40 Foods that Start with y

Hey, food buddies and flavor seekers! Ever wondered about the fantastic world of foods that start with Y? Well, get set for a journey that’s part tongue-twister, part taste-bud tickler, and all-around deliciousness.
Picture this: you, me, and a bunch of culinary comrades diving into a list where Y is the star of the show. It’s not just about yams and yogurt (though they’re in the mix); we’re rolling into a fiesta of flavors that’ll make you go, “Yum, why haven’t I tried these before?”
So, buckle up and join the yum-tastic ride. We’re about to explore everyday eats with a side of giggles, a dash of curiosity, and a whole lot of “Why isn’t every day a Y-food day?” Ready for a tasty talk? Let’s dig in! 🍽️
Table of Contents
25 Foods That Start With Y
The Classics
- Yams
- Yogurt
- Yuca/Yucca
- Yeast
- Yorkshire Pudding
- Yautia
- Yellow Beans
- Yakisoba
- Yakitori
- Yellowfin Tuna
Citrus and Sweets
- Yuzu
- Yacon
- Youngberry
- Yukon Gold Potatoes
- Yellowtail Fish
- Yellow Squash
- Yorkshire Teacakes
- Yellow Pepper
- Yellow Watermelon
- Yellow Mango
- Yali Pears
- Yellow Moong Dal
- Yellow Eye Beans
- Yiros
- Yodels
Foods that Start with y
1. Yams:
Yams, often confused with sweet potatoes, are starchy root vegetables. With a pale yellow interior and thick, brown, bark-like peel, yams are less sweet than sweet potatoes, tasting more like regular potatoes. Commonly found at Thanksgiving dinners, they are a crucial cash crop in the Caribbean.
2. Yogurt:
Yogurt, a result of fermenting milk, is a versatile dairy product packed with healthy probiotics. Its busy bacteria aid digestion and add a delightful tang. Perfect for breakfast with berries, baking for moist cakes, or as a creamy addition to sauces and dips.
3. Yuca/Yucca:
A staple in the Caribbean and South America, Yuca, also known as cassava, is a root vegetable with starchy flesh and a sweet, nutty flavor. It can be baked, roasted, fried, or served as yuca fries with a flavorful garlic chipotle mayo.
4. Yeast:
Yeast, a tiny living creature, is essential for creating bread and beer. It “eats” sugars, converting them into carbon dioxide and alcohol, giving rise to dough and fermentation. Without yeast, the world would miss out on these beloved staples.
5. Yorkshire Pudding:
A quintessential part of a roast dinner, Yorkshire pudding is a traditional English treat. Made by whipping up a simple batter, it results in fluffy, crispy, golden mounds that are perfect for soaking up rich gravy. Bonus: add sausages to create a classic “toad in the hole.”
6. Yautia:
Also known as malanga or taro, Yautia is an edible tuber grown in South America and other tropical regions. Despite its knobby, hairy, brown skin, the starchy pale flesh is rich in fiber, vitamin C, and vitamin A. It can be prepared by steaming, boiling, roasting, frying, or even ground into flour for soups and stews.
7. Yellow Beans:
Similar to green beans, yellow beans are versatile veggies, adding color to stir-fries, salads, or casseroles. Pan-fry them with butter for a delicious side dish.
8. Yakisoba:
A Japanese noodle dish easily made at home, Yakisoba involves tossing meat (usually pork or chicken), noodles, and veggies in a salty, tangy sauce. A quick, one-pan Asian meal that’s customizable with your favorite ingredients.
9. Yakitori:
A Japanese delight, Yakitori consists of juicy chicken chunks glazed in a delicious sauce, skewered, and slowly grilled. A mouthwatering experience whether you’re in Japan or a Japanese restaurant.
10. Yellowfin Tuna: Impressive in its natural habitat, the yellowfin tuna is a large, striking fish known for its blue backs, yellow sides, and silver bellies. Prized in sushi, it’s crucial to choose sustainably sourced yellowfin due to its near-threatened status.
Citrus and Sweets
11. Yuzu:
A citrus fruit cultivated mainly in South Asia, Yuzu is too sour to eat raw. Instead, it enhances dishes like curries and stir-fries. Its juice and zest add a distinct fragrance to marinades and cocktails.
12. Yacon:
Yacon, resembling a potato but tasting like a pear, is a South American tuber. Primarily used to create yacon syrup, a natural sweetener similar to molasses or treacle.
13. Youngberry:
A delightful hybrid of blackberry, raspberry, and dewberry, the Youngberry is a sweet and tart berry with high antioxidant content. Despite its name, it’s not linked to keeping you young.
14. Yukon Gold Potatoes:
A popular Canadian yellow-fleshed potato variety, Yukon Golds caused a diplomatic incident when overlooked in a White House menu. Creamy and versatile, they’re perfect for various dishes.
15. Yellowtail Fish:
Commonly known as Japanese Amberjack, Yellowtail is a favorite of sushi chefs. Often enjoyed raw as sashimi, it’s considered a winter delicacy due to its high fat content.
16. Yellow Squash:
Also known as summer squash, Yellow Squash is a mild vegetable that pairs well with stronger flavors. Great for salads, chilis, and curries or as healthy low-carb noodles when spiralized.
17. Yorkshire Teacakes:
Similar to fruit scones, Yorkshire Teacakes are baked with a bread-like dough and flavored with dried fruit and spices. Best enjoyed toasted and dripping with butter.
18. Yellow Pepper:
A milder alternative to its red counterpart, Yellow Pepper is a hot chili pepper. Used to add a hint of warmth to salsas, chilis, and stews.
19. Yellow Watermelon:
Originating from Africa, Yellow Watermelon predates the more common red variety. Sweeter and perfect for summer parties, it’s a refreshing choice for BBQs.
20. Yellow Mango:
Ataulfo mangoes, known as Yellow Mangoes in Mexico, offer a sweet honey-like flavor with a buttery, smooth texture. High in vitamins A and C, they are excellent for boosting the immune system.
Foods that Start with y
21. Yali Pears:
A type of Asian pear, Yali Pears have a firm, white flesh with an aromatic and slightly tart taste. A popular fruit export from China, they can be enjoyed in various ways, such as poached, in salads, roasted, or grilled.
22. Yellow Moong Dal:
A thick, hearty lentil curry popular in Indian cuisine, Yellow Moong Dal uses yellow lentils as its base. Seasoned with cumin, mustard seeds, curry leaves, and fresh cilantro, it’s a flavorful vegetarian dish.
23. Yellow Eye Beans:
Similar to kidney beans, Yellow Eye Beans are dry legumes favored for thickening stews, soups, and chilis. With a mild flavor and meaty texture, they’re ideal for plant-based diets.
24. Yiros:
Also known as gyros, Yiros is a classic Greek wrap containing seasoned rotisserie meat (pork, chicken, beef, or lamb), shredded veggies, and a generous spoonful of tzatziki sauce. It’s a highly versatile dish, suitable for a healthy or decadent meal.
25. Yodels:
Not to be confused with Alpine singing, Yodels are cream-filled cake rolls made by the confectionery firm Drakes. Wrapped in devil’s food cake, filled with vanilla creme, and coated in chocolate icing, they’re a sweet treat in many American households.
40 foods that start with Y
# | Food | Description |
---|---|---|
1 | Yams | Starchy root veggies, often confused with sweet potatoes. |
2 | Yogurt | Fermented milk, rich in probiotics and versatile in various dishes. |
3 | Yuca/Yucca | Root vegetable with starchy flesh, a staple in Caribbean and South American cuisines. |
4 | Yeast | Tiny, living organism crucial for baking bread and brewing beer. |
5 | Yorkshire Pudding | Traditional English treat, crispy golden pudding often served with roast dinners. |
6 | Yautia | Edible tuber with knobby, hairy, brown skin, grown in South America. |
7 | Yellow Beans | Versatile vegetables, great for stir-fries, salads, or pan-frying with butter. |
8 | Yakisoba | Japanese noodle dish, a one-pan meal with meat, noodles, and veggies. |
9 | Yakitori | Japanese grilled chicken skewers, glazed and tender. |
10 | Yellowfin Tuna | Impressive fish popular in sushi, recognized by its blue backs and yellow sides. |
11 | Yuzu | Citrus fruit cultivated in South Asia, used in various dishes for its fragrant flavor. |
12 | Yacon | Tuber from South America, known for creating natural sweeteners like yacon syrup. |
13 | Youngberry | Hybrid berry with a mix of blackberry, raspberry, and dewberry flavors. |
14 | Yukon Gold Potatoes | Yellow-fleshed, creamy potatoes popularized in Canada. |
15 | Yellowtail Fish | Japanese Amberjack, a meaty fish often enjoyed raw as sashimi. |
16 | Yellow Squash | Mild-tasting summer squash, perfect for various culinary uses. |
17 | Yorkshire Teacakes | Fruit scones with a bread-like dough, toasted and served with butter. |
18 | Yellow Pepper | Mild hot chili pepper used to add warmth to salsas, chilis, and stews. |
19 | Yellow Watermelon | Original watermelon variety, sweeter and perfect for summer parties. |
20 | Yellow Mango | Also known as ataulfo mangoes, prized for their sweet honey-like flavor. |
21 | Yali Pears | Asian pears with firm, white flesh, and a slightly tart taste. |
22 | Yellow Moong Dal | Indian lentil curry made with yellow lentils, rich in flavors. |
23 | Yellow Eye Beans | Dry legumes similar to kidney beans, used for thickening soups and stews. |
24 | Yiros | Greek wraps with rotisserie meat, veggies, and tzatziki sauce. |
25 | Yodels | Cream-filled cake rolls, a sweet treat with devil’s food cake and chocolate coating. |
26 | Yali Pears | Asian pears with firm, white flesh, and a slightly tart taste. |
27 | Yellow Moong Dal | Indian lentil curry made with yellow lentils, rich in flavors. |
28 | Yellow Eye Beans | Dry legumes similar to kidney beans, used for thickening soups and stews. |
29 | Yiros | Greek wraps with rotisserie meat, veggies, and tzatziki sauce. |
30 | Yodels | Cream-filled cake rolls, a sweet treat with devil’s food cake and chocolate coating. |
31 | Yuzu | Citrus fruit with a zesty flavor, used in both savory and sweet dishes. |
32 | Yacon | Tuber with a taste like a pear, used for creating natural sweeteners. |
33 | Youngberry | A hybrid berry with a delightful blend of tart and sweet flavors. |
34 | Yukon Gold Potatoes | Creamy potatoes with yellow flesh, initially causing a diplomatic incident. |
35 | Yellowtail Fish | A favorite of sushi chefs, known for its high fat content and wintertime delicacy. |
36 | Yellow Squash | Mild-tasting summer squash, perfect for various culinary uses. |
37 | Yorkshire Teacakes | English fruit scones, baked with dried fruit and spices, perfect with butter. |
38 | Yellow Pepper | Mild hot chili pepper, less fiery than the red counterpart, adding a hint of warmth. |
39 | Yellow Watermelon | Original watermelon variety, sweeter and perfect for summer parties. |
40 | Yellow Mango | Also known as ataulfo mangoes, prized for their sweet honey-like flavor. |
Conclusion- Foods that Start with y
And there you have it, folks! We’ve covered a bunch of foods that start with Y, from the familiar classics to the more exotic and sweet ones. Whether you’re into the hearty yams, the creamy yogurt, or the zesty yakisoba, there’s a little something for everyone on this list.
Imagine biting into a juicy yellow mango or trying out a peculiar yodel – it’s all part of the fun food journey. So, the next time you’re deciding what to munch on, consider giving one of these “Y” foods a shot. Who knows, you might discover a new favorite!
Also Check out

40 Foods that Start with y
Ingredients
Instructions
-
Go through the list