Are you always on the look out for that new trendy food? How about constantly searching for new recipes to try? Whether you like modern dishes, or are a fan of the classics there are so many different things to try.

I have always been inspired by new tastes. Discovering a new spice like jasmine to add to a dish while I’m cooking can make my day. From Jolly Ranchers to jalapenos there are a ton of different foods that start with the letter J!

Cooking is a fantastic hobby for anyone that enjoys food. There are a ton of different dishes that start with the letter J, all from different origins, backgrounds, and with unique flavors.

51 Foods That Start With J

Most people haven’t heard of a jackfruit, or a Japanese plum, but drink java every day. Whether you can name a ton of J foods or are a J food novice, keep reading to learn more about 51 different dishes that start with the letter J.

Jalapeno

The Jalapeno is a type of spicy pepper that is often pickled. This food is found in many Latin America and Mexican dishes including taco salad, burritos, quesadillas, and sandwiches.

Johnnycake

A Johnnycake, often mistaken for the pancake, is a cornbread treat cooked of the stovetop. This treat is eaten for breakfast, and is a circle shape. Usually, Johnnycakes are served in threes.

Jolly Rancher

Jolly Ranchers are a popular candy in the USA. These small candies are super hard and come in many different flavors, including cherry, grape, green apple, watermelon, blue raspberry, and fruit punch.

Jam

This popular spread consists of various fruits mashed together into a pulp topping. Jam is usually grape flavored; however, it can also come in other various flavors include strawberry, and peach.

Jordan Almond

A Jordan Almond is simple to make and consists of an almond covering in a thin chocolate coating. They come in a wide variety of colors including, teal, white, pink, yellow, and green.

Jasmine

Jasmine is a spice that adds a pungent floral smell and flavor to both food and beverages. The jasmine plant blossoms, and then the blossoms are harvested to create jasmine spice.

Jelly Beans

Jelly Beans are a tiny, sweet candy that come in an assortment of flavors. Popularly known as an easter candy, jelly beans come in many different colors including, blue, green, pink, orange, red, purple, and yellow.

Jerusalem Artichoke

Jerusalem artichoke has many health benefits including reducing blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure. This root vegetable resembles a potato in appearance, and can be prepared in many different ways.

Jambalaya

This Creole dish was created in New Orleans French Quarter and consists of rice, tomatoes, peppers, celery, and onions mixed with various meats. Jambalaya can be made with seafood, chicken, sausage, and ham.

Jackfruit

The jackfruit can be grown in Africa, Asia, and Brazil. This large fruit has been compared to a melon, and is known for its rough, yellow skin, and unique taste. Many people say the jackfruit tastes like chicken.

Jicama

Jicama can be prepared in many ways including made into fries, put in a salad, made in a wrap, and more. This root vegetable appears white and paper-like, while it tastes like a potato.

Jewfish

The Jewfish originates in warm coastal waters, and are known for their savory white meat. The flavor of a Jewfish is similar to chicken, and it can be prepared with like recipes.

Jaboticaba

The jaboticaba is a circular fruit, that has been compared to a purple grape, and originates from Brazil. This tasty fruit is similar to a lychee and a very potent grape combined.

Japanese Plum

The Japanese plum is a yellow fruit that is often used for making wine; however, this plum is not only limited to wine, but can also make various jams. This food originates in the tropics.

Jawbreaker

This popular candy is super hard. To eat a jawbreaker, you should suck on it until it is small, to avoid harming your teeth. Jawbreaker’s are a sugary treat, and come in many different flavors.

Java

Java, also known as coffee, is made with ground coffee beans and hot water. This popular flavor is also used for coffee, and candies. Java is one of the most widely known beverages in the world.

Jello

The name “Jello” started as a brand, and has grown to be the recognized term for gelatin. Jello is a sweet dessert that comes in a wide variety of flavors including, grape, berry, strawberry, cherry, lime, and orange.

Jiffy Corn Muffin

Jiffy corn muffin mix has become one of the most prevalent types of cornbread in modern times. This bread tastes great when paired with a warm side of soup or cheese.

Julep

The most popular type of julep is mint. This alcoholic drink contains sugar, shaved ice, fresh mint, bourbon, and water. Often, mint is used as a garnish on top of this beverage.

Jambon

This Irish recipe involved smoking a thigh cut of pig or hog. The name “Jambon” was inspired by King Henri the Fifth. Jambon can also be made into a warm, savvory meat pastry.

Jelly Roll

This old-fashioned cake recipe, consists of spongy cake, coated with jelly which is then rolled into a log. To serve jelly roll thinly slice the log into circular shaped pieces.

Jerky

Jerky is made by first seasoning meat and then dehydrating it. There are many different types of seasonings used to make jerky including Texas pepper, and hickory smoked. Various meats can also be used; however, beef is the most popular.

Jonathan Apple

This apple is small to medium in size, and known for being very sweet. The color of a Jonathan apple is very distinct, starting as a light red and fading into green.

Juicy Fruit

Juicy Fruit is a popular type of gum in the United States. This gum traditionally comes in pack of five stick pieces. The flavor of Juicy Fruit gum combines pineapple and banana.

Jerk Chicken

Jerk chicken is a super spicy meat dish that originates from the Caribbean’s. This dish is often thought to be a Jamaica delicacy. To make Jerk chicken you dry rub the meat is a hot spice, or marinate in sauce.

Julienne Fries

Julienne fries are thinly sliced and then fried in batter. These fries are usually made from a potato, but can also be made from other vegetables including, carrots, and celery.

Juice

To make juice a fruit or vegetable is concentrate into liquid form. Some of the most popular types of juice are orange, apple, and cranberry. Juice can be homemade, or store bought.

Jimmies

Jimmies are tiny shreds of chocolate, often used as a garnish, on ice-cream, or to top a dessert. You can recognize jimmies by their super thin form, and slight curled shape.

Jujube

This candy is small and filled with fruit. Jujube’s are also called gummy drops or candy drops, and come in various flavors. Some of the colors jujube’s come in include, red, green, orange, and yellow.

Jook

Jook is an inexpensive Chinese breakfast food that is both creamy and savory. This warm, filling dish consists of rice that is made with chicken stock and simmered. Sometimes jook is made with bacon or cheese.

Jumble

Jumble’s are a type of cookie, known for their vanilla flavor and buttery, rich consistency. To make jumble’s combine flour, eggs, sugar, vanilla, and butter then cook in the oven.

Jif Peanut Butter

Jif peanut butter was invented in 1958. Known for their red, blue, and green label Jif is one of the leading peanut butter’s in the United States. Jif peanut butter comes in both a creamy and a crunchy style.

Jam Tart

Traditional jam tarts consist of a breaded outside and jam center and originated in Great Britain. Popular jam tart flavors include lemon curd, and raspberry, and are found at bakeries around the world.

Junior Mints

Junior mints are a popular candy. These oval shaped candies consist of a dark chocolate coating, around a mint filling. Junior mints are packaged in a white, brown, and green box.

Juneberries

This Canadian fruit is grown on the prairie, and are found on the shadbush. Juneberries taste like a combination of cherries and raisins. To prepare juneberries it is best to freeze them first.

Juniper Berry

Only some juniper berries are edible, so it is important to ensure the type you have can be eaten. Juniper berries have a sharp taste, that is very tart and sour.

Jaffa Cakes

Jaffa cakes were created in 1927 in the United Kingdom, and named after Jaffa oranges. This treat is biscuit shaped sponge cake covered in a layer of chocolate, with orange jam in the middle.

Jamaican Hot Pepper

The Jamaican hot pepper is just one of the many Caribbean hot peppers. Used to make pepper spice, The Jamaican hot pepper is known for its powerful flavor, and should be eaten with caution.

Jiffy Pop

Jiffy pop is a popular type of savory popcorn. This popcorn combines flavoring, oil, and kernels in a pan with aluminum over top, and can be made on the stovetop.

Jocoque

Jocoque is a milk-based spread that is made by heating milk in a clay container until it reaches the correct consistency. This dish is often described as being similar to yogurt.

Jelly Doughnut

Jelly doughnuts are just one of the many types of doughnuts. This treat makes an excellent breakfast food, and consists of doughnut breading with a jelly filled center. Jelly doughnut’s can be fun to make at home, or ordered from most doughnut shops.

Jalapeno poppers

Jalapeno poppers are a popular American cuisine, usually served as an appetizer. These poppers are made by breading and frying a jalapeno pepper. Sometimes Jalapeno poppers are made with a cheese center.

Junket

Junket is a dessert that originated in France. This milk-based dish can be fruit flavored, or served sweetened. The junket can be sweetened with natural sweeteners, and topped with granola or fruit.

Jota

Jota is an Istrian stew made with sauerkraut, beans, bacon, potatoes, and sometimes spare rib. This stew is popular in the Adriatic region, including Istria and Croatia. Jota is warm and savory, and can be made at home.

Jollof Rice

Jollof rice is a popular African dish. To make jollof rice first you cook long grain rice, then combine it with onions, tomatoes, spices, and vegetables. Jollof rice can also be made with whatever meat the cook desires.

Jugo de Avena

This popular Caribbean beverage consists of an oat base mixed with milk, sugar, and spices. Jugo de Avena is a refreshing drink, that can also be combined with fruit flavors.

Jaffle

This sandwich is popular in South Africa, and consists of breading with a meat filled center, toasted. The jaffle is often toasted over an open flame, but can also be made in an electric toaster.

Jellied Eel

Jellied eel consists of finely sliced eel that is boiled in a variety of spices. This traditional English delicacy is cooled after it’s cooked, and solidifies into a jelly consistency.

Jian Dui

Jian dui, also called sesame ball, is a fried pastry dish. This pastry is shaped like a ball and coated with sesame seeds. Jian dui is known for its hollow center.

Joumou

Joumou is a soup originating in Haiti. Best known for its pumpkin flavor, this soup is warm and savory. Joumou can have a variety of different ingredients in it including beef, butternut squash, and carrot.

Jiaozi Dumplings

Jiaozi dumplings are originally from China; however, they are eaten all of the world in today’s modern age. These dumplings are usually made with pork and cabbage inside, and are served hot.

Wrap Up

Now you have 51 new and exciting foods to try! Whether you are grabbing some jalapeno poppers while dining out, or attempting to make Joumou soup at home, your tastebuds are in for a treat. Go ahead and let your J food journey begin!