Top 33 Foods That Start With H

I found myself wondering what to make for dinner the other day, and as I went through the alphabet in my head for ideas, I realized that the letter H is one I don’t explore much.

If this is true for you too, then it may be time to dig into some of the top foods that start with H. You can try one or many of these at home next time you need some new ideas!

Here is our list of fruits, vegetables, cooked food, and whole foods that begin with the letter H: 

Condiments, Spices, and Additives

#1. Harissa

Harissa is a spice blend that comes from Africa but is part of Italian, Greek, Spanish, Moroccan, and Egyptian cuisines. This mix often contains caraway, sumac, coriander, garlic, vinegar, paprika, and many types of chilies. 

Harissa is often a rub for meat but can also be part of dips and dressings. 

#2. Herbes de Provence

Herbs de Provence is a blend of many spices, including rosemary, fennel, thyme, savory, and lavender. This blend is very aromatic and floral, usually reserved for dishes like chicken, tomato-based sauces, soups, and stews. 

Herbes de Provence is traditionally French, but you can now find them in American and Mediterranean dishes as well.  

#3. Horseradish

Horseradish is a condiment made with a large white root from the same family as mustard and wasabi. This condiment is native to Hungary and Russia, but it is now used across many cuisines. 

You can find horseradish in dishes like potato salad, deviled eggs, bloody Mary’s, and mayonnaise.

See More: Horseradish Substitutes

#4. Habanero

Habanero peppers are originally from the Amazon in South America, and they are considered some of the hottest chilies in the world. This type of pepper adds a bit of citrus and fruity flavor as well. 

You will often find habaneros in Indian, Cajun, Caribbean, Indian, Latin American, Pakistani, and Thai cuisines. 

#5. Honey

Honey is the sweet and thick liquid that results from bees using the nectar found in flowers. This natural sweetener has been used for centuries in many things, including food and commercial products. Honey can be classified by packaging and processing, but also by grade.

See More: Honey Alternatives

#6. Himalayan Salt

Himalayan salt is a pink type of salt that comes from the Himalayas’ region near Pakistan. Because of its color and supposed health benefits, this type of salt is 20 times more expensive than regular table salt. 

While you will likely see it as a food additive, it can also be found in things like serving dishes, shot glasses, and other utensils.

#7. Hoisin Sauce

Hoisin sauce is a thick and aromatic condiment used in Cantonese cuisine. This sauce is often used as a glaze in meat, stir-fries, dips, soups, and stews. Hoisin sauce is usually made with soybeans, fennel, red chili peppers, garlic, vinegar, five-spice powder, and sugar.

See More: Hoisin Sauce Replacements

#8. Hot Sauce

A hot sauce is a type of condiment that contains chili peppers and other ingredients. The most famous hot sauce is Tabasco, but there are thousands more available, some with more than one type of pepper. Hot sauce can be as simple as having only chili peppers, vinegar, and salt.

See More: Hot Sauce Shelf Life

#9. Heavy Cream

Sometimes called heavy whipping cream, this ingredient is made using the high-fat of fresh milk. Heavy cream consists of 36 to 40% fat, making it the highest in fat when compared to other dairy products like light cream or half and half.

Heavy cream is a common ingredient in baking as well as in sauces and casseroles.

See More: Best Substitutes for Heavy Cream

#10. Hollandaise

Hollandaise sauce is an emulsion made with egg yolk, melted butter, and an acid, usually lemon juice, white wine, or vinegar. This sauce is considered one of the five mother sauces in French cuisine, and it is a  part of the breakfast dish called eggs Benedict. 

Hollandaise also contains cayenne pepper and salt. 

#11. Hummus

Hummus is a dip or spread made with cooked, mashed chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and salt. This condiment is common in Middle Eastern cuisines and is often used as a dip but also as a base for other sauces. 

Hummus is now extremely popular because it is a low-fat and high-protein food.

See More: Can You Freeze Hummus?

Fruits and Vegetables

#12. Honeydew

Honeydew is a type of melon from the gourd family, which includes other mixed melons like Crenshaw, casaba, winter, and Gaya. The honeydew is bright green and contains 90% water, but it is a great source of vitamin C, B vitamins, and potassium.

While it is widely available in the United States, it is also very popular in China.

#13. Heart Cherry

The heart cherry is the term used to describe cultivated sweet cherry. These cherries are originally from Europe and Western Asia. Cherries begin to blossom in April, but they are in season in July.

#14. Hog Plum

Hog plum is also known as yellow mombin, and it is a fruit native to the Americas including the West Indies. The pulp of this fruit is often used in juices, jellies, and desserts. In many cultures, this fruit is believed to have medicinal properties, particularly with gastrointestinal issues.  

#15. Hominy

Hominy is a food that comes from fried corn kernels treated in alkali in a process called nixtamalization. This process is essential to Mesoamerican cuisine, and hominy is part of making masa Seca or masa harina.

Some common dishes made with hominy include pozole, casseroles, mote, and porridge.    

#16. Huckleberry

Huckleberry is a type of berry that resembles blueberries and may range in color from red to dark purple or blue. 

This fruit is tart, but the blue and purple types tend to be a bit sweeter. Huckleberries are common across the United States, and they grow the most in Montana and Indiana.

#17. Husk Tomato

Husk tomato is another word for tomatillo, a fruit original from Mexico. You are going to use husk tomatoes raw, and they are an essential ingredient in salsa verde. This food is also high in pectin, making it a good choice for preserves, salsas, and chutneys.

#18. Hubbard Squash

Hubbard squash is another term for the winter squash, which is orange and sweet in flavor. This squash is a combination of sweet potato and pumpkin, making it great for casseroles, soups, and stews. The Hubbard squash is high in vitamin A and C, as well as fiber. 

#19. Hazelnut

The hazelnut is the fruit of the hazel, and it is part of desserts, candy, truffles, sauces, and more. Hazelnuts are high in protein, fiber, vitamin E, iron, thiamin, phosphorus, magnesium, and manganese. This nut is also high in fat, so you should consume it in moderation.  

#20. Haricot

Haricot is another name for the common green bean, but this type of bean is longer and thinner than the American version. Haricots have a more intense flavor, and they tend to be more tender. These beans are often sauteed, boiled, steamed, or blanched. 

#21. Honeycrisp Apple

The Honeycrisp apple is a type of red apple known for its sweetness, crispness, and slight acidity. These apples were bred in Minnesota, and they are great for baking, desserts, and applesauce. 

Honeycrisp apples are expensive because they are created for their specific characteristics.

#22. Hass Avocado

Hass avocado is a type of avocado with dark green and bumpy skin. This kind of avocado is the most popular across the world, and it is particularly popular in California. The Hass avocado is high in essential fatty acids, making it a great choice for its nutritional value.

Prepared Dishes

#23. Hamburger

A hamburger is a sandwich consisting of a cooked patty of ground beef placed inside a bun or roll. The hamburger usually has cheese, lettuce, onions, tomatoes, and condiments. These days you can find all sorts of hamburgers, including turkey, salmon, bean, or mushroom. 

#24. Hotcake

The word hotcake is used to describe pancakes, which is a flat cake made with eggs, milk, and butter. Hotcakes are often served as breakfast food, but they can be used as dessert or snack. You can also find other variations of hotcakes, including buttermilk, buckwheat, and banana.  

#25. Hushpuppy

A hushpuppy is a small, savory, deep-fried round ball made with cornmeal batter. Hushpuppies are often made with wheat flour, cornmeal, eggs, baking soda, milk, or buttermilk, and water. This food is often served with fish or barbecue.    

#26. Hot Dog

A hot dog is a food consisting of a grilled or steamed sausage that is served in a split bun. Hot dogs are a traditional American food you will see at birthday parties, sports games, and other events. This food is so popular that there are even hot dog eating contests.  

#27. Halva

Halva is the name for various types of confections made in Asia, especially in Central and South America, Eastern Europe, North Africa, and the Balkans. This candy can be made with either flour or nuts, but it also often has pistachios, chocolate, and other ingredients.  

#28. Hashbrown

A hashbrown is a popular American breakfast dish that is made with finely chopped potatoes that are fried until they turn brown. Hashbrowns are a staple of American diners, and they are served with eggs, sausage, and bacon. 

You can now find hashbrowns sold frozen or dehydrated for convenience. 

Fish, Poultry, Meat, and Others

#29. Havarti Cheese

Havarti cheese is a semi-soft Danish cheese made with cow’s milk that is served either sliced, grilled, or melted. This cheese has a nutty flavor and is somewhat buttery, but it is also a great option for melting. 

You can find flavored varieties now, including garlic, dill, basil, bacon, chives, and jalapeno. 

#30. Ham

Ham is a pork leg cut that is preserved by drying or curing and sometimes it can be smoked. The term can be used to describe lunch meats as well as more gourmet cuts like Jamon Iberico. 

Ham is also high in sodium and some other chemicals, which is why some people tend to avoid it.

See More: Can You Freeze Ham?

#31. Halibut

Halibut is the name of the largest flatfish in the ocean, which is often found in the Pacific and Atlantic. This fish has a mild, sweet taste and it is very soft, almost like tilapia. 

Halibut pairs well with pasta, pesto, lime, and basil.  

#32. Haddock

Haddock is a member of the cod family, and it has a mild, soft texture. Haddock is often the fish of choice for smoking but can be sold fresh or frozen. This type of fish is the one often used in the UK famous dish called fish and chips.  

Cocktails and Beverages

#33. Horchata

Horchata is a traditional Mexican drink made with soaked rice, cinnamon, and sugar. Everything is blended and strained. These days you can also find horchata made with nondairy milk and sold everywhere.  

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FAQs

Conclusion

Now that you are aware of the many options for foods that start with the letter H, you can begin to try them out. You can experiment with one or more of these items but start looking for them where you live. Don’t underestimate the many options you have by the letter H!