Top 35 Foods That Start With L

I love trying new foods and ingredients, so when it comes to finding out what the top foods that start with L, it seemed like the perfect idea. These items are all tasty and some will be very new. Next time you need a change, try these out!

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

Condiments, Spices, and Additives

#1. Lufu

Lufu is a Chinese fermented bean curd paste. This condiment is original from the Yunnan province of Southwest China. Lufu is an essential ingredient in preparing a dish called stinky tofu or barbecue. 

#2. Latik

Latik is a term used to describe two things in Filipino cuisine. Latik is a caramelized coconut syrup that is served with dessert. The other latik is a solid byproduct of the production of coconut oil, which is used in garnishing various desserts. 

#3. Lavender

You may know lavender as a floral decoration, but it can also be a popular food ingredient. This plant is a member of the mint family, and it has a strong floral scent. Lavender is often used as an infusion in foods like tea, desserts, sauces, and ice cream. 

#4. Lemongrass

Lemongrass is also known as barbed wire grass, silky heads, or fever grass. While this plant has an aroma of lemon and flowers, the flavor is slightly pungent and spicy. 

Lemongrass can be found in medicines, candles, antiseptics, but also as a paste added in many dishes, including stir-fry and curry.

See Morel: Lemongrass Substitutes

#5. Lard

Lard is a semi-solid fat that comes from the fatty tissue of pigs. This fat is produced either as dry or wet, with varying color, texture, and flavor. While not very common anymore, lard is sometimes preferred because it can withstand very high smoking temperatures.

See More: Lard Alternatives

#6. Licorice

Licorice is the name given to the edible root of the Glycyrrhiza glabra plant. Although the flavor is similar to anise and fennel, licorice is not related to these. Licorice is a common additive in candies, medicine, botanicals, and more. 

#7. Lovage

Lovage is a plant whose leaves are used as a herb. You can use lovage in soups, salads, or broth. The root of the lovage plant can also be eaten as a vegetable in various dishes. 

#8. Lemon Verbena

Lemon verbena is a flowering plant native to South America. Lemon verbena leaves are part of many foods, including fish, poultry, marinades, salad dressings, jam, Greek yogurt, and drinks. For centuries, lemon verbena has been in medicine and perfumes.  

Fruits and Vegetables

#9. Lime

The lime is a citrus fruit originally from the Philippines but cultivated in many parts of the world these days. There are many varieties of limes, including the Key lime, Persian lime, kaffir lime, and desert lime. Limes are very sour and have a high amount of vitamin C.

See More: Limes Shelf Life

#10. Longan

Longan is a fruit similar to lychee but with less of an aromatic flavor. This fruit is common in China, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Thailand. You may not be able to find fresh longan given your geographic location, but it does come cooked and canned.

#11. Lychee

Lychee is a tropical fruit that has a bumpy red shell, white flesh, and brown seeds. This fruit is native to Asia, but you can now find it in warm regions of the United States, like Florida or Hawaii. Lychees are common in desserts, jam, jelly, and cocktails as well. 

#12. Lablab

Lablab is a bean from the Fabaceae family in Africa, however, it also grows in other tropical regions. 

Before you can consume this bean, it must be boiled various times, so that there are no toxic compounds left. The beans are used just like other beans, but the leaves are often part of salads, soups, and stews.  

#13. Lakoocha

Also called monkey fruit or Monkey Jack, this fruit is common in Southeast Asia. The wood of the lakoocha tree is very prized, but it is the fruit that has medicinal properties. The flavor of lakoocha is sweet, sour, and slightly tangy, and some describe it as being similar to kiwi. 

#14. Lentil

Lentils are legumes that come in various sizes and colors, including red, brown, green, and yellow. This legume is high in fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals, which is why these are a good source of nutrition for vegetarians and vegans. 

You can find lentils everywhere these days, often added to salads, soups, stews, and more.

See More: Do Lentils Go Bad?

#15. Loganberry

The loganberry is a hybrid between the blackberry and the raspberry. The color of the loganberry is dark red, and the flavor is a bit sweeter. You can use loganberries in jams, jellies, and custards.

#16. Lettuce

Lettuce is a vegetable from the daisy family, and its leaves are often cultivated to be used as food. This vegetable is used in salads, sandwiches, soups, and wraps. Lettuce is rich in vitamin K, A, folate, and iron.

See More: Can You Freeze Lettuce?

#17. Leek

Leeks are a member of the onion family and they come from the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern regions.

Leeks are very mild in flavor and can be used in a variety of dishes, including soups, casseroles, meat stews, and more. Since leeks are a bit tough, the best way to prepare them is by boiling, braising, frying, or roasting.

See More: Leek Replacements

#18. Linguine

Linguine is a type of pasta that resembles fettuccine but is round and not flat. The word linguine means “small tongues” in Italian, and it is a traditional pasta that is often served with things like pesto, tomatoes, or fish. 

While it is usually made with durum wheat, you can now find gluten-free linguine. 

#19. Lucuma

Lucuma is a native fruit to the Andes region of South America, particularly Chile, Ecuador, and Peru. The flavor of lucuma is sweet and the texture is dry and heavy with bright yellow skin. Lucuma is commonly used to flavor juices, milkshakes, and syrup.

#20. Lady Apple

The lady apple is also known as wax apple or Christmas apple, and many think of them as only decorative. The flavor of lady apple is crisp and sweet, which makes it perfect for desserts or applesauce. 

Lady apples are in season from October to spring, and they grow in Europe and North America.    

#21. Lima Beans

Lima beans are sometimes called butter beans or Madagascar beans, and they are common in South America. Like other beans, lima beans are a good source of fiber, potassium, calcium, sodium, magnesium, and iron. 

As with other beans, lima beans are toxic when uncooked, and should be boiled for at least 10 minutes before eating.

Prepared Dishes

#22. Lady Finger

Lady finger, also known as English sponge finger, is a biscuit in the shape of fingers. This dessert or snack is prepared without a leavening agent and using only eggs and sugar. Lady fingers may also be used to decorate cakes and desserts.

#23. Lahmacun

Lahmacun is a round, thin dough that often comes with meat, vegetables, and herbs, such as tomatoes, onions, parsley, and spices. While many people refer to it as a “Turkish pizza,” this dish does not have any cheese.

Lahmacun is a popular dish in Turkey, Armenia, Lebanon, and Syria. 

#24. Lavash

Lavash is a thin, flatbread that is often baked in a tandoori and is common in Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Iran. This bread is made with flour, yeast, water, sugar, and salt, and it may contain sesame or poppy seeds. 

Lavash may turn dry and hard quickly, but it can be rehydrated without much trouble.   

#25. Limpa

Limpa is a sweet Scandinavian rye bread that makes part of everyday life in Sweden. This bread is dense in butter and is sweetened with brown sugar or molasses. During the holidays, limpa may be decorated and spiced with anise, caraway seeds, or fennel seeds. 

#26. Latke

Latke is a potato pancake made with potatoes, matzo meal or flour, and eggs. Some latke recipes also include chives, garlic, or onions. Latkes are often served with sour cream, cottage cheese, or another dip.

#27. Lahana Sarmasi

Lahana Sarmasi is a cabbage roll that is filled with meat or other ingredients. This type of food is common in Europe, Asia, China, and Africa. The cabbage leaves are often filled with meat and then baked, simmered, or steamed.

#28. Lasagna

Lasagna is a type of flat pasta that is usually stacked and filled with meat or ragu. This dish often has vegetables and cheese, either ricotta or Parmesan. This dish is baked after assembly and often cut into square portions.

Fish, Poultry, Meat, and Others

#29. Liederkranz

Liederkranz is a type of cheese from America that is supposed to resemble the Limburger cheese. This is a cow’s cheese with an edible pale yellow crust and semi-soft center that has a mildly pungent flavor and aroma. 

Liederkranz was created by the same man who also invented Velveeta cheese.   

#30. Lox

The term lox refers to a fillet of brined salmon that is traditionally served with cream cheese and a bagel as breakfast. This dish is often garnished with capers, onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers. This type of preparation is common in Jewish delis and restaurants.

#31. Lutefisk

Lutefisk is a dish made with dried white fish, usually cod, ling, or burbot. The texture is very gelatinous and it is rehydrated for days before eating. Lutefisk is a common dish in Nordic countries and is usually served during the holidays.

#32. Lingcod

The lingcod is also known as the buffalo or cultus cod, and it is native to America. While this fish is not very common, it is still enjoyed in various places on the west coast of North America. 

Like other fish, lingcod can be prepared in many ways, but it is famous when herb-crusted and baked.

#33. Linguica

Linguica is a type of Portuguese sausage made with pork and smoked. This sausage is known for being seasoned with paprika and garlic. In Portugal and Brazil, linguica is served with beans, rice, and other pork products.

#34. Liverwurst

Liverwurst is a liver sausage that is common in many European countries, including Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, and more.

This sausage also includes veal, fat, black pepper, marjoram, allspice, thyme, mustard seeds, and nutmeg. The flavor of liverwurst is very similar to that of pate.

Cocktails and Beverages

#35. Lemonade

Lemonade is a sweetened lemon-flavored drink that is famous in North America and elsewhere. This beverage usually contains lemon juice, water, and sugar. These days, there are many variations of lemonade that may include other fruits and flavors.

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FAQs

Conclusion

Since you now know all about the foods that start with the letter L, why not try one or two tonight? These are all easy to find or make and can add a much-needed change to your recipe book. Time to start looking for these foods by the letter L!