Foods Starting With J: 75+ Foods Beginning With J
If you had asked me to name a few foods starting with J off the top of my head, I probably would have stalled after jam, jelly, and jalapeños. But once you start digging, the letter J is actually hiding some of the most comforting, vibrant, and flavour-packed ingredients and dishes in the world! Whether you’re trying to win a pub quiz, completing an alphabet cooking challenge, or just looking for some fresh dinner inspiration, this list has you covered.
Table of Contents
Fruits Starting With J
1. Jaboticaba
A fascinating Brazilian fruit that looks like a dark grape but grows directly on the trunk of the tree!
2. Jackfruit
A massive tropical fruit that has become a superstar in the vegan world. When unripe, its stringy texture makes a brilliant meat substitute.
3. Jambolan (Java plum)
A tropical plum that is both sweet and quite tart, often turning your tongue purple.
4. Jambu
Also known as the rose apple or wax apple, this bell-shaped tropical fruit has a watery, crisp texture similar to a pear.
5. Japanese persimmon
A beautifully sweet, honey-flavoured fruit that looks like a smooth, orange tomato.
6. Jazz apple
A perfectly crunchy, sweet-tart apple variety that is a staple in most UK supermarkets.
7. Jocote
A small, red-to-yellow Central American fruit that can be eaten ripe and sweet, or unripe with a squeeze of lime and salt.
8. Jostaberry
A complex hybrid between a blackcurrant and a gooseberry. They make brilliant jams and summer crumbles!
9. Jujube
Often called a Chinese date, this chewy, sweet fruit is widely used in Asian cooking and traditional medicine.
10. Juneberry
Also known as the Saskatoon berry, these look a bit like blueberries but have a sweet, almond-like flavour.
Vegetables Starting With J
11. Jalapeño
The ultimate crowd-pleasing chilli pepper. I love using jalapeños to bring the heat to budget-friendly dinners, they are the star ingredient that makes my Dirty Rice pop, and they bring the perfect kick to this Sweet Chilli Chicken.
12. Japanese eggplant
Longer, thinner, and slightly sweeter than the standard aubergine, these are perfect for quick stir-fries because they soak up sauces beautifully.
13. Jerusalem artichoke
Despite the name, they aren’t from Jerusalem and aren’t artichokes! These knobby root vegetables have a lovely, nutty flavour when roasted.
14. Jicama
A starchy Mexican root vegetable that is wonderfully refreshing raw in slaws or salads.
15. Juliet tomatoes
Sweet, bite-sized plum tomatoes that are amazing roasted. They would be perfect blistered in my Spicy Tomato Rice with Halloumi.
Jamaican & Caribbean that start with J
16. Jamaican black cake
A dense, rum-soaked fruit cake traditionally served at weddings and Christmas.
17. Jamaican ginger cake
A sticky, dark, incredibly comforting sponge cake that is an absolute classic in the UK.
18. Jamaican patty
A flaky pastry crust wrapped around a fiercely seasoned filling, usually beef.
19. Jamaican rundown
A hearty fish stew (often made with mackerel) cooked down in coconut milk until the sauce “runs down” and gets thick.
20. Jerk chicken
The iconic smoky, spicy, deeply marinated chicken dish. If you love those fiery spice blends, you have to try my Peri Peri Chicken or these super easy Peri Peri Chicken Wings for a similar Friday night vibe!
21. Jerk pork
Just like the chicken, but using pork shoulder or belly, slow-cooked over pimento wood for an unforgettable crust.
22. Jerk seasoning
The magical spice paste or dry rub containing scotch bonnet peppers, allspice, thyme, and ginger. If you love keeping versatile spice mixes in the cupboard, try making a batch of my DIY Nando’s Seasoning.
23. Johnnycake
A simple fried or baked flatbread popular across the Caribbean and North America.
Asian Foods that start with J
24. Japanese clear soup (suimono)
A delicate savoury broth often served before sushi to cleanse the palate.
25. Japanese curry
Thicker, sweeter, and milder than Indian curries. It’s the ultimate comfort food, which is exactly why my budget-friendly Chicken Katsu Curry is always a massive hit.
26. Japonica rice
The short-grain, sticky rice used to make sushi.
27. Jasmine rice
Technically originating in Thailand, but widely used across all Asian cuisines. It’s super fragrant and the absolute best base for my viral Salmon Rice Bowl or a bowl of Rice with Chicken Broth.
28. Jiaozi
Chinese dumplings (often adopted into Japanese cooking as gyoza). They make an amazing starter to pair with a main of Crispy Soy Chicken Wings.
29. Jook
Also known as congee, this is a savoury rice porridge that is a staple breakfast and comfort food across Asia.
Meat & Seafood Dishes Starting With J
30. Jägerschnitzel
A classic German dish of breaded, fried pork or veal smothered in a rich mushroom gravy.
31. Jalfrezi
One of the most popular curries in the UK! It features meat cooked with green chillies, peppers, and onions in a spicy sauce. If you love a simple one-pot wonder, my Meatballs and Rice scratches a similar itch.
32. Jambalaya
The legendary Louisiana one-pot rice dish packed with meat, seafood, and vegetables. If you’re craving those deep, smoky, Cajun-style flavours, my Prawn Rice is a massive weeknight lifesaver.
33. Jamón
Dry-cured Spanish ham. Thinly sliced, it’s an absolute luxury on any charcuterie board.
34. Jellied eels
A historical East End London dish where chopped eels are boiled in a spiced stock that sets into a jelly.
35. Jhinga masala
A wonderfully fragrant Indian prawn curry. If seafood is your thing, you’ll also want to check out my easy Prawn Thai Red Curry.
36. Jibarito
A brilliant Puerto Rican sandwich that swaps out the bread for two flattened, fried green plantains.
37. John Dory
A fantastic firm-fleshed saltwater fish. Seafood fans looking for an easy weeknight dinner should definitely try my 10-minute Garlic Prawns or this creamy Prawn and Chorizo Pasta.
38. Jollof rice
The iconic, vibrant, tomato-based rice dish from West Africa. It’s smoky, spicy, and the cause of many friendly cross-country debates over who makes it best!
39. Jugged hare
A very traditional, old-school British stew where a hare is slow-cooked in a jug set in a pan of boiling water.
Sweet Treats & Desserts Starting With J
40. Jaffa Cakes
The ultimate British debate: is it a cake or a biscuit? Legally, it’s a cake!
41. Jalebi
A gorgeous South Asian sweet made by deep-frying wheat flour batter in pretzel shapes and soaking them in sugar syrup.
42. Jam
Whether it’s strawberry on a scone or raspberry in a sponge, it’s a household essential.
43. Jammie Dodgers
A childhood staple for anyone in the UK, these are shortbread biscuits with a sticky plum or raspberry jam centre.
44. Jam roly-poly
A traditional British school dinner pudding made with suet pastry, smothered in jam, rolled up, and baked or steamed.
45. Jawbreaker
An incredibly hard sugar sweet that takes hours (and a lot of patience) to dissolve.
46. Jelly
In the UK, it’s a wobbly gelatin dessert (often served with ice cream!). In the US, it refers to a clear fruit preserve spread on toast.
47. Jelly beans
The colourful, chewy, bean-shaped sweets that come in every flavour imaginable.
48. Jelly doughnut
A soft, sugary doughnut pumped full of jam.
49. Jordan almonds
Almonds coated in a hard pastel sugar shell, traditionally handed out as wedding favours.
50. Joulutorttu
Beautiful star-shaped Finnish puff pastry tarts filled with prune jam, eaten around Christmas.
51. Junket
An old-fashioned British milk pudding set with rennet and often flavoured with nutmeg.
Snacks, Condiments & Store-Cupboard Staples That Start with J
52. Jack cheese
Short for Monterey Jack, a mild, superbly meltable American cheese that is incredible in a gooey Spicy Chicken Pasta.
53. Jaggery
An unrefined sugar common in Asian and African cooking. It has a complex, caramel-like flavour that balances out savoury dishes perfectly (like how a pinch of sugar balances my Singapore Fried Rice).
54. Jalapeño poppers
Hollowed-out jalapeños stuffed with cream cheese, breaded, and deep-fried. The ultimate party food!
55. Jalapeño relish
A sweet and fiery condiment. A spoonful of this mixed into my Nando’s Spicy Rice takes it to a whole new level.
56. Jarlsberg cheese
A semi-soft cow’s milk cheese from Norway, famous for its large holes and nutty taste.
57. Jerky
Lean meat that has been trimmed of fat, cut into strips, and dried to prevent spoilage.
58. Juniper berries
The tiny, pine-flavoured berries that give gin its distinct taste.
Drinks Starting With J
59. Jägermeister
The famous, heavily herbal German digestif.
60. Jasmine tea
A delicate green tea scented with jasmine blossoms.
61. Java
A popular slang term for coffee, originating from the coffee grown on the Indonesian island of Java.
62. Juice
An obvious one, but from fresh orange to pressed apple, it earns its spot!
63. Julep
As in the Mint Julep, a classic cocktail of bourbon, sugar, water, and fresh mint over crushed ice.
Global Dishes Starting With J
64. Jaffle
An Australian toasted sandwich made in a special iron that seals the edges perfectly.
65. Jajangmyeon
A hugely popular Korean-Chinese noodle dish smothered in a thick, savoury black bean sauce.
66. Jambon au madère
A classic French dish of ham served in a rich Madeira wine sauce.
67. Jameed
A hard, dried yoghurt used extensively in Levantine and Jordanian cuisine.
68. Jansson’s Temptation
A comforting Swedish casserole made of potatoes, onions, pickled sprats, breadcrumbs, and cream.
69. Japchae
Korean sweet potato glass noodles stir-fried with vegetables and meat in a sweet and savoury sauce.
70. Jardinière
A French culinary term for a garnish of mixed spring vegetables, often pickled.
71. Jewelled rice
A stunning Persian dish of basmati rice studded with dried fruits, nuts, and fragrant saffron.
72. Jhal-muri
A popular Indian street food snack made of puffed rice mixed with spices, vegetables, and mustard oil.
73. Jibneh Arabieh
A firm, mild white cheese from the Middle East, perfect for frying or snacking.
74. Jordanian mansaf
The national dish of Jordan, tender lamb cooked in a sauce of fermented dried yoghurt (jameed) & served over rice.
75. Jota
A hearty traditional stew from Slovenia and Croatia made with beans, sauerkraut, and pork.
76. Joumou
A traditional mildly spicy Haitian pumpkin soup that holds incredible cultural significance and UNESCO heritage status.
77. Jucy Lucy
A famous burger from Minneapolis where the cheese is stuffed inside the meat patty rather than placed on top, resulting in a molten cheese centre!
For other food listicles, head over to my fruits that start with n post and foods starting with z to learn more.
Foods Starting with J FAQs
Jackfruit is one of the most popular fruits starting with J! It is widely used as a meat alternative in vegan cooking due to its stringy pull-apart texture. Other J fruits include the Japanese persimmon, jambolan, and the hybrid jostaberry.
The UK has lots of foods starting with J, particularly in the baking and sweets category. Jaffa Cakes, Jammie Dodgers, and jam roly-poly are massive classics. On the savoury side, jellied eels and jugged hare are deeply traditional (though slightly old-fashioned!) British dishes.
Jambalaya (a smoky Cajun meat and rice pot), Jollof rice (a spiced West African tomato rice), Jalfrezi (a fiery Indian curry), and Jägerschnitzel (a German breaded pork cutlet with mushroom gravy) are all incredible dinner options starting with the letter J.
