Have you ever participated in a game where you have to list food names that start with a particular letter and shout out as many as you can? This kind of game is an exciting way to test your knowledge of foods and discover new dishes to try!
In this article, we’re giving you a list of foods that start with the letter B so that the next time you play the game, you can give the best list of answers!
Or maybe, you just want to broaden your list of comfort foods apart from the usual meals you’ve been having all this time. But when you go on the internet, you might get flooded with an endless list of recipes to try. It’s easy to get overwhelmed, so it’s wise to start somewhere.
Let’s begin with foods that start with the letter B. This list also has other types of food and beverages.
The List: 52 Foods that Start with B
1. Baba Ganoush
Baba Ganoush is a creamy and smoky Mediterranean dip made by blending mashed roasted eggplant and tahini with lemon juice, olive oil, and other seasonings. Traditionally, an open flame is used for cooking the eggplant to give it the signature smoky taste.
It is sometimes dressed with various vegetables. You may eat it as a side dish or with pita bread as a dip.
2. Babi Guling
Babi Guling is the Indonesian take on roasted sucking pig and is a specialty in the popular honeymoon destination of Bali. Preparation includes rubbing turmeric on the pig’s skin and stuffing it with spices such as lemongrass, shallots, shrimp paste, coriander, galangal, chili, garlic, and turmeric.
The pig is then cooked in an open flame. The crispy skin and juicy meat are traditionally eaten with rice, or you may eat it as it is.
3. Bacalao
Bacalao means dried and salted codfish in Spanish. This popular dish in the Iberian Peninsula is prepared by drying and then salting the fish over a period of time. To cook it, you may immerse it in water to wash away the excess salt and use it in baking, making stews, or frying.
4. Backhendl
This classic 18th-century Viennese-style fried chicken is prepared as a whole chicken with lemon juice and spices spread over its entire skin. Then, the chicken is sliced into smaller pieces, dipped in egg, covered with flour mixture, coated with crumbs, and lastly, deep-fried so you can get the crispy outside and tender inside finish.
5. Bacon
Bacon is usually a strip of salt-cured pork. Typically, it is cut from the belly or other less fatty parts of pork.
Bacon is versatile, and you can create an endless amount of dishes with it! It can be served as a side dish for breakfast, but you can also make this the star ingredient in food like BLT, which stands for bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich. If you want a healthier take on bacon, grill it and mix it with a vegetable salad or Cesar salad.
6. Bagel
A bagel is a bread product which looks somewhat like a donut. It originates from Poland and is baked with sesame seeds as toppings. It has a crispy outer layer but is chewy on the inside due to being boiled before baking.
There are many savory varieties and you can typically eat them with cream cheese, butter, tomatoes and even avocado. You can also find sweet versions such as raisin and cinnamon bagels.
7. Bagna Cauda
Bagna Cauda is a dipping sauce present in Italian homes’ Christmas meals, but you can certainly have it any time of the year. It literally means “hot dip,” and it’s made from anchovies and garlic. A small heat source is placed beneath the food bowl to keep it warm as you dip raw and cooked vegetables in it. If you’re fond of fondue, then Bagna Cauda is consumed in a similar way.
8. Bajra
If you’re looking for healthy ingredients, you have to check out Bajra. Bajra is a cereal grain rich in vitamins and minerals. It’s a great source of protein and carbs but completely gluten-free! It’s a good substitute for oats, quinoa, rice, and other grains in your diet. You can also turn it into healthy breads and pancakes.
9. Baked Beans
Baked beans are commonly made of semi-boiled or baked white beans, in a sweet tomato sauce. You can make do-it-yourself baked beans, but if you don’t have much time, you can easily buy canned baked beans in the nearest supermarket and eat it straight from the can. This children’s favorite goes well with bacon and sausages for breakfast, or on toast!
10. Bak Kwa
Bak Kwa means “dried meat” in Hokkien, and it’s a staple of the Lunar New Year dinner. It is prepared with thin slices of meat which are then marinated in a mixture of sugar and spices. Afterward the slices of meat are air-dried. You can also cook them on a hot plate or grill them on charcoal for a smoky taste.
11. Baklava
Baklava is a dessert made with filo pastry, which is then layered with crushed nuts and with honey or syrup to sweeten. Thanks to its flaky texture and rich flavor it’s a popular pastry in western Asia. Here’s a tip: you should eat baklava upside down so its flavor-rich roof will be the one to touch your tongue first.
12. Bakso
Bakso or baso, hails from Indonesia. It’s a meatball composed of beef or chicken surimi and other seasonings. It’s a classic Indonesian comfort food that is best enjoyed as bakso or meatball soup, often with noodles, beansprouts, and fried tofu.
New versions of bakso have emerged to suit any taste, including bakso with boiled egg inside, bakso with cheese inside, and even bakso with mini bakso inside!
13. Balchão
Balchão is a Goan dish similar to pickling. Using either prawns or fish, cook them in a spicy and pungent tomato-chili-based sauce. You can store it in the fridge for months and consume it anytime without reheating. It is best to eat along with boiled rice or bread.
14. Balot
Balot or balut is an exotic street food from the Philippines made with fertilized duck egg embryos. It is eaten straight from the shell, so you will see the tiny developing duck embryo when you crack it. Just pour on salt or vinegar, then drink the juice because that’s the yummiest part. Eating the embryo part is the most challenging phase, so if you’re the kind of person who seeks food adventure, Balot is definitely a must-try.
15. Balsamic Vinegar
Compared to regular vinegar, Italian balsamic vinegar is on a different level thanks to its flavorsome aroma. It’s a little sweet and dark in color and can be used to elevate the taste of sauces and dressings. Although it is mainly used in cooking, you can dilute it and use it as glazing in other dishes.
16. Bananas
One of the all-time favorite fruits is the multifaceted banana. It’s rich in fiber to support digestion and packed with antioxidants which are good for the heart.
You can make so many recipes with bananas. From banana bread to banana milkshake, you won’t run out of ideas to make out of this sweet fruit. Better yet, eat it raw to make sure you absorb all of its nutrients.
17. Basil
Basil is an herb staple in everyone’s kitchens. This aromatic leafy green herb is commonly used as a seasoning in Italian dishes. Basil gives zest to salads, meat, sauces, and soups.
Since it comes from the mint family, basil also has health benefits. It is a popular traditional remedy for bug bites and nausea. Studies suggest that it can potentially reduce memory loss from aging and reduce blood pressure.
18. Beansprout
The most common bean sprouts are mung beans cultivated mainly in East Asia. Growing them requires minimal effort, as you only need to provide a constant water supply. Cooking sprouts is easy too.
In Japan and China, they usually stir-fry or steam them and stuff the sprouts in a wrapper with other ingredients. Beansprouts are typically seasoned and mixed with dishes like bibimbap or rice dishes in Korea.
19. Bebinca
Bebinca is a popular dessert in Goa, India. It’s a cake or pudding with six to seven layers of batter made from ghee, coconut milk, egg yolk, flour, and sugar. It’s usually served on Christmas Day. Aside from its sweet and buttery taste, the best thing about Bebinca is you can eat it fresh or preserve it.
20. Beer
Beer is a popular alcoholic beverage produced from fermenting cereal grains. Beer has health benefits too, contrary to what many people think! Beer doesn’t need preservatives due to its hops and alcohol content.
21. Beetroot
Beetroot is a vegetable packed with nutritional benefits such as vitamin C, iron, folate, and a great source of fiber. Beetroots can be eaten raw, such as grated into a salad, but typically they are cooked or pickled. Don’t throw the leaves because you can eat them. In fact, they are called beet greens.
22. Beignets
A staple in the New Orleans culinary scene, Beignets are sweet, deep-fried square pastries covered in sugar. Because they are commonly served at breakfast, the dough mixture is prepared the night before, so you can just cook them in the morning. They are best served with a cup of coffee.
23. Beşbarmaq
Regarded as the national dish of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Bashkortan, Uzbekistan, Beşbarmaq or beshbarmark, is made from noodles and onions. It isn’t your go-to instant noodle: you need to make it from scratch to preserve the authentic taste. The noodle strips have to be cut very thinly to get the traditional Beşbarmaq experience.
24. Bibingka
Bibingka is a rice cake from the Philippines. Although it is popular during the Christmas season, it’s available all year round. An authentic Bibingka is traditionally baked in a terracotta oven with layers of banana leaves which impart a unique aroma. Toppings include cheese, butter, or grated coconut, and it’s best eaten when it’s hot.
25. Biriyani
Made with rice, fish, chicken, lamb, vegetables and flavorful spices, Biryani is an Indian dish unique in taste and rich in aroma. Biryani is best enjoyed as a main dish with a vegetable curry, but you are free to add onion salad and other Indian side dishes.
26. Bisque
This thick and creamy soup hails from France. Bisque is made with crustacean shells ground and strained to make a fine paste with flour. While being cooked, chefs gradually add cream to make it thick. The seafood-rich taste has a smooth and velvet-like texture that lingers in your mouth! Garlic bread is a great side dish to go with bisque.
27. Bitterballen
These bite-size meatballs are of Dutch origin. They are made with ground meat, onions, and other seasonings. They are then deep-fried for their crispy and meaty taste. To eat them, dip bitterballen in mustard or eat them on their own, served piping hot.
28. Blackberries
Blackberries are glossy and dark edible fruits abundant in the North American and European regions. Fully ripened blackberries look dull, but they’re incredibly sweet. You can make them into jam, juice, syrup, and even liquor.
29. Black Beans
Although these legumes have a shell-like appearance, these black beans are completely edible. They contain vitamins and high levels of fiber and protein. Black beans, when cooked, are soft and creamy and go well with many dishes.
30. Black Forest Cherry Gateau
Black Forest Cherry Gateau hails from the Black Forest region of Germany, bordering France and Switzerland. It is a moist dessert with layers of chocolate cake, sweet filling, and cherries. Whipped cream is spread between sponge layers and to decorate the top of the cake. The traditional German version also contains kirschwasser, a local cherry liquor. The dessert is not just yummy, but it’s also delightful to the eyes.
31. Black Sesame
Black sesame seeds are tiny flat seeds that look swollen at one end. They taste slightly bitter compared to white sesame seeds. They are commonly used in Asian cuisine, and you can sprinkle them onto rice dishes, salads, and noodles.
32. Blood Orange
As the name suggests, blood orange is a blood-colored variety of orange fruit. The taste may remind you of navel oranges but sharper. You can mix them in a salad or make a Blood orange crêpe.
33. Blue Crab
Blue crabs are found along the Atlantic coast, and are especially famous in Chesapeake Bay. They have claws with sapphire tint, and the carapace is spotted brown. They have a luscious sweetness and buttery taste. If you want to try them, start with the simple way of steaming them and adding seasoning to highlight their natural flavor.
34. Boeuf Bourguignon
Boeuf Bourguignon is French cuisine that braises beef in red wine and carrots, potatoes, mushrooms, and other garnishes. The wine gives it an extremely authentic flavor, and it is typically served with plain mashed potatoes.
35. Bolognese
Originating from Italy, Bolognese is a classic sauce for dishes like pasta and prepared with ground meat, either pork or beef. Along with other ingredients like carrots, tomatoes, celery, and milk, it has to be simmered for a few hours for the flavor to come out. Pour it on your pasta or make it as dip sauce.
36. Bombay Duck
This delicacy isn’t from Bombay and most definitely not a duck. It’s a fish with a strong, distinct smell. But once you pass through this pungent odor and taste one bite, you will experience the overflowing flavors of the sea. Fry Bombay Duck until it becomes golden brown, then sprinkle it with salt before eating.
37. Borscht
This soup is famous in Northern Asia and Western Europe, classified by its distinct red color because it contains beets. It also has some vegetables with beef shank. It tastes sweet and sometimes slightly sour. Eat it with baked potatoes and bread.
38. Bouillabaisse
This southern France stew is made with a variety of fish including red mullet, sea bass, cod haddock, and others. To add flavor, the seafood is cooked first, then vegetables and aromatics like thyme or saffron are added. Bouillabaisse can be a standalone dish because it already has a mixture of various flavors.
39. Bratwurst
German-style sausage called Bratwurst is made from pork, herbs, and spices and is pale pink. Its mild and somewhat sour taste is iconic and it is usually served fried, broiled, or sautéed.
40. Bread
Bread is a universal food with many variations throughout different cultures. It is made with flour, water, and usually a raising agent such as yeast, and typically baked. Bread alone can make you full, but you can spread it with your favorite topping or just add butter for a rich taste. It goes well with many dishes from around the world.
41. Brie
Brie is a soft cheese typically prepared with cow’s milk. Brie has a smooth, creamy core and a fluffy off-white exterior layer. It has a sweet smell and mushroom-like taste.
42. Brigadieros
Brigadieros are chocolate confectioneries from Brazil. They’re ball-like bite-size sweets made from cocoa powder, sweetened condensed milk, and butter. They are covered in sprinkles and you can have them as desserts or snacks.
43. Broad Beans
Broad beans or Vicia faba are Eurasian bean plants characterized by their large flattened seeds and eaten like vegetables. They have a nutty texture and a creamy but slightly bitter taste. Try them with pan-fried pork chops.
44. Bubble Tea
Bubble tea or Boba tea is a popular beverage which originated in Taiwan. It’s prepared by mixing tea with milk and adding yogurt or different types of fruit juices. The signature tapioca pearls are added last and sit visibly at the bottom of the glass.
45. Bubur Ayam
This Chinese-Indonesian rice congee is cooked with chicken. Chicken is simmered and gently fried, then sliced. It’s a comfort food best served hot.
46. Buckwheat
Buckwheat is a type of cereal that doesn’t originate from grass. Buckwheat is healthy because it’s gluten-free and a great source of fiber, minerals, and antioxidants. You can cook it into porridge or turn it into a salad. But beware: buckwheat can become mushy if overcooked!
47. Bulgogi
Bulgogi is a Korean-style barbecue in which thinly sliced beef is marinated for at least two hours in a mixture of bean paste, soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and brown sugar. Grill the meat in a pan and serve it with Korean traditional side dishes like kimchi or eat it with rice.
48. Bunny Chow
Bunny Chow is a South African dish made with a hollowed-out white loaf filled with curry. Many people love this dish because it’s budget-friendly and rich in flavors. Bunny Chow is a great food to eat on the go because you don’t need a plate – you use your hands to eat it.
49. Butadon
Butadon is a Japanese rice bowl dish served with grilled or fried pork slices and marinated in soy sauce. Its tender meat and sweet and savory taste make it popular among tourists. It’s an easy dish to make at home because you can use instant Teriyaki sauce.
50. Butajiru
Another Japanese cuisine on the list is Butajiru or Tonjiru. It’s a soup dish cooked with pork and vegetables and flavored with miso. The tender slices of pork, vegetables, and miso broth easily make it an instant comfort food.
51. Butter
This dairy product made from the elements of churned cream is used for different kinds of cooking and dishes. The word buttery is often used to describe some foods, and it’s because butter has that soft and creamy texture making it memorable.
52. Butter Beans
These legumes hailing from South America are large beans used in various cuisines. Butter beans have thin skins when young, which become thick as they mature. Butter beans turn soft when cooked and are usually added to braises, stews, soups, salads, and spreads.
