100+ Foods That Start With L

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Today, we are continuing our food lists from A-Z with a blog post that focuses on foods that start with L! From lantana berries to limestone lettuce, you would be shocked at how many foods start with L – many of which you may not have even heard of. Keep reading to discover 91 fun foods that start with the letter L!

🍎 Fruits And Vegetables That Start With L

There are 35 fruits and over 20 vegetables that start with L (55 foods that start with L are in just the produce category alone)! We have created a separate guide for each because there are just so many foods to go through.

You’ll find popular fruit on our list of fruits that start with L like lady apples, lemons and limes on the list, as well as more obscure fruits like lingonberries (small fruits that are bright red in color and have a sour taste), tropical fruits like langra mango (a variety found in East India) and loquat (a Chinese fruit that tastes like a bitter apricot).

Here are all the best condiments, spices, herbs, and snack foods that start with an L:

Lard

Lard is a kind of cooking fat that comes from the fattiest part of a pig. Like butter or shortening, it can be used for roasting, grilling, sauteing, frying, and baking.

Lavender

Lavender is a herb from the mint family that is used to spruce up a wide range of dishes. It is a complex culinary herb that pairs well with oregano, rosemary, thyme, and sage. Lavender flowers are also an eye-catching garnish for salads and desserts.

Lekvar

Lekvar is a fruit butter that is made from dried apricots or prunes. The basic recipe is a combination of sugar, water, and fruit. However, you can jazz it up with spices like cinnamon, lemon zest, and orange if preferred.

Lemon Balm

Lemon balm is another herb from the mint family. The leaves have a mild lemony aroma that is used in both medicine and flavorful foods.

Lemon Basil

This delicious herb is a cross between a lemon and—you guessed it!—basil. Combining the essence of lemon with the sweet anise flavor of basil, this herb tastes great in a lot of curries, stir-fries, and soups.

Lemon Verbena

This flowering, aromatic plant is a great alternative to lemongrass or lemon balm. It has a slight citrus flavor and tastes a bit stronger than lemon zest. Lemon verbena leaves can be used in martinis, ice cream, syrups, pesto – it’s a very versatile ingredient!

Lemongrass

Lemongrass is an herb that has a very lemony scent (go figure!) that is used to add some delicious zing to Thai dishes, cocktails, and herbal teas. You can find lemongrass fresh, dried, or in powder form.

Licorice Root

Licorice root has a long history of use, dating back to the ancient Egyptians. It has a slightly sweet, bitter taste. Traditionally it was used to treat a variety of medical conditions, and today it is used as a dietary supplement for things like digestive problems.

Liederkranz

Although its name sounds German, Liederkranz is an American, cow’s milk cheese with an edible pale, yellow crust and a semisoft interior. It has a mildly pungent flavor that has a particularly strong smell.

Limburger

Limburger cheese is pungent to the point of comedic relief. (Think of all the stinky-cheese jokes you’ve ever heard.) It is has a rich and creamy flavor that only gets stronger with age. However, because its taste can sometimes be overpowering, it is best enjoyed plain or atop rye bread.

Lime Mint

Lime mint is a citrus variety grown for its incredibly fragrant leaves. It can be used fresh or dried in both savory and sweet dishes.

Liver Cheese (Leberkäse)

Liver cheese tastes a bit stronger than liverwurst and is square-shaped. Essentially, it is a meat-cheese mixture that is usually made with onions, salt, and pork, and it can be served either hot or cold.

Lovage

This herbous, perennial plant is low in calories and contains tons of vitamin C. It has a fresh, celery-like scent that is great mixed into salads, soups, stocks, or seasonings.

🍲 Foods That Start With L: Side Dishes

Lahana Sarması

Lahana sarması is a popular dish originating in Turkey. Essentially, it is cooked cabbage leaves that are stuffed with meat, veggies, and a variety of other fillings. Traditionally, Lahana sarması can be eaten as a main course, a side dish, or as a snack.

Lalanga

Lalanga is another Turkish dish that can be understood as a deep-fried flatbread. It is super easy to make using flour, milk, and eggs, and lots of people serve it during tea time!

Lavash

Lavash is a thin flatbread originating in Southern Europe, specifically Armenia. It is low in cholesterol and sodium, and because it isn’t that chewy or doughy, lavash is great for making wraps, flatbread pizza, or toasted crackers with dips.

Limpa

Limpa is a Swedish rye bread that is flavored with molasses, anise, and orange peel. It has a rich, intoxicating flavor that goes great with butter and jam.

Loaf (Of Bread)

Loafed bread is exactly what it sounds like: bread that has been shaped into a loaf! It is perfect for slicing and using for sandwich bread or dinner rolls.

🌿 Vegetarian Dishes That Start With The Letter L

Wondering what vegetarian dishes start with the letter L? Well, look no further. Here are some of my favorite vegetarian foods that start with L:

Latke

Latkes are an old Jewish custom that is similar to potato pancakes, though they aren’t as round. Although they’re typically made with shredded potatoes, onion, and a binder, there are lots of different flavors and textures that vary from recipe to recipe.

Legumes

The legume family includes beans, peas, lentils, soybeans, and peanuts. They are a terrific source of protein that substitutes meat in many vegetarian and vegan diets.

Lentils

Coincidentally, lentils also belong to the legume family. They are high in protein and low in fat, and have a mild nutty flavor, making them a pantry staple (especially for plant-based diets). I love using them in everything from grain bowls to lentil soup. They are used in a variety of different cultures — everything from French lentil soup, to dahl (an Indian lentil stew!)

Lima Beans

Lima beans are green, flat beans known for their edible seeds. While there are tons of different varieties of lima beans, they are distinguished by their ridged seed coat radiating from the “eye.”

Linguine

Linguine pasta is kind of like fettuccine in that it is long, flat, and narrow. Essentially, you can think of linguine as being a flatter version of spaghetti. Although it was traditionally served with pesto, tomato or fish-based sauces would taste just as scrumptious.

Lupin Beans

These legumes are traditionally eaten as a pickled snack food. They are popular street food in the Middle East that just so happen to be great for you.

🍖 Meat Dishes That Start With an L

If you’re a true carnivore at heart, then this L foods list is for you:

Ladyfish

Ladyfish are tropical, coastal marine fish that have a sweeter taste. Because they have so many bones and a mushy, oily texture, a lot of people will ground them into a fish meal before consuming them.

Lahmacun

Think of lahmacun as, essentially, a Turkish pizza. It has a thin dough base that is topped with meat, peppers, tomatoes, fresh herbs, and a drool-worthy combination of spices.

Lamb

Compared to the more traditional beef, lamb has a stronger, earthier, and somewhat gamier flavor. Lamb meat is very tender and is a staple in many Mediterranean diets, as well as in the Middle East.

Land Snails

Land snails are an African delicacy that are commonly enjoyed as finger foods. Once the meat has been removed from the hard shell, it is cooked much like a boneless chicken wing. Yum!

Lasagna

Lasagna is a delicious Italian dish that stuffs parmesan cheese, meat, tomato sauce, and similar ingredients between layers of pasta, then bakes it. Lasagna is an ultra-versatile dish whose ingredients can easily be swapped to suit your family’s preferences!

Limpets

Limpets, essentially, are aquatic snails that are eaten similarly to oysters. Their unique flavor resembles a chewier version of mussels, though they are just as sweet.

Lingcod

Lingcod is a lean, white fish that has a mild flavor profile, similar to that of cod. It is flaky, delicious, and an excellent source of both protein and healthy omega-3 fatty acids.

Linguica

This is a type of Portuguese smoke-cured pork sausage that is usually seasoned with both garlic and paprika. It is typically served alongside rice, beans, and any other pork-based dishes.

Lionfish

While technically an invasive species, lionfish is a mild, moist, buttery, and tender kind of white fish. (Think: somewhere between a thin filet of grouper and mahi-mahi.) However, be careful if you filet it yourself, as the spines on its back are venomous.

Littleneck Clams

These mollusks are the smallest and most flavorful hardshell clams available. Their salty flavor and slightly chewy texture are best enjoyed raw served on half their shell. Or, you could also steam them.

Liver

The liver of an animal is often said to be one of the most nutrient-dense foods there is. A single serving of liver can help meet your daily recommended amount of folate, iron, copper, vitamin A, and vitamin B. When it’s properly cooked, the liver usually has an earthy, almost sweet flavor.

Liverwurst (Leberwurst)

Liverwurst is made from a delicious combo of meat, organ meat, and fat (usually from pork or red meat). It tastes a lot like paté or foie gras, and it can either be spread atop bread or eaten in a sandwich.

Llama

Llama is fairly uncommon meat that tastes similar to lean beef. It is incredibly tender and does well in slow-cooking recipes, like stews.

Lobscouse

This one-pot meat dish is made with slow-cooked cubes of beef and traditional veggies like carrots, potatoes, onions, and peas. It is an old-fashioned stew that most folks associate with Liverpool.

Lobster

Now, lobster is a culinary delicacy for a reason. Being a terrific source of protein, these crustaceans are not only delicious but are rich in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.

Loin

A lot of folks consider loin to be the best part of the steak. Essentially, it is the cut of meat that lies just underneath the backbone (for cows, at least), and it is considered to be the tenderest, juiciest, and most flavorful. There are a ton of different varieties, as you can purchase beef tenderloin, pork loin, and even loin lamb chops.

Lo Mein

Lo Mein is a Chinese noodle dish – characterized by thick egg noodles that are tossed with vegetables and some sort of protein – usually meat (but can be substituted with tofu). It’s similar to chow mein, except chow mein uses fried noodles, and lo mein is a healthier option where the noodles are just tossed in the sauce and are not fried.

London Broil

London broil isn’t necessarily a certain type of meat but is instead the way that meat is cooked. Usually, London broil refers to flank steak or top round steak that is marinated overnight and then broiled at high heat in the oven.

Lox

Lox is essentially a filet of brined salmon that may or may not be smoked. Oftentimes, it is served atop a bagel with cream cheese, tomato, sliced onion, cucumbers, and capers.

Lutefisk

Lutefisk is both a delicacy and tradition for Scandinavians. In a nutshell, it is made from codfish that is preserved in lye. As far as taste goes, lutefisk is going to either be a hit or a miss, as it tastes mildly fishy with a somewhat soapy aftertaste.

🍰 Desserts That Start With L

Here are some of the best foods beginning with L to satisfy your sweet tooth:

Lady Fingers

A ladyfinger (or lady finger) is a small, delicate sponge cake originating in France. (And they get their name because their shape, quite literally, resembles a lady’s fingers.)

Ladyfingers are similar to cookies, as they have that same dry, crumbly texture. Although they can be eaten on their own, they are often dunked in syrup, layered in cream, or piped with frosting.

Lemon Bars

Lemon bars, also known as lemon squares, are a popular food that starts with L – characterized by a shortbread crust topped with a lemon curd, that’s then baked and cut into brownie-sized squares, and served.

Lemon Meringue Pie

This is a dessert that’s characterized by a pie crust, topped with a lemon curd, which is then topped with a meringue. It’s slightly sweet, with a citrus flavor and slight tartness as well.

Lime Pie

Lime pie — often referred to as key lime pie — is a popular dessert known for its sweet, yet bitter, flavor. Made from a mixture of key lime juice, sweetened condensed milk, and egg yolks, the sugar in lime pie does a fantastic job of counteracting its acidity.

Lollipop

Now if you’re anything like me, lollipops take you back to some fond childhood memory of someone telling you that they will ruin your teeth. And while that may be somewhat true, these flat, round candies-on-a-stick are surely delicious and come in so many different colors – it’s like eating the rainbow!

Lozenge

While some consider them candy, lozenges are small, usually medicated tablets that can help ease sore throats.

Lucky Charms

While Lucky Charms is technically a breakfast cereal, it’s so high in sugar, processed ingredients, and doesn’t have high nutritional value — so I’d classify it more as a dessert than anything else! Created in 1964 by General Mills, it is made up of toasted oat shapes and rainbow colored marshmallow pieces in different shapes (like a pot of gold, a rainbow, a 4 leaf clover, etc.) It’s mascot is a leprechaun! It probably is one of the most popular foods that start with L, as you can find it literally anywhere in the world!

🍹 Beverages That Start With L

Thirsty? Don’t worry. Here’s a list of all the best L-starting beverages:

Latte

Lattes are an Italian drink made with espresso and steamed milk. Because they are such a popular coffee drink, you can find different flavors, styles, and variations across coffee shops all over the world.

Lemonade

This classic summer drink is made from a refreshing combination of lemon juice, sugar, and a glass of water. Yum!

Limeade

Similar to lemonade, limeade is made from a mixture of lime juice, sugar, and water. (And just as yum!)

Limoncello

This lemon-flavored liqueur is smooth, sweet, and has an intense lemony flavor. It can be sipped on its own for a summertime pick-me-up or mixed with sparkling water.

Liqueur

A liqueur is an alcoholic beverage that is sweetened and flavored with fruit, spices, nuts, herbs, or seeds. Historically speaking, these alcoholic drinks are descendants of herbal medicines.

Lynchburg Lemonade

This alcoholic drink is usually made from whiskey, triple sec, sour mix, and lemon-lime soda. If you’re feeling up to it, you can garnish it with a few wedges of fresh lemon.

💭 Final Thoughts

I hope you enjoyed this list of foods that start with L! Foods starting with l are harder to find, but they’re out there!

More Food Guides!

To learn more about different foods from around the world, or to simply jazz up your routine dinner rotation, take a look at some of our other food lists from A-Z.

• Foods That Start With T
• Foods That Start With X
• Foods That Start With J
• Foods That Start With W
• Fruits That Start With Z
• Fruits That Start With Q
• Foods That Start With A
• Foods That Start With Y

Don’t forget to take a look at my other healthy eating guides so you can enjoy healthy, yet tasty food that the whole family will enjoy.

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