✔ Updated · 152 foods, sorted by category
Foods that start with J include jalapenos, jackfruit, jambalaya, jelly beans, jasmine rice, jerk chicken, jicama and jam.
J is one of the harder letters, so this list gathers every real food we could verify, 152 in all, with no filler. They are sorted into ten categories: fruits, vegetables, dishes and meals, desserts, snacks and breads, drinks, cheeses and dairy, meat and seafood, herbs, spices and condiments, and international foods, with a quick A-to-Z list at the end.
Foods that start with J, from everyday favorites to rare finds. The most popular:
Fruits That Start With J
Tropical giants, berries, apple varieties and rare finds.
Jackfruit
The largest tree fruit in the world, with sweet yellow pods when ripe; unripe jackfruit is shredded as a meat substitute.
Jujube
Also called red date, a small fruit that is crisp and apple-like when fresh and chewy and sweet when dried.
Jabuticaba
A Brazilian grape-like fruit that grows directly on the tree trunk, with dark purple skin and sweet white pulp.
Jamun
Also called Java plum, a dark purple South Asian fruit with a sweet, tart and astringent taste that stains the tongue.
Jambu
Also called wax apple or rose apple, a bell-shaped, crisp, watery fruit with a mild sweetness, popular in Southeast Asia.
Jocote
A small Central American fruit with red or yellow skin and tangy flesh, eaten ripe or green with salt and lime.
Jostaberry
A cross between a black currant and a gooseberry, with dark purple berries that taste like a mix of both.
Juneberry
Also called serviceberry or saskatoon, a small purple berry with an almond-like flavor, ripening in early summer.
Japanese Persimmon
Also called kaki, the most widely grown persimmon, with glossy orange skin, sweet when ripe and dried as hoshigaki.
Japanese Plum
Ume, a sour Asian apricot relative that is pickled into umeboshi or steeped in alcohol to make umeshu.
Jonathan Apple
A small, tart, bright red American apple from the 1800s, good for eating fresh, cooking and cider.
Jonagold Apple
A large, sweet-tart apple from a Jonathan and Golden Delicious cross, developed in New York in 1953.
Jazz Apple
A crisp, dense New Zealand apple from a Braeburn and Gala cross, with a sweet-tart, slightly tangy flavor.
Jaffa Orange
A sweet, nearly seedless orange with a thick, easy-to-peel skin, originally grown near the port of Jaffa.
Jackalberry
The fruit of the African ebony tree, a small yellow fruit with a chalky texture and sweet flavor.
Jamaica Cherry
Also called strawberry tree or panama berry, a tiny red fruit with sweet, cotton-candy-like flesh.
Japanese Wineberry
A bright red raspberry relative with sticky, hairy stems and sweet-tart, glossy berries.
Jubilee Watermelon
A large, oblong heirloom watermelon with striped green rind and sweet, bright red flesh.
Jenny Lind Melon
A small heirloom muskmelon with a knob on the end and sweet green flesh, named after a Swedish singer.
Jelly Palm Fruit
The orange fruit of the pindo palm, with a tart, tropical flavor, used to make jelly and wine in the South.
Jatoba
A tropical American pod with a hard shell and dry, sweet powdery pulp eaten raw or ground into flour.
Vegetables That Start With J
Chiles, tubers, squash, potatoes and greens that start with J. I slice jalapeños into almost everything.
Jalapeno
A medium-hot green chili pepper from Mexico, eaten fresh in salsa, pickled on nachos or stuffed and baked.
Jicama
A round Mexican root vegetable with papery brown skin and crisp, juicy, slightly sweet white flesh, eaten raw.
Jerusalem Artichoke
Also called sunchoke, a knobbly tuber of a sunflower plant with a nutty flavor, roasted or made into soup.
Japanese Eggplant
A long, slender purple eggplant with thin skin and few seeds, perfect for grilling and stir-frying.
Jersey Royal Potatoes
Small, waxy new potatoes grown on the island of Jersey with protected status, boiled in their skins in spring.
Japanese Sweet Potato
A sweet potato with purple-red skin and pale yellow flesh that turns fluffy and chestnut-sweet when roasted.
Jute Leaves
Leafy greens cooked into a silky soup called molokhia in Egypt and the Middle East.
Jarrahdale Pumpkin
An Australian pumpkin with blue-gray ribbed skin and sweet, dense orange flesh for soups and roasting.
Jack Be Little Pumpkin
A tiny, edible orange pumpkin that fits in the palm, roasted whole or used as fall decoration.
Juliet Tomato
A small, oblong grape-type tomato with a sweet flavor that resists cracking, used in salads and sauces.
Jimmy Nardello Pepper
A long, thin, sweet Italian heirloom pepper that turns bright red and is best fried in olive oil.
Japanese Cucumber
A long, slim cucumber with thin, bumpy skin and tiny seeds, crisp and mild for salads and pickles.
Jinenjo
A Japanese mountain yam that is grated raw into a sticky, frothy paste and poured over rice or soba.
Jelly Ear
Also called wood ear, a rubbery, ear-shaped mushroom used for its crunchy texture in Chinese soups and stir-fries.
Dishes & Meals That Start With J
American classics, regional favorites and dinners you can cook at home. Jambalaya is my favorite one-pot dinner.
Jambalaya
A Louisiana rice dish cooked with sausage, chicken or shrimp, the holy trinity of vegetables and Creole spices.
Jalapeno Poppers
Halved jalapenos stuffed with cream cheese and cheddar, often wrapped in bacon and baked or fried.
Get the recipe →Jerk Chicken
Jamaican chicken marinated in a fiery paste of Scotch bonnet peppers, allspice and thyme, grilled over pimento wood.
Jacket Potato
The British name for a baked potato, served split open with butter, cheese, baked beans or tuna mayo.
Jucy Lucy
A Minneapolis burger with the cheese sealed inside the patty, so it melts into a molten center.
Jibarito
A Chicago sandwich created by Puerto Rican cooks, using flattened fried green plantains instead of bread.
Jojo Potatoes
Thick potato wedges battered or seasoned and deep-fried, popular in the Pacific Northwest and Midwest.
Johnny Marzetti
An Ohio baked pasta casserole of noodles, ground beef, tomato sauce and cheese, named after a Columbus restaurant.
Joe's Special
A San Francisco scramble of ground beef, spinach, onions and eggs, a late-night favorite since the 1930s.
Jellied Eels
A traditional East London dish of chopped eels boiled in spiced stock that sets into a jelly as it cools.
Jaffle
An Australian toasted sandwich sealed and cooked in a jaffle iron, filled with cheese, ham or baked beans.
Desserts & Sweets That Start With J
Candy, cakes, pastries and puddings that start with J. I make jelly rolls for holiday brunch.
Jelly Beans
Small, bean-shaped chewy candies with a hard sugar shell, sold in dozens of fruit and novelty flavors.
Jell-O
The best-known brand of fruit-flavored gelatin dessert, sold since 1897 and now a generic name for jelly desserts.
Jelly Roll
A thin sponge cake spread with jam or jelly and rolled into a spiral, sliced to show the swirl.
Jelly Doughnut
A round, yeasted doughnut filled with jam or jelly and dusted with sugar; in Israel it is called sufganiyah.
Jawbreaker
A very hard, round candy built up in many colored layers that take a long time to dissolve.
Jaffa Cakes
British sponge-based biscuits topped with orange jelly and a layer of chocolate, sold since 1927.
Jam Roly-Poly
A British steamed or baked suet pudding spread with jam and rolled up, served with hot custard.
Jalebi
Bright orange spirals of fermented batter deep-fried and soaked in sugar syrup, eaten in India and the Middle East.
Jordan Almonds
Almonds coated in a hard, pastel-colored sugar shell, given as wedding favors in Italy, Greece and the Middle East.
Jimmies
Small rod-shaped sprinkles of chocolate or rainbow-colored sugar, the Boston and Philadelphia name for sprinkles.
Junket
A soft, sweet milk dessert set with rennet, similar to a light custard, popular in Britain and New England.
Jumbles
Old-fashioned butter cookies, sometimes twisted into knots or rings, made since colonial times.
Jesuite
A French triangular puff pastry filled with almond cream and topped with icing and sliced almonds.
Japanese Cheesecake
A light, jiggly souffle cheesecake made with whipped egg whites, cotton-soft and less sweet than New York cheesecake.
Jamaican Ginger Cake
A dark, sticky loaf cake spiced with ginger and sweetened with black treacle and golden syrup.
Jello Salad
A molded gelatin dish set with fruit, marshmallows, cottage cheese or vegetables, a midcentury potluck classic.
Joe Froggers
Large, soft molasses and rum spice cookies from Marblehead, Massachusetts, dating back to the 1700s.
Jelly Babies
Soft, baby-shaped gummy candies dusted in starch, a British sweet shop favorite since the early 1900s.
Jam Tart
A small shortcrust pastry case filled with jam and baked, a classic British teatime and party treat.
Jewish Apple Cake
A tall tube cake layered with cinnamon apples, made with oil instead of butter so it is dairy-free.
Joconde
A thin French almond sponge cake, often decorated with a pattern, used to line entremets and opera cake.
Jalousie
A French puff pastry tart with a slatted top that looks like window blinds, filled with jam or fruit.
Jelly Slice
An Australian layered bar of biscuit base, condensed milk filling and a bright red jelly top.
Snacks & Breads That Start With J
Breads, rice and grains starting with J.
Jasmine Rice
A fragrant long-grain rice from Thailand that cooks up soft, slightly sticky and floral, served with curries.
Johnnycakes
Thin cornmeal flatbreads fried on a griddle, an old New England and Southern staple also called journey cakes.
Jewish Rye Bread
A light rye bread flavored with caraway seeds, the classic bread for pastrami and corned beef sandwiches.
Japanese Milk Bread
A soft, fluffy, slightly sweet loaf called shokupan, made with a cooked flour paste that keeps it moist.
Job's Tears
A large, chewy grain from a tall grass, cooked like barley in soups and teas in Asia.
Jowar
The Hindi name for sorghum, ground into flour for gluten-free flatbreads called jowar roti or bhakri.
Drinks That Start With J
Juices, teas, cocktails and spirits starting with J.
Juice
The liquid pressed from fruits or vegetables, from orange and apple juice to fresh green juices.
Jasmine Tea
Green tea scented with jasmine blossoms, the most popular scented tea in China.
Java
A nickname for coffee that comes from the Indonesian island of Java, an early major coffee producer.
Julep
The mint julep, bourbon with sugar and fresh mint over crushed ice, the traditional drink of the Kentucky Derby.
Get the recipe →Jenever
The juniper-flavored Dutch and Belgian spirit that came before gin, with a malty, whiskey-like character.
Japanese Whisky
Whisky made in Japan, mainly in the Scotch style, known for smooth, delicate blends and single malts.
Jamaican Rum
Rich, funky rum from Jamaica, often made in pot stills and full of tropical fruit flavor.
Jack Rose
A classic cocktail of applejack, lemon or lime juice and grenadine, popular in the early 1900s.
Jungle Bird
A tiki cocktail of dark rum, Campari, pineapple juice, lime and syrup, created in Kuala Lumpur in 1978.
John Collins
A tall cocktail of whiskey or gin, lemon juice, sugar and soda water, the sibling of the Tom Collins.
Jagerbomb
A shot of herbal liqueur dropped into a glass of energy drink and downed quickly, a party staple.
Get the recipe →Jell-O Shots
Gelatin set with vodka, tequila or rum in small cups, served at parties.
Get the recipe →Jamaican Peanut Punch
A thick, creamy Jamaican drink of peanut butter blended with milk, oats and spices.
Get the recipe →Jaljeera
A tangy Indian summer drink of water flavored with cumin, black salt, mint, tamarind and lemon.
Jigarthanda
A cold drink from Madurai, India, of milk, almond gum, sarsaparilla syrup and ice cream.
Jun
A fizzy fermented drink similar to kombucha but brewed with green tea and honey instead of black tea and sugar.
Jiuniang
A sweet Chinese fermented rice drink, also eaten as a dessert soup with rice balls and egg.
Jamaican Sorrel
A spiced Christmas drink of dried hibiscus flowers steeped with ginger and cloves, sometimes with rum.
Cheeses & Dairy That Start With J
Cheeses and cultured dairy from Norway to Jordan.
Jarlsberg
A mild, nutty Norwegian cow's milk cheese with large holes, similar to Swiss cheese and great in sandwiches.
Jack Cheese
Monterey Jack, a mild, semi-soft California cheese that melts easily, used in quesadillas and nachos.
Juustoleipa
Finnish bread cheese, a fresh cheese baked or grilled until browned and served warm, sometimes with cloudberry jam.
Jibneh Arabieh
A mild, soft white cheese from the Middle East, eaten fresh at breakfast or melted into pastries.
Jben
A fresh, tangy Moroccan cheese made from goat's or cow's milk, eaten with bread or used in salads.
Jameed
Hard, dried balls of salted yogurt from Jordan, rehydrated to make the sauce for mansaf.
Jocoque
A Mexican cultured dairy product similar to thick sour cream or labneh, eaten with tortillas and salsa.
Meat & Seafood That Start With J
Hams, sausages, crabs and fish that start with J.
Jerky
Strips of lean meat, usually beef, marinated, seasoned and dried until chewy, a favorite snack for road trips and hikes.
Jamon Iberico
Spain's most prized cured ham, from black Iberian pigs, aged for years and sliced paper-thin.
Jamon Serrano
A dry-cured Spanish mountain ham from white pigs, sweet and salty, served thinly sliced as tapas.
Jambon de Bayonne
A French cured ham from the Basque region, rubbed with salt from Salies-de-Bearn and air-dried.
John Dory
A flat, silver fish with a dark spot on its side and sweet, delicate white flesh, prized by chefs.
Jumbo Lump Crab
The largest, most prized pieces of blue crab meat, from the swimming legs, used in crab cakes.
Jonah Crab
A North Atlantic crab with heavy claws and sweet meat, often sold as cocktail claws.
Jack Mackerel
An oily, silvery Pacific fish sold canned in the US and grilled or used for aji sushi in Japan.
Jellyfish
Dried and salted jellyfish, sliced and served in crunchy, chilled salads in Chinese cuisine.
Jagdwurst
A German cooked sausage of pork with garlic and mustard seed, sliced as a cold cut or fried in breadcrumbs.
Jowl
Hog jowl, the cured and smoked cheek of a pig, cooked with black-eyed peas and greens in the South.
Jidori Chicken
A premium, free-range chicken breed raised in Japan and California, with richer flavor and firmer texture.
Jumbo Shrimp
A market size for large shrimp, often around 21 to 25 per pound, great for grilling and shrimp cocktail.
Herbs, Spices & Condiments That Start With J
Spreads, sauces, sugars and spices beginning with J.
Jam
Fruit cooked with sugar until thick and spreadable, keeping pieces of fruit, for toast, scones and sandwiches.
Get the recipe →Jelly
A smooth, clear spread made from fruit juice and sugar set with pectin, such as grape or apple jelly.
Jaggery
An unrefined cane or palm sugar sold in blocks, with a caramel-like flavor, used in Indian sweets and curries.
Jerk Seasoning
A Jamaican blend of allspice, Scotch bonnet chili, thyme, scallions and spices, used dry or as a wet paste.
Juniper Berry
The small blue-black cone of the juniper shrub, the key flavor in gin and used in game and sauerkraut dishes.
Jus
A light, natural sauce of meat juices from a roast, served as au jus with French dip sandwiches and prime rib.
Get the recipe →Jalapeno Jelly
A sweet and spicy green jelly of jalapenos, sugar and vinegar, poured over cream cheese for a party dip.
Joppiesaus
A Dutch sauce of mayonnaise, onion and curry powder, served with fries and snacks.
Japanese Mayonnaise
A rich, tangy mayonnaise made with egg yolks and rice vinegar, used on okonomiyaki, sushi and sandwiches.
Jeera
The Hindi name for cumin seeds, toasted in oil to start curries, dals and jeera rice.
Jamaica Pepper
Another name for allspice, the dried berry that tastes like cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves combined.
International Foods That Start With J
Global dishes that start with J, from Korea to Haiti.
Jollof Rice
A West African one-pot dish of rice cooked in a spiced tomato and pepper sauce, a source of friendly rivalry.
Jook
Cantonese rice porridge, also called congee, simmered until creamy and topped with scallions and pork.
Jiaozi
Chinese dumplings filled with pork, cabbage or chives, boiled, steamed or pan-fried, especially at Lunar New Year.
Japchae
Korean glass noodles made from sweet potato starch, stir-fried with vegetables, beef and sesame oil.
Jajangmyeon
Korean-Chinese wheat noodles topped with a thick black bean sauce with pork and onions.
Jokbal
Korean pig's trotters braised in soy sauce, garlic and ginger, sliced and wrapped in lettuce.
Jjigae
A family of hearty Korean stews such as kimchi jjigae and soondubu jjigae, served bubbling hot.
Jeon
Korean savory pancakes of vegetables, seafood or meat dipped in flour and egg and pan-fried.
Jianbing
A Chinese breakfast crepe cooked with egg, scallions and sauces and wrapped around a crispy cracker.
Jian Dui
Chinese fried sesame balls of glutinous rice dough filled with sweet red bean or lotus paste.
Jalfrezi
A stir-fried Indian curry of meat or paneer with peppers, onions and green chilies in a thick, spicy sauce.
Jeera Rice
Indian basmati rice cooked with cumin seeds fried in ghee, a simple side for curries.
Jhal Muri
A Bengali street snack of puffed rice tossed with mustard oil, onions, chilies, peanuts and spices.
Jhinge Posto
A Bengali dish of ridge gourd cooked in a creamy paste of ground poppy seeds.
Jagerschnitzel
A German breaded or plain pork cutlet served with a creamy mushroom gravy, its name means hunter's schnitzel.
Jansson's Temptation
A Swedish casserole of potatoes, onions and pickled sprats baked in cream, served at Christmas.
Jambon-Beurre
The classic Parisian sandwich of ham and butter on a fresh baguette.
Jota
A thick bean and sauerkraut soup from Trieste and Slovenia, often cooked with potatoes and pork.
Joumou
Haitian squash soup with beef, vegetables and pasta, eaten on January 1 to celebrate independence.
Jachnun
A Yemeni Jewish pastry of rolled dough baked slowly overnight, served on Saturday with grated tomato and egg.
Jalea
A Peruvian platter of crispy fried mixed seafood topped with pickled red onion salsa.
Juane
A Peruvian Amazon dish of seasoned rice, chicken, egg and olives wrapped in bijao leaves and boiled.
Jamaican Patty
A flaky, golden turmeric pastry filled with spiced ground beef, chicken or vegetables.
Jingisukan
A Hokkaido dish of mutton or lamb grilled on a dome-shaped skillet with vegetables, named after Genghis Khan.
Jaga Butter
A Japanese festival snack of steamed whole potatoes split open and topped with butter.
Jatjuk
A creamy Korean porridge of ground pine nuts and rice, traditionally served to the sick or elderly.
Jaew
A Lao and Thai dipping sauce of chilies, lime, fish sauce and toasted rice powder for grilled meats.
Jaternice
Czech and Slovak pork sausages with barley or bread, seasoned with marjoram and served after the pig slaughter.
Did You Know?
- Jackfruit is the largest fruit that grows on trees. A single fruit can weigh more than 80 pounds.
- The Jerusalem artichoke is neither from Jerusalem nor an artichoke. It is the tuber of a sunflower, and the name may come from girasole, the Italian word for sunflower.
- Two Minneapolis bars, Matt's Bar and the 5-8 Club, both claim to have invented the Jucy Lucy, a burger with molten cheese sealed inside the patty.
- Gonzales, Louisiana, calls itself the Jambalaya Capital of the World and has held a jambalaya cooking festival every year since 1968.
Quick List: All 152 Foods That Start With J
Handy for alphabet games, quizzes and Scattergories. The full list, A to Z:
Jabuticaba, Jachnun, Jack Be Little Pumpkin, Jack Cheese, Jack Mackerel, Jack Rose, Jackalberry, Jacket Potato, Jackfruit, Jaew, Jaffa Cakes, Jaffa Orange, Jaffle, Jaga Butter, Jagdwurst, Jagerbomb, Jagerschnitzel, Jaggery, Jajangmyeon, Jalapeno, Jalapeno Jelly, Jalapeno Poppers, Jalea, Jalebi, Jalfrezi, Jaljeera, Jalousie, Jam, Jam Roly-Poly, Jam Tart, Jamaica Cherry, Jamaica Pepper, Jamaican Ginger Cake, Jamaican Patty, Jamaican Peanut Punch, Jamaican Rum, Jamaican Sorrel, Jambalaya, Jambon de Bayonne, Jambon-Beurre, Jambu, Jameed, Jamon Iberico, Jamon Serrano, Jamun, Jansson's Temptation, Japanese Cheesecake, Japanese Cucumber, Japanese Eggplant, Japanese Mayonnaise, Japanese Milk Bread, Japanese Persimmon, Japanese Plum, Japanese Sweet Potato, Japanese Whisky, Japanese Wineberry, Japchae, Jarlsberg, Jarrahdale Pumpkin, Jasmine Rice, Jasmine Tea, Jaternice, Jatjuk, Jatoba, Java, Jawbreaker, Jazz Apple, Jben, Jeera, Jeera Rice, Jell-O, Jell-O Shots, Jellied Eels, Jello Salad, Jelly, Jelly Babies, Jelly Beans, Jelly Doughnut, Jelly Ear, Jelly Palm Fruit, Jelly Roll, Jelly Slice, Jellyfish, Jenever, Jenny Lind Melon, Jeon, Jerk Chicken, Jerk Seasoning, Jerky, Jersey Royal Potatoes, Jerusalem Artichoke, Jesuite, Jewish Apple Cake, Jewish Rye Bread, Jhal Muri, Jhinge Posto, Jian Dui, Jianbing, Jiaozi, Jibarito, Jibneh Arabieh, Jicama, Jidori Chicken, Jigarthanda, Jimmies, Jimmy Nardello Pepper, Jinenjo, Jingisukan, Jiuniang, Jjigae, Job's Tears, Joconde, Jocoque, Jocote, Joe Froggers, Joe's Special, John Collins, John Dory, Johnny Marzetti, Johnnycakes, Jojo Potatoes, Jokbal, Jollof Rice, Jonagold Apple, Jonah Crab, Jonathan Apple, Jook, Joppiesaus, Jordan Almonds, Jostaberry, Jota, Joumou, Jowar, Jowl, Juane, Jubilee Watermelon, Jucy Lucy, Juice, Jujube, Julep, Juliet Tomato, Jumbles, Jumbo Lump Crab, Jumbo Shrimp, Jun, Juneberry, Jungle Bird, Juniper Berry, Junket, Jus, Jute Leaves, Juustoleipa
Frequently Asked Questions
What fruit starts with J?
Jackfruit is the best-known fruit that starts with J. Others include jujube, jabuticaba, jamun (Java plum), jambu, jocote, jostaberry, Juneberry, Japanese persimmon, Jaffa oranges and apple varieties like Jonathan, Jonagold and Jazz.
What vegetable starts with J?
Jalapenos, jicama and Jerusalem artichokes are the most common vegetables that start with J. Japanese eggplant, Jersey Royal potatoes, Japanese sweet potatoes, jute leaves, Jarrahdale pumpkins and Juliet tomatoes also begin with J.
What's a dessert that starts with J?
Jell-O and jelly beans are classic sweets that start with J. Jelly rolls, jelly doughnuts, Jaffa Cakes, jam roly-poly, jalebi, Jordan almonds, Japanese cheesecake, junket and Joe Froggers are other sweet choices.
Why are there so few foods that start with J?
J is one of the least common first letters in English, so fewer food names begin with it. Many J foods come from other languages, such as jamon from Spanish, jiaozi from Chinese, jalebi from Hindi and japchae from Korean.
What drinks start with J?
Drinks that start with J include juice, jasmine tea, java (coffee), the mint julep, jenever, Japanese whisky, Jamaican rum, the Jack Rose and Jungle Bird cocktails, jaljeera from India and Jamaican peanut punch.
More foods by letter:
