayman Apple
An old American apple from Kansas with dull red skin and tart, wine-like flavor, good for cider and pies.
Seckel Pear
A tiny, very sweet American pear with russet and red skin, perfect for snacking, poaching and pickling.
Santa Rosa Plum
A Luther Burbank plum from California with purple-red skin and juicy, tangy amber flesh, once America's top plum.
Sweet Chestnut
The edible chestnut of Europe, roasted on street corners in winter and ground into flour or candied as marrons glaces.
Sacha Inchi
Star-shaped seed pods from the Amazon whose roasted nuts are crunchy and nutty, eaten as a snack or pressed for oil.
Vegetables That Start With S
Greens, roots, peppers, mushrooms and squash that start with S. I grow summer squash in my garden every year.
Spinach
A tender leafy green eaten raw in salads or cooked down into dips, pasta, curries and creamed spinach.
Sweet Potato
An orange-fleshed root vegetable with natural sweetness, baked, mashed, roasted or cut into fries.
Squash
A large family of gourds, from summer zucchini and yellow squash to winter butternut, acorn and pumpkin.
Spaghetti Squash
A yellow winter squash whose cooked flesh pulls apart into spaghetti-like strands, served as a low-carb pasta swap.
Get the recipe →Swiss Chard
A leafy green with large, glossy leaves and colorful crunchy stems, sauteed, braised or added to soups.
Snow Peas
Flat, tender pea pods eaten whole before the peas swell, crisp and sweet in stir-fries and salads.
Sugar Snap Peas
Plump, crunchy pea pods eaten whole, a cross between snow peas and garden peas, sweet raw or lightly cooked.
Scallion
Also called green onion, a young onion with a white base and green tops, sliced raw onto many dishes.
Shallots
Small, elongated onions with a mild, sweet garlic note, finely chopped into dressings, sauces and sautes.
Savoy Cabbage
A cabbage with crinkled, deeply veined leaves that are tender enough for rolls, slaws and quick sautes.
Salsify
A long, thin root vegetable with a mild oyster-like flavor, sometimes called oyster plant, peeled and cooked.
Skirret
A clustered white root vegetable popular in medieval Europe, with a sweet, parsnip-like flavor when roasted.
Sorrel
A tangy, lemony leafy green used in soups, sauces for fish and salads, especially in French cooking.
Sunchokes
Also called Jerusalem artichokes, knobby roots of a sunflower with crisp, nutty flesh, roasted or pureed.
Sweet Corn
Corn picked young while the kernels are juicy and sugary, eaten on the cob, in salads or in chowder.
String Beans
Another name for green beans, slender pods snapped and steamed, sauteed or baked into casseroles.
Scarlet Runner Beans
A climbing bean with red flowers and large purple-and-black beans, eaten as young pods or dried beans.
Sea Kale
A coastal European plant whose blanched shoots are cooked like asparagus, a Victorian delicacy.
Snake Gourd
A long, slim, twisting gourd eaten young in Indian and Southeast Asian curries, stir-fries and dals.
Shiitake Mushrooms
Meaty brown East Asian mushrooms with a rich, savory umami flavor, used fresh or dried in soups and stir-fries.
Shimeji Mushrooms
Small clustered Japanese mushrooms with long stems and a nutty flavor, used in stir-fries, soups and hot pots.
Serrano Pepper
A small, bright green Mexican chili that is hotter than a jalapeno, used fresh in salsas and guacamole.
Scotch Bonnet
A very hot Caribbean chili shaped like a tam o'shanter hat, with a fruity flavor essential in jerk seasoning.
Shishito Pepper
A thin, wrinkled Japanese green pepper, mostly mild, blistered in a pan and sprinkled with salt.
Seaweed
Edible sea vegetables such as nori, kombu and wakame, used in sushi, soups, salads and crisp snacks.
Samphire
A crunchy, salty coastal plant also called sea beans or sea asparagus, blanched and served with fish.
Sweet Onion
Mild, juicy onions low in sulfur, such as Vidalia and Walla Walla, sweet enough to eat raw on burgers.
Sprouts
Germinated seeds such as mung bean, alfalfa and radish sprouts, added to sandwiches, salads and stir-fries.
Soko
The Yoruba name for a leafy celosia green from West Africa, cooked into rich stews such as efo riro.
Grains, Pasta & Legumes That Start With S
Noodles, pasta shapes, grains, flours and beans that start with S.
Spaghetti
Long, thin, round strands of pasta, the classic partner for tomato sauce, meatballs, carbonara and bolognese.
Soba Noodles
Thin Japanese buckwheat noodles served chilled with a dipping sauce or hot in a savory broth.
Somen
Very thin white Japanese wheat noodles, usually served ice-cold with a light dipping sauce in summer.
Shirataki Noodles
Translucent Japanese noodles made from konjac yam, very low in calories and used in sukiyaki and soups.
Spelt
An ancient relative of wheat with a sweet, nutty flavor, used as whole grains or flour for breads and pasta.
Semolina
Coarsely ground durum wheat used for pasta, couscous, puddings and Indian dishes such as upma.
Sorghum
A drought-tolerant cereal grain eaten as porridge and flatbreads in Africa and India, and popped like popcorn.
Sago
A starch from the pith of tropical palms, formed into small pearls for puddings and sweet drinks.
Steel-Cut Oats
Whole oat groats chopped into pieces, cooking into a chewy, nutty porridge with more texture than rolled oats.
Sticky Rice
Also called glutinous rice, a short-grain rice that turns sweet and sticky when steamed, used in mango sticky rice.
Soybeans
Protein-rich legumes eaten as edamame or turned into tofu, soy milk, tempeh, miso and soy sauce.
Split Peas
Dried green or yellow peas split in half, simmered into thick soups such as split pea and ham.
Shells
Conchiglie, shell-shaped pasta in sizes from tiny to jumbo, used for mac and cheese and stuffed shells.
Spätzle
Small, chewy German egg noodles or dumplings pressed through a sieve into boiling water and tossed in butter.
Strozzapreti
Short, twisted hand-rolled Italian pasta whose name means priest stranglers, served with ragu or pesto.
Stelline
Tiny star-shaped Italian pasta cooked in broth, a classic comfort food for children.
Dishes & Meals That Start With S
Dinners, comfort foods, sides and party dishes that start with S. Spaghetti night is a family favorite at our table.
Salad
A dish of raw or cooked vegetables, greens, grains or fruit tossed with a dressing, served as a side or main.
Sandwich
Fillings such as meat, cheese and vegetables layered between slices of bread, the most popular lunch in many countries.
Soup
A liquid dish of broth or puree simmered with vegetables, meat, beans or noodles, served hot or chilled.
Stew
Chunks of meat and vegetables slowly simmered in a thick, seasoned liquid until tender, such as beef stew.
Spaghetti Bolognese
Spaghetti served with a slow-cooked meat sauce of ground beef, tomatoes, onions and herbs.
Shepherd's Pie
A British bake of minced lamb in gravy with vegetables, topped with mashed potato and browned in the oven.
Sloppy Joe
A messy American sandwich of ground beef simmered in a sweet and tangy tomato sauce, served on a bun.
Get the recipe →Stuffed Peppers
Bell peppers filled with seasoned ground meat, rice, tomato sauce and cheese, then baked until tender.
Get the recipe →Shrimp Scampi
Shrimp sauteed in garlic, butter, white wine and lemon, often served over linguine or with crusty bread.
Get the recipe →Shrimp and Grits
A Southern dish of creamy, cheesy grits topped with sauteed shrimp, bacon and a savory pan sauce.
Swedish Meatballs
Small, tender pork and beef meatballs in a creamy gravy, served with lingonberry jam and mashed potatoes.
Get the recipe →Sweet and Sour Chicken
Crispy fried chicken pieces tossed with peppers, onions and pineapple in a glossy sweet and tangy sauce.
Get the recipe →Sesame Chicken
A Chinese-American dish of battered fried chicken in a sweet soy glaze, sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds.
Salisbury Steak
A seasoned ground beef patty shaped like a steak and smothered in mushroom and onion gravy.
Swiss Steak
Round steak pounded thin, browned and braised slowly in tomatoes and onions until fork-tender.
Get the recipe →Stroganoff
A Russian dish of strips of beef and mushrooms in a sour cream sauce, served over egg noodles or rice.
Stromboli
Pizza dough rolled around cheese, salami and other fillings, baked into a golden loaf and sliced.
Stir-Fry
Meat, tofu or vegetables cooked quickly over high heat in a wok with oil, garlic, ginger and sauce.
Scrambled Eggs
Eggs beaten and gently stirred in a buttered pan until soft and fluffy, a breakfast classic.
Scotch Egg
A hard- or soft-boiled egg wrapped in sausage meat, coated in breadcrumbs and fried, a British picnic food.
Sausage Balls
Bite-size balls of sausage, cheddar and biscuit mix baked until golden, a Southern holiday appetizer.
Get the recipe →Spinach Artichoke Dip
A hot, creamy dip of spinach, artichoke hearts, cream cheese and Parmesan, served with chips or bread.
Get the recipe →Scalloped Potatoes
Thinly sliced potatoes baked in layers with cream or milk until tender and golden on top.
Sweet Potato Casserole
Mashed sweet potatoes baked with a topping of marshmallows or pecan streusel, a Thanksgiving staple.
Get the recipe →Sweet Potato Fries
Strips of sweet potato baked or fried until crisp outside and soft inside, served with dipping sauces.
Spanish Rice
Rice toasted in oil and simmered with tomato, onion and garlic, a Mexican-American side for tacos and enchiladas.
Succotash
A Native American dish of corn and lima beans, often with tomatoes and peppers, served as a summer side.
Spatchcock Chicken
A whole chicken with the backbone removed and flattened so it roasts or grills evenly and quickly.
Stuffed Mushrooms
Mushroom caps filled with breadcrumbs, cheese, herbs or sausage and baked, a popular party appetizer.
Shish Kebab
Cubes of marinated meat threaded on skewers with vegetables and grilled, a Turkish dish now made worldwide.
Sausage and Peppers
Italian-American sausages cooked with sweet peppers and onions, served on a hero roll or with pasta.
Desserts & Sweets That Start With S
Cakes, cookies, frozen treats, pastries and candy that start with S.
Strudel
Austrian pastry of paper-thin dough rolled around a filling, most famously spiced apple with raisins.
Shortbread
A crumbly, buttery Scottish cookie made from just butter, sugar and flour, often baked in fingers or rounds.
Strawberry Shortcake
Split sweet biscuits or sponge cake layered with fresh strawberries and whipped cream.
Get the recipe →S'mores
A campfire treat of toasted marshmallow and a piece of chocolate sandwiched between graham crackers.
Sorbet
A dairy-free frozen dessert of fruit puree or juice and sugar, smooth, icy and refreshing.
Sherbet
A frozen fruit dessert like sorbet but made with a little milk or cream for a creamier texture.
Semifreddo
An Italian half-frozen dessert of whipped cream, eggs and sugar, sliced like a soft ice cream cake.
Sachertorte
A dense Viennese chocolate cake layered with apricot jam and covered in a glossy dark chocolate glaze.
Snickerdoodle
A soft, chewy sugar cookie rolled in cinnamon sugar, with a tangy flavor from cream of tartar.
Get the recipe →Sugar Cookies
Simple, buttery cookies made from sugar, butter and flour, often cut into shapes and decorated with icing.
Get the recipe →Sponge Cake
A light, airy cake leavened mainly by whipped eggs, used for layer cakes, trifles and Swiss rolls.
Swiss Roll
A thin sponge cake spread with jam or cream and rolled into a spiral, also called a jelly roll.
Sticky Toffee Pudding
A moist British date sponge cake drenched in hot toffee sauce, served with custard, cream or ice cream.
Syllabub
An old English dessert of cream whipped with sugar, wine or sherry and lemon, served in glasses.
Soufflé
A light, airy French dish of egg yolks and whipped egg whites that rises dramatically in the oven.
Sundae
Scoops of ice cream topped with sauce such as hot fudge, whipped cream, nuts and a cherry.
Sopapilla
Puffy fried pastry pillows served with honey in New Mexico, or dusted with cinnamon sugar elsewhere.
Sfogliatella
A shell-shaped Neapolitan pastry of crisp, leaf-like layers filled with sweet ricotta and candied citrus.
Spumoni
Layered Italian molded ice cream, typically cherry, pistachio and chocolate, with candied fruit and nuts.
Stollen
A German Christmas bread filled with dried fruit, nuts and often marzipan, dusted heavily with powdered sugar.
Sufganiyot
Round jelly doughnuts dusted with powdered sugar, fried in oil and eaten in Israel during Hanukkah.
Sandesh
A delicate Bengali sweet of fresh chhena cheese and sugar, shaped into small rounds or molded patterns.
Sago Pudding
Sago pearls simmered in milk or coconut milk with sugar until thick, served warm or chilled.
Sweet Potato Pie
A Southern custard pie of mashed sweet potatoes, butter, sugar and warm spices in a flaky crust.
Shoofly Pie
A Pennsylvania Dutch pie with a gooey molasses bottom and a crumbly brown sugar topping.
Spice Cake
A moist cake flavored with cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and allspice, often topped with cream cheese frosting.
Shaved Ice
Fluffy, finely shaved ice drenched in flavored syrups, a summer favorite in Hawaii and across Asia.
Salted Caramel
Caramel sauce or candy finished with sea salt for a sweet and salty contrast, used in desserts and drinks.
Snickers
A best-selling candy bar of nougat, caramel and peanuts covered in milk chocolate, first sold in 1930.
Skittles
Chewy, fruit-flavored candies with a hard sugar shell in rainbow colors, sold in the US since 1979.
Snacks & Breads That Start With S
Breads, crackers and snack foods that start with S.
Sourdough Bread
Bread leavened with a wild yeast starter, giving it a tangy flavor, chewy crumb and crackly crust.
Scones
Lightly sweet British quick breads served split with clotted cream and jam at afternoon tea.
Soft Pretzels
Chewy, knotted breads dipped in a baking soda bath before baking for a shiny brown crust and salt topping.
Saltines
Thin, crisp square crackers sprinkled with coarse salt, eaten with soup, chili or on their own.
Sticky Buns
Rolled sweet yeast buns baked in a pan of brown sugar, butter and pecans, then flipped to show the gooey top.
Soda Bread
An Irish quick bread leavened with baking soda and buttermilk, with a crusty top marked by a deep cross.
Shokupan
Japanese milk bread, an extra soft, fluffy and slightly sweet white loaf used for sandwiches and toast.
Simit
A Turkish bread ring dipped in grape molasses and coated in sesame seeds, sold by street vendors for breakfast.
Sangak
A long Persian whole wheat flatbread baked on a bed of hot pebbles, which leave dimples in the crust.
Stottie Cake
A dense, round flat loaf from northeast England, split and filled with ham and pease pudding.
Sunflower Seeds
The nutty seeds of the sunflower, eaten roasted and salted in the shell or sprinkled on salads and breads.
Salt and Vinegar Chips
Potato chips seasoned with salt and vinegar powder for a sharp, tangy flavor, a British and American favorite.
Sesame Sticks
Crunchy, savory sticks of wheat flour and sesame seeds, often found in trail mixes and snack bowls.
Drinks That Start With S
Cocktails, wines, spirits, sodas and teas that start with S.
Smoothie
A thick blended drink of fruit, yogurt, milk or juice and ice, sometimes with greens or protein powder.
Get the recipe →Soda
A sweet carbonated soft drink, such as cola, lemon-lime or root beer, also called pop in some regions.
Sangria
A Spanish punch of red or white wine, chopped fruit, brandy and a splash of soda, served chilled.
Sake
Japanese rice wine brewed from polished rice and koji mold, served chilled, at room temperature or warm.
Soju
A clear, mild Korean distilled spirit made from rice or other starches, whose leading brand, Jinro, is the best-selling liquor brand in the world.
Sambuca
An Italian anise-flavored liqueur, sometimes served with three coffee beans or set alight briefly.
Sazerac
A New Orleans cocktail of rye whiskey or cognac, sugar and Peychaud's bitters in an absinthe-rinsed glass.
Sherry
A fortified wine from Jerez in southern Spain, ranging from bone-dry fino to sweet, dark Pedro Ximenez.
Sloe Gin
A ruby-red British liqueur made by steeping sloe berries and sugar in gin for several months.
Sidecar
A classic cocktail of cognac, orange liqueur and lemon juice, served in a sugar-rimmed glass.
Scotch Whisky
Whisky distilled and aged at least three years in oak casks in Scotland, from smoky Islay to smooth Speyside.
Screwdriver
A simple highball of vodka and orange juice over ice, a popular brunch cocktail.
Sea Breeze
A light, tart cocktail of vodka, cranberry juice and grapefruit juice served over ice.
Singapore Sling
A gin-based cocktail with cherry liqueur, pineapple, lime and bitters, created at Raffles Hotel in Singapore.
Spritz
An Italian aperitif of prosecco, a bitter liqueur such as Aperol and soda water, served over ice with orange.
Get the recipe →Shirley Temple
A nonalcoholic mocktail of ginger ale or lemon-lime soda with grenadine and a maraschino cherry.
Get the recipe →Seltzer
Plain carbonated water, often flavored with fruit essence, used in cocktails or enjoyed on its own.
Sweet Tea
Black tea sweetened with sugar while hot, then chilled and served over ice, a Southern US staple.
Get the recipe →Shamrock Shake
A seasonal mint-flavored green milkshake sold by McDonald's around St. Patrick's Day since 1970.
Get the recipe →Sarsaparilla
An old-fashioned soft drink flavored with sarsaparilla root and birch, similar to root beer.
Sencha
Japan's most popular green tea, steamed rather than pan-fired, with a fresh, grassy, slightly sweet flavor.
Stout
A dark, rich beer brewed with roasted barley, with coffee and chocolate notes, such as Irish dry stout.
Sauvignon Blanc
A crisp white wine grape from France's Loire and Bordeaux, famous for zesty citrus and grassy notes.
Shiraz
The Australian name for the Syrah grape, making bold red wines with dark fruit and peppery spice.
Strawberry Daiquiri
A frozen blended cocktail of rum, strawberries, lime juice and sugar, often made as a virgin mocktail.
Cheeses & Dairy That Start With S
Cheeses, cultured dairy and creams that start with S.
Swiss Cheese
A mild, nutty, pale yellow cheese with large holes, the American take on Emmental, used in sandwiches.
Stilton
A rich, crumbly English blue cheese with protected status, made only in Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire.
String Cheese
Snack sticks of mozzarella-style cheese whose stretched curd can be peeled into strings.
Sour Cream
Cream thickened and soured by lactic acid bacteria, spooned on baked potatoes, tacos and chili.
Skyr
A thick, high-protein Icelandic cultured dairy product that is technically a fresh cheese, eaten like yogurt.
Scamorza
A southern Italian stretched-curd cheese shaped like a pear, sold fresh or smoked, and great for melting.
Stracciatella
Shreds of fresh mozzarella soaked in cream, the rich filling of burrata, served with bread and tomatoes.
Stracchino
A soft, rindless and very creamy young cow's milk cheese from Lombardy, spread on bread or focaccia.
Saint-Nectaire
A soft, earthy French cheese from the Auvergne volcanoes, aged on rye straw mats.
Saint Agur
A creamy, mild French blue cheese made from cow's milk, richer and milder than Roquefort.
Sbrinz
A very hard, aged Swiss cheese similar to Parmesan, grated over pasta or broken into chunks.
Shropshire Blue
A British blue cheese colored orange with annatto, with a sharp, tangy flavor and creamy texture.
Samsø
A mild, nutty Danish cow's milk cheese with small holes, named after the island of Samsø.
Sage Derby
An English cheese marbled green with sage, mild and slightly herbal, traditionally eaten at Christmas.
Meat & Seafood That Start With S
Fish, shellfish, cured meats and cuts of beef that start with S.
Salmon
A rich, oily fish with pink-orange flesh, baked, grilled, smoked or eaten raw as sushi and sashimi.
Smoked Salmon
Salmon cured and cold-smoked into silky, translucent slices, served on bagels with cream cheese.
Sardines
Small, oily silver fish usually sold canned in oil or tomato sauce, or grilled fresh in Portugal and Spain.
Scallops
Sweet, tender shellfish whose round white muscle is seared in a hot pan until golden and caramelized.
Get the recipe →Shrimp
Small, sweet shellfish that turn pink when cooked, used in scampi, cocktails, tacos, curries and stir-fries.
Swordfish
A large ocean fish with firm, meaty white flesh, cut into thick steaks and grilled or broiled.
Sea Bass
A name for several mild, flaky white fish, including European branzino and Chilean sea bass.
Sea Bream
A Mediterranean fish with sweet white flesh, known as dorade in France, often roasted whole with herbs.
Sablefish
Also called black cod, a North Pacific fish with buttery, silky flesh, famous in miso-marinated black cod.
Shad
An Atlantic river fish prized for its springtime roe, eaten fried, broiled or planked along the East Coast.
Smelt
Small, silvery fish with a mild, cucumber-like aroma, dusted in flour and fried whole.
Skate
A flat fish related to rays whose wings have sweet, ribbed flesh, classically served with brown butter and capers.
Sole
A delicate flatfish with fine white flesh, such as Dover sole, classically cooked as sole meuniere.
Sturgeon
A large, ancient fish valued for its firm, meaty flesh and as the source of true caviar.
Snow Crab
A cold-water crab with long, slender legs full of sweet, flaky meat, sold as steamed clusters.
Soft-Shell Crab
Blue crabs caught just after molting, fried or grilled and eaten whole, shell and all.
Scampi
Small lobster-like shellfish also called langoustines or Dublin Bay prawns; in Britain, breaded scampi are fried.
Squid
A tender cephalopod eaten fried as calamari, grilled, stuffed or cooked in its own ink.
Sea Urchin
A spiny sea creature whose orange roe, called uni in Japan, is creamy, briny and prized for sushi.
Sea Cucumber
A soft-bodied sea animal dried and braised in Chinese and Korean cooking, valued for its gelatinous texture.
Snails
Land snails cooked in garlic and parsley butter, eaten in France as escargots and across the Mediterranean.
Sausage
Seasoned ground meat stuffed into a casing, from breakfast links and bratwurst to Italian and smoked sausage.
Salami
Cured, fermented and air-dried sausage, usually pork, sliced thin for sandwiches, pizza and charcuterie boards.
Soppressata
A coarse Italian dry-cured salami, often pressed flat and spiced with chili in Calabria.
Speck
A smoked, cured ham from South Tyrol in northern Italy, sliced thin and eaten with bread and cheese.
Spam
Canned precooked pork and ham, introduced in 1937, especially popular in Hawaii, Korea and Guam.
Steak
A thick slice of beef cut across the muscle grain, grilled, pan-seared or broiled to the desired doneness.
Sirloin Steak
A lean, flavorful beef steak cut from the rear back of the cow, good for grilling.
Short Ribs
Meaty beef rib sections that become meltingly tender when braised, or are thinly sliced for Korean galbi.
Spare Ribs
Pork ribs cut from the belly side, meatier and fattier than baby backs, smoked or slow-baked with barbecue sauce.
Skirt Steak
A long, thin, beefy cut from the plate, marinated and grilled quickly for fajitas and carne asada.
Sweetbreads
The thymus or pancreas glands of calves or lambs, with a creamy texture, usually breaded and pan-fried.
Squab
Young domestic pigeon with rich, dark, tender meat, roasted and served pink in fine dining.
Herbs, Spices & Condiments That Start With S
Herbs, spices, sauces, oils and pantry staples that start with S.
Salt
The essential seasoning, sodium chloride, sold as table salt, kosher salt, sea salt and flaky finishing salt.
Sugar
A sweetener made from sugarcane or sugar beets, sold as white, brown, powdered and raw sugar.
Saffron
Red threads of the saffron crocus that give paella, risotto and biryani a golden color and honeyed aroma.
Sage
A soft, gray-green herb with an earthy, slightly peppery flavor, used in stuffing, sausage and brown butter.
Savory
A peppery herb related to thyme and mint, used with beans in Germany and in herbes de Provence.
Spearmint
The common garden mint, sweeter and milder than peppermint, used in mojitos, sauces, teas and gum.
Shiso
A Japanese herb in the mint family with a bright, minty, basil-like flavor, served with sushi and sashimi.
Salad Burnet
A delicate herb with small leaves that taste like cucumber, added to salads, dressings and drinks.
Star Anise
A star-shaped dried seed pod with a strong licorice flavor, used in pho, Chinese five-spice and mulled wine.
Sumac
A tangy, deep red ground spice from dried berries, sprinkled over kebabs, hummus and fattoush.
Sesame Seeds
Tiny white or black seeds with a nutty flavor, sprinkled on buns and stir-fries and ground into tahini.
Szechuan Peppercorns
Dried husks of a Chinese prickly ash with a citrusy aroma that creates a tingling, numbing sensation.
Smoked Paprika
Spanish pimenton made from peppers smoked over oak, adding smoky flavor and color to stews and chorizo.
Shichimi Togarashi
A Japanese seven-spice blend of chili, sansho pepper, orange peel, sesame and seaweed, sprinkled on noodles.
Soy Sauce
A salty, savory brown sauce brewed from fermented soybeans and wheat, essential in East Asian cooking.
Sriracha
A Thai-style hot sauce of chili peppers, garlic, vinegar and sugar, squeezed over noodles, eggs and burgers.
Salsa
A Mexican sauce of chopped tomatoes, onions, chiles, cilantro and lime, served fresh or cooked with chips.
Salsa Verde
A green sauce: in Mexico made with tomatillos and chiles, in Italy with parsley, capers and anchovies.
Sofrito
A cooking base of onions, garlic, peppers and tomatoes sauteed in olive oil, used in Spanish and Latin dishes.
Sambal
A Southeast Asian chili paste or sauce, such as sambal oelek, made from ground fresh chiles.
Sauerkraut
Finely shredded cabbage fermented with salt until sour, served with sausages, pork and Reuben sandwiches.
Szechuan Sauce
A spicy, savory Chinese-style sauce of chili, garlic, soy and vinegar, made famous by a McDonald's promotion.
Get the recipe →Sweet Chili Sauce
A Thai dipping sauce of red chiles, garlic, sugar and vinegar, served with spring rolls and fried foods.
Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Ripe tomatoes dried until chewy and intensely flavored, sold dry or packed in oil for pasta and salads.
Stevia
A sweetener extracted from the leaves of a South American plant, many times sweeter than sugar.
Safflower Oil
A neutral, light cooking oil pressed from safflower seeds, with a high smoke point for frying.
Sunflower Oil
A light, mild oil pressed from sunflower seeds, widely used for frying, baking and salad dressings.
Sesame Oil
A nutty oil pressed from sesame seeds; the dark, toasted kind is drizzled over Asian dishes for flavor.
Sherry Vinegar
A rich, nutty Spanish vinegar aged from sherry wine, used in dressings, gazpacho and sauces.
Schmaltz
Rendered chicken or goose fat, a traditional cooking fat in Jewish cooking used for matzo balls and fried onions.
Suet
Hard fat from around beef or lamb kidneys, used in British puddings, dumplings, pastry and mincemeat.
International Foods That Start With S
Global dishes that start with S, from Japan and India to Greece, Zimbabwe and Colombia.
Sushi
Japanese vinegared rice paired with raw or cooked fish, seafood or vegetables, rolled in nori or pressed by hand.
Sashimi
Thin slices of very fresh raw fish or seafood served without rice, with soy sauce, wasabi and pickled ginger.
Sukiyaki
A Japanese hot pot of thinly sliced beef, tofu, vegetables and noodles simmered in a sweet soy broth.
Shabu-Shabu
A Japanese hot pot where diners swish thin slices of meat and vegetables through simmering broth.
Satay
Skewers of marinated meat grilled over charcoal and served with peanut sauce, popular across Southeast Asia.
Samosa
A fried triangular pastry filled with spiced potatoes, peas or meat, an Indian snack served with chutney.
Sambar
A South Indian lentil and vegetable stew flavored with tamarind and sambar spice, served with dosa and idli.
Saag Paneer
A North Indian dish of cubes of fresh paneer cheese in a spiced puree of spinach or mustard greens.
Shawarma
Spiced meat stacked on a vertical rotisserie, shaved thin and wrapped in pita with garlic sauce and pickles.
Shakshuka
Eggs poached in a spiced sauce of tomatoes, peppers and onions, a North African and Middle Eastern breakfast.
Spanakopita
A Greek pie of flaky phyllo pastry filled with spinach, feta, onions and herbs.
Souvlaki
Greek skewers of grilled pork or chicken, often wrapped in pita with tzatziki, tomatoes and onions.
Saganaki
A Greek appetizer of firm cheese fried in a small pan until golden and served with lemon.
Skordalia
A thick Greek garlic dip of potatoes or bread, olive oil and vinegar, served with fried fish and vegetables.
Sauerbraten
A German pot roast marinated for days in vinegar and spices, served with a sweet-sour gingersnap gravy.
Schnitzel
A thin cutlet of veal, pork or chicken, breaded and fried until golden, Austria's famous Wiener schnitzel.
Saltimbocca
An Italian dish of veal cutlets topped with prosciutto and sage, pan-fried and finished with wine.
Salmorejo
A thick, cold Andalusian tomato and bread soup topped with chopped egg and ham, richer than gazpacho.
Sopes
Thick Mexican corn masa cakes with pinched edges, topped with beans, meat, salsa, lettuce and cheese.
Sincronizada
A Mexican sandwich of ham and cheese between two flour tortillas, grilled until melted, like a quesadilla.
Sosaties
South African skewers of lamb or mutton marinated in a curried apricot sauce and grilled on a braai.
Suya
Spicy Nigerian grilled meat skewers coated in a ground peanut and chili spice mix called yaji.
Sadza
A stiff Zimbabwean porridge of white cornmeal, the national staple, eaten by hand with stews and greens.
Scallion Pancake
A chewy, flaky Chinese flatbread layered with chopped scallions and oil, pan-fried until crisp.
Siu Mai
Open-topped Chinese dim sum dumplings of pork and shrimp in thin wrappers, often topped with roe or carrot.
Spring Rolls
Thin wrappers rolled around vegetables or meat, fried crisp in China or served fresh in Vietnam.
Som Tam
A spicy Thai green papaya salad pounded with chiles, lime, fish sauce, peanuts and tomatoes.
Sinigang
A sour Filipino soup of pork, shrimp or fish with vegetables in a tamarind broth.
Sisig
A sizzling Filipino dish of chopped pork face and belly with onions, chiles and calamansi, served on a hot plate.
Saimin
A Hawaiian noodle soup of wheat and egg noodles in dashi broth with Spam or char siu, green onions and fish cake.
Smørrebrød
Danish open-faced sandwiches on buttered rye bread topped with herring, roast beef, shrimp or egg.
Sarma
Cabbage or vine leaves rolled around rice and minced meat and slowly simmered, eaten across the Balkans and Turkey.
Solyanka
A thick, sour and salty Russian soup of mixed meats or fish with pickles, olives, capers and lemon.
Sancocho
A hearty Latin American stew of meats, plantains, yuca and corn, popular in Colombia and the Dominican Republic.
Surströmming
Fermented Baltic herring from Sweden, famous for its strong smell, eaten on flatbread with potatoes and onions.
Did You Know?
- Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world by weight. Each crocus flower gives just three red stigmas, which are picked by hand.
- A strawberry is not a true berry. Each of the tiny "seeds" on its surface is technically a separate fruit called an achene.
- Sriracha sauce is named after Si Racha, a coastal town in eastern Thailand where the original chili-garlic sauce was made.
- The Sachertorte was created in Vienna in 1832 by Franz Sacher, a 16-year-old kitchen apprentice cooking for Prince Metternich.
Quick List: All 291 Foods That Start With S
Handy for alphabet games, quizzes and Scattergories. The full list, A to Z:
S'mores, Saag Paneer, Sablefish, Sacha Inchi, Sachertorte, Sadza, Safflower Oil, Saffron, Safou, Saganaki, Sage, Sage Derby, Sago, Sago Pudding, Saimin, Saint Agur, Saint-Nectaire, Sake, Salad, Salad Burnet, Salak, Salal Berry, Salami, Salisbury Steak, Salmon, Salmonberry, Salmorejo, Salsa, Salsa Verde, Salsify, Salt, Salt and Vinegar Chips, Salted Caramel, Saltimbocca, Saltines, Sambal, Sambar, Sambuca, Samosa, Samphire, Samsø, Sancocho, Sandesh, Sandwich, Sangak, Sangria, Santa Rosa Plum, Santol, Sapodilla, Sapote, Sardines, Sarma, Sarsaparilla, Sashimi, Saskatoon Berry, Satay, Satsuma, Sauerbraten, Sauerkraut, Sausage, Sausage and Peppers, Sausage Balls, Sauvignon Blanc, Savory, Savoy Cabbage, Sazerac, Sbrinz, Scallion, Scallion Pancake, Scalloped Potatoes, Scallops, Scamorza, Scampi, Scarlet Runner Beans, Schmaltz, Schnitzel, Scones, Scotch Bonnet, Scotch Egg, Scotch Whisky, Scrambled Eggs, Screwdriver, Sea Bass, Sea Bream, Sea Breeze, Sea Buckthorn, Sea Cucumber, Sea Grape, Sea Kale, Sea Urchin, Seaweed, Seckel Pear, Seltzer, Semifreddo, Semolina, Sencha, Serrano Pepper, Sesame Chicken, Sesame Oil, Sesame Seeds, Sesame Sticks, Seville Orange, Sfogliatella, Shabu-Shabu, Shad, Shakshuka, Shallots, Shamrock Shake, Sharon Fruit, Shaved Ice, Shawarma, Shells, Shepherd's Pie, Sherbet, Sherry, Sherry Vinegar, Shichimi Togarashi, Shiitake Mushrooms, Shimeji Mushrooms, Shine Muscat Grape, Shirataki Noodles, Shiraz, Shirley Temple, Shish Kebab, Shishito Pepper, Shiso, Shokupan, Shoofly Pie, Short Ribs, Shortbread, Shrimp, Shrimp and Grits, Shrimp Scampi, Shropshire Blue, Sidecar, Simit, Sincronizada, Singapore Sling, Sinigang, Sirloin Steak, Sisig, Siu Mai, Skate, Skirret, Skirt Steak, Skittles, Skordalia, Skyr, Sloe, Sloe Gin, Sloppy Joe, Smelt, Smoked Paprika, Smoked Salmon, Smoothie, Smørrebrød, Snails, Snake Gourd, Snickerdoodle, Snickers, Snow Crab, Snow Peas, Soba Noodles, Soda, Soda Bread, Sofrito, Soft Pretzels, Soft-Shell Crab, Soju, Soko, Sole, Solyanka, Som Tam, Somen, Sopapilla, Sopes, Soppressata, Sorbet, Sorghum, Sorrel, Sosaties, Soufflé, Soup, Sour Cherry, Sour Cream, Sourdough Bread, Soursop, Souvlaki, Soy Sauce, Soybeans, Spaghetti, Spaghetti Bolognese, Spaghetti Squash, Spam, Spanakopita, Spanish Rice, Spare Ribs, Spartan Apple, Spatchcock Chicken, Spearmint, Speck, Spelt, Spice Cake, Spinach, Spinach Artichoke Dip, Split Peas, Sponge Cake, Spring Rolls, Spritz, Sprouts, Spumoni, Spätzle, Squab, Squash, Squid, Sriracha, Star Anise, Star Apple, Starfruit, Stayman Apple, Steak, Steel-Cut Oats, Stelline, Stevia, Stew, Sticky Buns, Sticky Rice, Sticky Toffee Pudding, Stilton, Stir-Fry, Stollen, Stottie Cake, Stout, Stracchino, Stracciatella, Strawberry, Strawberry Daiquiri, Strawberry Guava, Strawberry Shortcake, String Beans, String Cheese, Stroganoff, Stromboli, Strozzapreti, Strudel, Stuffed Mushrooms, Stuffed Peppers, Sturgeon, Succotash, Suet, Sufganiyot, Sugar, Sugar Apple, Sugar Baby Watermelon, Sugar Cookies, Sugar Snap Peas, Sukiyaki, Sultanas, Sumac, Sumo Citrus, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Sunchokes, Sundae, Sunflower Oil, Sunflower Seeds, Surinam Cherry, Surströmming, Sushi, Suya, Swedish Meatballs, Sweet and Sour Chicken, Sweet Chestnut, Sweet Chili Sauce, Sweet Corn, Sweet Lemon, Sweet Onion, Sweet Potato, Sweet Potato Casserole, Sweet Potato Fries, Sweet Potato Pie, Sweet Tea, SweeTango Apple, Sweetbreads, Swiss Chard, Swiss Cheese, Swiss Roll, Swiss Steak, Swordfish, Syllabub, Szechuan Peppercorns, Szechuan Sauce
Frequently Asked Questions
What fruit starts with S?
Strawberry is the most popular fruit that starts with S. Others include starfruit, satsumas, sultanas, soursop, sapodilla, star apples, sugar apples, salak (snake fruit), sloes, sour cherries and Seville oranges.
What vegetable starts with S?
Spinach and sweet potatoes are the most common vegetables that start with S. Squash, Swiss chard, snow peas, sugar snap peas, scallions, shallots, sweet corn, string beans, savoy cabbage and shiitake mushrooms also start with S.
What dessert starts with S?
Popular desserts that start with S include strawberry shortcake, s'mores, sticky toffee pudding, snickerdoodles, sugar cookies, sorbet, sherbet, sundaes, strudel, shortbread and sweet potato pie.
What dinner foods start with S?
Dinners that start with S include spaghetti, steak, salmon, shrimp scampi, shepherd's pie, stir-fry, stroganoff, stuffed peppers, Swedish meatballs, sloppy joes, sushi and schnitzel. Soup and salad make a lighter option.
What snack starts with S?
Snacks that start with S include soft pretzels, saltines, salt and vinegar chips, sunflower seeds, string cheese, sesame sticks, scones, spring rolls, samosas and s'mores.
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