How many food items that start with T can you think of? Fruits, veggies, meat, snacks, or beverages all count! If you need more inspiration, you can check out the list below. We’ve compiled both common and exotic foods from all around the world.
In the Post
Food That Starts With T – The List Challange
- Tenderloin
- Tabasco sauce
- Teacake is a cake typically enjoyed while drinking tea.
- Tapenade is a black olive spread that contains pureed anchovies and capers.
- Thyme
- Tapioca is a starch that comes from the cassava plant.
- Tuna
- Teaberry is a fruit similar to a red berry and is spicy.
- Tamarillo is a red fruit with an egg-like shape enjoyed in South America.
- Tayberry is a crossbreed between raspberry and blackberry.
- Tamarind
- Tangelo is a crossbreed of grapefruit and tangerine
- Tart cherry is juicier than the regular cheery.
- Tuwo shinkafa is a Nigerian recipe that consists of a thick pudding cooked with maize, rice, or millet.
- Tabil is a meal that originates in Tunisia and consists of garlic and chili powder, ground coriander seeds, and caraway seeds.
- Toum is a type of garlic sauce that contains garlic salt, lemon, and olive oil, all ground into a paste.
Image Source: The Lot Dallas - Tahini is an oily paste made from sesame seeds.
- Torta de gazpacho is a round, flat bread.
- Tagine is a sweet made with aromatic veggies, meat, and sauce slow-cooked in a traditional Maghreb tajine pot.
- Tomato bredie is a stew that contains mutton, cardamom, cinnamon, chili, ginger, and cloves.
- Tapalapa bread is a traditional baguette-like bread baked in West Africa, typically eaten with butter.
- Thieboudienne is a dish in Senegal and contains rice, fish, and tomato sauce.
- Tandoori chicken is an Indian meal cooked with roast chicken which is marinated in spices and yogurt.
- Tapioca pudding is a dessert that contains tapioca, and cream or milk.
- Turo is a banana fritter that contains banana slices in a spring roll wrapper, coated in sugar, and then deep-fried.
- Tandoori Fish Tikka is marinated fish and cooked over an open flame.
- Tuna bun is a bun with tuna paste.
- Tahu gejrot is enjoyed in Indonesia; it is made with fried tofu and a watery spicy dressing that contains sweet soy sauce, palm sugar, and vinegar.
- Ttongppang is a pastry that contains walnut kernels and red bean paste.
- Takoyaki is a ball made of wheat flour batter and filled with octopus, pickled ginger, tempura pieces, and green onions.
- Tokneneng is a dish that contains hard-boiled eggs, dipped in a batter, and deep-fried.
- Tangbao is a type of dumpling that typically contains pork and chicken broth.
- Theeyal is a sauce made with cumin seeds, coconut, coriander seeds, and red chillis.
- Tauge goreng is a vegetarian-friendly dish that contains bean sprouts, tofu, rice cake, noodles, all served in a spicy sauce.
- Thengai sadam refers to coconut rice.
- Tamarind balls are made by blending the pulp of tamarind, shape it into balls, and coat them in sugar.
- Tripe and beans is made with tripe, onion, and beans; it is a Jamaican dish served with dumplings, known as spinners.
- Tassot originated from Haiti and contains marinated goat meat which is fried until crispy.
- Toto is a coconut cake made of sugar, shredded coconut, baking soda, flour, and coconut milk.
Image Source: The Lot Dallas - Tchaka is a stew enjoyed in Haiti; it contains red beans, dried corn, smoked pork, and squash.
- Taco chips
- Trinidad pelau is a savory dish made with beef or chicken, combined with coconut milk, fresh herbs, veggies, and rice.
- Trifle is a cold dessert that contains layered sponge fingers, jelly, whipped cream, or custard.
- Trdeknik refers to dough wrapped around a stick and roasted over an open fire; it is sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar.
- Tahri is a dish made with potatoes, basmati rice, and different spices, including turmeric.
- Torte is a dessert made with groundnuts instead of typical flour.
- Tacos
- Treacle tart is a pastry with a sweet treacle filling.
- Tostada is a deep-fried corn tortilla that is topped with lettuce, cheese, tomato, guacamole, and sour cream.
- Tamales are made of cornmeal dough filled with cheese or meat, wrapped in cornhusk, and steamed; the dish is enjoyed in Mexico.
- Tripas is a dish that contains boiled and grilled small intestines of different animals, topped with cilantro, chile sauce, and chopped onions.
- Taquitos refers to a small tortilla that is filled with cheese, beef, or chicken.
- Totopo is similar to a tortilla which is fried, toasted, or baked.
- Tlacoyo resembles a fresh corn tortilla, stuffed with cheese, ground beans, fava beans, chicharron, and other ingredients.
- Tortilla
- Tlayda is a recipe of large and crunchy tortilla which contains refried beans, lettuce, avocado, pork lard, and meat, among others.
- Torta de huevo is a pancake made of whipped eggs and wheat flour, topped with red chili.
- Tortas refers to a roll served as a sandwich and contains breaded pork or chicken, cheese, and refried beans.
- Tiger nut is an edible tuber and is about the size of a chickpea.
- Tomatillo is a green, unripe tomato.
- Turmeric is part of the ginger family.
- Turnip
- Tarwi is a type of beans.
“Doable” Recipes for Food That Starts With T
1. Tamale
Tamale is a comforting Mexican street food that is typically enjoyed during special events, such as Independent Day or the festive season.

Variations of the recipe are as old as 8,000-5,000 BCE. The name comes from the Nahuatl word “tamalli” which is translated to “wrapped”. Since the dish is ancient, there are many variations nowadays.
Tamales (recipe here) are the most popular breakfast dishes. It is made of a corn-based dough, also known as “masa”. Then, the dough is wrapped in a corn husk, steamed, and drizzled with spicy salsas.
They are now popular not only in Mexico but also in the Caribbean, Latin America, and the US; Michelle Obama stated that tamales are her favorite dish.
If you are on a weight loss plan, you should be happy to hear that one portion (one tamale) has only approximately 285; it is low in calories since it is steamed, not deep-fried.
However, some tamales might call for lard, which can add more calories. Since the recipe requires a meat-based filling, eating tamales for breakfast can be a good decision for a high protein intake to fuel you through the day.
2. Tuwo Shinkafa
Tuwo Shinkafa is made of soft and sticky rice; another variation is Tuwo Masara which is cooked with cornmeal. Both types are often enjoyed with Northern soups, such as miyan kuka and miyan taushe. This Nigerian dish is enjoyed in other West African countries, such as Mali and Cameron.
Tuwo Shinkafa is rich in energy because it contains rice or maize. It is a good alternative for people who want to watch their cholesterol and gluten intake; consuming tuwo shinkafa is associated with better digestive function, prevention of constipation, and even calms upset stomachs by reducing acidity.
3. Tandoori Chicken
Tandoori Chicken is a dish that contains marinated chicken. The “tandoori” marinade is made by mixing yogurt and a very generous amount of spices.

The name comes from the traditional dish it is cooked in, known locally as “tandoor”. Tandoori chicken is associated with Kundan Lal Gujral, a Hindu who left Pakistan in 1947 and opened his own restaurant in Delhi.
Tandoori chicken has a standard red color. This is because of the mix used in the marinade, known as tandoori masala. This contains garlic, onion, ginger, garam masala, and cayenne pepper.
Additionally, the marinade also contains red chili powder, turmeric, and even paprika. The chicken is usually used with the bones.
Chicken is a source of lean protein, so tandoori chicken is a low-calorie dish. It is ideal for anyone who is interested in maintaining good health as it minimizes the intake of carbs and fats. Usually, there are approximately 220 calories per 100g.
4. Trinidad Pelau
The word “pelau” originates from polow or rice pilaf, a recipe that is enjoyed in Asia and the Middle East.
However, Trinidad Pelau has origins in the East Indian culture who used to prepare pulao. The dish has a signature smoky and sweet flavor obtained by caramelizing the meat using sugar.
Trinidad Pelau is often cooked with beef or chicken, pigeon peas, rice, coconut milk, and sugar. Different recipes call for various spices and vegetables that can add extra flavor and nutrients.
Some of the most common spices added to Trinidad Pelau are cloves, cardamom, coriander, and cumin. The result is a dark brown stew due to the caramelized meat. While the dish is usually enjoyed by itself, an optional side is a coleslaw.
5. Tomato Bredie
Tomato bredie is a staple dish in the Cape, South Africa. The dish is a delicious, hearty stew prepared with tomatoes and a source of protein, such as beef, mutton, or pork.

Bredies are a very important part of the South African cuisine and usually home-cooked by locals. There are numerous types of bredies, but the tomato one is the most enjoyed.
Although it is similar to any other regular stew, tomato bredie takes its distinct flavors from a key aspect. Unlike other recipes, there is no water added to it; instead, the stew is slowly simmered only in the juices coming from the meat, combined with reduced tomatoes.
This results in a flavorful gravy. A serving of tomato bredie contains only about 70 calories, and it can be a great addition to a healthy diet when combined with other low-calorie dishes.
6. Tandoori Fish Tikka
Rooted in Indian cuisine, fish tikka is a delicious appetizer. The fish remains soft and tender but has a crispy coating. The key part of the recipe is the marinade of the fish which contains authentic Indian spices. All fish lovers must try this recipe!
The fish is marinated in a yogurt-based sauce with generous seasoning, then baked, roasted, or quickly fried until crispy and golden. The tandoori fish tikka is typically enjoyed as a quick snack or appetizer, dipped in cilantro mint chutney, topped with onion slices, and sprinkled with lemon juice.
Fish is an essential ingredient to a healthy lifestyle. No matter which one is your favorite type, fish contains rich amounts of omega 3 fatty acids and different vitamins, including D, A, calcium, and even magnesium. Also, white fish is low in calories, suitable for weight watchers.
7. Tauge Goreng
Tauge goreng is a must-try for vegetarians. It is a recipe that contains bean sprouts, fried tofu, and yellow noodles, all covered in sumptuous tauco and oncom sauce, drizzled with sweet soy sauce. This is a specialty found in Jakarta and Indonesia.
Although the name can be translated to stir-fried bean sprouts, they are actually dipped in boiling water for a very short term. The tauco sauce is a paste made with fermented salted soybeans, typically sold in a jar or bottle. Most Asian supermarkets sell it, but you can also use fermented soybean paste, known as Tao-jiao, if you cannot find tauco sauce.
Summary
As we’ve seen, there are plenty of foods that start with T. Depending on your food culture or location, you might not know all of them – although, some of these recipes are absolutely delicious!
Make sure you access some of the recipes provided below and you will not regret it! Adding a few exotic influences to your diet can help supplement your nutrient intake, add a wide range of vitamins, and surprise you with new flavors and tastes.
Some of them are easy to cook, too, so you can have a quick tuna bun for lunch or a mouth-watering tahri for dinner!
Leave a Reply