Have you ever played a food-themed word game or tried brainstorming ingredients for a recipe and found yourself stuck on foods that start with “L”? Whether you’re a food lover, a trivia enthusiast, or just curious about culinary diversity, this list is your ultimate guide!
From juicy fruits and crisp vegetables to succulent meats, indulgent desserts, and globally inspired dishes, the letter “L” offers a surprisingly wide range of delicious options. Some are everyday staples, while others might be exotic finds you’ve never heard of before.
Fruits That Start With L
Lemon – A tart, yellow citrus fruit used in cooking, baking, and beverages.
Lime – A small, green citrus fruit with a tangy flavor, great for drinks and marinades.
Lychee – A sweet, tropical fruit with a rough red shell and juicy white flesh.
Loganberry – A hybrid berry (blackberry and raspberry cross) with a tart-sweet taste.
Limeberry (also called Triphasia) – A small, citrus-like fruit used in jams and desserts.
Langsat – A Southeast Asian fruit with sweet, translucent segments inside a thick peel.
Lady Apple – A small, crisp apple variety often used for decoration and snacking.
Lillypilly – An Australian berry with a tart flavor, used in jams and syrups.
Lantern Berry (Physalis) – A small, orange berry encased in a papery husk, similar to a cape gooseberry.
Lakoocha – A tropical fruit from South Asia with a sweet-sour taste.
Lablab Fruit (Hyacinth Bean) – A legume with edible pods and seeds, common in Asian and African cuisines.
Longan – A sweet, juicy fruit similar to lychee, native to Southeast Asia.
Loquat – A small, tangy-sweet fruit with large seeds, also called “Japanese plum.”
Lingonberry – A tart red berry used in Scandinavian jams and sauces.
Lucuma – A Peruvian fruit with a maple-like flavor, often dried and powdered for desserts.
Vegetables That Start With L
Leek – A mild-flavored vegetable related to onions, often used in soups and stews.
Leaf Lettuce – A tender, leafy green used in salads and sandwiches.
Leaf Mustard – A peppery green often used in Asian stir-fries and pickles.
Lotus Root – The edible stem of the lotus plant, crunchy and often used in Asian dishes.
Land Cress – A peppery leafy green, similar to watercress.
Luffa (Gourd) – Edible when young, later used as a natural sponge.
Lemon Cucumber – A small, round cucumber with a mild, citrusy taste.
Meats & Seafood
Lamb – Tender meat from young sheep, popular in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines.
Lobster – A luxurious seafood delicacy with sweet, firm flesh.
Loin – A tender cut of meat from the back of an animal (e.g., pork loin, beef loin).
Liver – A nutrient-rich organ meat, commonly from chicken, beef, or pork.
Lap Cheong – A sweet Chinese dried sausage.
Lingcod – A mild, flaky white fish from the Pacific coast.
Lizardfish – A firm-fleshed fish used in Asian cuisines.
Nuts, Seeds & Legumes
Lentil – A protein-packed legume used in soups, stews, and salads.
Lotus Seed – Edible seeds from the lotus plant, often used in Asian desserts.
Lupini Bean – A Mediterranean legume typically eaten as a snack.
Lima Bean – A buttery, starchy bean (also called “butter bean”).
Lupin Flakes – A high-protein, gluten-free alternative to grains.
Lentil Sprouts – Crunchy, nutrient-packed sprouts used in salads.
Dairy & Cheese
Limburger Cheese – A strong-smelling, soft cheese originating from Belgium.
Laughing Cow Cheese – A creamy, spreadable cheese sold in round portions.
Leerdammer – A semi-hard Dutch cheese with a nutty flavor.
Lancashire Cheese – A crumbly English cheese ideal for melting.
Grains, Pasta & Bread
Lasagna – Layered pasta dish with cheese, meat, and tomato sauce.
Linguine – A long, flat pasta similar to fettuccine but narrower.
Lefse – A traditional Norwegian flatbread made from potatoes.
Lavash – A thin, soft flatbread common in Middle Eastern and Caucasian cuisines.
Lángos – A Hungarian deep-fried flatbread, often topped with sour cream (my secret obsession!)
Lardy Cake – A British sweet bread made with lard, dried fruit, and sugar.
Desserts & Sweets
Lollipop – A sweet candy on a stick, available in various flavors.
Licorice – A chewy candy flavored with anise, often black or red.
Layered Cake – A cake made with multiple stacked layers and frosting.
Lebkuchen – A German spiced gingerbread cookie, often enjoyed during Christmas.
Lava Cake – A rich chocolate cake with a molten center.
Ladoo – A sweet Indian dessert ball made from flour, sugar, and ghee.
Lemon Curd – A creamy, tangy spread made from lemons, sugar, and eggs.
Loukoumades – Greek honey-drizzled dough balls (like mini doughnuts).
Lamington – An Australian sponge cake coated in chocolate and coconut.
Herbs, Spices & Condiments
Lime Pickle – A spicy Indian condiment made from fermented limes.
Lovage – An herb with a celery-like flavor, used in soups and salads.
Long Pepper – A spicier, more complex cousin of black pepper.
Other Foods & Ingredients That Start With L
Lard – Rendered pork fat used in baking and frying.
Lemongrass – A fragrant herb used in Asian cooking for its citrusy aroma.
Ladyfinger (Okra) – A green pod vegetable, also known as bhindi in Indian cuisine.
Ladyfinger (Savoiardi) – A light, sponge-like biscuit used in tiramisu.
Liquid Smoke – A seasoning used to add a smoky flavor to dishes.
Lovage – An herb with a celery-like taste, used in soups and salads.
Laksa – A spicy coconut noodle soup from Malaysia/Singapore.
Locro – A hearty South American stew (often with corn and meat).
Loco Moco – A Hawaiian dish with rice, burger patty, egg, and gravy.
Liquid Aminos – A soy sauce alternative made from fermented soybeans.
Lupini Beans – A salty, protein-rich Mediterranean snack.
Lion’s Mane Mushroom – A seafood-flavored mushroom used in vegan cooking.
Lingonberry Jam – A Scandinavian staple, often served with meatballs.
