Looking for a list of foods that begin with Y? Well, you’re in the right place because here, I’ll be sharing foods that start with the letter Y and ingredients that begin with Y for various different food groups including fruits, vegetables, grains, meat, beverages, sweet treats, and foods from around the world.
There are hundreds of foods that start with Y and some of them I’m sure you’ve never heard of! One of my favourite yoghurt dishes is my greek yoghurt chicken in air fryer and I hope this blog opens your eyes to a world of recipes beginning with Y. Let me know if you have any other foods starting with Y that you want to suggest in the comments below!
If you’ve enjoyed this blog post, here are some foods that begin with m.
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Vegetables that begin with Y
Yam: Often confused as ‘sweet potatoes’ the yam actually belongs to an entirely different plant group. Yam is a starchy tuber that is native to Africa and Asia and often used in place of potatoes. They’re a really versatile vegetable and can be used in sweet and savoury dishes across lots of different cuisines. One of the most popular Yam recipes is Candied Yams, a sweet yam recipe beloved in the U.S., especially at Thanksgiving where the yams are baked in butter, brown sugar and sometimes marshmallows!
Yellow squash: Yellow squash is a lovely mild, tender, and slightly sweet vegetable that works well in a wide variety of dishes like quick sautés and comforting casseroles. Sautéed yellow squash is probably the most famous recipe where it takes center stage; simply sliced and pan-fried in olive oil or butter with garlic, onions, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Some recipes even add a crispy panko topping for some extra texture!
Yellow bell pepper: A list of foods that begin with Y would not be complete without the mention of the trusty yellow bell pepper! Often overlooked in favour of its red counterpart, the yellow bell pepper is a sweet, mild and versatile vegetable, perfect for both raw and cooked dishes. I love my ground turkey stuffed peppers and my easy stuffed peppers with ground beef and rice recipes. My ground chicken stuffed peppers are a family favourite and if instead it’s red bell peppers that float your boat, I’d recommend my roasted red pepper and gouda soup.
Yardlong beans: Yardlong beans are a type of legume that can grow up to a yard (hence the name!) in length. Sometimes called long beans, asparagus beans, they are absolutely delicious in asian-inspired dishes like stir-fried yardlong beans with garlic or yardlong beans with oyster sauce. I’ve seen a fun recipe that stir fries them with bacon to make a quick and easy side dish.
Yellow onion: No surprises here, but the yellow onion (or ‘brown onion’) is actually the most commonly used type of onion in cooking and forms the flavor base for most of my favourite recipes. There is no shortage of dishes that incorporate this wonderful versatile strong oniony flavour that becomes sweeter and more mellow when cooked. If you love onions you’ve got to try my french onion soup chicken casserole, perfect for when you’re craving something comforting and cosy! My french onion cottage pie is another must-try; layered with gorgeous beef mince saucy, glossy French onion, incredible mashed potato, and topped with cubes of melted gruyère and thyme. Another of my favorite recipes is my easy skillet fried potatoes and onions, and while on the topic of onions, if you prefer onions of the red variety i’d highly recommend my Gözleme (caramelised onion and goats cheese stuffed flatbreads).
Yellow wax bean: You might not have heard of yellow wax beans (or snap beans) but they are really just the siblings of the classic green bean. Bred to be yellow, as a result of a lacking in the chlorophyll pigment that’s responsible for making green beans, green! While they may look different, they have the same nutritional content, can be cooked in pretty much the same way and have a very similar taste, although sometimes a bit milder or sweeter. Although they’re called “wax” beans, this just refers to their smooth waxy appearance, not their texture or taste.
Yellow beets: Yellow beets, also known as golden beets, are a vibrant of beetroot with bright yellow or golden flesh. They are known for their milder, sweeter flavor compared to red beets, and a big bonus is they don’t turn everything red and messy when cooked. Why not try incorporating them into my ultimate beet wellington recipe to add a touch of sweetness to the earthy red beetroot!
Yellow carrot: Continuing the yellow vegetable theme, we have the yellow carrot. A variety of carrot that has a bright yellow color instead of the common orange carrot that has graced lunchboxes, humous tubs and casseroles for millenia. Although similar, they have a milder and sweeter flavor with a slightly earthy undertone. Why not swap them in for their orange counterpart in my favourite carrot ginger soup, a healthy, tasty, fiery and gut-loving soup.
Yau choy: Yau choy (also known as Yu choy or Choy sum) is a leafy green vegetable commonly used in Asian cuisine, particularly Chinese, Cantonese and Taiwanese dishes. Yau choy has tender, long stalks and dark green leaves that resemble other mustard greens (known for their distinctive peppery or spicy flavor). If you’re looking to use Yau Choy for the first time, one of the internet’s most famous recipes is Dad’s Choy Sum with Garlic from Made With Lau.
Fruits that begin with Y
Yuzu: I love Yuzu! Yuzu is a citrus fruit with a yellow or green rind, native to East Asia, particularly Japan, Korea and China. It’s about the size of a lemon and has a tart, tangy flavor that’s a cross between a lemon, lime and grapefruit, while being slightly more aromatic and floral. Yuzu is a great addition to a salad dressing, combined with soy sauce, sesame oil and rice vinegar, but it can also be used to make sorbets, ice creams and even marmalade.
Yellow watermelon: Yellow watermelon is a type of watermelon known for its bright yellow flesh, instead of the more commonly known red or pink flesh. With a slightly sweeter and milder flavour then its red counterpart, it maintains the same juicy, refreshing texture.
Yellow passion fruit: Yellow passion fruit is a variety of passion fruit with yellow skin and bright yellow pulp inside. Both yellow and purple passionfruit can be used interchangeably in many recipes, although it’s good to know that yellow passion fruit is generally sweeter and less acidic than purple, with a bit more of a tropical fragrance. Yellow passion fruit is a fabulous addition to juices, smoothies and desserts due to its sweeter, milder flavor.
Yellow pear tomato: Yellow pear tomatoes are super cute. They are a variety of tomato known for their small, pear-like shale and yellow color. Their juicy and smooth texture, and higher water content makes them a wonderful refreshing addition to salads. Why not add them to one of my favourite weeknight dinners, the best tomato orzotto (one pot).
Yellow apple: If you’ve ever eaten a Golden Delicious apple, then you’re already well acquainted with yellow apples. Sweet, scrips and less tart than green apples, they can be used for both eating fresh and cooking. Rich in fiber and antioxidants, a yellow apple is a wonderful addition to the apple family tree (pun intended).
Yellow cherry: A yellow cherry (often referring to the Rainier cherry), is a type of sweet cherry with yellow flesh and pale yellow to golden skin, often blushed red or pink (in other words, they’re super pretty). They have a wonderful sweet and mild flavor, and I find they’re a little less acidic than red cherries, which makes them delightful for fresh eating and a brilliant summer picnic addition. You can also add them to fruit salads, bake into pies, use as a topping for yoghurt or cereal or make into a cherry jam or preserve.
Yellow fig: A yellow fig is a variety of fig with a bright yellow skin and light amber/pink flesh and often a honey-like sweetness. Figs really are one of my favourite fruits! Not much makes me happier than picking a ripe fig in a hot country like Greece and tasting that refreshing burst of sweet fig juice. Yellow figs can be paired quickly on a goat cheese crostini or wrapped in prosciutto, combining perfectly with the saltiness of the ham.
Yellow plum: A yellow plum is a type of plum with golden yellow skin and usually yellow or amber flesh. The most common yellow plum is the small, round and super sweet Mirabelle plum, which originates from the Lorraine region of France. Yellow plums can be eaten fresh, used in tarts, james and even distilled into brandy! If you want to try it, I’d highly recommend Bonne Maman’s Golden Plum Mirabelle Preserves.
Young coconut: A young coconut is a coconut that is harvested before it fully matures. Unlike the typical hairy brown coconuts we are most familiar with, the young coconut has a green, smooth outer shell and contains clear coconut water inside instead of lots of dense white flesh.
Meats that begin with Y
Yellowfin tuna: I’m a big fan of tuna, and yellowfin is one of my favourites, because of its firmness and mild, slightly sweet flavor. It’s great for sushi and sashimi and can be griddled, roasted or pan-fried. Although it can be found canned, it’s generally best fresh for high-quality dishes. If you have any leftover rice and are looking for a lovely (you’ll see) tasty dish, then why not give my spicy tuna crispy rice a go? Super cute and tastes delicious!
Yogurt-marinated (anything!): No list of foods that begin with Y is complete without mentioning yogurt! Yogurt is certainly not just for dessert, it’s a versatile creamy dairy product that can be used as a base for marinating meat, fish or vegetables. Yogurt’s natural acidity and enzymes help to tenderise proteins while adding a creamy, tangy flavour. If you want to give marinating a go, one of my favourites is my super speedy greek yogurt chicken in air fryer. All you have to do is marinate your chicken in my 6 ingredient sauce and then air fry for 30 minutes. Delicious and very simple.
Yassa chicken: Yassa Chicken (or Poulet Yassa) is a spicy, tangy dish made with lots of onions, mustard and lemon juice. Originating from Senegal, the chicken is marinated for hours (or overnight) and then slow-cooked with onions and marinade until tender. If this sounds right up your street, then serious eats and simply recipes both have recipes you can try!
Yellow curry chicken: Thai Yellow Curry Chicken is a comforting dish made by simmering chicken, potatoes, and vegetables in a rich, golden curry sauce flavored with yellow curry paste and coconut milk. One of the milder and creamier curries in Thai cuisine, it’s sweet and savory, with turmeric giving it its signature golden hue. If you’re looking for other Thai inspired recipes, why not enjoy my wagamama pad thai recipe. Or, if you’re looking for a vegetarian curry (although not inspired by Thailand) then my easy butter bean and spinach curry is a must try! For all of my curry recipes head over to my curry section, you won’t regret it.
Grains that start with Y
Yellow rice: Yellow rice is a flavorful, aromatic dish that gets its yellowy/golden color from spices like turmeric and saffron. Just so you know, it’s actually just white rice (like basmati or long-grain) that has been seasoned and colored during cooking, noit a specific type of rice grain. It’s super popular in many global cuisines, especially Spanish/Latin American, South african and Middle Eastern and Indian.Although not yellow, if you go crazy for rice, I absolutely love my 20 mins pork belly fried rice. Or for something that you might not have heard of before, I’d recommend my korean rice balls (jumeokbap).
Yellow cornmeal: Yellow cornmeal is a type of cornmeal or coarsely ground flour made from dried yellow corn. It’s super popular in Southern U.S., Caribbean, Latin American and African cooking. In terms of flavor, it’s got a slightly sweet, nutty flavor and is commonly used as a base ingredient for cornbread, polenta, arepas, hushpuppies and grits.
Yellow maize: Yellow maize (or yellow corn) is a cereal grain and one of the most widely grown crops in the world! It’s a staple grain in many countries and can be used in just about anything. If you’re a corn lover, you’ve got to try my pork and corn dumplings. A fun and playful dumpling recipe that you won’t find in any supermarket!
Yellow bulgur: Continuing our yellow theme, we have yellow bulgur. Yellow bulgur is probably the most common type of bulgur (a whole grain made from cracked, parboiled and dried wheat). It’s a staple in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines, known for its mild, earthy flavour and chewy texture. It’s also a great orzo pasta alternative in salads, absorbing dressings and complementing fresh vegetables.
Yellow polenta: If you’ve ever stood in the baking aisle wondering whether you can use yellow cornmeal for polenta, or if they’re basically the same thing, then you’re not alone! While they both come from ground yellow corn, it’s the consistency of the grain that makes the difference. Yellow polenta is actually a type of coarsely ground yellow cornmeal, that is specifically made for cooking into a creamy dish called polenta, a comforting staple in Northern Italian cuisine. Cooked in water (or broth) until it thickens into a porridgy consistency, Polenta can be enjoyed hot and creamy or allowed to cool, firm up and then sliced and fried, grilled or baked. If you’re looking for a pan-fried polenta recipe, this one has some great reviews – why not give it a go?
Yellow lentils: Yellow lentils (also known as Split moong dal) are a type of split pulse known for their mild flavor, fast cooking time and smooth, creamy texture when cooked. If you’re looking for some recipes where you can substitute lentils in, you’ll love my easy aubergine tikka masala, my easy butter bean & spinach curry as well as my easy spinach dal.
Dairy foods beginning with Y
Yogurt: I’d be surprised if this one needs too much explaining! But in case you don’t love it as much as me, here goes. Yogurt is a creamy, tangy dairy product made by fermenting milk with specific live bacteria. Although this doesn’t sound that appealing, the possibilities that yogurt brings are endless! If you’re a fellow yogurt lover, you’ve got to try my greek yogurt chicken in air fryer recipe, it comes together super quickly and all you have to do is marinate your chicken in a 6 ingredient sauce and then pop it in the air fryer for 30 minutes. And if you’re up for something a bit more involved, I’d recommend my cheat bao (bun) recipe, where we use yogurt and self-raising flour to create our almighty dough!
Breakfast dishes starting with Y
Yoghurt parfait: A yogurt parfait is a yummy, layered dessert or breakfast dish made with yogurt, fruit and granola or nuts. It’s often served in a glass jar so you can see the stunning layers of deliciousness.
Yam hash: Yam hash is a savory skillet dish made by dicing and pan-frying yams, with ingredients like onions , bell peppers, garlic and herbs. Served golden and crispy, and very tasty,
Yogurt pancakes: Yogurt can be a fab ingredient for making both breads and batters, due to its tenderness and its ability to create moisture. So it’s no surprise that it’s a perfect substitute for milk or buttermilk in pancake batter, giving the pancakes a light, creamy texture, while also boosting protein!
Yogurt bagels: Adding yogurt to bagel dough is a game changer, making the bagel light and fluffy with no need to leave it to rest. If you’ve never tried it, have a go with my 3 ingredient bagel recipe, you’ll master them in no time!
Yellow corn porridge: Yellow corn porridge is a warm, comforting dish made from yellow cornmeal cooked in water or milk, until it thickens into that creamy, smooth porridgy consistency we all love. It goes by different names, and is super popular in the Caribbean. If you’d like to make it, I’ve found a highly rated recipe from littlesunnykitchen.
Yogurt smoothie bowl: Yogurt really is the gift that keeps on giving! Continuing our breakfast list, we can’t ignore the yogurt smoothie bowl. A yogurt smoothie bowl is a thick, spoonable smoothie served in a bowl and topped with whatever ingredients you fancy that morning, whether it’s fresh fruits, seeds, nuts, granola or more. Unlike smoothies you drink, smoothie bowls are thicker, thanks to ingredients like frozen fruit and yogurt. Super nutritious and great for breakfast, post-workout or a healthy dessert.
Snacks starting with the letter Y
Yoghurt-covered raisins: A list of foods that start with Y wouldn’t be complete without some snacks! Yogurt-covered raisins are some of my favorite sweet treats, especially when we go to see a movie. They’re also a great addition to trail mixes!
Youtiao: Youtiao (also known as Chinese fried dough stick) is a long, golden-brown, deep-fried strip of dough that’s crispy on the outside and airy on the inside. They are similar to donuts or churros and are commonly eaten for breakfast with congee (a Chinese rice porridge dish) or soy milk.
Dinners that start with the letter Y
Yakitori: Yakitori is a classic Japanese dish consisting of skewered and grilled chicken, often served as a snack or light meal in izakayas (Japanese pubs). Seasoned with either a savory-sweet soy-based sauce or simply salt, it’s perfectly paired with cold beer or sake. If you’re looking for Japanese-inspired recipes, you should definitely give my viral onigirazu (japanese sushi sandwich) recipe a go. Or, if you’re looking for a meat free recipe, why not try my vegan japanese oyaki dumplings? The recipe uses leeks and sweet potato as the filling, and they’re absolutely delicious!
Yakisoba: Calling all noodle lovers! Yakisoba is a very popular Japanese stir-fried noodle dish made with wheat noodles, vegetables (like cabbage, onions, and carrots), and meat or seafood, all tossed together into a delicious, tangy-sweet yakisoba sauce. And… if you are looking for even more noodle recipes, you’re in luck! Some of my absolute favorites are my spicy peanut butter noodles, my egg noodles with ground beef or my vermicelli noodles (one pan)! For all of my noodle recipes head over to my noodles section, you won’t regret it.
Yellow curry: Yellow curry is a type of Thai curry known for its lovely mild heat, creamy texture, slight sweetness, and vibrant golden-yellow color (primarily from turmeric). A great choice for those that prefer slightly milder curries, it’s often made with fragrant yellow curry pace combined with coconut milk, vegetables and a protein like chicken, tofu, or shrimp. Although I don’t have a recipe for yellow curry yet, I’ve got lots of other curry recipes in the cupboard.
Yiros (gyro-style wrap): Now, depending on how you spell ‘Yiros’ this might not have made this blog (also spelled gyros), but it’s just too good to not include! Yiros is a popular Greek street food that is made from marinated meat (often pork, chicken, lamb or beef) and cooked on a vertical rotisserie. Typically seasoned with a mix of spices like oregano, cumin, garlic and paprika, it is honestly one of my favourite dishes in the world! It takes me back to when I was almost living off them when I was island hopping in the stunning Greek Ionian Islands. I think I might have perfected them (well my partner says so! aha) in my greek chicken gyros recipe, so if you want to give them a go please let me know how you get on in the comments? I don’t think you’ll be disappointed!
Desserts that begin with Y
Yule log: A Yule Log is a traditional Christmas dessert that originated in France and is popular in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Vietnam and Quebec. It’s a sponge cake rolled with a rich filling (often buttercream or whipped cream) and decorated to look like a log. It’s a beautiful dessert and is a symbolic representation of the ancient tradition of burning a Yule log during the winter solstice or Christmas.
Yoghurt cheesecake: Did I mention how versatile yogurt is? Well, we’re back with another cracking yogurt recipe. Yogurt cheesecake is a lighter, tangier version of traditional cheesecake, made by replacing some or all of the cream cheese with yogurt (normally Greek yogurt).
Beverages beginning with Y
Yerba mate: Yerba mate is a traditional South American herbal tea made from the dried leaves of the ilex paraguariensis (mouthful, I know) plant. It’s known for its earthy, grassy flavor, natural caffeine content, and can be consumed both hot and cold. I tried it for the first time when I was travelling in Brazil and it has a herbal, slightly bitter taste, a bit like green tea, but stronger
Yellow bell pepper is a great option, it’s high in vitamin C and perfect for midday snacks and lunchboxes. Another great one is yogurt. It’s super customisable and perfect for breakfast and dessert.
Honestly, anything with yogurt in it! For example, yogurt pancakes, yogurt bowls, or yogurt smoothies.
Other dishes you might enjoy
Foods that begin with Y
Looking for a list of foods that begin with Y? Well, you’re in the right place.
Instructions
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Browse all of the food ideas beginning with M further up in the blog and pick a dish or a food group that you like.
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Make the chosen dish or create a recipe from the ingredient chosen.
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Serve up with any sides you like and enjoy!
Nutrition
Calories: 2kcalCarbohydrates: 0.2gProtein: 0.1gFat: 0.1gSodium: 4mgPotassium: 1mgCalcium: 1mgIron: 0.01mg
