Top 28 Foods That Start With J

How many foods do you know by the letter J? I truly get stuck every time I think of it, but this list is a great resource that can help you think of new meal ideas to try. Let’s dive into all the foods you can find by the letter J!

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

Condiments, Spices, and Additives

#1. Jam

Jam is a condiment made from preserved fruit and sugar. Most jams are prepared by cooking the fruit along with sugar and acid that helps preserve the flavors longer. While the jam is considered a breakfast item, it may also be added to desserts and baked goods. 

#2. Jelly

Like jam, jelly is also a preserve made from sugar and fruit. Unlike jam, though, this preserve is usually made with juice, which makes it a bit more translucent. You can find all sorts of jelly products, including cakes, salads, and candy. 

#3. Jamaican Jerk Seasoning

Jerk seasoning is what is used in marinating meat. Jamaican jerk seasoning typically consists of allspice, paprika, red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, onion powder, nutmeg, cumin, brown sugar, ginger, and salt.

This seasoning is common when making dishes like jerk chicken, jerk beef, or jerk pork. 

#4. Japanese Curry Powder

Japanese curry powder is very similar to the Thai and Indian one, except the flavor is milder. This curry powder contains turmeric, coriander, cumin, black pepper, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and garlic. Some recipes, though, include fewer spices and have a stronger umami flavor. 

#5. Juniper Berries

Despite their name, these berries are a cone. Juniper berries are added fresh or dry, but they are somewhat flavorless. Many people use these berries because of their strong aromatic capacity.

#6. Jalapeño Chili Powder

You surely know jalapeño peppers by now, but this powder is a dry form that has more flavor. This seasoning is great for salsa, guacamole, and other Mexican dishes. You can use it as a rub for meat like beef, pork, or chicken, and add it to soups, sauces, and more.

#7. Jocoque

Jocoque is the Mexican term for sour cream, though it sometimes contains less fat. It is also sometimes called salted buttermilk and can be thicker than regular sour cream. The flavor is a bit sharp and tangy, but it is great for making sauces, dips, and soups.

#8. Jus

Jus is the French term for the rich, reduced stock that is used as a sauce in meat dishes. To make the jus, you start by deglazing in the pan, and then these juices are reduced. You can use jus in many ways, either as a base for a sauce, in roasted meats, or stews.

Fruits and Vegetables

#9. Jicama

Jicama is a root vegetable with white flesh and a sweet flavor, which is why it is often considered the yam of Mexico. You can eat it raw or cooked, and it is often served in tacos, meat, salads, and stews.

Unlike other root vegetables, jicama is very low in carbohydrates and can be consumed even during the keto diet.

#10. Jackfruit

Also called jack tree, this fruit is often considered a fig or mulberry from the India and Malaysia regions. As a fun fact, this fruit is the biggest in the world, and it can reach up to 100 pounds. Jackfruit tastes a bit tart, smoky, and sweet, kind of like a mix of kimchi and pineapple.

#11. Jaboticaba

Jaboticaba is an edible berry from Brazil that has a white, jelly-like pulp. This fruit may be available in March and April, but it only grows in regions high above sea level. The flavor is slightly acidic but also has some heat to it.

#12. Jerusalem Artichoke

The Jerusalem artichoke is also called sunroot, sunchoke, or earth apple. Unlike the name, this food is a sunflower native to North America and is cultivated as a tuber.

This vegetable is high in vitamins and minerals, including potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, vitamin C, and B vitamins.

#13. Jalapeño

Jalapeño is a medium-sized pepper from the species Capsicum annum and has a Scoville heat rating of 3,500 to 8,000. The seeds in this vegetable are the ones that contain most of the capsaicin, so you can reduce the heat when you leave out the seeds.

Jalapeños are common in Mexican, Peruvian, Thai, and Indian cuisines.

See More: Jalapeño Shelf Life

#14. Jujube

Jujube is a red date from the buckthorn family common in the Mediterranean and African regions. This fruit is often eaten dry, but when raw, they taste similar to apples and are slightly tart. Because it is high in nutrients and antioxidants, jujube is often used as a snack or 

#15. Jonathan

The Jonathan apple is a medium-sized sweet apple that is mildly acidic. You can eat these apples raw or cooked, and they are great in apple pies. Unlike other apples, Jonathan apples can hold their shape in many dishes.

#16. Jitomate

This is another word for red tomatoes originally from South and Central America. Jitomate is a very local Mexican word, but when you hear it, it is actually referring to the red tomato that you see elsewhere.

Tomatoes are often used in all sorts of dishes, including sauces, soups, salads, and even drinks.

#17. Jasmine Rice

Jasmine rice is a long-grain with a fragrant aroma and it can range in color from black to brown and white. This type of rice contains more fiber, nutrients, and other compounds than other grains. Jasmine rice is common in Thai and other Southeast Asian cuisines.

See more: Jasmine vs basmati rice

Prepared Dishes

#18. Johnnycake

A johnnycake is a cornbread flatbread that is common in North America and now even in the Caribbean. This type of cake is original from Native Americans but has been modified over the years.

Johnnycake is made by mixing cornmeal, salt, water, or milk and then shaping it into a large patty that is later fried.

#19. Jambalaya

This Cajun-Creole dish consists of rice, ham, shrimp, crayfish, and sausage cooked along with tomatoes, green peppers, onions, and spices.

This dish was common in West African, French, and Spanish cuisines. The key to Jambalaya is cooking the rice along with everything else in the same pot. 

#20. Joloff Rice

This African dish contains rice, onions, tomatoes, oil, and meat. Joloff rice is cooked in one pot and is common in countries like Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. The most common meat is from a goat, but it can also have chicken or beef.

#21. Joumou

Joumou is a slightly spicy soup made with large winter squash that looks like a pumpkin.

This dish is traditionally Haitian, and often, joumou also includes beef, potatoes, plantains, celery, carrots, and onions. The soup is served warm and almost always is accompanied by a piece of bread.

#22. Jaffa Cake

Jaffa cake is a cake named after the Jaffa orange that comes in a small biscuit size. While the name would suggest that it tastes like orange, for the most part, this cake tastes like apricot jelly and chocolate.

It has been a long-standing battle to prove whether Jaffa cakes are truly a cake or a cookie. 

Fish, Poultry, Meat, and Others

#23. Jambon

Jambon is smoked meat from the thigh of a pig or a hog. This meat is prepared by preserving it either through dry curing or smoking. In Ireland, a jambon is pastry meat with this type of meat and cheese.

#24. Jewfish

Also known as the Atlantic goliath grouper or itajara, this saltwater fish is found in tropical waters. The flavor is a little oily and slightly strong but it can be prepared in many ways. Jewfish are not easily caught, however, so you may not be able to find it.

#25. Jerky

The term jerky refers to lean meat that is cut into strips and dried. The drying process usually includes salt and other seasonings. Jerky is now a popular, high-protein snack that comes from beef, turkey, and fish.

Cocktails and Beverages

#26. Juice

A juice is a liquid that comes from fruit or vegetables. The most common juices out there are apple, orange, grape, grapefruit, passion fruit, and mango. Juice can also come from vegetables, like beets, or even seafood. 

#27. Julep

Julep is a sweet drink made with syrup that usually contains alcohol. The most famous julep is the mint julep, which consists of bourbon, sugar, water, ice, and fresh mint. This drink originated in the southern states of the US, particularly during the Kentucky derby.

#28. Jameson

Jameson is a brand of blended Irish whiskey famous for its neutral flavor, which makes it a great addition to cocktails and mixed drinks. This whiskey is often sold in bars and restaurants and sold as the rail drink.

Whenever someone refers to Jameson, they are likely thinking of regular whiskey. 

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FAQs

Conclusion

If you have never thought about preparing or using foods that start with the letter J, then this is the right time to try it. This list of top foods by the letter J is all you need to do so! Try any of these foods and be surprised!

Up next: Foods That Start With I