Top 31 Foods That Start With N

When you need to change things at home, especially when it comes to preparing meals, then you surely could use some help.

A great way to switch things up is to go with a list of top foods that start with N, which means you could try foods you haven’t had before. Some of these will even become a staple in your kitchen! 

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

Condiments, Spices, and Additives

#1. Nutmeg

Nutmeg is a popular spice everywhere these days, you may even have some at home for when you bake or make your favorite chai tea latte. This spice is actually the nut inside the fruit on evergreen trees in Indonesia.

Ground and whole nutmeg are common additions, and they add a sweet, warm, and earthy flavor.

See More: Nutmeg Substitutes

#2. New Mexico Chiles

Usually eaten dried, New Mexico chiles are both sweet and spicy, so they are often used in savory and sweet dishes.

You can find these chiles in most organic stores and specialty markets, but you may also find them in farmer’s markets. Some dishes that include New Mexico chiles include soups, tacos, sauces, fruit pie, and cocktails.

#3. Nutella

This sweet spread is technically a condiment, usually added to baked goods, desserts, and breakfast foods.

Nutella is the commercial name of popular milk chocolate and hazelnut spread from Italy. While this spread is delicious, it is also high in sugar and calories, so it should be consumed in moderation.

See More: Nutella Shelf Life

#4. Nigella Seeds

These seeds come from a species of plant that is common to India, Bangladesh, and Southeast Asia.

While nigella seeds can be ground and added as a spice in cooking, they are most often used whole as a topping on bread, potatoes, and curries. The flavor of nigella seeds is bittersweet, pungent, and earthy.

#5. Nora Chile Peppers

Nora chile peppers look more like red bell peppers and come from Spain. These peppers have a very low heat level, and the flavor is earthy and fruity.

While Nora chile peppers are usually added dried, sometimes you may also find them toasted in dishes like paella, cod, octopus, potatoes, and romesco sauce.

Fruits and Vegetables

#6. Nameko Mushrooms

While these mushrooms are often used dried, they can sometimes be found fresh or rehydrated. Nameko mushrooms are added to the broth, soup, stir-fries, and sauces, resulting in a delicious umami flavor.

The great thing about nameko mushrooms is that you can store them for over two years when they are dry.

#7. Nasturtium

Nasturtium refers to an annual flowering plant with edible leaves that contain yellow, orange, and red petals. Both the flowers and seeds can also be used as a seasoning in cooking and decorating.

Nasturtium has a flavor similar to watercress, and it can be pickled in vinegar as well.

#8. Natal Plum

This tropical shrub is known because of its small fruits that resemble a plum. The debate is still out, but some think that most of this plant is poisonous, except for the ripe fruit, so it is very important to be careful with knowing when to harvest it.

This fruit is native to Africa and a very big part of daily nutrition for many.

#9. Nutmeg Melon

Nutmeg melon is simply another name to give a type of green cantaloupe, which is sweet, slightly sour, and aromatic.

This fruit is native to Europe, but can now be found anywhere else in the world. The name comes because this kind of melon has a spicy and nutty flavor to it that other melons do not.

#10. Nectarine

Nectarines are fruits that look like peaches, but they have a firmer texture and slightly sweet flavor. There are over 100 varieties of nectarines, but you may only be able to find one or two in your local grocery store.

This fruit is full of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, A, potassium, and fiber. 

#11. Nashi Pear

Also called Asian pear, Japanese pear, or Chinese pear, this type of pear is round with brown and is firmer than a regular pear.

Nashi pears taste a little like pineapples and honey, and they are slightly tart. While it has many names, when you hear Nashi pear, the name refers to the common Asian pear you find in grocery stores.

#12. Navel Orange

Navel oranges are seedless winter oranges that you can find in the season from December until March. These oranges are considered to have a fresher flavor, so they taste better whole and not juiced. As compared to Valencia oranges, these oranges are much sweeter.

#13. Neep

Neep is just another name for a turnip, the root vegetable with white flesh that you commonly see and eat. Even though many only eat the root, the leaves are also edible and can be used in salads or as a side dish.

Neeps are better eaten cooked, when they are raw, they are very bitter and tough.

#14. Nopal

Nopal is the Spanish word in Mexico for cactus, and it is considered a vegetable in many traditional dishes.

You can find nopales fresh without the spines, canned, or dried in Mexican markets and stores. Nopal is a good source of vitamin C, manganese, calcium, and magnesium.

#15. Napa Cabbage

Napa cabbage is a type of Chinese cabbage originally from the Beijing region but now cultivated elsewhere in the world. This vegetable belongs to the same family and Brussel’s sprouts, broccoli, and bok choy.

Napa cabbage is common in dishes like kimchi, stir-fries, soups, and stews.

#16. New Zealand Spinach

As the name suggests, this type of spinach is originally from New Zealand, but it is also native to eastern Asia and Australia. Unlike regular spinach, once mature, New Zealand spinach becomes very bitter and sharp once it matures.

Like normal spinach, this vegetable is a great source of vitamins and minerals, particularly vitamin K, iron, and magnesium.

#17. Nance

Nance is a native fruit to South America and Central America, particularly Colombia, Peru, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Bolivia, and Barbados. This fruit is often eaten raw or cooked and used in making desserts. Nance has a very particular odor, but the flavor is very sweet.

Prepared Dishes

#18. Naan

Naan is an oven-baked flatbread traditionally from Indian, Southeast Asian, and Caribbean cuisines. The texture is soft and fluffy, making it a great compliment when eating curry, sauces, or other dishes.

You will often find naan filled with cheese, vegetables, and served with various flavors.

#19. Nankhatai

Nankhatai is a shortbread cookie from northern India and Pakistan, and they are often served as part of tea time. These cookies are aromatic, slightly sweet, but also nutty thanks to the number of spices they contain.

Unlike other cookies, these are usually made with flour, chickpea flour, and semolina.

#20. Noodles

The term noodles refers to a variety of ribbon-like styles of pasta. There are many kinds of noodles, some contain wheat, others are made from egg yolk, and nowadays you can even find vegetable ones.

Noodles are part of many cuisines, but they are famous in Asian dishes, like ramen, pho, and pad thai.

#21. Nesselrode

Nesselrode is a type of frozen pudding made with chestnuts, maraschino cherries, candied fruits, and liqueur, like rum or brandy. The flavor is less sweet than other puddings and a little strong because of the liquor it contains.

You may have a hard time finding this food these days, but it was first invented in France in the 1800s.

#22. Nonpareil

Nonpareil are tiny disks made of sugar and starch and decorated with candy or covered in chocolate. These are meant to be used as topping in desserts or for decoration, but they can also be eaten on their own. 

You will see nonpareils on top of cookies, ice cream, cupcakes, and cake these days.

#23. Nachos

This prepared dish consists of heated tortilla chips covered with melted cheese. You will now find nachos that also contain vegetables, like tomatoes, onions, lettuce, and toppings, like sour cream, salsa, and cilantro.

While it is often considered a fast food dish, you can make healthy nachos when you bake them at home.

#24. Nasi Goreng

Nasi goreng means fried rice in Indonesian and Malay languages, and it is just what the name suggests. This fried rice also contains vegetables and sometimes meat. The flavors come from the large amounts of sweet soy sauce and shrimp paste that the dish requires.

#25. Nougat

Nougat is a candy made from sugar, honey, and egg whites, and sometimes candied fruit as well. While nougat looks hard, the consistency is actually very chewy, so much so, that you should always be careful with your teeth!

You can also find commercial brands of nougat candy that contain chocolate and peanuts.

Fish, Poultry, Meat, and Others

#26. Nori

Nori is the Japanese term to describe edible seaweed from the genus Pyropia. You may know nori from sushi, as it is what holds it together, but it is also common in other dishes, like ramen and miso. Nori doesn’t taste like fish at all, but rather like sea salt and a bit of umami.

See More: Does Nori Go Bad?

#27. Nugget

Nuggets are a family favorite, so you may already know what we are referring to! Chicken nuggets are made with chicken meat and breaded into puffs or small shapes. Sometimes they are prepared fried, but lately, they are baked as well.

#28. Neobiani

Neobiani is a beef dish that consists of thin slices of marinated and grilled steak. Neobiani is Korean for beef sliced into wide sections. The seasoning is usually prepared with soy sauce, sugar, garlic, green onions, and sesame seeds.

Cocktails and Beverages

#29. Negroni

This classic gin cocktail contains campari, sweet vermouth, all in equal parts. For garnish, you will often find an orange slice or twist. To some, this cocktail is extremely bitter, but others find it semi-sweet.

#30. Nectar

Nectar is a fruit juice that is not diluted, which means it contains pulp and flesh as well. This type of juice contains sugar and sometimes an acid, like lemon or lime juice. Common nectar juices include mango, peach, orange, pear, and apricot.

#31. Nesquik

Nesquik is a brand of chocolate milk by the company Nestle. This product comes in powder form, prepared and ready-to-drink milk, and even in large containers. The flavor is sweet and chocolatey.

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FAQs

Conclusion

There are no excuses now that you know all the foods that start with the letter N! You can use this list for inspiration and guide whenever you want to try something new. Remember that some of these may have multiple names, so you may want to explore these too.