There are so many amazing foods that start with the letter L, it’s hard to figure out where to even begin!
We could talk about lettuce and lemons, but those are too easy.
How about lentils? They’re a favorite for salads as well as soups. But there’s also lox and Ladoo- both of which start with “L.” And don’t forget lamb! It’s one of our favorites because it tastes so good and is so healthy for you! There’s lobster and lychee…and more! So what do you think: Ready to go explore?
Contents
List of Foods That Start With L
Lemon basil
This type of basil has a very lemony flavor and aroma. It is excellent for garnishing dishes such as salads, seafoods, and poultry.
Lozenge
A lozenge is a hard candy that often has medicinal purposes like soothing coughs or dry mouths. They can be flavored to taste like anything from mint to fruit.
Limpa
Limpa bread is made from rye flour and molasses. It’s usually eaten on its own, but you can spread it with other things like cream cheese or peanut butter. Lingcod
Lupin beans
Lupin is a legume that can be eaten in several forms. If dried, they need to be soaked overnight before boiling for 25 minutes. Lupins can also be eaten fresh, and if they’re lightly cooked or baked, they taste like green beans!
Lingcod
This fish can also be called an ocean whitefish. Its taste is said to resemble that of cod. It’s most often used in fish and chips, but can also be eaten alone.
Lettuce
There are many different types of lettuce you can try including Romaine, Iceberg, Spring Mix (which includes baby greens), Mesclun (not actually a type of lettuce but usually made up of young greens), and Frisée which is usually found in salads.
Loin
Loin is cut from the pig or lamb that goes into making bacon, chops, roasts, ribs, pork tenderloin…and more! It’s a long, narrow cut of meat that is flavorful and great for roasts or steaks.
Lasagna
Lasagna is a popular Italian dish that consists of multiple layers of pasta and fillings – often meats, veggies, cheese, and various sauces. Lasagna is great as an entrée or as a side dish to offer with other types of pizza or pastas.
Lady Finger (Biscuit)
Lady fingers are a type of light, airy biscuit that have a slight vanilla flavor. The traditional method for making these cookies involves whipping egg whites until they form stiff peaks to help them hold their shape when baked. Lady fingers often accompany fruit desserts like flan or other custard-style entries.
Liver
The liver is the body’s largest internal organ and filters toxins and waste from the blood. Liver has a strong, distinctive taste – though it can be prepared in many different ways for cooking!
Lobster
A large lobster can weigh almost 20 pounds, but most people usually eat them much smaller. Lobsters are caught in traps with bait on them to attract the lobster inside. They have very little meat, but their tail is delicious! And don’t forget about those tasty claws!
Limburger
Limburger cheese is usually eaten grilled between two slices of rye bread with onions and pickles. Limburger comes from the city/region of its birth: Liège, Belgium.
Linguine
Linguine pasta comes in many colors, but what it lacks in color, it makes up for in taste! It’s very long and thin, measuring around one centimeter wide by 4 centimeters long. And like all pastas, it tastes great when served with a variety of sauces like Bolognese sauce (ground beef & meatballs), Pesto, or even just olive oil, salt, and pepper!
Lollipop
A lollipop is a hard candy on a stick that’s been dipped in hard candy or chocolate. Lollipops can be flavored with different fruit flavors, from cherry to watermelon!
Lovage
This herb has a strong celery taste and can be used in soups, stews, or salads. It’s native to the Old World but can now be found all over the world.
Latte
A latte is a coffee beverage made by brewing espresso with steamed milk. Lattes can be topped with other ingredients like cinnamon, chocolate, syrup, and whipped cream.
Ladoo
A ladoo (laddu) is a type of Indian sweet. They’re prepared from flavored sugar paste and round in shape, so they resemble small balls. These treats are commonly enjoyed during festivals and important holidays as an offering to the gods as well as a tasty treat for family members or guests.
Lemon
Lemons are tangy fruits often used on their own as a garnish for meals or mixed in water for an afternoon drink. Lemons go well with fish dishes and can even substitute salt when cooking food in large quantities.
Lime
Lime juice is very citrus-y and can be mixed with other ingredients like sugar, salt, or tequila to make different cocktails.
Liqueur
A sweet alcoholic drink that is flavored with fruit, herbs, or nuts. Liqueur can be served straight up, on the rocks, or mixed with soda.
Lamb
Lamb is a young sheep before it has been sheared. It’s available year-round and is a popular dinner entrée. Lamb meat is often roasted or broiled, but it can also be prepared as a leg of lamb that has been slow cooked over time to break down the tough fibers of the meat.
Lard
Lard refers to rendered animal fat. The process involves heating large pieces of fatty tissue in order to extract the oils and juices from it so they can be used for other cooking applications or made into soap. Lard is an ingredient in many sweets like pie crusts and doughnuts, but it can also be used to make delicious pan-fried potatoes – just put some lard into a hot pan and drop sliced potatoes into the mix!
Latke
Latke is a type of fried potato pancake that’s popular in Jewish cuisine. They’re often served during Hanukkah and made by shredding potatoes, mixing them with various other ingredients like onions and matzo meal to add flavor, and carefully frying them so they don’t fall apart.
Lentils
Lentils are a great source of protein and come in a wide variety of colors. They’re not only used as an ingredient, but also on their own or mixed with other foods like rice.
Lemongrass
This long green grass has a citrusy flavor that makes it perfect for seasoning soup, curries, chicken dishes, and more. When used in Asian cooking this herb can add zest to any meal.
Lychee
Native to China, these sweet and sour fruits are grown in tropical and subtropical climates. The flesh is sweet and juicy, while the skin is a bit tart. They can be eaten on their own or turned into desserts.
Liquor
Any alcoholic drink distilled to a high proof. Liquor is usually made by fermenting and distilling a mix of grains and other flavorings.
Legume
Legumes are seeds that grow inside pods. Also called pulses or beans if the pod is removed before eating. If you’ve ever eaten a peanut or pea off the vine then you have sampled a legume!
Loquats
Often used in jams or eaten raw, these small golden-yellow fruit have a light and slightly tart flavor. They’re usually related to damsons and sloes, but have a sweet flavor instead of sour.
Leak
Green, leafy vegetables are considered part of this family. They include kale, collard greens, spinach, dandelion greens, arugula and lettuce, among others.
Lox
Smoked salmon is a type of lox that has been carefully cured through salt-curing, poaching, or drying. Lox is usually thicker than other smoked fish because it’s made from the belly section of the salmon, which is fatty.
Lemonade
This drink can be served on its own or mixed with other juices to make a great tasting beverage! It is usually made by mixing fruit juice with sugar or another sweetener and then adding ice for a refreshing summertime treat.
Loganberries
Loganberries are a type of blackberry that is cultivated in New Zealand. They grow on vines and take about four months to mature, and they are often used to make jams, wines, and other foods.
Ladies’ Finger (Vegetable)
A ladies’ finger is a type of green vegetable that resembles small cucumbers. It’s also referred to as okra, bhindi, gumbo, and kumbalanga. Ladies’ fingers are available year-round but are especially abundant after the summer months.
Wrap Up
The list of foods that start with the letter L is a long one. There are so many different types of food from all over the world, it can be hard to keep track!
Now that we’ve covered the letter “L” and all of its delicious foods, It’s time to have a look at some lists like this- perhaps starting with another letter?
