Top 47 Foods That Start With T

Have you ever wondered how many foods start with the letter T? There are many ingredients, foods, and dishes out there that begin by T. You can explore this list next time you want to shake things up or need new food!

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

Condiments, Spices, and Additives

#1. Tabasco

Tabasco is a brand of hot sauce that contains tabasco hot peppers, vinegar, and salt. These peppers are usually long and thin. Tabasco is a common additive to pizza, French fries, burgers, hot dogs, and more.

#2. Tahini

Sometimes also called tahina, this condiment is made from ground and toasted sesame. Tahini is the main ingredient in hummus, baba ganoush, and halva. This condiment can also be used as a snack and is commonly used in Middle Eastern, African, and Mediterranean cuisines.

See More: Tahini Substitutes

#3. Tamari

Tamari is a Japanese sauce made by fermenting soybeans but without any wheat. When compared to soy sauce, tamari is less dark, less salty, and gluten-free. If you are looking to still add the umami your recipe needs, tamari will do the trick.

See More: Tamari Alternatives

#4. Teriyaki

This sauce is composed of soy sauce, sake, sugar, and ginger. Teriyaki sauce is considered a general Asian marinade, and it is used in meat, fish, vegetables, and tofu. This sticky and thick sauce tastes sweet and tangy with a slight heat to it.

See More: Teriyaki Shelf Life

#5. Turmeric

Turmeric is the spice that comes from grinding the root by the same name. This seasoning is traditionally used in Indian and Asian cuisines, and it is considered to be a very strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.

Turmeric has a bright yellow-orange color, which is why it is often used in foods as coloring.

See More: Turmeric Replacements

#6. Tartar Sauce

Tartar sauce is a condiment with mayonnaise, chopped pickles, capers, and olives. This condiment is often used to pair with seafood, fish and chips, fried oysters, shrimp, and crab cakes.

Other ingredients that may be added include Dijon mustard, lemon juice, dill, and hard-boiled eggs.

#7. Tekka

The word tekka means iron fire, and it is the name of a miso-containing paste. Tekka also has many root vegetables, including Burdok roots, carrots, ginger, and lotus root. These roots are first boiled and then made into a strong powder.

#8. Tkemali

Tkemali is a Georgian sauce that consists primarily of plums, including red and green. While the flavor varies depending on other ingredients added, the general flavor is tart. Other ingredients included are garlic, cumin, coriander, dill, chili pepper, and salt.

#9. Toum

Also called salsat toum or toumya, this is a garlic sauce commonly used in Mediterranean cuisines. While there are many variations, toum usually contains garlic, salt, olive oil, and lemon juice.  Everything is crushed together in a mortar and made into a paste or sauce. 

Fruits and Vegetables

#10. Tomato

Though many believe the tomato is a vegetable, it is a fruit from the tomato plant, which is original from South and Central America.

Tomatoes are extremely popular in drinks, salads, soups, sauces, and cocktails. You can now find tomatoes fresh, stewed, canned, as a sauce, or juice.

#11. Thyme

Thyme is one of the most popular herbs in the world, and it has a slightly pungent, spicy, and sweet flavor. This spice is a common ingredient in Mediterranean and South European cuisines. 

Thyme is also part of many other spices, including Herbes de Provence, Za’atar, and a Bouquet Garni.

See More: Best Substitutes for Thyme

#12. Tarragon

Also called estragon, this herb and spice are widely used in French cuisine. Tarragon has slight hints of licorice and a strong herbal flavor. This herb goes very well with fish, chicken, pork, and eggs.

See More: Best Alternatives to Tarragon

#13. Taro

Taro is a tropical root vegetable, and it has brown skin with white flesh inside. Once cooked, the flavor is sweet and the texture is soft, resembling that of a sweet potato. Taro is a healthy carbohydrate full of fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.

#14. Tapioca

Tapioca is a starch extracted from the cassava root, which is native to Brazil and other regions of South America. Because it is a gluten-free ingredient, this food is becoming increasingly popular in baking, thickening, and giving texture to foods.

Another popular food that contains tapioca is bubble tea, which has tapioca pearls at the bottom.

#15. Tangerine

Tangerine refers to a group of orange citrus fruits that are hybrids of the mandarin orange. This fruit is smaller and less round than regular oranges, and the flavor is much less sour and sweeter. Tangerines are in season from fall to spring and are eaten by peeling off the skin.    

#16. Tangelo

A tangelo is another citrus fruit that is a hybrid between the mandarin orange and the tangerine. You may also hear them referred to as honeybells, and they are the size of a fistball. A tangelo is easier to peel, so people prefer it because it causes less mess.

#17. Tamarind

Tamarind is the name of the fruit from a tree native to tropical Africa. This pod-like fruit contains a sweet and sour pulp that is used in various cuisines across the world. Tamarind is used as a paste, puree, or syrup in many drinks, teas, sauces, and stews.

See More: Best Replacements to Tamarind

#18. Tamarillo

Sometimes referred to as the tree tomato, tamarillo is an orange fruit with black edible seeds and red skin.

Tamarillo tastes very sour and sweet, but the skin is incredibly bitter and isn’t normally considered edible. This fruit is popular in Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, New Zealand, Rwanda, Australia, and in some areas of the United States.

#19. Teaberry

Teaberry is also sometimes called checkerberry or boxberry, and it is a fruit with a mildly sweet peppermint flavor. An extract of this berry is often used as an additive in tea, candy, and medicine.

In regions where this fruit grows, you may also see teaberry ice cream flavor available.

#20. Truffle

Truffles are a kind of fungus that is considered an extremely valuable ingredient in cooking. Both white and black truffles are highly sought by chefs around the world, but the white truffle is considered more unique as it is harder to find.

These mushrooms grow in the shadow of oak trees, and while they often come from the Piedmont region of Italy, you may be able to find them around the world these days.

#21. Turban Squash

Also referred to as Turk’s turban or French turban, this type of squash is most often used as winter squash. This squash is deep orange with yellow, white, and green splotches on its skin, but the flesh inside is light yellow.

Turban squash tastes a bit nutty, and the texture is soft and floury.

#22. Turnip

The turnip is a root vegetable commonly grown in temperate climates all over the world. Turnips are closely related to radishes and arugula, with a flavor that is both spicy and bitter. Cooking can help reduce the peppery taste, so this vegetable is often served cooked and not raw.

#23. Triticale

Triticale is a hybrid between wheat and rye that was invented in the 19th century in Germany and Scotland. While it is not widely available across the world, it remains very popular in Europe, where it is used in making bread, salads, and soups.

Triticale has high fiber content, so it is considered a healthy grain to consume.

#24. Tagliatelle

Also called tagliolini, tagliatelle is a type of pasta from the Emilia-Romagna and Marche regions in Italy. This pasta is flat and long, shaped into ribbons that are similar to fettuccine. Tagliatelle is often used in dishes that contain a lot of sauce and meat, such as bolognese.

Prepared Dishes

#25. Tabbouleh

Tabbouleh is a salad from the Middle East and Mediterranean regions composed of chopped parsley, tomatoes, mint, onions, bulgur wheat, olive oil, lemon juice, and salt.

This salad is often served as a mezze, or part of a spread, in Arab food. Many variations exist, but tabbouleh is common in Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, and Iraq.

#26. Tacos

A taco is a traditional Mexican dish that consists of a small corn or wheat tortilla filled with meat,  vegetables, and sauces. Often, tacos contain beef, pork, chicken, fish, beans, tomatoes, onions, guacamole, and cheese.

In Mexico, tacos are considered street food and are available everywhere as a meal or a snack.

#27. Tart

A tart is a baked dish that has a filling over a pastry base. The filling can be both sweet or savory and is often a dessert or a main dish. Famous tarts are usually made with fruit, jelly, or jam.

#28. Taffy

Taffy is a type of candy from the United States that is made by stretching or pulling a mass of boiled sugar, butter, flavorings, and colorings. This cooking process results in a light, fluffy, and chewy candy.

You may have heard of saltwater taffy, which is a variation original from New Jersey that contains salt as well.

#29. Tempeh

Tempeh is a traditional Indonesian soybean product often used as a vegetarian alternative to meat. This food is made by cooking and fermenting soybeans, then shaping them into a cake form.

Tempeh is very high in protein and fiber, which makes it a great substitute for those wanting to avoid animal products.

#30. Tapenade

A tapenade is a spread made of pureed or finely chopped olives, capers, and anchovies. It originated in the south of France but is now popular elsewhere as an appetizer. A tapenade is often served on bread and sometimes it is used with meat.

#31. Tetrazzini

Tetrazzini is a dish consisting of diced poultry or seafood with mushroom cream, butter, and cheese. This mix is often served over pasta or egg noodles and topped with fried onions, parsley, and breadcrumbs. Tetrazzini is often flavored with wine or sherry as well.  

#32. Tofu

Tofu is a bean curd prepared by coagulating soy milk and pressing it into solid blocks that can be silken, soft, firm, or extra-firm. This food is considered the most popular vegetarian and vegan protein source, and it also contains a wide range of vitamins and minerals.

Uncooked tofu is very bland, but it absorbs seasoning and sauces very well.

See More: Does Tofu Go Bad?

#33. Tiramisu

Tiramisu is an Italian dessert consisting of a sponge cake soaked in coffee and a liqueur, layered with a mixture of eggs, sugar, and mascarpone cheese, and topped with cocoa powder. 

While there are many variations, tiramisu is considered a staple of Italian cuisine. These days, tiramisu may be flavored with Madeira, rum, brandy, port, Irish cream, or Marsala wine.  

#34. Tempura

This typical Japanese dish consists of seafood, meat, or vegetables that are battered and then deep-fried.

You may have seen tempura in sushi, as a side dish, or as a topping for other dishes. The batter in tempura is usually made with iced water, wheat flour, eggs, baking powder, oil, and spices.

#35. Terrine

A terrine is a French dish that consists of a loaf of meat or pate that is cooked in advance and then set. It is usually served cold and in slices as an appetizer. A terrine is made with lamb, pork, duck, or liver.

#36. Timbale

Timbale is the word used to describe food that is cooked in a specific type of pan. This deep dish is made with a sheet of pastry, meat, cheese, and even pasta in some cases. These ingredients are combined and assembled, then baked and served warm.

#37. Torpedo

A torpedo is a sandwich made with mortadella, ham, Italian salami, provolone cheese, pepperoncini, onion, and lettuce.

This big sandwich contains a large quantity of meat, which makes it very popular, and it is usually served on a French roll. Some healthier variations may include turkey breast or ham instead.

#38. Tourtiere

The tourtiere is a Canadian meat pie originally from the province of Quebec. This pie is made with ground meat, either pork, veal, or beef, and potatoes. It was created during the winter holidays and remains a staple dish during this time, but is now served throughout the year.

#39. Turnover

A turnover is a type of pastry that is made by filling a piece of dough, then folding it over and sealing it, and baking it. Turnovers can be both savory and sweet, and they are considered a breakfast food. While this food is usually baked, it can also be fried in some cases.

#40. Torte

A torte is a rich cake with many layers that are filled with whipped cream, buttercream, mousse, or jam. The original torte is believed to be the Austrian Sachertorte, which remains a staple of Viennese cuisine.

A key element of the torte is the icing, which is usually thick chocolate or a glaze. 

Fish, Poultry, Meat, and Others

#41. Tuna

Tuna is a saltwater fish that is commonly eaten fresh or cooked. It is considered a fatty fish that is very healthy, as it contains a high amount of protein and omega 3. Canned tuna is a very common food that is both cheap and relatively nutritious.

#42. Trout

Trout is a freshwater fish that belongs to the salmon family and is common in North America, Europe, and Asia. This fish is also considered to be a fatty fish, making it a good source of essential fatty acids.

Trout is also a healthy choice because it is considered to contain low amounts of mercury.

#43. Tripe

Tripe is a type of meat made from the lining of the stomach of various animals, including beef, sheep, pigs, and veal. This food can be eaten as cold cuts, cooked, or fried. Some people use tripe to stuff other cuts of meat.

#44. Turkey

Turkey is the meat of the domesticated or sometimes wild turkey that is eaten as cooked meat or cold cuts. This is a popular poultry dish that has become a healthier option than pork. In North America, turkey is also a staple for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

See More: Can You Freeze Turkey?

Cocktails and Beverages

#45. Tisane

A tisane is a type of herbal tea made with an infusion of herbs, spices, and other plants. This type of herbal tea is not caffeinated, so it is often used as a digestive aid. Tisanes can be made with flowers, seeds, and roots as well.

#46. Tea

Tea is an aromatic beverage made by boiling water poured over leaves, flours, or infusions. Tea is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world after water. Some teas have a high amount of caffeine, while others don’t have any.

See More: Tea Shelf Life

#47. Tequila

Tequila is a distilled beverage made from the blue agave plant and original from Mexico. This alcoholic beverage is widely consumed in cocktails and on its own. There are various stages of aging with tequila, with the most common being Blanco, reposado, añejo, and extra añejo.

See More: Does Tequila Go Bad?

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FAQs

Conclusion

As you can see, the list of foods by the letter T is long and varied. You can pick and choose different options and surprise others around you. Try any of these dishes, fruits, vegetables, meat, or condiments at any time!