Here are 100 foods (with one bonus food) that start with the letter H. There are so many great foods that come from different parts of the world and will help you grow your recipe book!
Check out these 100 foods that will introduce you to a new world of flavors!
Foods That Start with the Letter H – Alphabetized
Here is an alphabetically arranged list of 100 foods that start with the letter H that you can use to quickly reference a food. Underneath the list, you’ll find a quick explanation of each food, complete with a picture!
- Habanero mango salsa
- Habanero pepper
- Hachiya persimmon
- Haddock
- Hake
- Hakka noodles
- Halibut
- Halloumi cheese
- Ham
- Hamburger
- Hamburger bun
- Hamburger patty
- Har Gow (shrimp dumplings)
- Haricot beans
- Harira soup
- Harissa
- Haroset
- Hash browns
- Hasty pudding
- Havanese coffee
- Havarti cheese
- Hawaiian bread
- Hawaiian pizza
- Hazelnut
- Hazelnut spread
- Health bread
- Hearts of palm
- Hearts of romaine lettuce
- Hearty beef stew
- Hefeweizen
- Heirloom tomatoes
- Hemp seeds
- Hen of the woods
- Herb butter
- Herbal tea
- Herbed croutons
- Herbed goat cheese
- Herbes de Provence
- Herring
- Hibachi steak
- Hibiscus tea
- Hickory nuts
- Hickory-smoked bacon
- Highland beef
- Hijiki seaweed
- Himalayan salt
- Hoagie roll
- Hoisin Sauce
- Hokkaido squash
- Hokkien noodles
- Holiday punch
- Hollandaise Sauce
- Holly berries
- Home fries
- Homemade yogurt
- Hominy
- Honey
- Honey ham
- Honey wheat bread
- Honey-glazed carrots
- Honeycomb
- Honeycrisp apple
- Honeydew melon
- Honeydew sorbet
- Hop shoots
- Hoppy IPA beer
- Horchata
- Horned melon
- Horseradish
- Hot and sour soup
- Hot chocolate
- Hot cross buns
- Hot dog
- Hot fudge
- Hot pepper jelly
- Hot pot
- Hot sauce
- Hot smoked salmon
- Hot Toddy
- Hot water cornbread
- Hubbard squash
- Huckleberry
- Huckleberry Jam
- Huevos rancheros
- Huitlacoche (corn mushroom)
- Hummingbird cake
- Hummingbird nectar
- Hummus
- Hungarian goulash
- Hungarian mushroom soup
- Hungarian sausage
- Hurricane popcorn
- Hushpuppies
- Husk cherry
- Husked corn
- Hyacinth beans
- Hybrid cucumber
- Hyderabadi biryani
- Hydroponic lettuce
- Hyssop
- Hyssop tea
Foods That Start With H
From habanero mango salsa to hyssop tea, here are 100 (plus one) foods starting with the letter H!
Habanero Mango Salsa
Get ready to blast your tastebuds with this deliciously spicy and flavorful salsa!
Habanero mango salsa combines the heat of habanero peppers with the sweetness of juicy mangos, creating a versatile food that can be used as a topping in your tacos or for your grilled meats, as a dip for tortilla chips like classic salsa, or in salads to add a fiery and vibrant flavor!
Balance out the habanero peppers and the mangos to make it as spicy or mild as you’d like!
Habanero Pepper
This one’s for all you spicy food enthusiasts!
Habanero pepper is a small, vibrant, and fiery chili pepper that really packs some heat! It has a distinct lantern-like shape, and ranges from a blistering orange to a fiery red in color. They’re some of the hottest peppers in the world, but their slightly sweet flavor combines well with the spice and adds some awesome flavor to salsas, sauces, and even some salads!
Just have some ice cream on hand when biting into one of these!
Hachiya Persimmon
Hachiya persimmons look almost like a tomato if they were orange! This delicious fruit has a really sweet flavor, with a smooth and custard-like texture when fully ripe. It really gives off a tropical vibe with its combined flavors of mango, apricot, and honey – which is perfect to enjoy in desserts, jams, and baked goods!
Try to avoid them if they’re not fully ripe tho…it’s got a bit of a dry taste that isn’t super pleasant.
Haddock
I love fish, but few are as versatile as haddock!
This delicious fish has flaky white flesh that gives off a mildly sweet and delicate flavor. It’s great for grilling, baking, frying, or adding it to your soups! The versatility is awesome, making it possible to combine with some unique flavors.
You’ll likely have seen haddock in dishes like fish and chips, fish tacos, and fish pies.
Hake
Another delicious fish, hake is very similar to haddock in many ways. Hake has slightly softer flesh and milder flavor, but its white flesh does well with pan-frying, grilling, and sauteing – it’s also popular in fish stews!
Hakka Noodles
Hakka noodles are named after the Hakka people in China, which is where this dish originates from. It’s made with stir-fried noodles (usually thin egg noodles) that are tossed with vegetables, meat, seafood, and different types of sauces like soy sauce. Hakka noodles have a really delicious taste, often seasoned with garlic, ginger, and other spices to create an aroma that’ll have your mouth watering!
Halibut
This is a super versatile fish that I personally love grilled with a squeeze of lemon!
Halibut’s white meat can also be prepared baked, broiled, or fried, and is very popular throughout the world. Alaska has some of the most delicious halibut I’ve tried!
Halloumi Cheese
Stemming out of Cyprus, this semi-hard cheese has a slightly salty and tangy taste, with a unique texture that makes it almost chewy! It’s popular due to its high melting point, making it perfect for grilling or pan-frying because it doesn’t easily lose its shape and gets a firm crust.
It’s traditionally made from a blend of sheep and goat milk, and goes great in many dishes like salads, sandwiches, or even on its own!
Ham
Ham is a classic meat that you can find in many cuisines around the world! It comes from the hind leg of a pig, and is often roasted, cured, or smoked. Ham is often sliced and used in sandwiches, or cut into salads – it’s also used as a centerpiece for many holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving!
Hamburger
The classic food known all around the world, the “burger” is a juicy patty usually made of beef sandwiched between two buns. It’s got any toppings you want, usually consisting of ketchup, mustard, pickles, tomatoes, and lettuce!
The craziest hamburger I’ve had was covered in jam and brie cheese…and it was delicious!
Hamburger Bun
You’d be surprised how many types of hamburger buns are out there!
They’re usually made with enriched dough to give them a light and fluffy texture, but there are many variations out there including whole wheat buns, gluten-free buns, seeded buns, and more! It’s a must-have for any proper burger – try toasting them to add a little crunch!
Hamburger Patty
A hamburger patty is the meat part of the hamburger. It’s usually made of ground beef, but there are so many different types of pattys these days like chicken, pork, and even vegan options – you can get really creative with these! I say the juicier the better, but you can really customize how well-done you want them, and add some delicious seasonings as well!
Har Gow
Har gow, AKA”crystal shrimp dumplings,” is a popular Cantonese dim sum delicacy. They’re known for their beautiful presentation – they have a delicate and translucent wrapping, encasing a filling of delicious shrimp, bamboo shoots, and seasonings like sesame oil, ginger, and soy sauce – truly a masterful creation!
Haricot Beans
These smooth, creamy beans are also called navy or white beans. Haricot beans are often cooked and added to stews, soups, and chili, and are really good at absorbing flavors to give your dish a creamy addition.
They’re very popular in vegetation salads and casseroles, and are a good source of fiber and protein.
Harira Soup
Harira soup is a traditional Moroccan soup known for its rich flavors. It’s popular during Ramadan as a way to break the fast, featuring a tomato-based broth mixed with chickpeas, lentils, onions, cilantro, celery, and sometimes meat like lamb or beef. Turmeric, cinnamon, and ginger are popular ways to bring out even more flavor in this delicious soup, and is often served with bread.
Harissa
Stemming out of North Africa, this hot chili paste is made by blending spicy peppers, olive oil, garlic, and a mix of herbs and spices.
Its hot-red color adds awesome flavor to your soups, stews, noodles, and as a great condiment for fish – and whatever you want to add some heat to!
Haroset
Used as a traditional Jewish dish during “Passover Seder,” this sweet dish is usually made from chopped apples, dates, figs, nuts, spices, and grape juice. It’s formed into a paste, representing the mortar used by the Israelites when they were enslaved in ancient Egypt!
The ingredients can vary slightly from different families and regions, making this a truly traditional meal!
Hash Browns
A classic breakfast food, hash browns are potatoes either shredded or cubed and then fried until golden brown. Their crispy shell breaks into a tender inside, usually served with eggs and bacon, and covered in ketchup.
These will make you full – a great start to the day!
Hasty Pudding
A simple dish that has a thick, creamy consistency similar to wheat porridge (pictured above), hasty pudding is a traditional comfort food that dates back to early American colonial times! It’s usually made by combining wheat flour, milk or water, and sugar or molasses as sweeteners. This mixture is cooked together to form the porridge-like dish, and can be flavored with cinnamon, nutmeg, or vanilla.
It’s a great dish to enjoy for breakfast or on a cold, rainy day!
Havanese Coffee
If you’re a fan of strong coffee, this one’s for you!
Havanese coffee is also called Cuban coffee, made with dark-roasted coffee beans ground down into a fine powder to create a strong, concentrated coffee with an intense aroma. The bold flavor is enjoyed in many social gatherings in Cuba, and sometimes has demerara sugar stirred into it to create a sweet and velvety texture!
Havarti Cheese
This mild, buttery cheese is a semi-soft Danish special. It’s great for snacking on, putting on sandwiches or using it for burgers and grilled cheese sandwiches with its slightly tangy flavor.
It’s made from cow’s milk, and was originally called “Danish Tilsiter.”
Hawaiian Bread
Hawaiian bread, AKA “Hawaiian sweet bread” or “King’s Hawaiian bread,” is a soft bread made with flour, sugar, eggs and milk. It has a sweet flavor with a fluffy texture, perfect for sandwiches and French toast! It originates in Hawaii, giving your meal a tropical flair!
Hawaiian Pizza
Hawaiian pizza is a pizza variation that many people have strong opinions about! It’s simply a regular pizza, but with pineapple and ham added to it, giving it a strong blend of salty and sweet flavors. It’s not for everyone, but the unique taste has gained popularity all around the world!
Hazelnut
These are amazing to put into cakes or turn into spreads (which we’ll explore later!). The rich, buttery, sweet flavor is great for baked goods, and is the famous ingredient in Nutella! You can also turn them into some homemade nut butter!
Hazelnut Spread
You might know hazelnut spread as “chocolate hazelnut spread,” or as Nutella – the famous chocolatey spread known all around the world!
Hazelnut spread is mainly made from roasted hazelnuts and chocolate, creating a smooth texture that boasts a rich and creamy flavor. You can use it as a topping for your bread, pancakes, crepes, or bakings. It’s also popular as a filling for different desserts – I love putting it on pancakes, personally!
Health Bread
Health bread is a fun name for whole grain and multigrain bread. It has higher fiber content and better nutritional value than white bread, typically including ingredients like oats, flaxseed, whole wheat flour, and more. Like the name implies, it’s often used by people who want a healthier bread option that provides some extra nutrients.
Hearts Of Palm
Hearts of palm are the tender, ivory-colored cores of certain types of palm trees. They have a delicate, slightly sweet flavor and a firm, crisp texture that make them a versatile ingredient in salads, sandwiches, and other dishes. So, next time you’re looking for a nutritious and tasty addition to your meal, give hearts of palm a try!
Hearts Of Romaine Lettuce
Hearts of romaine lettuce refer to the crispy and slightly sweet inner leaves of the romaine lettuce plant. They’re sought after for their refreshing flavor, being used in things like Caesar salad! Hearts of romaine lettuce are super nutritious, adding some healthy vitamins and minerals to their crunch!
Hearty Beef Stew
Hearty beef stew is, well, hearty! It’s a comforting dish made by mixing a broth with chunks of beef and vegetables. It’s generally slow-cooked to let the beef become tender and really absorb all the flavors! Onions, carrots, potatoes, and herbs are often mixed in, making this a great dish to serve with bread on a cold day!
Hefeweizen
This German wheat beer is light, refreshing, and slightly fruity. It’s a perfect drink for a warm summer day, giving off a unique flavor of banana and clove. This cloud beer goes great with a meal or enjoyed sitting on a patio under the sun!
Heirloom Tomatoes
These are a really cool type of tomato, named because this variety has been passed down through generations! Heirloom tomatoes have vibrant colors ranging from red, yellow, green, and even with striped patterns! Something really neat about heirloom tomatoes is that they’re open-pollinated – this means that instead of being grown like other commercial tomatoes, they’re pollinated naturally by wind, insects, and birds!
Throw these into your salads, sandwiches and other dishes to add some delicious juicy flavor and beautiful visuals!
Hemp Seeds
Hemp seeds, AKA hemp hearts, are the nutritious seeds of the hemp plant. They’ve gotten super popular due to their health benefits – hemp seeds are rich in protein, healthy fats, and fiber content! They have a nutty flavor that goes great for sprinkingling over salads, blending into smoothies, and adding to baked goods.
Give these a try for an easy health boost to your meal!
Hen Of The Woods
This has nothing to do with hens!
This mushroom, also known as maitake, is popular in Japanese cuisine. It has a meaty texture and a slightly nutty, earthy flavor that makes it perfect for stir-fries, soups, and stews. It gets its name from its appearance, which resembles the ruffled feathers of a hen.
Herb Butter
Combine some softened butter with finely chopped herbs such as parsley, thyme, rosemary, or basil, add in some garlic or lemon zest, and you’ve got yourself some delicious herb butter!
This stuff is great to add on your toast or melt over top of your meats and vegetables – you can even sautee your dish in it for extra flavor!
Herbal Tea
You’ll love relaxing with some herbal tea!
It’s tea made by infusing flowers or herbs in hot water, creating an aromatic and delicious drink that pairs well with a good book! Common herbal teas are chamomile, peppermint, hibiscus, ginger, and lemongrass.
You can even drink herbal tea cold, making it a great choice for hot days!
Herbed Croutons
Get ready to add a delicious twist to your croutons!
Herbed croutons are dried, crispy, cubed pieces of bread rolled in a mixture of herbs, garlic powder, and salt. They are then baked or toasted before being added to salads, soups, or eaten as a snack!
Herbed Goat Cheese
Herbed goat cheese is one of my favorite things to combine with crackers.
Take the creamy, tasty goat cheese and combine it with herbs such as thyme, rosemary, basil, dill, or chives to create a delicious topping for salads and sandwiches – or as a spread for your crackers!
Herbes De Provence
Herbes de Provence is a herb blend originating out of France. It’s typically made of a mixture of dried herbs and spices including thyme, rosemary, savory, marjoram, and oregano. Sometimes lavender, fennel seeds, and tarragon are added depending on the recipe or what your preferences are. It’s often used to season roasted meats or added to vegetables and soups.
Herring
Herring is a type of oily fish that is super popular for its unique flavor. It’s got a savory, slightly salty and briny taste that’s great for pickling, smoking, or grilling. Its versatility is great for tossing into your salad, putting it in your sandwich, or enjoying on the side with some vegetables!
Hibachi Steak
Hibachi steak refers to a style of cooking steak. The “hibachi” is a type of grill used in traditional Japanese cuisine, and is usually charcoal or gas-powered.
The steak is typically seasoned with soy sauce and garlic before being seared on high heat on the hibachi. This creates a caramelized crust while keeping the meat juicy and tender on the inside.
Hibiscus Tea
Who would’ve thought that taking dried petals from the hibiscus flower and steeping it in hot water would create such a delicious tea! Hibiscus tea has a striking deep red or magenta color, and tastes tangy with distinct floral and fruity notes. It’s popular both hot and cold, making it versatile for however you’re feeling!
Plus, it’s caffeine-free!
Hickory Nuts
These nuts have a buttery and nutritious kernel enclosed in a hard shell. Hickory nuts come from hickory trees, and taste similar to pecans. You can eat them raw, roasted, or added as an ingredient in different desserts and pies!
Hickory-Smoked Bacon
Take bacon, and smoke it with hickory wood during the curing and smoking process to create this delicious and savory dish. It has a slightly sweet and smoky flavor, adding something special to the already delicious taste of bacon. Use it in your sandwiches, with your eggs for breakfast, or even crumble it into your salads!
Highland Beef
Highland beef is meat that comes from the same-named Scottish breed of cattle known for their long horns and shaggy coats. It’s lean, tender, and boasts a rich, juicy taste. Highland beef is popular as a steak, but is also used in burgers and roasts. This is definitely a meat to check out if you’re looking for high-quality beef!
Hijiki Seaweed
Hijiki seaweed, AKA hiziki, is a type of edible seaweed that is commonly used in Japanese cuisine. It comes from the coasts of Japan, and has a dark brown color with a distinctive taste. It’s often cooked, becoming tender with a slightly crunchy texture. Hijiki seaweed has some great nutritional value, and adds a unique umami flavor to your dishes.
Himalayan Salt
A popular choice among those looking for an alternative to regular table salt, this pink rock salt has a milder taste with rich mineral content such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, and iron. Himalayan salt is commonly used in cooking and seasoning – and it looks pretty neat!
Hoagie Roll
These are also called sub rolls or hero rolls, and is a type of bread roll specifically used to make hoagie sandwiches. They have a long shape and a slightly crispy crust, but break into a soft and fluffy inside! You’ll usually slice these the long way and fill them with deli meats, cheese, tomatoes, condiments, and whatever else you can think of to make a hearty sandwich!
Hoisin Sauce
This sweet and savory Chinese sauce is made from soybeans, garlic, vinegar, and other seasonings. It’s perfect for adding flavor to stir-fries, marinades, and dipping sauces – try it with your spring rolls for an extra bold taste!
Hokkaido Squash
This winter squash originates from Hokkaido, Japan, and is also called Red Kuri squash or Japanese squash.
It’s on the smaller side, with a round shape and reddish-orange skin. The flesh is smooth, sweet, dense, and has a nutty flavor! You can prepare it many ways, including roasting it, steaming it, or boiling it. Either way, you’ll enjoy the rich vitamin and mineral content, adding a sweet and creamy flavor to many recipes!
Hokkien Noodles
These noodles come from the Fujian province of China. Hokkien noodles are made from wheat flour and eggs, giving them a yellow color with a chewy texture. They’re often stir-fried and mixed with vegetables, sauces, and meat. They’re also used in soups, and absorb flavor really well! Hokkien noodles are a staple food in many Asian cuisines.
Hollandaise Sauce
You’ll likely know this creamy sauce from dishes such as eggs Benedict!
It’s made by combining egg yolks, butter, lemon juice, and some seasoning into a smooth sauce that has a distinct, buttery flavor. There are many dishes that you can use Hollandaise sauce with, covering steamed vegetables and grilled fish for example!
Holiday Punch
Holiday punch is, as the name implies, traditionally served during holidays and celebrations. It usually refers to a large-batch punch made from several different ingredients that change from region to region and family to family. Holiday punch usually includes a combination of fruit juices and carbonated water or soda, with slices of fruit and herbs sometimes added in for extra flavor and a decorated look! People serve it themselves, since it’s made in a large batch.
Holly Berries
These are vibrant red fruits that look stunning with their contrasting dark green leaves – but don’t be fooled, holly berries shouldn’t be eaten! They’re generally used as a decorative piece during holiday seasons, like in wreaths for example. They can cause nausea and vomiting when eaten, so stick to looking at them rather than popping them into your mouth!
Home Fries
This breakfast dish is made by cooking up chunked up potatoes, often with onions. Be sure not to confuse them with hash browns, which are made with shredded potatoes.
Fill up a plate with hash browns, scrambled eggs, some toast, and the meat of your choice (breakfast sausage, bacon, ham) for a classic start to your morning!
Homemade Yogurt
Another delicious home-made dish, homemade yogurt is made from scratch using fermented milk. It’s pretty simple to make, but can take a couple hours depending how much you’re making and how quick the fermenting process is. Add some nuts, fruits, honey, or granola for some extra flavor, and feel free to experiment with different types of milk!
Hominy
Hominy is corn that’s been soaked in an alkaline solution – this gets rid of the hull and softens the kernels! What’s left is a puffy, mildly nutty nut-looking food. It’s sometimes ground into cornmeal, but is also used in soups, stews, and many other Latin American cuisines.
Honey
The food that never spoils – honey!
This deliciously sweet food comes from bees, and can be prepared in different ways to provide creamier vs. harder consistencies. You can use it as an ingredient in many different dishes, use it to sweeten up your tea or yogurt, and use it as a substitute for sugar!
Honey Ham
Honey ham is a delicious way to prepare ham – you glaze or coat the ham with honey during the cooking process, roasting or baking it to create a juicy and sweet taste to an already delicious meat!
Honey Wheat Bread
This type of bread is made by combining wheat flour and honey, providing some extra sweetness. It’s a delicious alternative to regular wheat bread, and goes great with sandwiches or toasted with jam!
Honey-Glazed Carrots
This is a delicious side dish!
Honey-glazed carrots are simply carrots cut into little pieces, then cooked in a mixture of honey, butter, and seasonings. The glaze caramelizes as the carrots cook, giving them a deliciously sweet coating. The process also brings out the natural sweetness of the carrots, providing even more flavor to the dish!
Plus, it looks really awesome as a pop of color on your plate!
Honeycomb
Honeycomb is a natural product created by honeybees while they’re making honey. It’s a cool structure made from many hexagonal shapes, and is where the honey is stored! It has a chewy and waxy texture, and is a really neat way to eat the honey contained within. You can even put it on a slice of toast, or add it to your desserts for a sweet addition!
Honeycrisp Apple
This popular apple variety is characterized by its crisp, juicy flesh and vibrant red skin. It has a great balance between sweetness and tartness, making it a very easy-to-eat type of apple. You can of course eat them straight, but honeycrisp apples are also used in pies, salads, and baked goods!
Honeydew Melon
One of my personal favorite types of melon, the honeydew melon has a pale green flesh and a sweet flavor that’s perfect for salads and desserts! You can enjoy it on a hot summer’s day – plus, it’ll help hydrate you due to its high water content!
Honeydew Sorbet
This delightful frozen dessert is made from pureed honeydew melon. It’s a light and refreshing treat, created by blending honeydew melon with sugar, then churned in an ice cream maker to create the smooth and creamy sorbet.
Try it out on a hot day!
Hop Shoots
Also known as hop sprouts or hop asparagus, these young shoots emerge from the hop plant, usually in spring. They taste similar to asparagus, and are often sauteed or steamed to be used as a side dish, added to salads, or even put onto pizza!
Hoppy IPA Beer
This is a popular beer style that’s known for its bitterness. It’s made with an emphasis on hop varieties that have flavors resembling floral, citrus, or herbal tastes. Hoppy IPA beer is mostly reserved for beer enthusiasts – it’s not everyone’s cup of tea (or pint of beer…)!
Fun fact: IPA stands for “India Pale Ale.”
Horchata
Horchata is a traditional drink enjoyed in many Latin American and Spanish cultures. It’s an interesting combination of rice, water, and spices like cinnamon and vanilla.
Don’t worry, you’re not actually drinking the rice – it’s first soaked, blended, then strained to remove any solids. That’s mixed with sweeteners or condensed milk, and flavored with the spices. The result is a creamy and refreshing drink, often served chilled on a hot day!
Horned Melon
Horned melon is also called kiwano or African horned cucumber, and is an exotic-looking fruit. It has bright orange/yellow skin, with spiky horns coming off of it. The flesh is bright green and jelly-like, with a bunch of edible seeds inside.
You usually eat this by scooping out the refreshing flesh, and adding it to fruit salads, desserts, and even cocktails!
Horseradish
Horseradish is often used as a condiment, with a strong, sharp flavor that’s similar to wasabi. It’s usually eaten in the form of a paste, and added to many different types of dishes to add a zesty heat.
Don’t eat too much at once – it’ll burn!
Hot & Sour Soup
Stemming out of China, this soup has bold contrasting flavors. You’ll usually find it made with mushrooms, tofu, bamboo shoots, vinegar, soy sauce, chili peppers, and different types of seasoning. The “hot” comes from the chili peppers, while the “sour” comes from the vinegar and any citrus juices added.
Hot Chocolate
Who doesn’t love hot chocolate on a cold, wintery day?
There are many powder-mixes these days, but the classic way of melting chocolate and combining it with warmed up milk in a pot is timeless. You can top it off with some marshmallows or whip cream for an extra-special experience!
Hot Cross Buns
A traditional baked treat enjoyed around Easter, these sweet buns are often studded with currants or raisins and flavored with nutmeg and cinnamon. They’re often served warm or toasted, and go really well with jam or butter!
Hot Dog
The classic baseball food! A hot dog is a wiener inside a bun, covered with condiments like ketchup, mustard, and relish. There are some crazy hot dogs out there that have all sorts of toppings – I love adding diced onions, for example.
Hot Fudge
This mouth-watering dessert sauce is usually made from heating sugar, chocolate, butter, and cream until it’s smooth and gooey. It’s often served over ice cream, sundaes, and many other desserts to add a sweet, chocolatey element.
Hot Pepper Jelly
This spicy condiment/spread is made by combining hot peppers, sugar, vinegar, and pectin. It’s delicious, and pairs great with melted brie cheese on toast. There are different levels of spiciness that you can get, and it adds a zesty flavor to your dish.
Hot Pot
This is a popular Asian culinary tradition where a group of people cook a variety of ingredients in a simmering pot of flavored broth. The pot is usually in the center of the table, with people cutting up meats, vegetables, noodles, and more to add into the pot. There’s a lot of customization here, and any ingredients can be added or removed to make it unique!
Hot Sauce
It’s usually made from chili peppers, and has a wide range of spiciness depending on what kind you get. The spiciness also depends on what type of chili pepper it’s made with – popular hot sauces include jalapeno peppers, habanero peppers, cayenne, and even ghost peppers!
If your meal isn’t spicy enough, throw some fire on it with hot sauce!
Hot sauce is often paired with wings, soups, and even eggs!
Hot Smoked Salmon
This is made by smoking salmon at a higher temperature than normal. This cooks the salmon while infusing it with a delicious smoky flavor, usually done in a smoker or grill with wood chips.
I highly recommend this – the smoky flavor is delicious!
Hot Toddy
A fun name, this warm alcoholic beverage is made by adding a shot of whiskey, rum, or brandy into some hot water or tea. People sometimes add some sugar or lemon juice as well to bring out a different taste. A Hot Toddy is usually enjoyed during the cold winters to warm yourself up with!
Hot Water Cornbread
This is a traditional Southern dish made by mixing cornmeal, hot water, and seasonings. The batter is then formed into small patties or cakes before being fried to golden-brown perfection! Hot water cornbread has a crunchy exterior, and often served as a side dish with meat!
Hubbard Squash
Hubbard squash is a larger squat with a thick, bumpy skin that ranges from deep green to orange. The flesh itself is orange or yellow, and has a dense, creamy texture when cooked. It goes great in soups, stews, casseroles, or as a roasted vegetable dish.
Huckleberry
These little berries are eaten fresh, or dried and put into cakes. They come from a large bush-like plant, and are related to blueberries. They can be quite tart, but are great for jams, wine, or pressing into juice.
They’re often compared to blueberries, as they’re from the same family!
Huckleberry Jam
Huckleberry jam is a delicious sweet and tart jam made from huckleberries. You can enjoy it on toast, biscuits, or scones – or use it as a topping for your pancakes!
Huevos Rancheros
Huevos rancheros is a classic Mexican breakfast dish typically made with fried eggs served on top of a tortilla and covered in warm salsa. You can add avocado slices, chopped onions, and cilantro for some delicious flavor combinations!
Fun fact: “huevos rancheros” translates to “rancher’s eggs.”
Huitlacoche
Huitlacoche, also known as “Mexican truffle” or “corn mushroom,” is a delicacy found on ears of corn infected with a fungus. It’s highly regarded for its unique, earthy taste, and used in dishes like quesadillas, tamales, and soups.
Hummingbird Cake
No hummingbirds were hurt in the making of this cake!
It’s actually a moist cake made with bananas, pineapple, pecans, and spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg. Hummingbird cake often has a layer of cream cheese frosting, providing a rich and sweet flavor to the tropical blend of ingredients.
Hummingbird Nectar
This simple mixture of sugar and water (one part sugar, four parts water) is usually heated and then cooled before being consumed – but, it’s mainly hummingbirds that drink this! It got its name because people will often put this out into hummingbird feeders to attract the beautiful birds, giving them a source of hydration!
Hummus
This is a popular dip made from mashed chickpeas and blended with tahini! It has a smooth, creamy texture with a rich flavor that comes from the additional garlic mixed into it – perfect for dipping pita bread, raw vegetables, and crackers! You can even add some extra seasoning like salt and cumin.
Hungarian Goulash
Hungarian goulash is a delicious stew made with beef, tomatoes, paprika, salt, and pepper. Many people get creative with the seasoning and make up some delicious concoctions. It’s very popular in Europe – I grew up there, and we regularly enjoyed this savory dish!
Sometimes people will add pasta into there as well, as the spice and thickness pairs well with noodles.
Hungarian Mushroom Soup
A hearty soup stemming from Hungarian cuisine, Hungarian mushroom soup is a combination of mushrooms, onions, and vegetables cooked together in a vegetable or chicken broth. Sour cream is often mixed in as well, creating a creamy base that completes this warm and comforting meal! It usually has paprika and dill added to pump up the flavor!
Hungarian Sausage
Another traditional dish stemming from Hungary, this sausage is made from a mixture of ground pork or beef, seasoned with spices like paprika, garlic, and black pepper before being stuffed into a natural casing for cooking or smoking. Hungarian sausage has a smoky and spicy flavor that pairs well with soups, goulash, and stews – it’s also used as toppings for pizzas and sandwiches!
Hurricane Popcorn
This snack originating from Hawaii puts a fun twist on popcorn! It’s typically seasoned with butter, soy sauce, and furikake (a Japanese seasoning made from seaweed and sesame seeds). Sometimes extra flavors like caramel are included, perfect for snacking during a movie!
Hushpuppies
These crispy fried cornmeal balls are a staple in Southern cuisine. They’re often served as a side dish with seafood or barbecue and have a slightly sweet and savory flavor.
Husk Cherry
Husk cherries are also known as ground cherries or cape gooseberries, and grow inside a protective husk that you can remove to reveal a small, round fruit. They’re usually yellow or orange, and have a sweet and tangy taste. They’re great in salads, jams, or pies.
Fun fact: the husks turn brown when the fruit is ripe!
Husked Corn
Also known as “shucked corn” or “peeled corn,” husked corn refers to corn-on-the-cob with its outer husk removed. This lets you get at the corn kernels for eating and cooking – you can steam, grill, roast, or boil it.
Hyacinth Beans
These beans are popular in many Asian and African cuisines, and recognized for their vibrant, elongated pods. Hyacinth beans have a slightly nutty flavor, and are super versatile! You can find them in stews, curries, soups, and stir-fries.
Hybrid Cucumber
Hybrid cucumbers happen when two different cucumber varieties get crossed. This a controlled process, purposefully bred to create a cucumber with specific characteristics!
Hyderabadi Biryani
A delicious dish stemming from Hyderabad, India. It’s made with basmati rice, mutton or chicken, vegetables, and spices such as cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, saffron, and more!
Hydroponic Lettuce
Hydroponic lettuce is grown without the use of soil! It’s usually grown in a contained environment like a greenhouse, and uses a lot less water and nutrients to grow than with the normal lettuce coming from the ground.
Hyssop
Hyssop is an aromatic herb that has been used in the medicine and culinary worlds for a LONG time! It belongs to the mint family, and both its leaves and flowers are used as a herb, to create essential oil, used as decorations, or to make tea with.
Hyssop Tea
Hyssop tea is the soothing, minty, comforting tea made by steeping hyssop leaves in hot water. This aromatic tea is often used to help out with digestion, and is known as a general health-booster by many of its drinkers!
These are some of my favorite foods that start with the letter H – let me know in the comments which ones we should add to the list!
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